Chances at Cornell? I'm sorry!

Colleges and Universities A-Z Cornell University
1

<p>I'm so sorry to ask you to do this, but it would really help me figure out what I'm doing for ED. I love Cornell.</p>

<p>Stats:</p>

<p>GPA: 3.85
WGPA: 4.51
Rank: My school has deciles (blocks of 10%) instead of direct ranks. I'm in the top 10%, but my counselor informed me I'm around number 70 out of 850. I'm in a huge public high school (3,400 kids), with a couple extremely competitive programs. </p>

<p>AP Classes:
English Language, 11th grade (5)
Environmental Science, 11 (4)
US History, 12
Statistics, 12
Biology, 12
World History, 12</p>

<p>SATs:
Critical Reading: 800
Math: 740
Writing: 740
SAT IIs:
French: 740
Literature: 760</p>

<p>Caucasian female</p>

<p>ECs:
Ultimate Frisbee club - captain for 2 years
JV Softball, 2 years, no more
Political activism club - 4 years, environmental committee chair
Meditation Club - 2 years
Volunteer at an environmental, conservation-based non-profit
Ambassador for Student Conservation Association (I represent them at local events)
Newspaper - 1 year, no more
Stage Crew - 2 years, no more
Music - guitar lessons for 4 years, in a band</p>

<p>I'm going for CAS, and I want to major in environmental policy (at least, some combination of environmental studies, public policy, and also history).</p>

<p>Any thoughts? I know these posts get awfully boring after a while, but I'd really appreciate it if you let me know what you think.</p>

2

<p>It looks like you have a good to excellent shot.</p>

3

<p>Thanks a lot!</p>

<p>I worry that I'm not "passionate" enough by Ivy standards. I'm in fact very passionate about a lot of issues, but I don't think it's reflected in the amount of time I spend in my activities. </p>

<p>Speaking of which, I wish we could put "intellectual conversations" in ECs - that would certainly be a large part of my time.</p>

4

<p>have an "intellectual conversation" with a professor in the field you want to apply to here at Cornell. Call it an interview. Stick this in your application essay and it'll do alot to show Cornell your commitment to the school. </p>

<p>you have great stats, write good essays and select the right recomendations and you have a very good shot.</p>

5

<p>That's a really good idea. How would you suggest putting that into an application essay? </p>

<p>Thank you so much, you've made me feel a lot better.</p>

6

<p>say something like "i wanted to know more about the program, so i did some research and talked to professor _______ several times about the program, and i was really able to connect with his/her enthusiasm over ..." etc. Cornell likes it when people clearly know what the school has to offer specificy for undergrads. They'll like to see that you went above and beyond the 'average applicant' to make sure the school is a good fit for you.</p>

7

<p>Are you in Blair's math and science magnet? I wasn't aware Blair had any other competitive programs.</p>

8

<p>That's some good advice gomestar. Do we conduct these "interviews" through email?</p>

<p>Frisbee, you stand in a very good spot of getting accepted into Cornell, numerically speaking. What is your school's UW/W GPA out of?</p>

9

<p>email, phone, i dont think it matters. It's just something extra to do that the average cornell applicant wont. Might boost your chances.</p>

10

<p>No, I'm not in the math and science magnet, but Blair does have one other competitive program, the Communication Arts Program - it's not as prestigious, but its students are still more highly motivated than the average. </p>

<p>UW is out of 4, W is out of 5 (but no one at our school has a 5).</p>