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

Colleges and Universities A-Z Cornell University
81

Decision: Accepted

Name of Cornell College you applied to: CAS

Objective:

SAT I (breakdown): didn’t submit
ACT (breakdown): Composite: 32 Super Score: 33 (E: 30 M: 36 R: 34 S: 32)
SAT II: Math II: 800 Physics: 770
Unweighted GPA (out of 4.0): 3.85
Rank (percentile if rank is unavailable): Not officially ranked, but should be in top 10%
AP (place score in parenthesis): Calc BC 5, Stats 5, Physics B 4
Senior Year Course Load: Linear Algebra & Multi-variable Calculus, AP Government, AP Physics C, AP Computer Science, English IV
Major Awards (USAMO, Intel etc.): TEAMS 1st place in the region in 2014, second place in 2015; FTC 2nd place in the region

Subjective:

Extracurriculars (place leadership in parenthesis): Robotics, Mandarin Club, Baseball
Job/Work Experience: none
Volunteer/Community service: Volunteered at a library (160 hrs), Volunteered at a long-term care hospital (160 hrs)
Summer Activities: Worked in a bio-medical lab (learned skills like qPCR, Western Blotting, etc), Dale Carnegie Training
Common app Essay: 10/10
Supplement Essay: 9/10
Teacher Recommendation: 10/10
Counselor Rec: 10/10
Interview: 9/10 talked for 50 minutes, the interviewer was super nice!

Other

Applied for Financial Aid?: No
Intended Major: Undecided
Country (if international applicant): Taiwan
School Type: Private
Ethnicity: Asian
Gender: M

Reflection

Strengths:
What you tried to focus on in your application - any hooks you tried to make for yourself: My essay was about me interviewing an old man at the hospital.
Weaknesses: ACT/GPA (not good enough for Asians)
Why you think you were accepted/deferred/rejected: Counselor Rec definitely helped A TON. Interesting EC and Common App Essay
Where else were you accepted/deferred/rejected: Accepted at UMich and Case Western
Your “Big Red” factor - the most unique thing in your application: Common App Essay

82

Decision: Accepted

Name of Cornell College you applied to: Arts and Sciences

Objective:

SAT I (breakdown): N/A
ACT (breakdown): 28C (30E, 29M, 27R, 27S, 9W)
SAT II: N/A
Unweighted GPA (out of 4.0): 4.0
Rank (percentile if rank is unavailable): 1 out of 277
AP (place score in parenthesis): US History, Biology, Eng Lang and Comp, Calculus AB, US Government and Politics (scores not sent)
IB (place score in parenthesis): N/A
Senior Year Course Load: Dual Enrollment English, AP Calc AB, AP US Government, Orchestra, Wind Ensemble
Major Awards (USAMO, Intel etc.): All Awards were local awarded by school district

Subjective:

Extracurriculars (place leadership in parenthesis): Marching Band (Drum Major), Student Government (Student Body President), National Honor Society (Secretary), Pep Band (Drum Major), Instrumental Music Program (President), Tri-M Music Honor Society (President), Youth Group, Gay/Straight Alliance (President)
Job/Work Experience: Worked for 2 years at Plato’s Closet as a Buyer and Social Media Coordinator
Volunteer/Community service: N/A
Summer Activities: Various Clubs, application did not focus on summer
Essays: Common App-founding the Gay/Straight alliance after being raised in the deep south and coming out as homosexual; Supplement- I was born deaf so I talked about my speech therapy experiences and how it caused me to respect modern technology and question the perplexities of science
Teacher Recommendation: I waived my right to see them but Im sure they were standard, nothing too special. I was recommended by my music teacher, calculus teacher, and previous pre-calculus teacher
Counselor Rec: Again I didn’t read it but I’m sure it was the same as any normal rec
Additional Rec: N/A
Interview: Did not Interview
Other

Applied for Financial Aid?: Yes
Intended Major: Biology and Society
State (if domestic applicant): Tennessee
Country (if international applicant): N/A
School Type: Public
Ethnicity: White/Native American (mostly white)
Gender: Male
Income Bracket: <30,000
Hooks (URM, first generation college, etc.): first generation college student, born deaf and learned how to speak in elementary school, LGBT in the deep south

Reflection

Strengths: I believe my essays were the main reason I was accepted. All my EC’s were typical for many other competitive students but my essays did a good job at showing who I am as a person
What you tried to focus on in your application - any hooks you tried to make for yourself: same as mentioned above
Weaknesses: Standardized test scores
Why you think you were accepted/deferred/rejected: Essay, Low Income Student who achieved exceptional feats
Where else were you accepted/deferred/rejected: Accepted to University of Tennessee-Knoxville, Austin Peay State University, Western Kentucky University, and Xavier University; waiting to hear back from Ithaca College
Your “Big Red” factor - the most unique thing in your application: Born Deaf and being involved so heavily in music

