Hi Everyone!
I’d would really appreciate it if someone would Chance Me for Cornell’s Regular Decision for 2020. It will help give me more perspective if my dream school is a reality! I know the odds are not in my favor as there is a 14% acceptance rate and hundreds of stellar students are denied, but I’d like to know if I stand out.
High School Senior from #4 High School In Vermont
Class Rank: na/173- but I know I am in the top 5% of my very small class
High School GPA Unweighted: 3.86
High School GPA Weighted: 4.22
SAT: n/a
ACT: 31 (M-28 E-32 S-31 R-31)
SAT Subject Tests: Biology M- 760 (Will be taking English SAT Subject Test in Jan)
AP Tests: (AP French:3, AP English Language: 5, AP Biology: 4, AP US History: 4)
Current Classes: Human Biology, AP World History, AP Literature, Calculus, Wind Ensemble, Latin I
Common App Essay: Written on how my heart acts a metronome for my life’s symphony
Extracurriculars:
Varsity Lacrosse- 2 years. MVP for Defense, Team Captain
Soccer- 3 Years, MVP Defense
International Club 4 Years- Vice President and one founding member
Varsity Scholars Bowl- 3 Years, Made it to State Finals 2 years in a row
Model UN- Co-Founder
Sergeant at Arms for Student Government Body
Math, Science, and Language Tutor
Volunteer Biology Teacher at Summer Science Camps
Captain of the School’s Colorguard Team
Volunteer Ecologist for the Vermont Amphibian Survey
Has Played Oboe for 8 years, Section Leader and Member of the Elite Wind Ensemble
Theater- Head Costumer and Ensemble Member
Secretary of National Honors Society
Soccer Coach for Local Girls Soccer Team
Part- Time Job at a local, holistic pet supply store (averages 20 hours a week)
Awards:
AP Scholar with Honor
Selected Member of the Vermont Girls State Program
Attended National Youth Leadership Forum in Medicine
Awarded the St. Michael’s College Book Award for Academic Excellence and Social Consciousness
Accepted into the National Society of High School Scholars
Demography:
White, Female
Parents both attended universities (RIT)
Applied for financial aid
IMHO I wouldn’t say you stand out any more than the average applicant. Your GPA and ECs are good but so are those of every kid applying to Cornell and honestly ACT is on the lower end of the admitted students. The Ec’s while good likely will not make up for the lower score on the ACT. What about your essays and LoRs how would you rate those? I wouldn’t say your automatically out but I think Cornell will look at your ACT and that will already put you behind the ball so to speak. Still you never know with these things. Best of luck to you!
I disagree a little bit with the previous post; it’s true your ACT isn’t high, but extracurriculars matter a lot to Cornell. I’m applying this year myself, and from every resource and alumni I’ve talked to Cornell wants to see passion and diversity in everything you do, both classes and extracurriculars. It’s true obviously grades and test scores are important; but yours are high enough that if they hurt, it will only be a little bit. It’s never fair to say someone has a "good’ chance at a school like Cornell, but you have a fighting shot. Make sure that when you have an alumni interview opportunity you take it, and pour your heart out; make them want you.
good luck!
Very good ECs, not state champion or anything but obviously very engaged in a wide variety of activities. Solid enough GPA and course curriculum with enough rigor. It will probably boil down to how well you’ve completed your application and your essays. With regard to your ACT score it is at the lower end of the range but many factors are considered in admissions decisions with test scores being just one factor. Good luck
Which school do you intend to apply to and for what major?
I’d say the ECs count for Cornell less than they do for other Ivy League schools. Due to the number of applicants, they are more numbers driven despite placing them on par with grades on the CDS. The ACT of 31 is strong because it is above the threshold of 30-so you are categorized at the top (30-36). But you’d be stronger with some other scores that are high, as opposed to your current SATs along with APs that are not all 5’s. You have time and are planning to take other SAT2’s which is good. Your bio score places you at the 92 (ecological) or 85th (molecular) percentile.
Your chances would be elevated considerably if you applied ED and especially if you are a good enough athlete to play for Cornell.
I will disagree with ggdawggg about the interview. I would not advise you to “pour your heart out” but to be professional and appropriate while conveying strong interest. The interviews don’t have a big impact. Most interviewers like the students they interview but the interviewers are simply alum who do more to excite applicants about their school than they have clout to determine who is accepted.
Your ECs seem like a laundry list of activities and they don’t stand out except when judged in the context of working at a store for 20 hours a week. In that context, it is impressive that your grades and involvement with school is as high as it is.
Seems like you are a strong candidate for Cornell. It would be good if you could generate some objective scores on SAT2’s that are stellar.
@SKIgirl12 I think one of your application’s weaknesses will be how disparate and non-cohesive your extracurricular activities are.
I would say that my essays are very strong. I took a lot of time on them and tried to make them show my strengths and passion for biology!
@lostaaccount I applied to CALS for an animal science or biological science major
Thank you to everyone who commented! I really appreciate your feedback!