Chance of getting into Cornell University?

<p>My standardized test scores aren't very high, but I hope that my extra-curricular activities will make up for it. My intended major is biology/pre-med, but I feel like my high school performance leans more towards the history side. I am a female applying early decision to Cornell University from a Virginian public high school with the following credentials. Chance me? </p>

<p>GPA: 4.56
Rank: 2 of 250
Community Service: Award won for community service
Extra-curriculars: President of three clubs, and leadership in three others
SAT I: 1940 but will retake!
SAT II's: -Bio: 680
-Chem: 590
-U.S. History: 620</p>

<p>Extra-curriculars greater in-depth:
Amnesty International: President and chapter awarded for being most active in region
Key Club: President
Math Honor Society: President
Science Honor Society: Officer
Student Council Association: Executive Position all four years
International Club: Officer
French Club: Officer
French Honor Society: Member
Spanish Honor Society: Member
National Honor Society: Member
Photography</p>

<p>AP’s: Will have taken 17 by the time I graduate from high school</p>

<p>Awards:
-AP Scholar with Distinction
-Community Service Award by the Rotary Club
-Smith College Book Award Winner</p>

<p>Ethnicity: Pakistani Pashtun (U.S. resident for 12 years)
Please help!</p>

<p>17 APs? Did you take all the exams/do well on them?</p>

<p>Well I obviously haven’t taken the AP’s for the courses I’m enrolled in this year, but for the ones if have taken in the past I have received 4’s and 5’s.</p>

<p>You probably have one of the most rigorous course loads of any high school student on CC… but your standardized test scores as you’re probably already aware are below average of those at the school. CALS will be a reach for you, although the number of you take is definitely very impressive. Try to get your SAT I above 2050 (at least) and your SAT IIs above 700 and I think you have a good shot. Consider taking Math I or Math II because they’re fairly simple to score 800 on if you’re good.</p>

<p>You said that you hope that your ECs would make up for your scores, but I don’t think they do, since they don’t have much direction (in my opinion) and nothing really stands out. </p>

<p>Also if you’re applying ED, I think you should take the October AND November SATs (one date for your SAT I and one for SAT II)</p>

<p>I wouldn’t bother taking SAT II’s gain, the scores you have now will not hurt you. I recommend that you retake the SAT and take the ACT.</p>

<p>@Truust I respect the honesty. I am taking the SAT I this October, and I do hope that I get a score in at least the 2000’s range. Most of my extra-curricular activities exhibit involvement in the community as well as a reflection of my academic success. I have committed a lot of my time through human rights work through my leadership at Amnesty International, and I think that maybe adding more information about the particular work that I did in the area will (hopefully) make it seem more impressive and show a certain direction. </p>

<p>@csdad I will be taking the SATI and I think I’ll still retake the SAT II’s so hopefully they help me rather than not! </p>

<p>Thank you so much for you feedback. It was immensely appreciated!</p>

<p>I would really consider taking the ACT rather than retaking the SAT II’s since if you are applying to CALS they are not even required. We have a number of students who’ve gotten much better ACT than SAT scores : <a href=“http://admissions.cornell.edu/sites/default/files/2014%20Freshman%20Admission%20Requirements.pdf[/url]”>http://admissions.cornell.edu/sites/default/files/2014%20Freshman%20Admission%20Requirements.pdf&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt;

<p>If you get your SATs up I think you’ll have a very good chance. Early decision will definitely help your chances.</p>

<p>You’re spreading yourself too thin and it’s really transparent that you’re only amassing extra curriculars to look good for colleges. Admissions officers are quick to notice this and will just brush you aside with the other hundreds of kids who have a grab bag of generic club membership. Drop everything but like one or two clubs. also don’t fail all your classes.</p>

<p>It’s upsetting that it seems like I join these clubs for colleges because I honestly do enjoy participating in the activities. I am involved in many other extra curricular activities that I do not plan to mention on college apps because I actually do care about them. I will not drop the clubs that I have been a part of since Freshman year just because colleges might think “I try too hard”. However, I will consider mentioning less of the clubs that I listed on apps.</p>

<p>since you seem to have taken more humanities courses and you dont have many ecs that imply your interested in the environment/sciences applying to arts and sciences might be more strategic than cals… you have a good shot though i wish you luck</p>