<p>Hi everyone, I hope you are enjoying the summer!
I am a 19-year-old girl from Denmark (Europe), who considers applying to Cornell University, as I think I would get some great experiences and challenges and get well prepared for an exciting career and futher studies. Moreover, I think I might be valuable to the university, too - at least, I would do my best! The university seems to be the perfect place for me!
I am interested in a wide range of subjects, but I have thought about a major concerning the environment, as I feel it is of enormous importance.</p>
<p>Soon, I will start my last year at my gymnasium (3-4 year long education attended after 10 years in combined primary and lower secondary school; afterwards I can attend any Danish university and get a bachelor (any major) in 3 years for free.)</p>
<p>My grades are approx. 11.4 on a scale ranging from -3 to +12.
I have not taken any SAT-tests, and do not know whether I will do well!</p>
<p>I am a track runner at national level and very committed to my training.
I believe I have some good talents, and as a person I am curious, honest, strong-willed, energetic, and positive.</p>
<p>Do you think I stand a chance?
What is required? Do you have ANY advice for me?</p>
<p>Thanks for reading, I really appreciate it. I hope you can help me!</p>
<p>It’s extremely hard to say. First of all, will you apply for Financial Aid or will you pay for the college experience yourself?</p>
<p>At Cornell applying as an international student with FA or without is extremely different. If you are applying for FA (financial aid) I will make you aware that Cornell awards normally 10-15 international students (freshmen applicants) each year and should some not accept these offers then Cornell will pick some students off the “financial aid waiting list.”</p>
<p>And who these 10-15 lucky students are and why Cornell find them so compelling that they picked just them out of MANY students is hard to tell. What could make your application interested is not absolute. And it’s really hard to say anything if you stand a chance without any SATs TOEFL scores etc. But I do see good potential, you could end up as me!</p>
<p>I myself will start at Cornell by the fall as a freshman, and I applied as an international student with need of financial aid. :)</p>
<p>If you could share some more information about yourself it would be easier giving you good and specific advice :D</p>
<p>Thanks for the answer and congratulations on your acceptance.
I suppose this is a complicated matter, but do you know why (how) you got through the keyhole?</p>
<p>Seeing as my parents have indirectly paid for my education through taxes,and I would (due to my grades) be able to get nearly any education I want here, I seriously doubt my parents’ willingness to spend all their money on this; however, perhaps there are other ways (grants?). Is it possible to apply for financial aid, but get accepted without, and then try to work it out?</p>
<p>What information might be relevant?
I have always recieved top grades and been at the top of my class (quick-learning, have “a keen edge”). My teachers have also commented that I am very empathic (something about ability to analyse), good at projects, well-organized work etc.
I am basically interested in the world around us - politics, climate change, environmental issues, sociology, health, poverty… I want to make a difference. (probably sounds like a clich</p>
<p>I am an admitted international student this year.
I may be able to provide you some information as a fellow international applicant.</p>
<p>First of all, as long as you are a good student in Denmark,
(I’m not familiar with your education system, so you have judge by yourself)
I believe you have a great chance getting into Cornell.
The main reason is simply that you are from Denmark.
While most international students, including me, are Asians, a student from
Denmark would definitely stand out.</p>
<p>Besides showing Cornell decent test scores and extracurricular activities,
I suggest you focus more on your experience in Europe and your worldview as a Danish, because those are what make you a unique applicant; those are what make you completely different from most other international applicants.</p>
<p>As for the tuition, it would be extremely hard for international students to get helpful financial aids in the United States.
After all, one of the reasons schools in the U.S. welcome international students is because of their full tuitions.</p>
<p>If your parents are willing to pay for your relatively incredibly expensive yearly expenses (roughly USD$56,000),
explaining the reason you choose Cornell over “free” university education in Denmark would greatly increase your chance of getting into Cornell.
(If I were an admission officer, I couldn’t think of any reasons not to admit you if you elaborate on that well…:P)</p>
<p>You sound like a Top tier university applicant ^^ Haha!</p>
<p>Not to discourage you, but in your class you are rare and among the best, not everyone is so devoted, ambitious etc. But inside the Ivy leage applicant pool you are dare I say commonplace. Many more are like you.</p>
<p>Your best shot is to stand out as much as possible and not by the original high goals, work hard, good at projects (leader) organizing etc. Try to make yourself as unique as possible :)</p>
<p>Thanks a lot tWsc. And also congratulations on your admission!
I will definetly use your advice on taking advantage of my Danish background.
If you are interested, I will give you an example:
our educational system is geared towards creativity, learning to work in groups, interdisciplinary projects, individuality, shaping one’s own opinion and so on. Then, there is not so much emphasis on memorizing and repetitioning. I have read a book that reflects on how this actually helps the “stronger” students become even stronger - which are usually those coming from academic families (because they are accustomed to the jargon among other things). But the “weak” students, on the other hand, might get lost, and would possibly have benefitted more from more regular teaching.
This is why statistics show that even though all education is free, not that many break the social legacy. (thus when the wealthy pay more in taxes, the money will most likely (unintentionally) be spend on their own children). (sorry for the long post, I just think I it interesting ) There is of course more to the Danish mentality
But sadly Cornell is not exactly free… </p>
<p>ANYWAYS!</p>
<p>Also thanks to you Reptil. But well… Too bad if ambitious, curious, good leader and energetic do not cut it, I still cannot lie and say that I believe flowers have feelings just to stand out. How do you suggest I make my self unique???
I understand that it is a criteria to have high marks and set high standards, but that is also one of the reasons as to why I would like to attend Cornell. I think it is an extra motivated milieu - or it least that is what I imagine!</p>
<p>Describe your unique situation how you best make use of the resources availbable to you right now. Let’s say you explain yourself in a manner that will present you as an opportunitist. Colleges love to admit students they know will use it’s recourses at most.</p>
<p>And do not only mention how you make use of academic resources but also everywhere else in life, in your spare time, free competitions, organizations etc.</p>
<p>And might I ask you one big and hard question which I hope you will think twice about before answering it. Anyway here goes. What can and will you add to the Cornell college community that is unique? Try to brainstorm and reason your way forward etc (as I am sure you’re used to doing) :P</p>
) There is of course more to the Danish mentality 