Cornell AEM: ED vs. RD?

Colleges and Universities A-Z Cornell University
1

<p>Hey guys, I'm in a bit of a dilemma. I have been planning to apply to AEM via Early Decision for a while now. However, I will be taking the SAT I for the last time in December and I was wondering if I would have a better chance of acceptance with those higher SAT scores via Regular Decision (along with my first semester senior grades). </p>

<p>Here is a brief overview of my stats/scores:
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 (May '08): 710M/650CR/680W = 2040 (I am fairly confident I can get 2150+ in Dec.)
Math Level 2: 800
Korean w/ Listening: 800
Physics: 750
ACT (Sept. '08): 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>As you can see, my most recent test scores show my true academic ability, as opposed to my previous scores. So would it be better to take the Dec. SAT and apply RD, or should I just stick to applying early with my 34 ACT? Also keep in mind that if I apply RD, they will see my grades of my rigorous senior courseload (and I am doing well in all of them, so far).</p>

<p>Thanks in advance, guys.</p>

2

<p>If I were you, I would apply early decision. I don't know how much easier it is to get into AEM early. Your ACT and SAT IIs are awesome. Unless the schools lie and actually do look at all of your scores, you should be fine in terms of standardized testing. Also, wouldn't it just be much nicer to be done by December and into college (assuming you get in)? Just my two cents.</p>

3

<p>yeah, with an ACT score of a 34, it doesn't matter what your SAT score was.</p>

<p>Apply ED.</p>

4

<p>Thanks for replies. I'm currently leaning more toward ED, but any other thoughts or comments would be appreciated!</p>

5

<p>If you do extremely well in the first half of your senior year, how much can you raise your GPA?</p>

6

<p>is price an issue?</p>

7

<p>if u do ED and they don't give u good financial aid, u'll still have to go there??</p>

8

<p>
[quote]
if u do ED and they don't give u good financial aid, u'll still have to go there??

[/quote]
</p>

<p>That's why you shouldn't apply ED if financial aid is an issue for you. By applying RD...you'll have multiple acceptances and can negotiate FA packages with one school based on what other offered you. You don't get this option with ED. The only way to break an ED agreement is by demonstrating that there is absolutely no way you can afford to attend Cornell when all other options for aid have been looked at...even then, breaking an ED agreement is not a good thing.</p>

9

<p>ok, i see. Thanks! But do you know the acceptance rate for Cornell AEM EDers?</p>

10

<p>No...I do not.</p>

11

<p>Actually, cornell only accepts negotiations based on financial aid packages from a very small number of peer schools, mostly the other ivies and MIT and Stanford.</p>

<p>But do know that ED students DO get the same amount of financial aid as RD students, and if you absolutely cannot meet Cornell's financial aid package, there is a clause that allows you to break the ED contract.</p>

12

<p>
[quote]
But do know that ED students DO get the same amount of financial aid as RD students

[/quote]
</p>

<p>^ That's what I thought was the case, but I always get confused when every other person on this site says "Don't apply ED if you need financial aid."</p>