***CORNELL CLASS OF 2020 ED RESULTS ONLY***

Colleges and Universities A-Z Cornell University
1

Hi guys! Homsar here. Since submitting the common app, i have not had a day go by without cornell decisions popping into my head at some point. Figured everyone else is in this same boat, so why not start this thread for future applicants!

It appears that the decisions come out on December 10th at 5:00 pm EST, the time is near!

Please use this format:

Pick one:
[aB][asize=4][acolor=#008000]Decision: Accepted[/color][/size]**
[aB][asize=4][acolor=#FFA500]Decision: Deferred[/color][/size]**
[aB][asize=4][acolor=#FF0000]Decision: Rejected[/color][/size]**

Name of Cornell College you applied to:

Objective:

SAT I (breakdown):
ACT (breakdown):
SAT II:
Unweighted GPA (out of 4.0):
Rank (percentile if rank is unavailable):
AP (place score in parenthesis):
IB (place score in parenthesis):
Senior Year Course Load:
Major Awards (USAMO, Intel etc.):

Subjective:

Extracurriculars (place leadership in parenthesis):
Job/Work Experience:
Volunteer/Community service:
Summer Activities:
Essays:
Teacher Recommendation:
Counselor Rec:
Additional Rec:
Interview:
Other

Applied for Financial Aid?:
Intended Major:
State (if domestic applicant):
Country (if international applicant):
School Type:
Ethnicity:
Gender:
Income Bracket:
Hooks (URM, first generation college, etc.):

Reflection

Strengths:
What you tried to focus on in your application - any hooks you tried to make for yourself:
Weaknesses:
Why you think you were accepted/deferred/rejected:
Where else were you accepted/deferred/rejected:
Your “Big Red” factor - the most unique thing in your application:

Make sure to remove the ‘a’ after the brackets in the bold, size and color in your decision.

Good luck to all who are reading this!

2

MODERATOR’s NOTE:
This thread is only for results. Non-result posts will be deleted. Such discussion should be posted [url=<a href=“http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/cornell-university/1768938-cornell-class-of-2020-early-decision-discussion.html#latest%5Dhere%5B/url”>http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/cornell-university/1768938-cornell-class-of-2020-early-decision-discussion.html#latest]here[/url].

3

@skieurope What if I want to edit the results format for the better?

In the 2018 ED Results Thread for Cornell, this was stated but largely ignored,

"(I’m sorry for posting as well.) Hey guys, there’s been a lot of people wondering if certain events foreshadow an acceptance to Cornell. I propose that when we report decisions we should also report on our individual experiences so as to figure out once and for all if there is a correlation between them and acceptance. I think that this format with yes or no answers should work:

Potential foreshadowing:

  1. If your financial aid portal was updated
  2. If Cornell asked for your first quarter grades
  3. If your Applicant portal was disabled in the days leading up to the decision.
  4. If Cornell offered you an interview"

I would like to have these questions added to the format if possible. We must come a statistically-based conclusion to all of these suspected acceptance indicators, once and for all!!!

4

MODERATOR’s NOTE:

You do realize that any results posted here are by a very self-selecting subset of applicants, and that there is no statistical inference to be had?

5

@skieurope Yes of course, I am merely searching for obvious indicators in events leading up to acceptance/rejection based an overwhelming statistical majority, I certainly don’t intend to nitpick or scrutinize. I of course doubt they’ll be any statistical implications at all, I was just curious…

6

Decision: Accepted

Name of Cornell College you applied to: Engineering

Objective: Matsci

SAT I (breakdown): 710 r, 740 m, 790 w
ACT (breakdown): 35 e, 35 m, 35 r, 36 s
SAT II: 800 math II, 800 chem, 760 bio molecular
Weighted GPA (out of 5.0): 4.25
Unweighted GPA (out of 4.0): 3.99
Rank (percentile if rank is unavailable): Top 5%
AP (place score in parenthesis): 5 lang, 5 chem, 5 calc bc, 5 calc ab subscore, 4 bio
IB (place score in parenthesis):
Senior Year Course Load: multivariable calc bc, ap physics c, ap comp sci principles, ap micro/macroeconomics, ap german lang, ap english lit, ap stat
Major Awards (USAMO, Intel etc.):
state science fair awards, co-author in a scientific paper, school book award, german national exam, school biology award, minor robotics team awards

Subjective:
Extracurriculars (place leadership in parenthesis): (Co-Captain) FTC robotics team, (Founder) soccer club, jv/freshman soccer, private cello lessons, tutoring