83

Decision: Rejected

Name of Cornell College you applied to: Engineering

Objective: Material Science

SAT I (breakdown): 2400
ACT (breakdown):
SAT II: 2x800
Unweighted GPA (out of 4.0):
Rank (percentile if rank is unavailable):
AP (place score in parenthesis):5x5
IB (place score in parenthesis):
Senior Year Course Load:
Major Awards (USAMO, Intel etc.): First in prefecture, top 20 internationally

Subjective:

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

Applied for Financial Aid?: Y
Intended Major:MS
State (if domestic applicant):
Country (if international applicant): Japan
School Type: public
Ethnicity: asian
Gender: male
Income Bracket: 0
Hooks (URM, first generation college, etc.): asian male :slight_smile:

Reflection
dunno, you tell me

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

84

Long-time lurker…feeling very sad posting this but here goes :frowning:

DECISION- DEFERRED :((

Name of Cornell College you applied to: CALS

Objective: Dyson AEM (business)

SAT I (breakdown): 2400 (one sitting)
ACT (breakdown): 35 (already signed up to take it; wouldn’t have taken it if I already knew SAT score. I still reported it.)
SAT II: 800 Math II, 790 World History
Unweighted GPA (out of 4.0): 3.98 (One A- on a semester class ugh)
Rank (percentile if rank is unavailable): Top 10% (School gives rank by 10%-blocks; top 10%, top 20% etc.)
AP (place score in parenthesis): All 5s: Microeconomics, Macroeconomics, Statistics, World History, European History, Physics, Calculus BC, Lang, Literature, US History, US Government, Comparative Government
IB (place score in parenthesis): nope
Senior Year Course Load: Differential Equations and Calculus III (Dual Enrollment), AP Physics C, AP Human Geography, English IV (Dual Enrollment), Journalism IV (Newspaper editor), AP Computer Science
Major Awards (USAMO, Intel etc.): A few national awards in this one contest my teacher made a big deal about. I tried to make it sound grandiose in my application but I guess that effort hurt me in the end :frowning: ALSO writing has nothing to do with business, they said they were looking for varied interests but ugh should have tried to start a business/company like some people here have succeeded with.

Subjective:

Extracurriculars (place leadership in parenthesis): Very good in my opinion. Class Treasuer 9 through 11 and Senior Class President. Started my own club junior year, officer position in FBLA (Future Business Leaders of America), Model UN, Speech and Debate, NHS…just the stereotypical college-obsessed Asian :frowning:
Job/Work Experience: Had a different summer internship with someone business-related- local business owner 9, project lead on construction site 10, a different business owner 11 and 12
Volunteer/Community service: decent amount for the local hospital and soup kitchen, other than that just NHS stuff
Summer Activities: Had a different summer internship with someone business-related- local business owner 9, project lead on construction site 10, a different business owner 11 and 12
Essays: Again, very good in my opinion. I have an affinity for writing and tweaked my essay obsessively over the Summer. Beyond immaculacy, it was very emotional and personal. I tried everything I could to get rid of the boring robot Asian overachiever stereotype and infuse my humor and personality.
Teacher Recommendation: Also very good. I didn’t get to see it but it was my English teacher and she and I have had a great relationship over the past 4 years, I’ve been in 2 of her English classes and have had Journalism with her every year . She writes amazing recommendation letters (I’ve read the ones she’s written in the past, she asked me what kinds of things I wanted her to include, I said don’t talk too much about my academics since that’s apparent, but to focus on my humor and personality).
Counselor Rec: Not that good, maybe a little better than the average one. I don’t really know her that well (how are we even supposed to??). I made a conscious effort to talk to her about random things and make a good impression but I can’t imagine her rec was all that sincere (but it wasn’t sincere for anyone else in my school either- big competitive new england public school)
Additional Rec: none
Interview: none
Other

Applied for Financial Aid?: Nope
Intended Major: Dyson school (AEM)
State (if domestic applicant): Just another typical New England Asian :frowning:
Country (if international applicant):
School Type: VERY COMPETITIVE new england public school
Ethnicity: Asian!
Gender: Male
Income Bracket: $250k+
Hooks (URM, first generation college, etc.): none :frowning:

