Chances???Cornell

Transfer Students
1

<p>I'm a second year student Biology Pre-Med major. I was wondering if I have a chance of transfering for fall 2010 to Cornell.
My stats are:</p>

<p>High School GPA: 3.97
College GPA: 3.5
Dean's list for both semesters
My recs should be pretty good.
E.C:
Volunteered for more than 100 hours at Hospital of University of Pennsylvania
Resident Advisor
Student Government Association- Senator Multicultural Committee
Member of American Medical Student Association and Pre-Med society
I did some research over the summer but nothing big.
I was also a Teaching Assistant for Biology Lab and I will continue to do spring semester also.
I also have been working at my schools library since freshman year.</p>

2

<p>That’s pretty good, I’d say you’ve got a fair chance. You just have to make your essays shine when it comes to applying to CALS for any major. Show them why you really want to study Biology at Cornell in particular, instead of just because you like science. Definitely don’t mention the prestige (well I guess you could, kinda) and don’t give them a wordy version of ‘well it’s a great school and it has my major’. </p>

<p>But you wouldn’t do that. :P</p>

<p>And yeah, great recs. and having all the pre-requisite courses completed are a must for CALS.</p>

<p>I’m thinking you’re going in as a junior? If so, Bio I/II, Chem I/II, Orgo I/II, Academic Writing I/II (or a speech class instead of #2), Physics I/II, and Calculus I with either Calc 2 or Stats as an additional.</p>

<p>I think my friend is also debating applying for fall '10, but he hasn’t taken physics. I believe if he goes through with it, he’s going to ask them if they can just take into account that he’s currently taking Cell Bio/Genetics and could just take physics once he gets to Cornell. </p>

<p>They’re picky with pre-reqs, especially when you don’t have one and don’t SAY anything about it. Definitely call with any issues regarding classes.</p>

3

<p>thank you so much. Yes i did already take all the pre-reqs. My only concern is my GPA</p>

4

<p>if you’re pre-med, they expect AT LEAST a 3.6 and you get put into a much more competitive applicant pool.</p>

5

<p>3.5 is marginally competitive at best. Your premed prerequisites are largely responsible for that, but I doubt it can be mitigated.</p>

<p>IMHO, if you’re premed, why do you want to transfer? Your prerequisite courses will change little from school to school.</p>

6

<p>I am not 100% sure that I do want to transfer considering that I am not doing so well this semester which will bring my GPA down. One of the main reasons is because the school that I am at now does not really focus on Pre-Med students. I really want to go to a college that will greatly help and prepare me to get into med school.</p>

7

<p>well what do you mean by that? all you do is take the prereqs and you already have ECs that show your interest in medicine. just cause there isn’t a pre-med society or something like that doesn’t mean that you can’t do well on your own.</p>

8

<p>OK, here’s some advice straight from the lips of Cathy Sheils, transfer admissions representative for CALS.</p>

<p>When I had a meeting with her about how I couldn’t attend for fall semester, me being a Communication major, I had brought up my interest and love of science. I told her that I was more or less interested in doing something with biology as my actual career, rather than something more related to my major. Before I could even breathe the phrase ‘pre-med requirements’, she was shaking her head.</p>

<p>She did that because I was going to have to reapply for spring semester because they do not defer people unless you’re in a severely tight position (i.e. you’re deathly ill, lol). Luckily I got in again for spring, but she was saying that when it comes to Biology, if I had tried to apply again for that major, without at least a 3.5 GPA I’d end up being disappointed.</p>

<p>What’s more is, when I dismissed the idea that <em>I myself</em> was interested in pre-med, but my one friend who may be transferring in for fall was, she said ‘you have to understand that there’s a difference between a Biology major and someone who’s majoring in Bio to fulfill pre-med requirements. When we here in admissions see the words pre-med on an application or in someone’s essay, we put our pre-med caps on, and that usually results in us only taking the absolute best of the bunch.’</p>

<p>Basically meaning, DO NOT mention pre-med on your app/essays without a 4.0 GPA, an amazingly thriller essay as to why Cornell in particular will help you on your way to medicine, and some background, like an internship or something. It’s much easier to just mention a love relationship with science, Cornell, and Biology in particular rather than gearing up for medical school.</p>

<p>Does this rule apply all the time? Probably not, I’m sure she’s accepted plenty of bio majors who spoke to her about medicine studies in some way shape or form that had 3.5 or even below GPAs, but it’s just better to get there safely and THEN go for broke with the pre-med stuff.</p>

9

<p>wow thank you so much Wateradept. Your post really helped me. If I do apply there I will make sure not to mention pre-med. Im also very interested in research so I might mention that. Again thank you for your advice. Would you be able to provide me with some of your stats?</p>

10

<p>What are some other schools I can look at?</p>

11

<p>btw, the fact that you do pre-med society etc might be a red flag and show that you’re lying, so don’t mention those either if you do decide to apply still</p>

12

<p>Since I’m transferring in the spring, I’ll try to pick up some tips on the whole applying for Bio/pre-med stuff. My friend is still considering applying for the fall (as far as I know) so he’ll need the help anyway, no reason I can’t pass it along. :]</p>

<p>As far as other schools, not so sure. Depends on a few things; are you just looking into NY state schools or are you interested in Cornell because it’s a top university?</p>

13

<p>ironicallyunsure, i don’t know if it would really hurt my chances, but thats a good point. ill keep that in mind.</p>

<p>wateradept, again thank you for your help. Im looking at schools in NY and Pennsylvania. My reasons for Cornell are because I think it would a perfect fit for me and also because the rates of students who get into med school from there are really. Nonetheless, I cannot deny that it would be great to go to a top university</p>

14

<p>I forgot to mention that im minoring in Psychology</p>

15

<p>i don’t think there’s a psych minor at cornell. anyway, stay away from mentioning pre-med things and write solid essays and you should be okay. you can e-mail them to me when you’re done if you want me to take a look. also, there’s a bunch of different bio majors so really look into the one you like best because you’ll have to explain why you like that particular one over the rest. good luck!</p>

16

<p>thank youuuu</p>