Job/Work Experience:
Volunteer/Community service: Tutoring, soccer stuff
Summer Activities: Separate summer research internships at UConn and Columbia, soccer camps
Essays: Common app - The value of environmental research for society and my intellectual curiosity, as well as the beauty of earth

Teacher Recommendation:
English teacher 10/10, said i am favorite student, wrote rec in 11-pt font so everything could fit
Chem teacher 9/10, likes me
Science research teacher 8/10, thinks i’m motivated

Counselor Rec:
9/10, thinks i’m very hardworking/driven and smart

Additional Rec:
Columbia professor 10/10, wrote an amazing rec for me about my research capabilities, motivation, and overall personality

Interview:
Didn’t interview; i emailed the interviewer that i had already spoken in person with a cornell professor, msged current cornell students, and asked my dad and his friends (former undergrads) questions, so i had no further questions

Other

Applied for Financial Aid?: No
Intended Major: Matsci
State (if domestic applicant): CT
Country (if international applicant):
School Type: Public
Ethnicity: Asian
Gender: Male
Income Bracket: >500k
Hooks (URM, first generation college, etc.): Legacy from one parent

Reflection

Strengths:
What you tried to focus on in your application - any hooks you tried to make for yourself:
Weaknesses: Asian male, took standardized tests multiple times, didn’t interview
Why you think you were accepted/deferred/rejected: My scores and grades were very good and showed improvement throughout high school, my accomplishments were good, recs were stellar, essays displayed intellectual maturity
Where else were you accepted/deferred/rejected: Waiting to hear from MIT, UMich, UIUC
Your “Big Red” factor - the most unique thing in your application: Scientific journal paper co-authorship and rec from a professor

7

Decision: Deferred

Name of Cornell College you applied to:
College of Agriculture and Life Sciences

Objective:
AEM

SAT I (breakdown): N/A
ACT (breakdown): 34 (35M, 35S, 33R, 32E)
SAT II: N/a
Unweighted GPA (out of 4.0): 3.94 UW
Rank (percentile if rank is unavailable): 10/270
AP (place score in parenthesis): Calc AB:5, Microeconomics:5, Macroeconomics:4, Physics C Mechanics:3
IB (place score in parenthesis): N/A
Senior Year Course Load: AP Physics C E and M, Music Appreciation(Needed the art credit), AP Biology, Business Management Advanced Studies, Ap Literature and Composition, Student Council, AP Government, Student Aide, Ap Stats
Major Awards (USAMO, Intel etc.):
DECA State Finalist 2x
Business Student of the Year (My school)
Best Treasurer in my Region (BBYO)
Subjective:

Extracurriculars (place leadership in parenthesis):
DECA (Procurement Manager, then Treasurer)
FBLA
JSU (Treasurer, Secretary)
BBYO ( CITY vp, treasurer, secretary, newsletter writer/editor, Regional Newsletter Writer/editor)
NCSY( City Vice President)
Lacrosse 1 year jv
Lacrosse 2 years varsity
National Honors Society
Varsity Quiz
Ambassadors (recruit kids to my school) (Long term fundraising chair)
Boys State Honors City Mayor
Job/Work Experience: Internship at a Small Investment Banking Firm
Volunteer/Community service: NHS, Ambassadors, Youth Groups
Summer Activities: Internship
Essays:
Common App: 9/10
Why Cornell: 9/10
Teacher Recommendation:
8/10
9/10
Counselor Rec:10/10
Additional Rec:
Interview: It went very well.
Other

Applied for Financial Aid?: No
Intended Major: AEM
State (if domestic applicant): NV
Country (if international applicant):
School Type: Magnet
Ethnicity: White
Gender: Male
Income Bracket: 200,000+
Hooks (URM, first generation college, etc.): None

Reflection

Strengths:
What you tried to focus on in your application - any hooks you tried to make for yourself: My well rounded business extracurriculars, my gpa my essays, and my act score.
Weaknesses: My lack of international awards.
Why you think you were accepted/deferred/rejected: I applied for one of the hardest schools at Cornell
Where else were you accepted/deferred/rejected: Accepted: Indiana at bloomington, Tulane, Asu
Your “Big Red” factor - the most unique thing in your application: I didnt really have one, was a well rounded student, but not too strong.

