Chances for Cornell AEM?

Colleges and Universities A-Z Cornell University
1

<p>I'm a female high school senior. I'm very interested in AEM in Cornell University's CALS program. I just visited the campus recently and fell in love with the school! </p>

<p>My SAT score is 2290 (1500). Critical reading 740, math 760, writing 790. My SAT II score in US History is 740. I plan to also take the Math I and Math II SAT II's. (CALS doesn't require the inclusion of SAT II however). </p>

<p>My class rank is 10 (top 5% of grade).</p>

<p>My unweighted GPA is 3.6 and my weighted GPA is 4.6. I have always taken the highest level of classes offered at my school (honors and AP's, if available at my small public high school). All of my final grades this past year were either A+ or A.</p>

<p>I have taken AP US History, AP World History, AP English Language, and AP Physics B. This year (my senior year) I will be taking AP English Literature, AP Spanish Language, AP Calculus AB, and AP US Government.</p>

<p>My extracurriculars include the school musical, the drama club, chamber choir, concert choir, mixed chorus, community service club, DECA club, prom committee, homecoming float committee, and Alpha to Omega. I have not held any officer positions. I have also been involved in USY for four years and I volunteered at a geriactric center for a summer. I also took 6 precollege summer, spring, and winter art programs at FIT.</p>

<p>I am a member in the National Honor Society, the National Thespian Society, and the Spanish Language Honor Society (LOTE Honor Society).</p>

<p>I have worked as a youth league soccer referee for four years and I have twice been awarded the best female referee award (league-wide) by the soccer league.</p>

<p>Do I have a chance at Cornell regular admissions? Would I have a better chance if I apply early decision? Thanks!</p>

2

<p>You definitely have a chance statistically. I think the main challenge for you will be effectively addressing your interest in the “business world”, or going into some business-related area, in your essay. Also, if you haven’t already, you should probably take a science SAT II and figure out whom you think will write good recommendations for you.</p>

3

<p>Also, would applying early decision help my chances? Do you think I still have a chance with regular admissions?</p>

4

<p>I’d say you have a decent shot. GPA is a little low, but I think you still have a decent shot.</p>

5

<p>You have a chance regardless of when application submission occurs, but only apply ED to Cornell if you’re sure you want to attend it.</p>

6

<p>match ED, low to mid reach RD.</p>

<p>keep in mind that if overall acceptance is 11%, and ED acceptance is a lot higher (guesstimate ~25%), then RD acceptance is a lot lower.</p>

<p>but yes, think about if you would definitely want to attend Cornell over any other college!</p>

7

<p>I went to Cornell undergrad (med student now), I think the GPA is fine since you are ranked high in your class. Main issues I’d say are lack of any leadership positions and (sort of related to that) not having any ECs that seem to stand out as your main thing (maybe music since you seem to have a lot of music stuff?). Even if you aren’t technically an officer in something, I’d try to emphasize leadership wherever you can…</p>

<p>Also as someone else said, I’d have a pretty specific idea of what you would want to do in the business world… everyone knows you will probably end up changing your mind down the road, but it shows maturity to have a thought-out plan at this stage.</p>

<p>Overall I think you’d have a fair shot at ED, more of a reach regular. </p>

<p>Glad you liked the school though, summer is a great time to visit! If you settle on Cornell as your #1 I’d encourage you to do ED, I did when I applied.</p>

8

<p>I went to an information session last week for CALS and the admissions officer said that it didn’t matter if you were involved in dozens of clubs at your school but rather how long you were in those clubs and if you held a leadership position. They want to see commitment in their applicants and also interest in their chosen major. She said that if you plan to major in entomology for example, you could write in your essay about your insect collection or even a yearly camping trip (one of her examples). It was evident that the MOST important part of your application is your interest. That doesn’t mean you have to do an internship in a related field, it could just be something simple like a bug collection or explaining what your plans are in the future.</p>

9

<p>CALS AEM major is hugely competitive because it’s a small program and very highly ranked. Scores aren’t all you need there because you need to show interest in business, and leadership in your activities because there are plenty of students applying to AEM with terrific scores/GPAs.
It’s a really competitive program, on paper you have a shot, but I would say it’s a crapshoot lol, ED is the better way to go to show interest though.</p>

10

<p>I also just found out that I’m an AP Scholar with Honors. I don’t really know if that helps anything.
Thanks to all who answered!!</p>