Hi! I’m a junior who wants to know how to improve chances for Cornell CALS. I plan to apply ED for either Environmental Engineering or Environmental and Sustainability Sciences.
I attend a NY HS that generally accepts ~10% of a typical class of 300, or 30 students, to Cornell every year (overall so includes both ED and RD). The ED acceptance rate is 45%. The average accepted GPA is 3.8, and the average accepted SAT is ~1450.
Stats: GPA: 3.90 UW SAT: Aiming for 1550+ (800 M 750 + CR/W & idk essay) Math Level 2 & Physics: Will take
APs (9): AP Stat, AP Calc BC, AP Physics 1, AP Lang, AP CompSci, AP Bio, AP Lit, AP Econ, AP French, College-Level Multivariable Calculus, College-Level French
-Should I take APES senior year? I can if I want, but I already have 4 APs & Multi (in all 5 core subjects).
ECs:
1-Scientific Research (10-12): Began and led novel water research project at local presitgious research facility; Will be published in a journal, will receive a patent for my work, am entering the following competitions: Siemens, Lexus Eco Challenge, & I-SWEEEP
2-Varsity Cross Country (9-12): Captain, Scholar-Athlete, Varsity Award, All-Conference, All-County, 2x County Finalist, 2x Sectionals Finalist, held practices for team over Summer, made summer training plans for me and some teammates
3-Varsity Winter Track (9-12): Captain, Scholar-Athlete, Varsity Award, 2x Conferences Finalist, attended extra training sessions weekly, made training plan with coach specifically for me to succeed
4-Varsity Spring Track (9-12): Captain, Scholar-Athlete, Varsity Award, 2x Divisionals Finalist, 2x County Finalist, received coaches award for outstanding athletic perseverance and dedication
5-USATF Cross Country Junior Olympics (9-12): National Qualifier
6-USATF Track Junior Olympics (9, 11-12): National Qualifier (didn’t do 10th cuz went to India)
7-Debate (9-12): Leader, Mentor, 2016 Officer, 3x Trophy Winner, 2x State Qualifier
8-Sanskrit (9-12): Internationally Recognized Sanskrit Scholar (received certificates of excellence from UPenn & international organization for completing 3 year rigorous Sanskrit course), attend local classes & teach classes to roughly 30 avid locales
9-Volunteer Work (9-10): 300 hours at local hospital
10-Nature Tours (9-12): Began & lead hikes to various natural parks during the Summer for my family (Ex: Acadia, National Park, Cape Cod National Seashore, etc.)
Will likely get recs from my AP Calc BC teacher, debate teacher, research mentor, and track coach. My track coach volunteered to right for me for Cornell when I was only a freshman. He’s a Cornell alum. My track coach loves me.
My personal statement will likely discuss my love of running while my supplement will likely discuss my love of environmental engineering.
I will also send 2 supplementary docs (assuming I actually have both): my patent info & my published paper