8

Decision: Deferred

Name of Cornell College you applied to: College of Engineering

Objective:

SAT I (breakdown): 2380: Math-800, CR-800, Writing-780
ACT (breakdown): N/A
SAT II: Math Level Two-800, Physics-710
Unweighted GPA (out of 4.0): 4.0
Rank (percentile if rank is unavailable): At least top 10% (school doesn’t give rank)
AP (place score in parenthesis): AP Physics B-5, AP Calculus AB-5, APUSH-5, AP Bio-5, AP Stat-5, AP Psych-5, AP Macro-5, AP Calculus BC-5
IB (place score in parenthesis): N/A
Senior Year Course Load: AP Physics C, AP Economics, AP CS, Honors English, Honors Chem, Honors iSTEM
Major Awards (USAMO, Intel etc.): National AP Scholar

Subjective:

Extracurriculars (place leadership in parenthesis): A bunch - mostly engineering and community service-based clubs
Job/Work Experience: Started two technology businesses.
Volunteer/Community service: Social Media Manager and Graphics Designer for Non-profits, Interact Club, Cougars in Control (safe driving club)
Summer Activities: Started a Kickstarter campaign, Cornell Summer College (Business World)
Essays: Decent? Ok? I decided to ED Cornell three days before November 1st, so my supplement wasn’t the best it could have been. I’m also not the best writer.
Teacher Recommendation: One from physics teacher, one from calculus teacher.
Counselor Rec: Written by a substitute because my GC was on maternity leave (so it was probably very generic)
Additional Rec: Cornell AEM professor recommendation
Interview: N/A
Other

Applied for Financial Aid?: Yes
Intended Major: Electrical and Computer Engineering
State (if domestic applicant): NJ
Country (if international applicant): USA
School Type: Public
Ethnicity: Asian
Gender: Male
Income Bracket: low $100k
Hooks (URM, first generation college, etc.): N/A

Reflection:

Strengths:
What you tried to focus on in your application - any hooks you tried to make for yourself: Both essays were about engineering.

Weaknesses:
Why you think you were accepted/deferred/rejected:
Where else were you accepted/deferred/rejected: N/A
Your “Big Red” factor - the most unique thing in your application:

9

Decision: Deferred

Name of Cornell College you applied to: College of Human Ecology : Human Development

Objective:

SAT I (breakdown): N/A
ACT (breakdown): 28C(30E/31R/26,/25S/30W or 11 on old chart)
SAT II: Didn’t submit but U.S History 640
Unweighted GPA (out of 4.0): 3.52 UW / 4.32 W
Rank (percentile if rank is unavailable): 58/716 Top 8%
AP (place score in parenthesis): Didn’t submit any : World History(2), U.S History(3), Psychology(4), Human Geography(4), Physics 1(1), Computer Science(1), Macroeconomics(1)
IB (place score in parenthesis): N/A
Senior Year Course Load: AICE Sociology 1 AS, AP Microeconomics/AP Gov’t & Politics, AP Calculus BC, AP Biology, AP European History, AP Art History, Dual enrollment Child Development and French Language
Major Awards (USAMO, Intel etc.): District FBLA/HOSA awards made it to State competitions

Subjective:

Extracurriculars (place leadership in parenthesis): Human dev. infant lab internship , marching band, non profit board member, fbla Vice President, hosa, calculus club, a few others
Job/Work Experience: Worked at elementary school 11th grade summer
Volunteer/Community service: 200 hours at hospital
Summer Activities: i worked and did my internship
Essays: Common App:(8/9) Really liked this one and it told my story really well
Supplement(8/9) Really liked this one too, it got personal and also answered the question fully
Teacher Recommendation: 6/7 got one from ap physics 1 and one from ap psychology. they liked me but nothing extraordinary
Counselor Rec: 7 or 8 She knows me well but not enough about what I do outside of school
Additional Rec:
Interview: Never contacted so N/A
Other

Applied for Financial Aid?: Yes
Intended Major: Human Development
State (if domestic applicant): FL
Country (if international applicant): USA
School Type: Public
Ethnicity: Black
Sex: Male
Income Bracket: 60k-70k
Hooks (URM, first generation college, etc.): URM, male at human ec

Reflection

Strengths:
What you tried to focus on in your application - any hooks you tried to make for yourself: mainly my fit for the major
Weaknesses: GPA / ACT scores
Why you think you were accepted/deferred/rejected: my essays, I made sure that I fit in the major and school and needed to go here
Where else were you accepted/deferred/rejected: Nowhere but I applied to UF, UCF,FSU,USF, Washington and Lee, and Fordham
Your “Big Red” factor - the most unique thing in your application: My internship and essays

