Chances: Cornell 2014

Colleges and Universities A-Z Cornell University
1

<p>Hey guys, I'm a junior (well, barely in the summer between junior year and senior year), and I was hoping to get chanced. I'm thinking of applying to (not necessarily applying to all of them though, hahaha) Brown, Columbia, U Penn, Cornell, Emory, Georgetown, Stanford, Brandeis, Duke, NYU, Tufts, U Chicago, and maaaaybe Harvard and Yale. </p>

<p>My (public) school doesn't have AP courses, but I've taken the most rigorous schedule possible, and my GPA is around 3.9-4.0. My school doesn't rank, either, but I'm probably in the top ten or top five out of around 400 students. For the record, I'm in Ontario, Canada, and I'm white, in case that makes any difference, haha.</p>

<p>SATs: 2260
CR 740
M 770
W 750</p>

<p>I plan to take Chem, U.S. History and French SAT Subject Tests in October.</p>

<p>ECs:
- heavily involved in Student Council since Grade 9, elected as rep then, served as independent member this year, President next year
- played French horn in our school band since Grade 9
- founded, edit and write most of school newspaper/writing club
- professional actor out of Toronto</p>

<p>I'm not worried about the application essay, as I'm a pretty good writer, and I'll have some very good recommendations. I want to apply for political science.</p>

<p>What do you think? Let me know!</p>

2

<p>Both your GPA and test scores are competitive for the colleges/ universities you have listed so that’s definitely a great start! Just let your persceptive colleges know that your school does not offer AP courses so the admissions officiers won’t think you are a slacker and looked for the “easy way out.” The only thing I have to say negatively is that your ECs don’t seem to “stand out” enough especially against other students of your academic caliber. Have you won/received any honors in your ECs? This could possibly help you stand out more. Also make sure you spend extra time on your college essay; other than your academics, this is the most important element of your college application because it displays you as a person rather than a student. The essay will help you stand out as well. Since Cornell is known as “the easiest Ivy to get into,” your chance are pretty good considering you write an insightful essay and obtain great teacher recommendations. </p>

<p>Basically, it’s hard for me tell you your chances since the schools you listed (especially the Ivys and Stanford) are crapshots. You should also consider a safety school that you wouldn’t mind attending just in case your initial plan fails. It’s also apparent that Cornell is your first choice, right? If financial aid is not a concern for you and your family and Cornell is your “absolute” dream school, you should definitely consider applying Early Decision to increase your chances. This move is binding though, so be careful!</p>

<p>I hope this advice was helpful! Also, please excuse the “novel” I just wrote lol.</p>

3

<p>I’m hoping to buff up my ECs this summer and early next year. Not many awards and honours are really available in student government and school newspapers here in Ontario, unfortunately. Sigh. And I’ll definitely explain that I wasn’t taking the “easy way out,” haha. Cornell is up there, but it’s not necessarily my first choice, although it’s in the top five. So ED is probably out. I’m thinking U Mich or NYU as safeties :slight_smile: Thanks for the advice, any other suggestions?</p>

4

<p>u mich and nyu are kinda hard to get into too you know, i personally wouldn’t consider them safeties</p>

5

<p>True. I’ll also be applying to a few Canadian universities - say, Queen’s, U of T - that would really be safeties. Haha.</p>

6

<p>Overall I think you have a decent to great shot (considering you do improve your ECs) at all these schools except Harvard, Yale, and Stanford simply because they admit less than 10% of its applicants. I am not saying it’s impossible though so definitely apply if H, Y, or S is where you feel you belong!</p>

<p>Since ED is out, why not consider Early action which is not binding? I know Stanford, U of Michigan and U of Chicago have it. The only catch is that you can only apply EA to one school (expect Michigan where as you can apply to as many as you want, considering the other schools are not restrictive). Still, it good to consider since you will not be forced to attend the school.</p>

7

<p>Oh, that’s good to know. I’ll definitely apply EA to at least U of Chicago, which is probably my first choice. And yeah, I know H, Y and S are all reaches for me, haha. They’re not my top choices, anyway, and I probably won’t end up applying. I was just wondering :slight_smile: Thanks for all your help. Are you going to Cornell?</p>

8

<p>No HYS is a reach for everybody, not just you. Lol, no I’m not going to Cornell (I didn’t even apply). I’ll be attending Emory this fall =).</p>

9

<p>Cool beans! Haha, no kidding, they sure are.</p>

10

<p>^ Lol, I have no idea what you’re talking about.</p>

11

<p>They sure are reaches for everyone. Sorry, haha, I was really tired when I wrote that.</p>

12

<p>Does anyone know if the requirements for the engineering department are different than the other schools? Especially for women applicants? Thanks.</p>

13

<p>^stop hijackin the thread.</p>