Chances-I have a feeling you won't like this

Colleges and Universities A-Z Cornell University
1

<p>I already applied to Cornell ED, but I was just wondering what you guys at CC think my chances are. I'd like to compare them to the final result at the end. I'm really not sure if I will make the cut academically, but it might still be possible. </p>

<p>My Stats:</p>

<p>ACADEMICS</p>

<p>One of the top 3 public schools in my state</p>

<p>SAT (This is what's killing me):</p>

<p>Verbal: 650
Writing: 610
Math: 560</p>

<p>GPA</p>

<p>Weighted: 4.0
Unweighted: 3.8</p>

<p>Last year I took AP US History and got a 4 on the exam. This year I am taking AP English, and an Art History course at my community college. I took a total of six honors classes throughout high school (Honors English 9, 10, and 11...Honors Spanish 4 and 5....Honors Biology I...recieved final grades of A's in all of them).</p>

<p>EXTRACURRICULARS:</p>

<p>WRITING-</p>

<p>My passion is creative writing, and I've taken the hardest English courses possible, including an independent study in creative writing. I started my school's literary magazine my junior year and was an editor my junior and senior year. I also am secretary of my school's writer's club, and this winter I will help edit a book that we are publishing about residents in my city. Last year, I co-wrote a screenplay that was accepted by a producer...it has not been made into a movie yet, but we are hoping it will be soon. I also write for my school's newspaper, and sent in a portfolio of my work.</p>

<p>THEATER-</p>

<p>I've been acting since I was 7, and have been in 18 productions. I'm a member of my school's drama club, and played the lead role in our first Shakespearean production. This year, I am the director, which is a huge responsibility...I chose a show, casted it, directed, and oversaw costumes, set design, music, etc.</p>

<p>Also, I've traveled a lot with People to People Student Ambassadors, have had quite a few jobs, was on the crew team for three years (and was hired as a coxswain for a law firm's corporate team one summer). There are some other things,but these are the important ones.</p>

<p>I haven't seen my teacher reccommendations but I know that at least one is REALLY good and I think the other one should be great as well.</p>

<p>Also, I overcame a lot while in high school. During my sophomore year, I was diagnosed with cancer and went through a year of intense treatment. I stayed in school during this time, and maintained a 4.0 GPA. The only thing that set me back was math...I had to drop out of school for a month, and was not able to catch up. Because of this, I am taking PreCalc as a senior instead of honors or AP Calc.</p>

<p>I have worked a lot with Make A Wish, and give speeches at events.</p>

<p>So...chances?</p>

2

<p>And I forgot...I'm applying as an English major at CAS</p>

3

<p>retake your SATs and add some II's. i'm sorry to say this..but you probably won't make the cut without higher testing (your course selection isn't very rigorous either). what state are you from?</p>

4

<p>Your scores at not competitive for Cornell...remember that Cornell sees 28,000 apps competing for around 3,000 spots, so looooots of people don't get in. It's great that you're taking a shot at Cornell, but don't bank on it by any means.</p>

5

<p>Your test scores bring up a red flag since your main interest is English and Writing and they are low compared to the average Cornell SAT verbal/writing scores. Try taking a prep class or read through some SAT prep books and take the test again if you have the chance because your extracurriculars look strong but your test scores don't back them up.</p>

<p>And by the way, I think you have a good to really good chance... depending on how you presented yourself in your personal statement. I'm guessing you at least mentioned your cancer? That would be important.</p>

6

<p>spyrey, actually cornell admits closer to 6000 plus people with about half choosing to come here</p>

7

<p>Still, with only 1210 CR & Math SAT he/she easily falls in the 20,000+ group!</p>

<p>Also, I think it's a mistake the OP applied ED. Why not try to increase the SAT scores even if that means he/she can only apply RD?</p>

8

<p>Centuria, I realize that Cornell admits around 6,000...I had said that those 28,000 people or so compete for 3,000 spots...they're not competing for 6,000 spots.</p>

9

<p>I studied a lot over the summer and took the SAT's again last Saturday...hopefully they'll go up. </p>

<p>Also, my SAT II's were Literature (630) and US History (730)</p>

10

<p>I don't mean to be too much of a naysayer, but I don't think it is at all possible that you will get in ED. You absolutely need to retake and significantly improve scores for any chance RD. I hope you at least get deferred.</p>

11

<p>Agreed. Also, since you're applying as an English major, that 630 in SAT II Literature isn't going to help.</p>

12

<p>ya, well cornell isn't as "number based" as some other top ivies. they don't need to worry as much about staying at the top of usnews' rankings.</p>

<p>lu, keep in mind that personality is important. I'm not sure if you wrote your essay about your issue with cancer, etc. but make sure to convey who you are well.</p>

<p>dont lose hope, and i hope this helps.</p>

<p>ps. if you can, you might want to retake it though. higher scores can't hurt anybody</p>

13

<p>I've seen people with lower scores than you get in, and if you're a better writer than those numbers suggest, you still have a shot.</p>

14

<p>I'm sorry to hear you had to deal with cancer at such a young age. I have to agree and say your scores are pretty low for COrnell applicants. But I think you still have a shot if you represented yourself well in the application.</p>