10

Decision: Accepted

Name of Cornell College you applied to: SHA

Objective:

SAT I (breakdown): N/A
ACT (breakdown): 33 super-score but other results: reading-34 & 31, english-31 & 34, math-31 & 31, science-27 & 33, writing-8 & 9
SAT II: N/A
Unweighted GPA (out of 4.0): British so don’t have official one, but 4.0
Rank (percentile if rank is unavailable): top 25% (I go to the top school in the UK)
AP (place score in parenthesis): British so don’t do
GCSEs (place score in parenthesis): English language (A), English lit (A), Math (A), Chinese (A), Chemistry (A), Physics (A), Biology (A), Geography (A), History (A), Spanish (A), art (A*)
A levels (place score in parenthesis): Math (A predicted), Chemistry (A predicted), Geography (A predicted), Art (B actual)
Senior Year Course Load: A level Chemistry, Geography and Math
Major Awards (USAMO, Intel etc.): UKMT Maths Challenge Gold award for 6 years

Subjective:

Extracurriculars (place leadership in parenthesis): Horseback riding (Captain), Natural History society (Head), Tennis Team, Chemistry club (Head), Charities committee (deputy head), event management team, theatre tech (manager)
Job/Work Experience: Working as a bartender and hostess at high end restaurant during year, Interned at 5* hotel in china for summer, worked as front desk agent at 5* hotel in London for 1 year, marketing internship, stable hand job, self made businesses e.g. pen resale and customised hair ties
Volunteer/Community service: Spent a summer volunteering in Ecuador, over 120 presidential service hours, 3 summers volunteering at local animal shelter
Summer Activities: Interning at hotels, community service
Essays: Common app was 10/10, wrote about throwing up in the middle of a packed restaurant on the 1st day of my job and how that made me into an adult
Supplemental I wrote about how my passion for hotels began and where I see myself and them going in the future
Teacher Recommendation: never read them but my teachers love me so i think very good
Counselor Rec: 10/10 she loves me and has ‘never been more convinced a student should be at a specific school’
Additional Rec: SHA Alumni and close family friend that I have worked for
Interview: Went very well, was with an alumni and she offered me experience at the end of the 2 hours
Other: N/A

Applied for Financial Aid?: No
Intended Major: Hospitality Management
State (if domestic applicant):
Country (if international applicant): England
School Type: Private all girls
Ethnicity: White
Gender: Female
Income Bracket: >250,000
Hooks (URM, first generation college, etc.): Did Cornell summer program and got highest grade on the course, also citizen of US and UK so technically could be international or domestic

Reflection

Strengths: Internships and showing my true passion for hospitality
What you tried to focus on in your application - any hooks you tried to make for yourself: My love for hospitality
Weaknesses: Grades
Why you think you were accepted/deferred/rejected: my love for the school and how well i did at the summer course
Where else were you accepted/deferred/rejected: N/A
Your “Big Red” factor - the most unique thing in your application: I love hospitality and I think that really showed through

11

Decision: Rejected

Name of Cornell College you applied to: CAS

Objective:

SAT I (breakdown): 2230 (780 M 740 CR 710 W)
ACT (breakdown):
SAT II: 800 Math II, 770 Bio E, 710 Chem
Unweighted GPA (out of 4.0): 3.7
Rank (percentile if rank is unavailable): no
AP (place score in parenthesis): all 4’s and 5’s.
IB (place score in parenthesis):
Senior Year Course Load: AP English, AP Gov, AP Euro, AP Calc (AB), AP Stat, Web Design, Research in Molecular Bio
Major Awards (USAMO, Intel etc.):
None. National AP Scholar, PSAT Merit Commended Student
Subjective:

Extracurriculars (place leadership in parenthesis):
Marching Band (Percussion Captain)
Student Executive Council (Corresponding Secretary)
FBLA (Vice President)
Researched at laboratory, published paper in Journal of Molecular Biotechnology
NHS

Job/Work Experience: Volunteer/Community service: 100+ Hours at Hospital
Summer Activities: Volunteered in China to introduce obsteric anethesia, CTY
Essays: Common App: 7/10
Supplemental 7/10

Thought they were written well, but I guess they didn’t say enough about my character or fit for my major.
Teacher Recommendation:
Read one, 9/10
other one, didn’t read but should have been good, 7/10
Counselor Rec: should have been solid, 8/10
Additional Rec: no
Interview: didnt offer
Other

