Chances of Getting in

Colleges and Universities A-Z Cornell University
1

<p>Hi, I was just wondering my chances of getting into my dream school Cornell.
I am currently a junior, going to take my SATs soon, but I am really discouraged because I have a very low GPA (3.1 unweighted) I did terribly freshmen year from personal reasons.
My extra curriculars are:
Clarinet (Allstate band 3 years so far, ranked 14 in state)
Piano (played since I was 6, did a Virtuoso club for 3 years, and I volunteer every spring/winter/summer break at a shelter to play for the elderly)
After School Band/Orchestra program
Varsity Field hockey 3 yrs
Varsity Outdoor track 3 years (coaches award)
National Honor Society
volunteered at a pharmacy lab for 3 years, and went to an international toxicology conference to present 2 projects of data
participated in a regional toxicology conference to present
volunteered at a hospital for 2 years
Class historian for 3 years
volunteering in tutoring program at school
An amnesty program at school
writing a newspaper series published in Asia about american culture vs. asian culture (new article every month)</p>

<p>will these extra curriculars really help me or will I still have no chance? I plan on getting a rather good score on my SATs because my psats were relatively good (215) but you never know
please help, I am really discouraged right now</p>

2

<p>Great ec’s so far, but that GPA is a killer…I dont know. If you can get it to a 3.8 by the time you apply and have 2100+ on the SAT, I’d say you have a great chance. Even a 3.7 it’d be worthwhile applying. If you apply ed, that’d be an even bigger boost. Just work in the GPA and maintain your EC’s!!! Don’t give up :)</p>

3

<p>I’m not qualified to give an opinion on what is/isn’t a “valid” personal issue for low grades. If it is something admissions finds valid, and you are able to get a near 4.0 unweighted for your other years, your chances aren’t terrible. Make sure you have FANTASTIC recommendations from teachers, especially your guidance counselor. With something like a personal issue affecting your grades, your guidance counselor familiar with the issue can probably give you a better idea of your chances than anyone on an internet forum.</p>

4

<p>Thanks so much for all of your feedback. Thanks julieannab, I really appreciate your encouragement! and Thank you mikeyc765, that’s a really great idea. I’m not comfortable with saying things on the internet, but thanks to your advice I’ll definitely talk to my guidance counselor about it.</p>