Chance Me?

Colleges and Universities A-Z Cornell University
1

<p>I know I've already posted this in the "What are my Chances?" forum, but I thought it might be a little more suited for here.</p>

<p>Okay, I'm not the typical candidate for Cornell, but could anyone give an assessment of my chances from the information provided below? Any suggestions for what could increase my chances of admission, and by how much, would be appreciated.</p>

<p>Academic:</p>

<p>GPA U/W: 3.6/4.3
Class Rank: 9 of 68
Difficulty: Honors, but only because my school does not have the manpower to offer AP. However, by the time I graduate, I'll have completed the requirements for an Associate in Arts from our local community college. I'm going to an "early college" high school in NC.
SAT I: 730 CR, 610 M, 610 W. I plan to retake the SAT in October. My math score, I feel, was the product of nervousness. My essay score was 8, which I'd like to improve upon in my second attempt. Any pointers for how I should study?
SAT II: I'll take them in November. If I'm interested in Cornell's A&S College, gearing toward a degree in English, which test should I take in addition to the one in literature?
ACT: Should I even take the ACT?
AP Exams: I'm challenging the AP Exam in Literature this week. If I don't get a 5, should I send the score?</p>

<p>ECs:</p>

<p>My school has no athletic program. Our grant from the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation is deemed best spent on providing free tuition, books, etc. for the students who took the initiative to commit to this program.</p>

<p>This past year, we've been able to start some clubs. I'm the president of our Interact Club, but with the student body being so small, we're limited. Our major accomplishments have been operating a successful blood drive, and participating in a "Child Abuse Prevention Activity Day."</p>

<p>This summer, I'll likely become involved with our local playhouse.</p>

<p>For part of last year and a few months of this year, I worked part-time at KFC to lessen the financial burden I've placed on my dad's shoulders. I had to give this up when my grades were threatening to slip, but I plan to get another job this summer.</p>

<p>In November, I'll hopefully be participating in NanoWriMo. That is, I will do so if my job, school, etc. permits.</p>

<p>Also, I could work as a teacher intern or something of that sort at my school (volunteerism)</p>

<p>Potential Recs:</p>

<p>My English teacher, who I've had for 3 of my 4 high school English classes, has promised to write me a great recommendation.</p>

<p>My Spanish teacher loves me, so she'll probably agree to write one, too.</p>

<p>I've had the same professor for two college-level philosophy courses, and he might be willing.</p>

<p>My economics professor, who has a Ph.D from NC State, has had me in two of her classes. If I were to ask nicely, she might agree to recommend me.</p>

<p>Okay, so any criticisms, suggestions, etc. are welcome. If you can think of another school for which I'd be more suitable, then please let me know. Schools with great English programs would be preferable. </p>

<p>For clarification, I am a Caucasian male resident of North Carolina. Both my parents achieved Associates degrees, which is odd considering all four of my grandparents achieved a Bachelors or higher--my paternal grandfather earned a J.D. from Wake Forest University. My sister went to UNC-Wilmington and now teaches middle school science in Michigan, where she lives with her husband. My other siblings are less likely to attend or return to college, but my little sister might go to community college for nursing/nursing assistantship. Therefore, I'm the only one to apply to an Ivy.</p>

2

<p>Not bad considering your school sucks (no offense). Try getting a guidance counselour to write up a letter of rec (or just through another teacher) that your small school size and a lack of any sort of budget/manpower has crippled you compared to other students. But they’ll know that you’d take the AP’s on account of the CC thing.</p>

3

<p>since you didn’t do as well as you wanted on the SAT, perhaps you’d do better on the ACT. I think you should take it if it’s not a huge hassle for you.</p>

<p>also you are the first person I’ve ever seen put NaNoWriMo as an activity, but that’s pretty cool if you ask me!</p>

4

<p>Arts and Sciences is pretty tough. I would say you have an average chance of getting in RD (10-15%). ED you’ll have a decent shot.</p>

5

<p>That’s a great idea. How many recommendations would be too many, including the one from my guidance counselor?</p>

6

<p>I’d say 4 should be your max. You don’t want to seem overly excessive. Just make sure that the ones you have are from teachers who know you well and seriously vouch for you. MAke sure you ask your guidance counselour to indclude the details</p>

7

<p>Thank you, HONORLIONS. Your advice is great!</p>

<p>I’m 99.9% sure I’ll be applying ED, but I do have one question about that process. For CCAS, applicants are required to take 2 SAT II’s; somewhere on the website it was said that ED applicants should plan to take the test no later than November. The ED filing deadline is November 1st. Am I to assume they will accept my scores by November 30th, if I were to take the test in November?</p>

8

<p>I wanna say you’ve made an error there. Try looking back. Though ACT’s are kinda easier (for some) and waive the requirement of SAT II’s. Wait NVM, you don’t have AP’s to send AP test scores in for…</p>

<p>Yeah ED will DEFINATELY bump up your chances. There’s a pretty huge (21% for RD, 31% for ED). Plus, they have a pretty low yield rate so deferral may just probably get you in too. </p>

<p>I’m sure though, go back and check the website. I’m assuming your junior anyway?</p>

9

<p>The early college program lasts for five years, and I’m in my fourth. That makes me enough like a junior for these purposes, right?</p>

10

<p>Overall acceptance rate this year was 18% including ED, which was about a 30% acceptance rate–making the RD acceptance rate below 15% (but close to that).</p>

11

<p>From looking at the information I’ve provided, where would you speculate me to be in the ED applicant pool (lower quartile, median, upper quartile, etc.)?</p>

12

<p>Median, no offense but I doubt you’re like the best they get (people who’ve started entire volunteer organizations, have 2400 SATs, 4.0 GPA, president of everything apply ED too, Cornell pretty prestigious you know.
You’re not lower either, you’ve got very decent stats. Like upperish-median I’d say</p>

13

<p>So, I’m not wasting my time by applying?</p>

14

<p>Not all man, like I said, you;re a pretty decent applicant for Cornell. Write a kick ass essay and you’re good. Esp. with ED at Cornell, and a good chance of acceptance after deferal b/c of lower yields.</p>

<p>Apply dude, don’t take it tooo faaaar.</p>

15

<p>Thanks, dude. Even if I don’t get in, I’m happy with some of the schools I’m more likely to get into (i.e. UNC-Chapel Hill, Kenyon College).</p>