Applied for Financial Aid?: No
Intended Major: CAS Economics
State (if domestic applicant): NJ
Country (if international applicant):
School Type: Public
Ethnicity: Asian
Gender: Male
Income Bracket: 200k+
Hooks (URM, first generation college, etc.):
Well-rounded?
Reflection

Strengths:
What you tried to focus on in your application - any hooks you tried to make for yourself:
Weaknesses: relatively low GPA, SAT not great.
Why you think you were accepted/deferred/rejected: Didn’t fit well enough, GPA wasn’t up to Cornell Standards
Where else were you accepted/deferred/rejected: ED bro
Your “Big Red” factor - the most unique thing in your application: Disappointing. Really loved Cornell.

  1. If your financial aid portal was updated: Didn't apply
  2. If Cornell asked for your first quarter grades: No
  3. If your Applicant portal was disabled in the days leading up to the decision: I could still access
  4. If Cornell offered you an interview: Nope.
12

Decision: Deferred

Name of Cornell College you applied to: Human Ecology

Objective:

SAT I (breakdown): 2240 (710 CR, 760 M, 770 W)
ACT (breakdown):
SAT II: 720 Biology, 720 Chemistry, 740 US History
Unweighted GPA (out of 4.0): 3.65
Rank (percentile if rank is unavailable):
AP (place score in parenthesis): World History (4), US History (4), APES: (5), AP English Language: (5)
IB (place score in parenthesis):
Senior Year Course Load: AP Comparative Government and Politics, AP English Literature, AP Chemistry, AP BC Calculus, AP Statistics
Major Awards (USAMO, Intel etc.):

Subjective:

Extracurriculars (place leadership in parenthesis):
Job/Work Experience: Research at Stony Brook University
Volunteer/Community service: 250+ hours at local library/veterans home
Summer Activities: debate camp, Junior State of America, research
Essays: Commonapp: 6.5/10, Supplement: 9/10
Teacher Recommendation: Both teachers 8/10
Counselor Rec: 7/10
Additional Rec: 8/10
Interview:
Other

Applied for Financial Aid?:
Intended Major: Global and Public Health Sciences
State (if domestic applicant): New York
Country (if international applicant):
School Type: Public
Ethnicity: Asian
Gender: Male
Income Bracket: $200,000+
Hooks (URM, first generation college, etc.):

Reflection

Strengths:
What you tried to focus on in your application - any hooks you tried to make for yourself:
Weaknesses: GPA, Commonapp essay strength
Why you think you were accepted/deferred/rejected: Weak GPA
Where else were you accepted/deferred/rejected: Accepted to Stony Brook University (safety)
Your “Big Red” factor - the most unique thing in your application:

13

Decision: Accepted

Name of Cornell College you applied to: SHA
Objective:

SAT I (breakdown): 2100. I took it twice. First time I got 680s across. Second time I got a 650 R 730 M 690 W
ACT (breakdown): NA
SAT II: NA
Unweighted GPA (out of 4.0): 3.6
Rank (percentile if rank is unavailable): 36/760
AP (place score in parenthesis): I only sent these ones. AP COmp Gov 5, AP Lang 5, AP Calc AB 4
IB (place score in parenthesis): NA
Senior Year Course Load: Biotech, chamber orchestra, AP lit, AP Gov
Major Awards (USAMO, Intel etc.): None

Subjective:

Extracurriculars (place leadership in parenthesis):
-Synchronized swimming (Team Capt.)- My team and I got 1st at a couple major competitions including US nationals and Junior Olympics
-Inspire AZ (Founder/Pres.) Youth civic engagement club
-Orchestra Council (Pres.)
-NHS (Sophomore Points Commissioner, Treasurer, President)
-Model UN (Pres.)