Reflection
VERY depressing. I’ve put an unbelievable amount of love my whole life into perfecting my application to college.
I will say this, though- it seems Cornell is more interested in kids with “low” scores who had a strong upwards trend and/or a very unique story. Besides that, there’s also a lot of truth to the belief on these forums that Cornell ED, particularly at Dyson, is geared towards legacies and especially athletes (Dyson is apparently “the jock’s school” according to my friend who is now a sophomore at Cornell).
2 of my Asian friends, who had slightly lower scores than me and similar essays, applied early to Harvard and Wharton (UPenn) and got accepted. My biggest regret now is wasting my early school on Cornell. On the bright side, at least I’m free from the early decision “binding” commitment. I’m going to apply to as many schools as I can and will hopefully get to pick from some good ones :slight_smile:

Strengths:
What you tried to focus on in your application - any hooks you tried to make for yourself: Very high SAT/ACT and AP scores as well as transcript/GPA. Also, I really tried to emphasize my good humor and personality, since on paper I look like the stereotypical Asian grade/score robot. Very personal, witty, and emotional essays.
Weaknesses: Asian, VERY COMPETITIVE public school in New England
Why you think you were accepted/deferred/rejected: Just another stereotypical Asian kid from a hyper-competitive public school in New England :slight_smile:
Where else were you accepted/deferred/rejected: Don’t know yet
Your “Big Red” factor - the most unique thing in your application:
Essays and rec that focused on my personality and humor!

I finally know firsthand how painful getting deferred can feel. I feel like there’s a decent chance I’m accepted RD, but honestly I’m just happy to be out of the binding commitment now. Fingers crossed I get better news from HYPSM in RD, I read my 2 friends’ (who are also Asian) essays and I’d say mine are at least as good as theirs, if not more, plus my scores are higher, but hey at the end of the day these things are so random.

I hope current sophomores and juniors reading this got some good advice. My biggest takeaway is that unless you have a legacy connection or are a recruited athlete (or have a very unique and captivating origin story to tell!), do not apply ED to Cornell because you’re just going to get deferred and your early slot could have better been used at a different elite school that places more value on high scores/grades and awesome essays/recs in the ED round.

Good luck to all my seniors still in this process and to underclassmen seeing this now!!

85

Deleted two responses to RejectedDysonAEM’s decision announcement and one response by him. This is a RESULTS ONLY thread. Any “op-eds” in the posting can only be responded to on the discussion thread, where you could either quote the part of his post you want to discuss or link to it. Or PM him.

86

DECISION : ACCEPTED

Name of Cornell College you applied to: CAS

Objective:

SAT I (breakdown):630 (CR) 700 (M) 630(W)
ACT (breakdown):N/A
SAT II: 670(Physics), 710(Chemistry)
Unweighted GPA (out of 4.0): N/A
Rank (percentile if rank is unavailable): 9/274
AP (place score in parenthesis):N/A
IB (place score in parenthesis): N/A
Senior Year Course Load: Pretty intense High School Course Load. No APs in my country
Major Awards (USAMO, Intel etc.):First place some National Mathematics and physics Contests

Subjective:

Extracurricular(place leadership in parenthesis):Soccer (VC) runners up national competitions, Journalism (President), Theatre, Coding Club (founder) etc.+ 6 others.
Job/Work Experience: N/A
Volunteer/Community service: Volunteer work for 5 months helping street families in a far a way city.
Summer Activities: Volunteer ,Coding
Essays: 8/10. challenged a stereotype.
Teacher Recommendation:10/10
Counselor Rec:10/10 I cant know for sure but I really think they helped me get in
Additional Rec:10/10
Interview: N/a
Other

Applied for Financial Aid?: Yes
Intended Major: Comp Science
State (if domestic applicant): N/a
Country (if international applicant): Kenya
School Type:Private
Ethnicity: African
Gender: Male
Income Bracket:…
hooks(URM, first generation college, etc.): URM maybe…idk

Reflection

Strengths:
What you tried to focus on in your application - any hooks you tried to make for yourself:
Weaknesses: Cant say anything for sure now that i’m accepted
Why you think you were accepted/deferred/rejected: I really vividly portrayed every single aspect of my life through my application.

