<p>Male
Caucasian
UW GPA-3.67 (didn't care all that much freshman and sophomore year) junior year GPA was 3.9.
W GPA- Not sure
Rank- close to top 10%, small class
SAT - 2300, going for perfect in October
SAT IIs- Biology M - 800, Math II- 770, Literature- 800
APs- 1 by Junior year, 2 in Senior year, but will self-study 5</p>
<p>ECs-
Chess Club - 9,10,11,12 (president 12)
Film Design Club- 10
Web Design Club- 11,12
Math Team- 12
Basketball-9
Golf-12
A-Team- 12
NHS-10,11,12
SNHS-12
Improv Club- 11,12</p>
<p>Possible Hooks
Income less than 60,000
First Generation College Student
300+ Community Service Hours
Various Awards on Foreign Language Exams
Research at State University</p>
<p>You seem to have a decent chance. Just remember that a lot of applicants have higher GPAs than yours and I don’t think Cornell is particularly forgiving (I was in the same position with a very strong junior year GPA – straight A’s in 5 classes and a B+ and didn’t get in) for weak GPA’s. </p>
<p>Don’t worry too much about how many AP’s you are taking. They compare your courseload with what is offered. However, if you are at a non-competitive high school, your GPA would hurt you a lot. Your EC’s seem pretty much like a laundry list… they would be excellent for a top 50 school but are probably average for Cornell. Except for your research at the state university. If the professor or research faculty you worked with is willing to write you an excellent recommendation, that could help you a lot. Ask him or her about it. If your work helped to produce a paper or something, you have a very strong chance at MIT.</p>
<p>I think you are in the application game at Cornell and definitely should apply… don’t worry too much about your SAT. It is fine. Retaking won’t really improve your chances. 2300 is very solid, even for Ivies. Instead, write a great essay that captures your personality in a strong way. Be your self and I’d say you have a 30-40% shot ED.</p>
<p>Which college are you planning to apply to?</p>