Job/Work Experience: 1 year teaching at a culinary school, 1 year chef at a restaurant, 2 years marketing for an apartment/real estate business
Volunteer/Community service:
-College Bound Mentor (I mentor 8-11 graders/first gen students on like GPA, SAT, studying skills etc.)
-NHS

  • Children’s Museum of Phoenix Marketing and Dev. Dept.
    Summer Activities:
    -Children’s museum ^^^^
  • Work
    -Synchronized Swimming (national competitions)
    Essays: 8/10
    Teacher Recommendation: Not sure. One was 10/10, one was 7/10, one liked me a lot but idk
    Counselor Rec: 8/10
    Additional Rec: 9/10
    Interview: HORRIBLE (I think) Mainly, I was 10 minutes late but the rest seemed to go well. It only lasted like 45 min.
    Other

Applied for Financial Aid?:
Intended Major: Res/Hotel Management
State (if domestic applicant): AZ
Country (if international applicant): NA
School Type: Large Public
Ethnicity: Chinese
Gender: Female
Income Bracket: 200k
Hooks (URM, first generation college, etc.): Legacy! My sister is there now and my dad went. I also talked about how passionate I was about wanting to own a restaurant.
Reflection

Strengths:
What you tried to focus on in your application - any hooks you tried to make for yourself: How perfect the school is for me.
Weaknesses: Grades, SAT
Why you think you were accepted/deferred/rejected: Not too sure. I really made it clear that I was a good fit for the school.
Where else were you accepted/deferred/rejected: MSU, ASU, UNLV
Your “Big Red” factor - the most unique thing in your application: I wrote about how I was passionate about food and politics and how my wanting to own a restaurant tied in both.

14

Decision: Accepted

Name of Cornell College you applied to:HumEc

Objective:Human Development

SAT I (breakdown):2330 (790W, 770M, 770CR)
ACT (breakdown):35 superscore
SAT II: didn’t take any
Unweighted GPA (out of 4.0): 3.99
Rank (percentile if rank is unavailable): 1/71
AP (place score in parenthesis): none offered at my school
IB (place score in parenthesis):
Senior Year Course Load: Community College (dual enrollment): Bio 208, English 101 & 102, Intro to Govt, American in the 20th and 21st centuries, Calc 1. High school: band, great women in American history
Major Awards (USAMO, Intel etc.): Dartmouth College Book Award

Extracurriculars (place leadership in parenthesis):
Job/Work Experience:
Volunteer/Community service:
Summer Activities:
Essays:
Teacher Recommendation:
Counselor Rec:
Additional Rec:
Interview:
Other

Applied for Financial Aid?: Yes
Intended Major: Human Development
State (if domestic applicant): NY
Country (if international applicant):
School Type: rural public
Ethnicity: White
Gender: Female
Income Bracket: 110,000
Hooks (URM, first generation college, etc.):

Reflection

Strengths: SAT, ACT, being from rural Upstate NY
What you tried to focus on in your application - any hooks you tried to make for yourself: rural school, passion for fixing problems caused by rural poverty
Weaknesses:lack of APs, no weighted GPA b/c no APs
Why you think you were accepted/deferred/rejected: Mostly being from rural Upstate NY
Where else were you accepted/deferred/rejected: didn’t apply anywhere else lol
Your “Big Red” factor - the most unique thing in your application:Upstate NY

15

Decision: Deferred

Name of Cornell College you applied to: Architecture, Art, and Planning

Objective:

SAT I (breakdown): 1930. Math: 710, Writing: 630, Reading: 590
ACT (breakdown): -
SAT II: Math II: 720
Unweighted GPA (out of 4.0): 3.83
Rank (percentile if rank is unavailable): Top 10%
AP (place score in parenthesis): Not taken.
IB (place score in parenthesis): Math HL: 5, Physics HL: 7, Economics HL: 5, Chemistry SL: 7, English A SL: 6, Arabic B SL: 7
Senior Year Course Load: IB Subjects + TOK and EE. (IB Diploma)
Major Awards (USAMO, Intel etc.): Academia: School Top Achiever in Mathematics Grades 9-10 and Physics Top Achiever Grades 11-12

Subjective:

Extracurriculars (place leadership in parenthesis): (Vice President) Best Buddies Organization. (Head) Recycling and Environment Club. (Senior House Captain) Grades 9+. In a band, dancing, guitar, blah blah blah. Fullback at varsity soccer team. Part of school technicals team. 100+ hours of public speaking at TedX Youth, school led events, talent shows, fashion shows, fund-raising events, best buddies prom, tour guiding etc… some other stuff i forgot.
Job/Work Experience: Internship at architectural firm for one month during summer as intern junior associate architect.
Volunteer/Community service: refer to ec + voluntary tutoring economics and mathematics for younger kids
Summer Activities:
Essays: Common App: 8/10. Supplement: 8.5/10, but last sentence had two grammatical errors so probably down to a 7/10.
Teacher Recommendation: chem teacher: 8/10 teacher who knew me the most. physics teacher: 8/10 he loves me but unfortunately does not have good writing skills so meh.
Counselor Rec: Doesn’t know anything about me, id say 6/10 - haven’t seen it.
Additional Rec: NA
Interview: NA, did complete the online required interview questions for architecture if you can’t interview in person.
Other

