<p>I really don't think I'll be able to get into Cornell, as my GPA is basically a two ton weight tied to my neck, but I think it's worth applying. If by any slim chance I do manage to get in...(: </p>
<p>GPA:
Unweighted: 3.52
Weighted: 4.18
Trend: Sharp upward trend
Rank:
top 10% - possibly higher, but our school only tells us what tenth we're in, and i'm in the top tenth.
Course Rigor:
I took the hardest classes my school has to offer - all honors and AP classes. The AP classes are:
AP Government
AP Microeconomics
AP Language and Composition
AP United States History
AP Environmental Science
AP Microeconomics
AP Psychology
AP Calculus AB
AP Biology
AP Literature
Standardized testing:
Haven't taken anything yet. I was supposed to take an SAT in March, but there was a debate tourney on the same date, so I decided not to take it. I recently took a practice ACT test during spring break, and got a 31 (34 R 29 M 31 E 29 S). I'm planning on taking it four times, and I'm also taking ACT prep classes at the moment. I'm hoping for a 32-34 on my last try. My most recent SAT practice score was 2040, but I like the ACT more as of right now.<br>
ECs:
Debate Team - Captain Jr & Sr year (I'm not a senior yet, but the coach already let me know in advance that I'd be the captain for the 2011-2012 year as well)
National Forensics League (Speech and Debate Honor society) - Excellence/Sapphire (Well, the last time I checked I was excellence. Possibly distinction now?)
Newspaper Club - Associate Sports Editor Jr year, coming back Sr year
Tennis - Sophomore year
Volleyball - Freshman year
Football + Wrestling - Freshman and Sophomore year
Roughly 100 volunteer hours at a PADS homeless shelter
Planning on attending a National Youth Leadership Forum for Law over the summer
Awards:
3rd place at Conference for Lincoln-Douglas Debate
3rd place at ISTA State Tournament for Lincoln-Douglas Debate
All-State Lincoln Douglas Debater @ N
Summer Programs:
NYLF Law/CSI (I know this doesn't really impact admissions, as the selectivity of the program is highly questionable, but it's something I personally want to do, and I feel like it helps me demonstrate a focused interest)</p>
<p>I want to eventually go to law school, and I'm hoping that my ECs demonstrate a specified interest (Debate, the NYLF Law, Newspaper club, Business Law Class @ school). </p>
<p>So...there's probably no way I'd get in, but the Ivies have such great finaid + academics. Even with my mediocre stats, objectively speaking is it worth applying? Be brutally honest - If you're almost certain that I have no shot, I'd like to know, so that I can prevent myself from wasting 50-70 dollars applying. As of right now, I'm planning on applying because I really, really want to, but if it's a complete dead end... :'(
Anyway, that's depressing. Thanks for reading my rant, and for any helpful comments!</p>
<p>you do not have mediocre stats! Great extracurriculars and hard course work. congratulations on all your hard work, especially your upward trend. Ivies are a crapshoot for anyone, sometimes they admit a student with a 3.5 over a 4.0 student. While you are in no way a shoe in, it is definitely not impossible. Good luck!</p>
<p>You have a chance at early
reg, not so much, but there is always a chance. Remember there is always a lot of luck involved.
It also depends on what school you designated within cornell. Some are easier/ harder than the others.</p>
<p>Sorry I took so long to respond to your posts - I was swamped with schoolwork. I really, really appreciate your posts and any advice/suggests/insights you guys provide! </p>
<p>@aotsite: Thank you! And yes, I know…haha! @kasb25: Thanks for the words of encouragement, you’re the best! (: @antiflamer: By early, do you mean Early Decision? Isn’t the applicant pool way stronger in ED? O_O @pheonixakari: Thanks for your honest opinion, absolutely no sarcasm intended! @BearAttack: Whoaaa! Really? What were your stats? More importantly, what was your GPA? I feel like my 3.5 basically ruined my future. I know it’s not true, but reading CC decision threads just make me sad. D; @Supervisor: I think I’m applying to ILR, but as I’m fairly new to the whole “college admissions scence” (as you can tell from my 10000000 chances posts, haha), I’m not familiar with which schools are generally harder to get into within Cornell. As far as selectivity goes, which school is more selective - ILR or Human Ecology?</p>
<p>On a side note - took another practice ACT (not company written - a previous ACT test that has been released by the College Board) via c2, and got a 33 (R 36 E 34 M 31 S 30)! I wasn’t expecting a 33, and I’m hoping it’s not just an outlier. I’m now aiming at a 34-35. Maybe Cornell will see that I’m not THAT stupid (: - But comparatively speaking, with the Cornell applicant pool…</p>
<p>The real problem with GPA is that they don’t so much look at the actual number as opposed to the bracket it’s in. 3.5-3.79 or 3.75+…3.8+…3.85+… Your ACT score will definitely help your chances.</p>
<p>I think you have a decent, but not great shot. ACT is pretty good, although it doesn’t cut Cornell’s 75th Percentile (34) but it is still a very good score nonetheless. Goodluck!</p>
<p>@Geticed: Really? This is new information to me! But wouldn’t this almost be a good thing for me? I fall in the 3.5-3.79 bracket, but as someone on the lower end of that bracket, I feel like the pairing is almost positive? I could be wrong, but thanks for the info!</p>
<p>@cortana431: Haha, a decent shot would be enough for me! I really don’t think I’ll get in, but I really hope I do. I visited over the summer, and the campus/environment was definitely very nice! Although I did lose a pair of sunglasses there…</p>