Chances at Cornell College of Engineering?

Applying to College
1

<p>I'm a senior right now and I have no idea if I have a shot at this because of my lower class rank compared to their averages. Ivy League would be a long shot at best for me but if I know I have at least a 20% chance, then I can spend the $100 and time for application. If someone can take a look and say which areas im lacking in, I can do my best to improve the situation in the coming weeks. I'm also planning on applying early decision because I heard it improves my chances. Thank you very much.</p>

<p>• 1440 SAT 720 Math, 720 Critical Reading 570 Writing
SAT II in Math II, Chemistry and US history in a couple weeks. Expect 750 each (based on practice tests)
ACT test tomorrow (expect around 32)</p>

<p>• Unweighted GPA 3.91/Weighted GPA 4.74
• Class Rank 23/449
• Anticipated Graduation Date - June 12th, 2012
• AP Classes: AP Scholar with Distinction
 AP Calculus AB – 5
 AP European History – 5
 AP US History – 5
 AP US Government – 5
 AP Chemistry – 4
 AP Physics B
 AP Biology
 AP Literature
 AP Macroeconomics
 AP Psychology</p>

<p>Local Community College Fall 2011 Semester
 MAT 120 Probability and Statistics
 MAT 141 Calculus II </p>

<p>Local Community College Spring 2012 Semester
• MAT 240 Calculus III
• CHM 111 College Chemistry 2
Extra Curricular Activities
Speech and Debate
 School Team Captain (2011-2012)
 Debate Chairman (2010-2011)
 2nd Place State Tournament (2011)
Academic Team
 School Team Captain (2009-2011)
Chess Club Member (2009-2010), (2011-2012)
City Chess Club Member (2008-2012)
National Honors Society (2010-2012)</p>

<p>Service/Volunteer
 Military Appreciation Event Volunteer
Volunteer campaigner for Ron Paul </p>

<p>Employed in Fast Food over the summer</p>

2

<p>Ok, I have good news, better news, excellent news and … well, not so great news.</p>

<p>Good news – your grades/rank are certainly what Cornell is looking for.
Better news – Your ECs look fine.
Excellent news – The one weak spot I see is your SAT Writing – The last time I looked at Cornell Engineering School’s website, they don’t look at the writing (so, Cornell may be perfect for you).</p>

<p>Not so great news – as you know, Cornell engineering accepts less than 20% of it’s applicants. And unfortunately even your very excellent credentials are not a guarantee of admission. But with your credentials, assuming that your Recommendations pan out, I think you’d have an excellent chance – certainly > than 20%</p>

<p>However, given that Cornell doesn’t look at the Writing SAT (your weak point), I would think it’s definitely worth your while to apply.</p>

3

<p>Thanks zephyr for such a quick reply. </p>

<p>I can take the SAT again in november, but by that time, early decision deadline would have been reached. I can certainly apply regular decision and try to boost my writing score but I’m not sure it’s even going to be a positive addition since my writing score would “magically” jump a hundred points and it would be obvious that I just studied SAT tricks. </p>

<p>I have some sad stories in my life I can talk about in my essay but I don’t feel comfortable throwing a pity party. Does it actually add to my application to have an essay like that or to have an essay about how debate revolutionized the lens through which I view the world?</p>

4

<p>As I indicated, the writing won’t matter for Cornell Engineering </p>

<p>[Cornell</a> Engineering: Freshman FAQs](<a href=“http://www.engr.cornell.edu/admissions/undergraduate/apply/freshman/faqs.cfm#CP_JUMP_15507]Cornell”>http://www.engr.cornell.edu/admissions/undergraduate/apply/freshman/faqs.cfm#CP_JUMP_15507)</p>

<p>1440 should be fine for Cornell. I wouldn’t worry if you couldn’t take them over for this school. </p>

<p>My advice – if Cornell is your first choice, apply ED. If another school is your first choice (well, then don’t apply to Cornell ED), and it considers the SAT-W as part of the application process, you should take the test over again – the extra 100 points would help.</p>

<p>As to essays – there are many theories as to what makes a successful essay, and no single right answer. My kids chose to use it as an opportunity to show a side of themselves that didn’t come out elsewhere in their applications. Each wrote about an incident in their lives and how they reacted to it. They were both very upbeat, and it worked for them. However, as I said, there is no right answer here.</p>