Applied for Financial Aid?: Yes
Intended Major: Architecture
State (if domestic applicant): -
Country (if international applicant): Egypt
School Type: Private
Ethnicity: White (Middle Eastern)
Gender: male
Income Bracket: $200,000+
Hooks (URM, first generation college, etc.): NA

Reflection

Strengths: GPA and IB points, huge passion for architecture displayed in my supplement, research evident.
What you tried to focus on in your application - any hooks you tried to make for yourself: how I was almost destined to be an architect since i was a young and naive child playing video games.
Weaknesses: Most definitely SAT Scores. Standardized tests are just not for me :frowning:
Why you think you were accepted/deferred/rejected: SAT scores, not alot of ECs that relate to my intended major.
Where else were you accepted/deferred/rejected: Nothing yet.
Your “Big Red” factor - the most unique thing in your application: Doesn’t matter - I don’t think there is hope for me in regular round, so this must be it. Stressful but experience-filled journey nonetheless.

16

Decision: Rejected

Engineering

SAT I (breakdown): 720/800/780
ACT (breakdown):
SAT II: Math 2 800 Chem 780 Physics 790
Unweighted GPA (out of 4.0): 3.84
Rank (percentile if rank is unavailable): 15%
AP (place score in parenthesis): Chem(5) BC(5) Physics C Mech (5)
IB (place score in parenthesis):
Senior Year Course Load: AP Bio, AP Econ, AP Physics C E&M, Linear Algebra, Chinese IV
Major Awards (USAMO, Intel etc.): AMC 12 118

Extracurriculars (place leadership in parenthesis):
Job/Work Experience: Intern
Volunteer/Community service:
Summer Activities:
Essays:
Teacher Recommendation:
Counselor Rec:
Additional Rec:
Interview:
Other

Applied for Financial Aid?: No
Intended Major: Enigneering
State (if domestic applicant):
Country (if international applicant): Korea
School Type: New England Prep school
Ethnicity: Asian
Gender: M
Income Bracket: 100,000~200,000
Hooks (URM, first generation college, etc.):

Reflection

Strengths:
What you tried to focus on in your application - any hooks you tried to make for yourself:
Weaknesses:
Why you think you were accepted/deferred/rejected:
Where else were you accepted/deferred/rejected:
Your “Big Red” factor - the most unique thing in your application:

17

Decision: Accepted

18

Decision: Deferred

Name of Cornell College you applied to: ILR

Objective: ILR

SAT I (breakdown):
ACT (breakdown): 33 (35e,34r,32m,31s)
SAT II:
Unweighted GPA (out of 4.0): ~3.6
Rank (percentile if rank is unavailable):
AP (place score in parenthesis): us, psych, calc ab, apes, Latin, macro/micro
IB (place score in parenthesis):
Senior Year Course Load:
Major Awards (USAMO, Intel etc.):

Subjective:

Extracurriculars (place leadership in parenthesis): 4 yr Varsity golf and bowling captain and MVP, other sports with smaller awards, treasurer of Latin club, key club
Job/Work Experience: Grade 8 Soccer Official, Head lifeguard, Manager of store
Volunteer/Community service: NAMI leader, relay for life, teahing autistic children sports weekly, hurricane relief
Summer Activities: work
Essays: both about working. ILR very specific and strong. CA 8/10 ILR 9/10
Teacher Recommendation: 7-8/10
Counselor Rec: 8/10
Additional Rec:
Interview: yes
Other

Applied for Financial Aid?: yes
Intended Major: ILR
State (if domestic applicant): NY
Country (if international applicant): US
School Type: highly regarded public
Ethnicity: white
Gender: male
Income Bracket:
Hooks (URM, first generation college, etc.):

Reflection

Strengths: fit, interest, act?
What you tried to focus on in your application - any hooks you tried to make for yourself: great fit, hardworking
Weaknesses:
Why you think you were accepted/deferred/rejected: grades and course load isn’t top notch
Where else were you accepted/deferred/rejected: Bing, Pitt, Vermont, Buffalo accepted, still waiting on McGill.
Your “Big Red” factor - the most unique thing in your application: work experience and knowledge of Cornell as a whole.

