Hi. I’m planning on applying to Cornell early decision. I was wondering if applying early decision would help my chances or if I should just end up applying regular decision. Do I have a chance at all?
GPA: 4.0
Rank: 3 out of 111
SAT: 1830 (I know this isn’t good for Cornell)
ACT: 31
AP Scores so far: 5 in American History and 4 in literature
I have taken all advanced classes and 4 years of Spanish. I plan on taking AP Biology, AP Chem, AP Calc, and AP Lang in my senior year.
ECs:
-Band: Marching band, jazz band, honors band, district band, region band. I have won an award from my director for my dedication to band. District and region band were festivals that you needed to audition to get into.
-Swimming: 3 years and I have lettered every year
-I participate in my school musical every year
-Spanish Club: Treasurer
-Drama Club: Treasurer
-Math Club/Mu Alpha Theta
-Volunteer at a summer camp for children with special needs every year
-I have work experience at my local Subway
Gender: Female
Race: White
Intended Major: Biology
I have not taken any subject tests, but I have been preparing for the biology, Spanish, and literature tests to take in October.
Thanks for reading this!
Hey! I’ll offer my two cents, but (sorry for fusing metaphors) it should be taken with a grain of salt. I’m also a senior applying to Cornell, but I had the good fortune to attend one of the information sessions on campus last week- and the lady there (an admissions committee member) spoke at length on the advantage early decision gives you.
It lends the committee more time to consider you, and apparently that’s a good thing. But the one thing that did stick out is her mentioning of Cornell’s ED acceptance rate as around 35%- much bigger than the RD. Take from that what you will.
I hope we both get in!
ED will definitely give you an advantage, but also note that this is a self-selecting group of people. The kids who apply ED are organized, prepared, and extremely qualified which may account [partially] for the higher acceptance rates. You should go for it if Cornell is your dream school to boost your chances, since by sheer probability you have a smaller chance of getting in from a larger applicant pool.
If you have the time for it, definitely take the ACT or the new version of the SAT to boost your scores which will give you a much better chance at admissions. That’s the only thing holding you back from your profile right now.
Both your ACT and your SAT are too low to give you good chances. (You only need to submit one or the other). Since you still need to take subject tests this Fall (and your academic load sounds heavy), you may want to take the extra time to practice and retake your ACT and apply RD. A score of 31 might be in the acceptable range , but unless you have a hook (athlete, urm, etc) you want to be above that average for good chances.
I think most students applying ED complete their testing (or most of it) by end of junior year to give them time to focus on their essays and applications. Sounds like you’ll be in a crunch to get this all done, and to do it well. Just my honest opinion. But like someone else stated above, your test scores are the only thing holding you back. Everything else looks marvelous.
Best of luck 
Thanks. Good luck to you too!
And thanks. I probably should apply regular decision to make sure I don’t rush things and do them properly.
You have a great chance! Your SAT score really doesnt worry me at all, as I have heard of people get in with lower scores! Of course your GPA and Rank are stellar, and your AP Score are awesome! I would definitely take more, as you said you were! Your EC’s are super unique and I think you have a great chance! PM if you have any more questions! 
You have excellent stats, and Cornell would be lucky to have you!
Thank you very much. Do you think I should retake my ACT to give me a better chance? I’ve already taken it twice and gotten a 31 both times. The second time my scores were higher, but they still only averaged into a 31 composite. @writer80
I would maybe once more (a 31 is still AWESOME!) and it wont hurt your chances at all( but it will improve them if you take it again. You know what they say, three times a charm.
Judging by your scores, you may simply be better suited to the ACT. If you can improve it by just a couple of points, I think then your stats will be pretty competitive. Your GPA is already stout.
You should only consider ED if Cornell is your #1 choice and if you can afford it (run the NPC).
The freshman profile for class of 2019 lists average ACT from accepted students to be 30-34. They don’t break down the differences between ED and RD. There are plenty of students with 33+ scores applying ED so if you think you would stand out above them then go for it. Are you from an underrepresented state or do you have something unique to bring? Are you an athlete or urm? These are things to think about. No one really knows what goes on behind closed doors unless you’re on the admissions committee. But I still believe those accepted with the lower scores often have hooks.
Those darn tests can be such a thorn in your side. Some people test really well with little effort and others have to work much harder. It’s obvious you’re very well accomplished. But again, 31 is not very competitive for Cornell. It’s possible but not super likely.
Cornell is my dream school. The only hooks I could think of is that I come from an economically disadvantaged rural town and I’m a girl who wants to go into scientific research. I don’t really think those are as good as athlete or urm though… @Renomamma
Thank you. I definitely prefer the ACT over the SAT. @prezbucky
If it’s truly your dream school, maybe an inspiring essay could make it happen. Just make sure you have back-ups you would be happy to attend because admissions are unpredictable. Best of luck!
Hi there! I’m an incoming Cornell freshman, and I thought I’d give you some opinions from someone who’s been there, done that. If I were you, I’d really sell your dedication to band because that was what stood out to me. Definitely try to boost your ACT/SAT scores (I’d go with ACT, I think it’s easier to prep), because you don’t have any super-strong “hooks” and given your stats, stronger test scores could boost your application considerably. Yes, it does seem like you have better chances of getting in if you apply ED, but applying early also means that you’re competing against a lot of people who have really great hooks (URM, athletes, legacies) who are also dead-set on Cornell. No matter what, I wish you the best of luck, and feel free to message me if you’ve got questions!