I am planning on applying Early Decision for Cornell’s engineering program in the fall. I’d appreciate an honest opinion or any feedback.
Info: White male, out of state, not first gen, lower class
Stats: GPA (UW/4.0): 3.5 (Greatly improved since freshman year)
Top 10% of class
SAT: 1540 (790 Math, 750 Reading)
ACT: 33
SAT 2 Chemistry: 740
SAT 2 Math 2: 800
SAT 2 Physics: 740
SAT 2 US: 760
AP US: 4
AP Computer Science: 5
AP Physics: 4
EC: Captain of Debate team (for senior year, member 9-12)
NY State Debate championship qualifer freshman and junior year
President of STEM Club (11-12)
Participated and received honors at multiple robotics competition (9-12)
Treasurer of coding club (10-11)
Treasurer of NHS (11-12)
Founder of non-profit that helps elderly use technology
Member of Model UN (11-12)
Member of Key Club (Volunteering, 10-12)
Member of club that raised money for Syrian Refugees
500+ volunteer hours at after school program for kids
100+ volunteer hours for local teen organization that supplied activities for kids
Held 2 jobs throughout high school
Worked at local day camp for 2 years
Varsity Bowling (11-12)
Varsity Basketball (10-12)
QuestBridge Scholar
Thanks for any feedback
Thanks for any feedback
https://www.engin.umich.edu/about/facts/
Look towards the lower half to find the scores to engineering for admitted students. Use your 1540 since it’s a 34 Act equivalent. Your only downside is the uw 3.5. If they review you and discount your freshman year then yes you have a shot. Being a quest bridge scholar might tip your hat also.
You will most likely get deferred (like just about everybody else) so they can see how you will perform in your senior year. Try to ace that year!
With so many on the wait list last year I would have many safeties especially with the schools you are selecting.
What math /science will you have as a senior?
a 1540 is a 35 ACT FYI. But you have a good shot of getting in
Nope 1540 is Act 34.
1560 is Act 35. Still a great score!
Physics C and Calc BC. Just did some math, and my UW GPA for sophomore and junior is a 3.97 (One B+ in physics) so I hope that the improvement will help. I’m also hoping to be a QuestBridge finalist this year and that might effect where I’m going to school. As much as school preference matters, money (in this case) is a GIANT factor.
Here’s my advice. A 3.5 GPA is not going to be high enough to be competitive for either university. The SAT is great, but not enough to make up for the GPA. That’s assuming you have the funds to pay for out of state tuition (you mentioned low income.) You still qualify for scholarships. Here’s one from the University of Alabama website:
Presidential
A student with a 32-36 ACT or 1420-1600 SAT score and at least a 3.5 GPA will be selected as a Presidential Scholar and will receive $104,000 over four years ($26,000 per year). Students graduating with remaining scholarship semester(s) may use these monies toward graduate school and/or law school study at UA.
As a Quest Bridge Scholar you have a shot at both UMich and Cornell. I think you are likely to get into Cornell.
jmho