Where else were you accepted/deferred/rejected: N/a
Your “Big Red” factor - the most unique thing in your application: :smiley: :smiley: Essay

87

Decision: Accepted

Name of Cornell College you applied to: Engineering
Objective:

SAT I (breakdown): 630R 700W 690M (did not submit these)
ACT (breakdown): 34 Composite: (32R 34E 35M 35S)
SAT II: 700 Chemistry, 660 Math 2, 670 Physics
Unweighted GPA (out of 4.0): 3.8 (I think, my school only has weighted and that’s 4.17)
Rank (percentile if rank is unavailable): top 5% of 250
AP (place score in parenthesis): Chemistry (4), US History (4)
IB (place score in parenthesis): NA
Senior Year Course Load: Band, AP English Lit&Comp, AP Statistics, AP Physics 2, AP Psychology, AP Calculus, and independent study AP Computer Science
Major Awards (USAMO, Intel etc.): None

Subjective:

Extracurriculars (place leadership in parenthesis):
-Varsity Cross Country and Outdoor track, also do Crossfit competitively in winter
-Math Club Varsity Competitor
-Physics Club (Pres)
-Model Congress (Pres)
-Flute Section Leader
-Student Council
-National Honor Society
-Science National Honor Society

Job/Work Experience:
Volunteer/Community service: Worked an entire summer at sleep away summer camp b/w fresh and soph years

  • Tutor some 8th graders in math
    Summer Activities:
    -That summer camp for one summer
    -Next two summers doing research first in Biomedical Engineering then Pharmacology
    Essays: 9/10
    Teacher Recommendation: 3, each were very good. Chem/Physics teacher and my xc coach
    Counselor Rec: 9/10
    Additional Rec: 9/10
    Interview: Didn’t go as planned, was initially told the wrong room by the front desk so I appeared late when I realized. Talked for a few minutes. The person was very nice.
    Other

Applied for Financial Aid?: Yes
Intended Major: Materials Science & Engineering
State (if domestic applicant): CT
Country (if international applicant): NA
School Type: Mid-Sized Public
Ethnicity: White
Gender: Female
Income Bracket:
Hooks (URM, first generation college, etc.): No legacy, just that I have had ample research experience.
Reflection

Strengths:
What you tried to focus on in your application - any hooks you tried to make for yourself: Cornell has shown me they are committed to undergraduate research and that all the Cornell alumni I have met are incredibly kind and they loved the school. Made no secret that I also love the place
Weaknesses: lack of huge awards, also low SAT Subject test scores
Why you think you were accepted/deferred/rejected: I think that by giving up two entire summers to do research I proved how committed to science I am.
Where else were you accepted/deferred/rejected: accepted to WSU, only applied to UCONN and UC Berkeley also (haven’t heard)
Your “Big Red” factor - the most unique thing in your application: Talked about how important my Greek heritage is to me and how it contributed to my personal values of learning especially. It made sense, I promise.

88

Decision: Accepted

College of Agriculture and Life Sciences (CALS)

Objective:

SAT I (breakdown): 1980 (680 math, 680 writing, 620 reading)

ACT (breakdown): Didn’t submit

SAT II: Math II (770), Biology E (770), Physics (710)

Unweighted GPA (out of 4.0): 3.97

Rank (percentile if rank is unavailable): 1/610

AP (place score in parenthesis):
AP Psychology – 5
AP Environmental Science – 5
AP Microeconomics – 4
AP Macroeconomic – 3
AP European History – 3
AP Human Geography – 3
AP English Literature – 2

IB (place score in parenthesis):
IB Physics SL – 7
IB Math Studies SL – 7

Senior Year Course Load:
IB Spanish HL
IB Contemporary History HL
IB Biology HL
IB Environmental Science SL
IB Theory of Knowledge
IB English HL
IB Chemistry HL
AP Statistics
AP United States Government and Politics
AP Calculus BC
AP United States History
Duel Enrollment Astronomy
Duel Enrollment Trigonometry

Major Awards (USAMO, Intel etc.):
Coca-Cola Scholars Program Semifinalist
Elk’s Student of the Month
Spruce Creek Hawk of the Month

Spruce Creek Science Student of the Month

College Board AP Scholar with Distinction

Florida Alliance for Health Professions Diversity, Florida Alliance Scholar
Best Research Paper at University of Florida’s Student Science Training Program

Florida State Science and Engineering Fair – 4th place in microbiology

Daytona State College Physics Olympics – 2nd place

NASA Certificate of Recognition for outstanding achievement in science research

National Academy of Future Physicians and Medical Scientists Award of Excellence

Model United Nations Distinguished Delegate

Council of American-Islamic Relations, Champion of Justice for standing up to intolerance/censorship
Spruce Creek High School Homecoming Court

Guinness Book of World Records - Most Skateboard Rock and Rolls in 30 Seconds

Extracurriculars (place position in parenthesis):
Student Government Association (Executive President)
Florida Junior Academy of Science (Co-president)
Volusia County Crayola Color Cycle (Founder and Chair)
Solutions 4 Growth: Hydroponics Club (Founder and Vice President)
Varsity Track and Field (High jumper)
Skateboarding (Skateboarder)
Student Advisory Council (Member)
The Scientific Student Magazine (Magazine Writer and Editor)
National Honors Society (Member)
Spanish Honors Society (Member)
US Department of Energy Science Bowl (Participant)
District Advisory Council (School Representative)

