Hi folks -
Looking to get feedback on my S’s chances at Cornell (A and S), CMU (Design), USC (Viterbi). Specifics:
- SAT 1530 (780 E, 750 M)
- ACT 33 (36 R, 35 E, 30 M, 29 S)
- SAT II 740 Lit, 750 M I, 720 M II
- GPA 4.32 W, 13/220, Top 10%
- 11 APs (physics, calc, eng lit, eng comp, govt, apush. Studio art, psych, etc.)
- Mostly A's, some B's, never a C.
Extracurricular / Awards
- Eagle Scout, Sr Patrol leader, Order of Arrow (Boy Scouts)
- X Country, Spring Track - both Varsity, soph and junior
- Rhode Island School of Design (game design certificate)
- Karate Black Belt (1st degree)
- National Honor Society
- Scuba diver (PADI cert)
- Gold Key Award - digital art
- academic excellence awards - Art (9, 11), History (9, 11)
- plenty of comm service (relay for life, diabetes run, tutor, farm stand discretionary fund, POW vigil, etc.)
Essays / Recs
- Essays (9/10) - he is a very good writer
- Recs (Teachers) - 8.5 to 9
- Rec (Boy scout scoutmaster) 10/10
White male, Massachusetts
Thanks!
Mass Dad
I see no one replied which is annoying but chance me threads aren’t that appealing. I did one myself and the feedback was all over the place. I was just accepted ED to Cornell back in December so I have a little insight for your son.
I assume he submitted the SAT I and not the ACT? I believe 1530 is 99 percentile and 33 is 98. Either way, his scores are awesome and immediately put him in contention for all of them. GPA and class rank are also solid. My stats are similar. His course rigor is top notch. But I only will have taken 7 APs by the time I graduate but my school didn’t offer as many as most high schools.
There’s nothing extraordinary about his ECs. Not to say they are bad, but kids applying to the three schools you mentioned also have a lot of activities, awards and community service. So I don’t see any hooks in what you have written. But academically speaking he’s solid.
The biggest question is fit. Were his essays generic or did he write specifically how he’ll take advantage of the college he applied to and make it clear he belongs there in that specific lab or building (and not just because he has good stats)?
For me it was easy. I had a clear #1 in Cornell so I applied early and put everything I had into the application. It was a gamble but it paid off. Applying regular decision to highly selective schools just means you have a lot more applicants to compete against. The good news is he can’t really lose. Based on what you posted, all three of those schools might accept him - certainly at least one.
Having said that, speaking at least for Cornell, he looks like a very good candidate on paper.
And white male from Massachusetts sounds like you probably have a good income. That can only help as they profile your S.
Thanks, cotopaxi, and congratulations on your acceptance! That is high achievement. I believe you were smart going the ED route. I think my S’s stats are solid, but so are many folks who apply. I think his essays were quite good, but again, who knows…
Thanks for your feedback - and enjoy your undergrad studies at a fabulous school!