Chances applying ED? And... am I a legacy?

Colleges and Universities A-Z Cornell University
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<p>Hey everyone! I know I am definitely not as impressive as the average ivy applicant, but how much of a shot do you think I have if I apply early decision? I have two grandparents who went to Cornell, a cousin who is currently attending and two aunts are alums... but I don't know if any of this counts. </p>

<p>Thanks guys! I'll chance back! Just PM me or post a link. </p>

<p>GPA: 3.83
ACT: 31 (35E, 31M, 30R, 28S)... I will retake twice in the fall
SAT2s: NEED to retake... I've only taken one and I got a 670... I plan to take math2 and history and on practice tests I am getting low to mid 700s</p>

<p>I've taken all the toughest courses at my school plus a few AP courses online. There was only one other junior this year who took as many APs as me at my high school and I have by far the most rigorous schedule next year. </p>

<p>I was ranked 10th out of 300ish at the end of sophomore year but this has probably changed. Maybe it went up because I had a tough schedule... but then again it could have dropped a bit because my grades weren't as high as they had been. </p>

<p>EMPLOYMENT
Assistant Manager at a Barn (10 hours a week school year and summer)
Worked at a shop last summer 40 hours a week
Internship at Insurance Company
Worked at insurance company for a month each summer
Dog Walking 400 hours a year</p>

<p>COMMUNITY SERVICE
(this is probably a strong point of mine, but unfortunately I've heard it isn't important in college admissions... oh well, I enjoy it!)
Community Service Leader- I lead at least 2 projects a year (so far 300 hours)
Assistant Chair of a community project right now (35 hours to date)
85 hours of school/community projects
some other stuff...</p>

<p>OTHER ACTIVITIES
Senior Leader (25 chosen out of 300 students in my class)
Rotary Club Rep for my school
Literature Club (one of 4 founders)
English Tutor
SADD
NHS
Tennis (co-captain)
Cross Country (freshman year only)
Horseback riding (8 hours a week... I was a member of USPC until sophomore year and I compete)</p>

<p>AWARDS
(not a strong point)
High Honor roll each semester
A few elected leadership positions
Academic Letter
I was a winner in some math competition
I was a rep for some program at my school</p>

<p>There are some other things, but I think I covered most things... I just didn't go very in depth obviously above. </p>

<p>Let me know what you think. Be honest. I can take it. Promise. =)</p>

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<p>What college and major would you be applying for?</p>

3

<p>I would apply for Arts and Sciences and also apply for Human Ecology as my secondary choice… I have good reasons in my essays. I would probably apply undecided but I might say I’m leaning towards history in arts and sciences.</p>

4

<p>anyone? thanks</p>

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<p>i guess an undecided major works, since your interests seem really broad…</p>

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<p>Thanks… but what do you think my chances might be? Obviously it’s going to be at LEAST somewhat of a reach… I mean it’s an ivy! But, how much of a reach will it be?</p>

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<p>they ask for grandparents on the application.</p>

<p>Anyway if the highest gpa someone from your school can get is a 4 then I’d say you have a decent shot.</p>

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<p>I know they ask for grandparents… but I’ve heard they don’t care as much as they do about parents… idk.</p>

<p>Yes the highest GPA is 4.0. As and A+s are worth 4 points. A-s are 3.7. B+ 3.3… etc.
So my GPA means that my average is almost exactly between a solid A and a solid A-. I don’t know what Cornell’s average GPA is… I would assume it was more like a solid A though?</p>

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<p>You’re over estimating the average gpa. It is probably around where yours is,maybe a little higher or a little lower. Many students did have all As and not a single A- but certainly not a majority, that is very difficult to pull off. I certainly didn’t, I was probably on the lower end of the accepted unweighted gpa scale. Although I was also very surprised when I was accepted and I showed a lot of interest into engineering which was what I applied for.</p>

<p>It also depends on how competitive peoples high schools were. Also Cornell, while very difficult to get into, especially CAS, is not quite as hard to get into as HYP are, and you do have a good mix of ecs, employment, and community service.</p>

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<p>Thanks Prism… are you currently at Cornell?</p>

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<p>yes I am</p>

<p>unless you meant am I currently there this minute, in which case the answer would be no since I went home for the summer</p>