Cornell AEM ED: Can I get in?

Colleges and Universities A-Z Cornell University
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<p>Info:
High School: Top 100 Public, sends many grads to top schools (~2500 students)
Ethnicity: Korean American
Gender: Male
Low income family (~$30,000); applying for financial aid</p>

<p>Intended Major: Business/Finance?</p>

<p>GPA:
Class Rank: Top 10% in a class of 556 students
Unweighted: 3.60 (bad sophomore year, family death will be explained)
Weighted: 3.93</p>

<p>Standardized Test Scores:
SAT Reasoning: 710M/650CR/680W = 2040 (should I retake w/ a 34 ACT? I am fairly confident I can get 2100+)
Math Level 2: 800
Korean w/ Listening: 800
Physics: 750
ACT: 34</p>

<p>APs:
11th: AP Calculus AB (4), AP English Lang (4)
12th schedule: AP Lit, Physics, AP Gov, AP Econ, AP Spanish, AP Statistics</p>

<p>ECs:
- Access Christian Club: Secretary/Treasurer—Board Member (12), Media Tech (11), Outreach Representative (10), Member (9)
- Agribusiness Club: President (12), Vice President (11), Publicity Manager (10)
- ****** Youth Ministry, Worship Team/Praise Band: Bassist (9-12), Youth Group Leader (11, 12)
- California Scholarship Federation: Board Member (12), Secretary (11), Member (9, 10)
- DECA: Treasurer (12), Member (9, 10)
- Future Business Leaders of America (FBLA): Honorary Member (10, 11, 12)
- Key Club International: Vice President (12), Treasurer (11), Member (9, 10)
- Korean American Student Association (KASA): President (12), Vice President (11), Secretary (10)
- Football: Junior Varsity (10), Frosh/Soph (9)
- “Olympia” Literary Magazine: Features Editor (12), Writer/Photographer (11):
- Track & Field: Varsity (12), Junior Varsity (9, 10); Schedule conflicts with Wells Fargo internship in 11th grade
- Youth Advocates for the Environment: Secretary (12), Member (10, 11)</p>

<p>Honors/Awards:
- National Merit Commended Scholar/Semifinalist: Scored 220 on PSAT
- Presidential Award for Academic Excellence
- Coastline ROP: Certificate of Excellence
- Principal’s Academic Honor Roll
- Presidential Volunteer Service Award
- UCI Academic Talent Search: Academic Merit Award</p>

<p>Community Service:
- American Red Cross: Community Service Director, volunteered 300+ hours throughout high school
- ****** Korean Church: Camp counselor/youth leader, Vacation Bible School Summer Program for K-6 kids
- ****** Youth Ministry: Mexico Missions Trip (Summer ’06): Built a local Mexican church, Arizona Missions Trip (Summer ’07): Organized VBS for kids
- 30 Hour Famine (organized by church): Activity leader, fund raiser; Raised money for starving families while fasting and obtained sponsors to donate money
- Homeless Outreach (organized by church): Served meals at a homeless shelter in Santa Ana with several youth group members, every Sunday morning</p>

<p>Employment:
- Daffy’s TropicCafe: Cash register/waiter (9-11)
- Wells Fargo Bank: Associate intern/stage director/teller assistant (11); Unpaid internship through Coastline ROP Program
- ****** Youth Ministry: Associate intern/graphic designer/webpage designer (11); Only 2 students chosen out of 500 in youth ministry</p>

<p>Essay/Recommendations:
- Essay: should be focused on my interest in business and particular programs in AEM
- Teacher Recs: one from AP Eng teacher, one from Honors Chem teacher - both should be excellent
- Counselor Rec: made me fill out a comprehensive packet "all about me" so should be pretty good/thorough</p>

<p>Would my high test scores offset my low/mediocre GPA? Are my ECs focused enough and show interest in business?</p>

<p>Any/all input would be appreciated! Thanks in advance.</p>

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<p>34 views, 0 replies.
Anyone?</p>

3

<p>If possible, do not send the SAT reasoning score.</p>

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<p>If I don't send the SAT reasoning score, they won't be able to see my Subject Test scores. I wish we could pick and choose what to send, instead of the entire cumulative score report. =&lt;/p>

<p>Anyway, how are my chances?</p>

5

<p>I thought the Collegeboard was getting rid of that policy...</p>

6

<p>That policy is effective starting with the class of 2010 -.-
I'm class of 2009, so not fair!</p>

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<p>I think that you've got a decent shot, grades are kinda low so that is an issue. Also, if you're family is poor why are you applying Early Decision. You should apply to other schools Regular Decision and compare financial aid.</p>

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<p>From what I've gathered browsing through a number of posts, the financial aid package one gets through Early Decision is approximately the same amount as you would have received through Regular Decision. Also, my EFC is estimated at about $5,000 and I believe Cornell meets 100% need in financial aid. Given this, wouldn't it be smarter to apply ED if I am certain that Cornell is my top choice school and they meet 100% of my need? </p>

<p>Correct me if I'm wrong about anything.</p>

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<p>I think you have a chance of getting in</p>

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<p>kMz, yes, it would be smarter to apply ED because with your family's income, you will get a full ride (or at least 40k a year), depending on your other stuff (if you own a house, land, etc.)</p>

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<p>w/ good essays, you are looking solid, although the class rank might be a bit low. (top 5% of the class would be ideal)</p>

12

<p>Thanks for the input guys.
Bump!</p>

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<p>Bumping...</p>

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<p>Anyone else?</p>

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<p>I'm in AEM right now. I think you should be able to get in. You had better stats then i did but it might be harder for you. As long as your essay is REALLY good i'd be suprised if you didn't get in. Just try to get good grades this semester and try to get your GPA up.</p>

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<p>Awesome, thanks. There's no better chance than a chance coming from a current student. :)</p>

<p>If I may ask, what were some of your stats?</p>

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<p>I was a GT transfer. I had 1250 sat, forgot what it was out of 2400, 29 act. I had a lot of sports and leadership activities and my essay was really specific.</p>

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<p>Ah, a GT transfer. I see.</p>

<p>Exactly one more month left until the big deadline, Nov. 1!</p>

<p>Any other chances/input? Please? How am I looking?!</p>