Cornell Chances?

Chance Me / Match Me!
1

Hey Guys, I am an 11th grader, looking to apply to college next year. After months of research, I will likely end up applying for Cornell University.

I will likely ED Cornell too.

Majors: Materials Science/Nanotechnology, Actuarial Mathematics, Physics (Basically, CAS)

Stats:

Objective:

SAT I (breakdown): 690R, 800M, 760W, 12E (Will not retake as my score decreased in a later practice test after studying)

SAT I (aggregate): 2250

ACT (breakdown):will not take

SAT II: 780 Math 2, 780 US History, Will take Physics this year

Unweighted GPA (out of 4.0): 4.0

Rank (percentile if rank is unavailable): 1%

AP (place score in parenthesis): US History (5), Will Take AP Calculus BC, Physics C, and Statistics AP Tests this year

Senior Year Course Load: Will take Math and Science at local university (finished my schools curriculum), AP English, AP Economics, some electives

Major Awards (USAMO, Intel etc.):All are science fair related:

“Most Outstanding Exhibit in Materials Science” award given to one person (me) out of 1200 competing in Tri-State Science Fair (PA-NJ-DE)
“Superior Innovation in Electrical and Electronics Engineering” award given to three people (including me) out of 1200 in Tri-State Science Fair
Tri-State Science Fair category winner in Physics (11th grade)

Accepted with full scholarship to CMU Governor School for the Sciences (Acceptance Rate = 12%)

Subjective:

Extracurriculars (place leadership in parenthesis): President of Indian American Youth Group, Trombone Section Leader of Band, Jazz Band, Won my section best trombone section at regional jazz competition, various Solo Awards, Science Fair, PJAS State qualifier every year since 7th grade, all School Honor Societies

Job/Work Experience: Started Transportation Envisioning Blog/Youtube Channel in which I envision how efficient transportation can be implemented on America’s infrastructure. Won various governmental and press attention

Volunteer/Community service: Cops and Kids Volunteer, Various Youth Groups,

Summer Activities: CMU Governor’s School for the Sciences (This is for the coming summer)

Essays: We’ll See.

Intended Major: Materials Science/Nanotechnology, Physics, Actuarial Mathematics (My parents want me to do Engineering, but I will not as the three aforementioned careers are more exciting to me.)
State (if domestic applicant): PA
Ethnicity: Asian :frowning:
Gender: Male :frowning:
Income Bracket: Middle
Hooks (URM, first generation college, etc.): Trombone Player?

Strengths: Math/Science Grades, Science Fair Awards

Weaknesses: Will only qualify for NM Commended (Missed cutoff by 3 points), SAT composite score is a bit low

2

In a rush atm, so I can’t read it all, but trombone player isn’t a hook. It’s an EC

3

Cornell is one of the easier Ivy leagues to get into. The kids from my school who have gotten in had less impressive credentials than you, so you seem to have a chance I guess. But I’m pretty sure half of them were national merit scholars/had high SAT scores (albeit no hooks).

Also yes, trombone player isn’t a hook (sadly nor is piano).

4

dislike your test scores (780 math II? :P) but, overall, your academics are >fine. Nice, focused activities. Like the science fair and related awards. unhooked asian males have it hard. However, I like your chances ED. RD is a bloodbath, though.

5

Your SAT composite is actually fine, its just your Critical Reading is below a 700, which maybe be dangerous as some schools don’t take writing as seriously as math and reading. Your SAT II"s are completely fine, high 700’s are already good enough; Colleges don’t really care about them as long as you get high 700 range. GPA fantastic.

-Governers School is a really good summer activity to have. (Kudos for you to getting in as well!)

-Your EC’s are indeed a bit weak; Other than your science fair achievements (that 1 out of 1200 people award is great), there isn’t that much that sticks out. (Also, Being an asian male, i’m also sure plenty of other people with the same background as you also do science fair.)
Trombone player is nice but winning “best trombone section” at a regional jazz competition won’t be as convincing as making the PMEA All state orchestra or nats. Not sure what exactly your solo awards are but if its only for school, it won’t really help.


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You may want to add in a bit more volunteer things; showing more commitment helps as well

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  • the press and governmental attention sparks my interest; you definitely should give a link or send them an article which you are featured in!

Verdict: If we are talking about Cornell, then I certainly believe you do have a good chance. That being said, even though Cornell is the easiest Ivy to get into, that obviously doesn’t mean any guarantees. Your academic and science fair achievements can be enough for Cornell, but i’m not an admissions officer, who knows?

6

@fcm951 Yes I know. The only reason I said my SAT was bad was due to the 690R. However I was going to retake the SAT in June, but on a recent practice test I got only a 2180 (600R, 800M, 780W, 12E) and I was like “I give up.”

Which is sad because my GPA is good. I am just a horrible test taker. I studied all summer for the PSAT and got only a 2130. This was after getting 780s on two subject tests sophomore year. Many of the PSAT finalists in my grade actually have a lower GPA than me by quite a bit.

7

Your test score won’t be what will keep you out! It’s a 2250 for goodness sake!!! Only on CC is a score 150 points from perfect looked down upon.
I think you have an excellent shot for Cornell if you apply ED! If you apply RD, it’ll be much more of a crapshoot. Best of luck!