Chances at a couple of top colleges

Chance Me / Match Me!
1

<p>I want to have some opinions on what my chances are at the most selective schools on my list (I've already made a topic for altering my list in the C Search and Selection thread and asked matriculants in other posts)</p>

<p>I want to know my chances at Stanford and Cornell specifically</p>

<p>GPA: 9-11th: 3.73 <a href="Cornell%20will%20use%20this%20one">4.0 4.0 3.8 3.4 3.2 4.0</a>
GPA: 10-11th: 3.6 <a href="Stanford%20will%20use%20this%20one">3.8 3.4 3.2 4.0</a>
Rank: 49/526 (Top 10%)
*and I have a (very good) explanation for the dip in my grades for the more selective schools on my list, a legitimate 'extenuating circumstance'</p>

<p>SAT I: 770 CR 720 M 710 W (2200) Took this again in June, predict a 1500 M+V.
SAT II: Yet to take, probably 700+
AP: Probably two 5s and a 4 or 3</p>

<p>Hook(s): I live in Arkansas and I'm African American.</p>

<p>ECs/Awards: (My ECs are nothing special, but I have a lot of awards)</p>

<p>Debate (2nd in state, 4 years)
ROTC (4 years)
^(These two are by far the biggest and most important)
Student Congress (2 years)
UAMS/School Tournament Volunteer
Cornell University Summer College, 2 yrs
Marquette University Debate Institute
Piano (Hella long time, but I play as a hobby, not in competition)
NHS (But let's face it, everyone's in this--this goes last on my list if there's room on the app)</p>

<p>
[quote]

2nd place State Champion (2006)
8th place State Champion (2005)
6th place State Champion (Speaker--2006)
4 1st places - 1st Place Champ Debate - State
2 2nd places - 2nd Place Champ/Novice Debate - State/Regional
4 3rd places - 3rd place Champ/Novice Debate - State
1 1st place - 1st place debate speaker - State
2 1st places - 1st place Impromptu/Extemporaneous - State level
1/about 100 cadets recieves- Military Order of World Wars - School
1st - Superior Flight - School
1/ about 50 cadets recieves - Military Order of the Purple Heart
- School
1 of about 50 cadets recieves- Aerospace Education Academic Award
-Scohol
Only - Award of Academic Excellence/ROTC - School
Only - Superior Student/Debate - School
1 of about 20 - Dadaelian Award - School
1 of many - (5 promotions,
SAirman/TSrgnt/SSrgnt/MsSrgnt/Lieutenant)- school
One of few - National Merit Commendation - National
National Achievement - National
1 of few - Six different ROTC ribbons, academic excellence,
superior flight, leadership, good conduct, superior performance,
outstanding performance
Hendrix College Book Award (1 of some hundred high-performing students)

[/quote]
</p>

2

<p>Stanford is a very reachable reach, but it is still a reach because it is stanford. Cornell might be a possible (match,) but it is still Cornell and I hesitate to put it into that category. But you are a strong candidate. Congratulations!</p>

3

<p>Your hook is HUGE. I would apply early to Cornell.</p>

4

<p>Your hook is HUGE. Lol cmon guys he is African American....</p>

5

<p>bump 10 char</p>

6

<p>Cornell: 90% In, don't waste ED you will get in RD
Stanford: 60% In</p>

7

<p>You're in everywhere.</p>

8

<p>What does it mean when people say "bump"?</p>

9

<p>If you were white, Cornell would be a match. Since you are African-American, Cornell is a safe match. I can't say guaranteed in because Cornell is, of course, an ivy, and therefore, highly unpredictable in its admissions.</p>

<p>Stanford is a bit of a reach, but if you apply early, you will have a great chance.</p>

10

<p>people use "bump" to move their threads up to the top since the posts are listed by latest reply</p>

11

<p>Yep (10 char)</p>

12

<p>Thank you very much! I would have loved to have this for my journey to summer college at Cornell.</p>

13

<p>what exactly is the hook? URM? Just curious, not implying anything here.</p>

14

<p>I think that's it.</p>

15

<p>Other than the strong academics, great standardized test scores, and excellent debate ability, I suppose race helps, but it isn't a "hook..."</p>

16

<p>His location is also part of the hook. I think that you are good for many schools, but obviously the top schools are very unpredictable. Do you know which college within Cornell you will apply to?</p>

17

<p>The ROTC awards are very impressive. That impressed me more than anything on that list. But then again, I come from a military family, so i tune into that sort of thing. But yeah, I'd be very surprised if you didn't get into both schools. </p>

<p>Good luck!</p>

18

<p>Ha, I like your SN, I'm a big fan of planes (and want to do Aeronautical Engineering--Stanford is one of the few top colleges that offers it.)</p>

19

<p>bump 10 char</p>

20

<p>You have great scores and grades and are a very good candidate for both schools. But remember that both of these colleges are a gamble. Take it from me, a URM applying to schools for the 2006 year, that although being a URM does help, it doesn't get you in everywhere. Make sure you have safeties and that you really show interest in your top schools. Good luck!</p>