Chances (Arts & Sciences)?

Colleges and Universities A-Z Cornell University
1

<p>Thanks in advance!</p>

<p>My extracurriculars are pretty awful and I don't really think I have any chance, but people have told me I should apply to schools that meet full need. I don't know if I'm going to apply ED anywhere, but I could apply ED here if it would help a lot. I probably won't be able to visit. I can't find on their website whether they offer alumni interviews, but I could do that if they do. </p>

<p>White, female, first-generation, Ohio resident, rural public school, intended major is math.</p>

<p>Numbers:
GPA: 3.99 UW
Class rank: 3/147 (top 3%)</p>

<p>SAT: 2340 (790 CR, 750 M, 800 W)
ACT: 35 (35 E, 36 M, 34 R, 33 S)
PSAT: 227</p>

<p>SAT II:
Literature - 780
Math II - 800</p>

<p>AP:
4 - Biology, Chemistry, English Literature, Calculus BC<em>, US History</em>
3 - Statistics<em>, US Government</em>
*self-study
This is all my school has.</p>

<p>Other:
I've taken two years of Spanish, and I suppose I'll have to get a third year through independent study next year.
I tested out of pre-calculus and the regular calculus class at my school. I also tested out of physics, and I have a pass/fail credit for it. What will they think of this?</p>

<p>Senior year courses (dual enrollment at university):
First semester: Intro to Ethics, Linear Algebra, Intro to Differential Equations, Intro to Number Theory
Prospective second semester (assuming first semester classes don't kill me): Multivariable Calculus, Intro to Discrete Math, Numerical Analysis, Abstract Algebra</p>

<p>Awards:
National Merit Semifinalist, at least (12)
AP Scholar with Distinction (12)
Yale Book Award (from school, 11)
Bausch & Lomb Honorary Science Award (from school, 11)
Published in Teen Ink magazine (twice, 11)
Student of the Month (from school: Language Arts 10, Science 10)
Community Service Award (from school: 10, 11)</p>

<p>Extracurriculars:
Local chemical engineering mentorship (11)
Piano lessons (9, 10, 11, 12)
Working at McDonald's (11, 12)
Cofounded book/filmmaking club at public library (10, 11)
Scholastic Bowl (11)
Environmental club (11)
School musical ensemble (10)
School science fair (10)
Alateen (9, 10, 11, 12) ==> not sure if appropriate, but it's given me a couple public speaking opportunities</p>

<p>Summers:
Physics of Atomic Nuclei Program at NSCL (12)
Volunteering at public library children's program (9, 10, 11, 12)
Two local non-selective science camps (12)
Volunteering at local arboretum (12)
Volunteering at Safety Town (10, 12)</p>

<p>Other:
Essays should be okay. I don't know...I used to think what I had written for the Common App was good but it seems to get worse every time I look at it. So we'll see.
My teacher recommendations should be pretty good.</p>

<p>Additional information:
I didn't take honors classes freshman year because I went to this weird possibly-unaccredited private school in eighth grade and didn't have the prerequisites.
I was in foster care from when I was 9 to when I was 12, after which my 80-year-old grandmother became my legal guardian. She died the summer after my freshman year and I live with my biological parents now. I didn't do after-school extracurricular stuff during freshman year because my grandma was starting to get sick and I didn't want her to have to drive out to my school and pick me up.
Next year I'm going to be a full-time dual-enrollment student at a university that isn't particularly local, so I'm moving in with my cousins (who live closer). So I can't do ECs at my high school during senior year.</p>

2

<p>It all looks really good. Excellent academics, great awards, and your back story should make up for your EC’s, even though they are pretty good as is. I think you have about a 70-80% chance of getting in ED.</p>

<p>Cornell (ED): match/low reach</p>

<p>Good luck!</p>

3

<p>I’m looking to apply this year too. I am sorry that I am not going to be able to chance you. But, what I can say is that try not to make your back story sound like an excuse for not involving yourself in extra-curricular activities. I mean, that would misinform people reading about you, about your intentions. </p>

<p>Again, I am not really good at chancing people and I don’t know what goes in the admissions office, but all I can say is Good Luck! You have formed a really impressive application despite all that. I really hope you make it and are able to participate in all the things you missed out while still in school.</p>

4

<p>To be honest, I don’t think that the ECs look all that bad.</p>

<p>You have piano (not sure whether lessons means you take lessons or give them) which takes up time, and you work. Colleges understand the need for people to work, and this does take up time that could be spent doing other ECs.</p>

<p>Personally, I don’t think anyone here can tell you a % chance of acceptance. However, your stats look strong and you should probably be targeting schools such as Cornell. If it’s your first choice, I would recommend applying ED.</p>

5

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<p>I take them. </p>

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<p>I only work around five hours a week, maybe a little more if I’m lucky. It was the only job I could get, and I think they hired me just to humor me. Will that make them think the job is discretionary and I should have been doing other stuff too?</p>