19

Decision: Accepted

Name of Cornell College you applied to: CALS

Objective:

SAT I (breakdown): 800 M, 780 CR, 720 W 2 sittings
ACT (breakdown): none taken
SAT II: Math II 740, Physics 760, Chinese 780, Biology-Ecology 800, Sent all scores cuz no score choice… not sure how many they considered.
Unweighted GPA (out of 4.0): 3.69
Rank (percentile if rank is unavailable): 25% ish
AP (place score in parenthesis): Calc BC (5) Lang (5) World(5)Compsci A (4)
IB (place score in parenthesis):
Senior Year Course Load: Pretty heavy, in STEM magnet school, magnet electives such as Marine Bio, Thermodynamics, Political Science Stat…
Major Awards (USAMO, Intel etc.): Envirothon (Team): 1st Place County Competition, 3rd Place States

Subjective:

Extracurriculars (place leadership in parenthesis):
Clubs: Robotics, Linguistics, Biology
Piano for 10+ years
Plant and Weather Blog
Chinese School +Lion Dance

Job/Work Experience:
Volunteer/Community service: Little things, summer camps, plant sales
Summer Activities: Biomedical Internships 2 summers, 1 at NIH
Essays:
8/10 common app-how to grow food without destroying the environment
Supplement: 9/10 Wrote about how much I like plants-Gardening experience and experiments I did on plants
Teacher Recommendation:
10/10 Biology teacher
8/10 AP English teacher (never got A’s in his class last year)
Counselor Rec:
no clue 9/10? new counselor over the summer.
Additional Rec:
9/10? Principal Investigator at lab I worked at last summer
Interview:
Talked about my plants, internship, and snow
Other

Applied for Financial Aid?: Yes
Intended Major: Plant Sciences
State (if domestic applicant): MD
Country (if international applicant):
School Type: Large Nationally Ranked Public High School with small Magnet Program within
Ethnicity: Asian
Gender: Male
Income Bracket: Middle Class
Hooks (URM, first generation college, etc.): My love of Plants and weather.

Reflection
This whole process was so scary. I had to make up for my terrible GPA with my EC’s.Takeaway: They do look at fit much more than other schools. I spent so much time on my ECs that I let my grades drop + I went from a middle school with almost no hw to a magnet program.

Strengths:
Test Scores and my focus on plants and meteorology-both in CALS
What you tried to focus on in your application - any hooks you tried to make for yourself:
Tried to emphasize that I was very good with biology and plants.
Weaknesses: GPA and probably Essay. The subjects of the Essay were ok but they were so dry.
Why you think you were accepted/deferred/rejected:
Where else were you accepted/deferred/rejected:
Your “Big Red” factor - the most unique thing in your application: I’m a plant science and weather oriented person.

20

Decision: Accepted

Name of Cornell College you applied to:
CALS Dyson
Objective:

SAT I (breakdown): CR:680 Math:740 Writing:650
ACT (breakdown): N/A
SAT II :N/A
Unweighted GPA (out of 4.0): 4.2/4.0
Rank (percentile if rank is unavailable): 2/150
AP (place score in parenthesis): N/A
IB (place score in parenthesis): N/A
Senior Year Course Load: AP Calculus, AP Statistics, AP Literature, AP Euro, AP Spanish, AP Biology
Major Awards (USAMO, Intel etc.):
Presidential Service Award, Congressional Award
Subjective:

Extracurriculars (place leadership in parenthesis):
Job/Work Experience: Sales Associate (2 Years)
Volunteer/Community service: 250+ hours/year locally and globally
Summer Activities:Volunteer in Costa Rica-Spanish immersion, work
Essays: Really strong and personal 10/10
Teacher Recommendation: AMAZING. 10/10
Counselor Rec:10/10
Additional Rec: Research professor
Interview: Went very well
Other

Applied for Financial Aid?: No
Intended Major: AEM
State (if domestic applicant): PA
Country (if international applicant):
School Type: Public
Ethnicity: Asian
Gender: Female
Income Bracket: 180,000
Hooks (URM, first generation college, etc.):

Reflection

Strengths: Essay, GPA, Letters
What you tried to focus on in your application - any hooks you tried to make for yourself: Show the school that I truly fit with the major and belonged
Weaknesses: SAT
Why you think you were accepted/deferred/rejected: My extensive amount of business, research, and volunteer experience
Where else were you accepted/deferred/rejected:
Your “Big Red” factor - the most unique thing in your application: Volunteerism