<p>I'm applying ED to Cornell's school of engineering and though my counselor and teacher and friends say that I have a fairly good shot, I just thought I'd get an anonymous perspective.</p>
<p>GPA (unweighted): 3.6
SAT:
Math: 800
CR: 700
I have received my IB diploma one year early in a program that is only offered in my school. I am a National Merit Semi Finalist. I am an AP Scholar. My honors courses include:</p>
<p>AP US History
AP World History
AP English Language
AP Literature
AP Biology
AP US Gov
AP Chemistry (future)
AP Calculus BC (future)</p>
<p>IB SL Math
IB HL English
IB HL History
IB HL ITGS
IB SL French
IB SL Physics</p>
<p>Currently I am taking 2 200-level college courses and next semester I will take 2 more. I have 4 years of math, science, english and history. 3 years of French (4 including HS classes in Middle School).</p>
<p>In terms of extra curricular activities:</p>
<p>Varsity Football: 2 years
DECA: 4 years, placed in area and state competitions twice, qualified for internationals
Robotics: 4 years, Scout Officer, 1st place in regional championship, qualified for internationals
JSA: 3 years, Vice President of Chapter
Math Club: 3 years, various placements in State competitions
Physics Club: 1 year
Science Bowl: 2 years
Music: Have played the Sitar, a classical Indian instrument for 9 years
Ski-Instructor: 2 years
~500 volunteer hours
Internship at a law firm.</p>
<p>Overall, I feel as if I meet the general cutoffs for every category but my GPA, which I think is a little low (Unless Cornell weights it, in which case, with my honors courses, I would have a pretty good GPA around 3.9/4.0). I'm basically wondering/worried whether or not the rest of what I have will make up for it.</p>
<p>Oh and just a clarification for those who may not know/may be confused:</p>
<p>The IB diploma is something students work toward during their Junior and Senior year of high school. In general, it’s a lot like AP with some internal assessments, and in my opinion, it’s a bit tougher. Most people receive their diploma in their freshman year of college since they take the final tests in their senior year. I received said diploma in my senior year because I started in my sophomore year. This has allowed me to take college classes and get extra time for my internship at a law firm.</p>
<p>Yikes I keep forgetting things. My SAT 2s:
Math II: 800
Physics: 690
Biology: 650 (Not too proud of this one, probably won’t report it)</p>
<p>SAT I is very good. SAT II’s isn’t good for science, however those scores count for little. Overall I say you have a average, 50-50 shot, maybe a bit less because of your GPA. Are you a male or female and what ethnicity?</p>
<p>I am male, Indian and from Washington</p>
<p>Your gpa is a bit low, but you know that. I’m not sure how the fact that you essentially finished HS in three years will factored in.</p>
<p>Your math SAT is obviously great, and your CR should be fine. Likewise, your Math SAT II is fantastic, but the other two are probably below average for Cornell.</p>
<p>ECs are fine.</p>
<p>Yours is a tough case to evaluate for those of us who are non-experts (i.e., all of us). My gut is that Cornell is probably a low-reach for you. Certainly worth applying to, but have back up plans just in case.</p>
<p>Just a question: What do you mean by low-reach?</p>
<p>And yes I do have back ups but I would be ecstatic if I do make it into Cornell. On a side note, is it harder/easier/the same difficulty to get into the Engineering College (MAE)?</p>
<p>Harder, especially for a male.</p>
<p>Engineering is easier if you’re a female, and difficult if you’re a male. Engineering seems to mostly care about strong math/science ability. I’d say your chances are 30% ED. You seem to me to be a below average student in those categories given your SAT II scores (math is slightly above, science is significantly below). I can’t find any official data to support the math/science claim, except my experiences with Engineering students If your IB/AP scores in math/science are all perfect, I’d bump your chances to maybe 40%, even though those theoretically dont’ count for much, I do think admissions looks at them.</p>
<p>abcritic</p>
<p>Low Reach – for me at least, it means that at least one area of your profile is somewhat below average and there are not specific strengths to offset this. It also means that the below average areas are not so low that they’re likely to totally disqualify a candidate on the merits.</p>
<p>In your case – Your unweighted GPA 3.6 is probably low. The fact that you completed yoru IB in 3 years somewhat offsets this, but honestly, I don’t know how this would be viewed by an ad com. Although your 800 math is high, it is somewhat offset by your 700 CR – which is certainly ok, but below average. Add to this, your Science SAT II’s, which are also a somewhat below average.</p>
<p>So, in my view – it means somewhat below average chance of admission, but not outside the range of possiblilty. It wouldn’t be either a shock or even a particular suprise to see you get in, but you should certainly have a Plan B.</p>
<p>If it makes you feel better, call Cornell a high match – my opinion on these matters isn’t worth that much anyway.</p>
<p>In any event, you should apply.</p>
<p>@Zephyr
Oh I see now. In my school we consider “low-reach” to be back up schools so I was pretty confused for a second. I definitely do have a Plan B but I would love to get into Cornell.</p>
<p>On another side note, if MAE will be tougher to get into, does it make sense to change colleges (like to ILR or something)? While I do have a huge interest in engineering, I am also really interested in business and politics. Though I have already written and revised my supplement for MAE…</p>
<p>Here’s the problem </p>
<p>While it’s certainly not impossible to start in MAE, change your mind and wind up in ILR (or even go the other way, though that’s more difficult). For the first year, the paths are pretty much mutually exclusive.</p>
<p>I think you have to decide what you want to study and if the future changes, it changes. As much as I love Cornell and think it’s great, I wouldn’t apply to one college if your primary interest is in a different area. Just sayin’</p>
<p>You should apply to the program that interests you the most. Getting into Cornell is great, but don’t try and game the system to maximize your odds of getting in. Most people that try to game the system fail.</p>
<p>I truly dont want to “game the system” but I have heard of and seen many cases where it has worked out pretty well. Anyways, I think I’m set on applying to MAE and I guess i’ll take my chances. I’m fairly content with a 30-40% chance, not much else I can do at this point. Thank you guys for all your help.</p>
<p>You’re fine. Just distinguish yourself in your essay, and you’ll have a pretty good shot. Also, show how/if you added value to any of the activities you’ve done- quantify it.</p>
<p>Thanks wongtongtong. If any of you might know, when did ED applicants get results back last year?</p>