<p>You have a decent shot, I think. People will scrutinize and obsess over your objective stats, but really, at the end of the day, it will make little difference.
What separates someone with an SAT score of 2100 like yourself from someone who scored, say, a 2300? OK, that other person happened to be SLIGHTLY more prepared to take ONE TEST on a given Saturday. Does this indicate that the other applicant is more competent? Absolutely not, and colleges know this. Most people are unaware of the fact that colleges weigh standardized testing scores much less than they used to. When I went to my info session at Cornell, they said that SAT/ACT scores are the last admission factors examined and are not nearly as important as the essays or recommendations. These standardized testing scores are used more as a way to verify that a student is competitive on a level playing field. I mean, how do you separate someone who received a 2200 from someone with a 2250? Both students are clearly qualified to attend, it’s just that one happened to be slightly better at taking a particular test. </p>
<p>Anyway, enough ranting about SAT scores, I just saw how it seems like every “chance me” forum comes down to SAT scores (‘■■■■ YOU DIDNT GET AN 800 ON MATH II SUBJECT TEST YOU HAVE NO SHOT AT COE’…it really drives me nuts. Oh maybe he/she didn’t get an 800 because instead of being cooped up in their room having no life studying all day for a test, they were out selflessly making an actual difference in the world). </p>
<p>What was emphasized at my Info Session was the term “fit”. When sorting through the multitude of applicants it receives each year, Cornell’s ultimate goal is to build a class of people who will be a success. They want the people who they deem to have the overall best rate of success in the future so they can fiscally contribute to the university 15 years down the line (after all, it all comes down to money right?). They try to piece together a group of students who all fit with the ideologies of Cornell and who will be the most successful at the institution. To simplify, they are trying to build a community. </p>
<p>So, the best thing to do is to try and show your niche within your essays (how do YOU fit into the Class of 2015?). If you find a specific area which you make a connection to a particular program, then you nailed it and are definitely in the running. If you fail to do this, your chances of admissions decrease monumentally. </p>
<p>In reality, probably about 90% of applicants to Cornell are qualified to attend, however there are limited spaces available which is why each year numerous highly qualified candidates are rejected. Sometimes, you just need a little bit of luck on your side :D</p>
<p>Good luck eagle22, I think you have a respectable profile and you definitely have a shot, as long as you were able to articulate your fit. Keep those fingers crossed.</p>
<p>PS I’m not saying SAT scores do not matter, I just feel that people weigh them too heavily. I personally know someone who got into Cornell with an SAT score of 1850/2400 (she was a non-athlete and non-legacy BTW) but there are probably people out there with perfect SAT scores who have been rejected. Take with it as you like.</p>