Job/Work Experience:
Martini Chophouse Restaurant
Linda C. Williams CPA
Stetson University Microbiology Laboratory

University of Florida Center for Translational Research in Neurodegenerative Disease Laboratory
Halifax Hospital Microbiology Laboratory

Volunteer/Community service: 1200 hours total

Summer Activities:
UF Student Science Training Program
Harvard Summer School Program

Essays:
Common application - basically talked about how I never gave a shit about school and then chose to actually do something with my life - 9/10
Supplement - spoke about both my interest in agriculture and biology…and also a chicken named Lil Wayne

Teacher Recommendation:
Biology teacher - 9/10
Physics/chemistry teacher - 7/10
Guidance counselor - 7/10
Research professor at University of Florida - 8/10

Interview: Pretty solid. She told me she saw a lot of herself in me.

Applied for Financial Aid?: Yes
Intended Major: Biological Sciences
State (if domestic applicant): Florida
Country (if international applicant): USA
School Type: Large Public
Ethnicity: White/Hispanic
Gender: Male
Income Bracket: $50,000-$60,000
Hooks (URM, first generation college, etc.): First generation, URM

Strengths: Honors, class rank, extracurriculars, essays, backgrounf

What you tried to focus on in your application - any hooks you tried to make for yourself: Strong science passion

Weaknesses: SAT score, AP scores

Why you think you were accepted/deferred/rejected: Perfect fit for the school

Where else were you accepted/deferred/rejected: N/A

Your “Big Red” factor - the most unique thing in your application: My background…I basically said that if I didn’t get my life together, I would be in prison right now alongside my brother

89

Decision: Deferred

Objective: CALS(biology and society)

SAT I (breakdown): 1890 (Math 760, Reading 530, Writing 600)* (I know, seriously low)
ACT (breakdown):None
SAT II: Math II 750 Chemistry 770
Unweighted GPA (out of 4.0): 3.82/4.0 weighted, 4.3
Rank (percentile if rank is unavailable):School does not rank,but top 10%
AP (place score in parenthesis):AP Chemistry 4, AP Chinese 5, AP Calculus AB/BC, AP English, AP biology
IB (place score in parenthesis):School does not offer
Senior Year Course Load:Goverenment, Economics, AP CAL AB, AP cal BC, AP English(composition), APbiology, regular English, Physics
Major Awards (USAMO, Intel etc.): Questbridge Finalist, STEM college course 2nd place, School awards

Subjective:

Extracurriculars (place leadership in parenthesis):Austic kids organizations(Center for all abilities), Volunteers work more than 200 hours, both high school tutors and Chemistry tutor(leadership), College preview student in NYU, World financial group trainee intern, Lion Dance association in Chinatown, Talent Show music technician(assitant manager), African American drum club, have my own guitar band(Vocalist), Stem institute participant, art auction (coordinator)
Job/Work Experience:Wedding DJ, wedding set up, SYEP YMCA worker
Volunteer/Community service:Center for all abilities, tutors, New York cares, PTC translator, School orientation leaders
Summer Activities:Volley ball camp
Essays:8/10 I think, a very risky essay
Teacher Recommendation: Both 10/10
Counselor Rec:
Additional Rec:9/10
Interview:Excellent, I think the interviewer likes me
Other

Applied for Financial Aid?:Yes
Intended Major:Biology and Society
State (if domestic applicant):New York
Country (if international applicant):
School Type:Public, small school with only 116 students in my class
Ethnicity:Asian
Gender:Male
Income Bracket:No idea
Hooks (URM, first generation college, etc.): First generation student, Cousin is a legacy, low income high potential student

Reflection:I was actually surprised I only got deferred because the admission representative told me that they didnt receive my first quarter grade.

Strengths:Maybe ECs, GPA, passion for the college, supplemental essay
What you tried to focus on in your application - any hooks you tried to make for yourself:As a person who wants to make a change for autistic kids
Weaknesses:SAT, awards,
Why you think you were accepted/deferred/rejected:SAT is not high enough I guess
Where else were you accepted/deferred/rejected:Binghamton University,UAlbany honor college, Brooklyn college,
Your “Big Red” factor - the most unique thing in your application:Maybe current status for senior year, very slim chance of getting in regular round.

90

Accepted

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

Objective:

SAT I (breakdown):2240
ACT (breakdown):
SAT II:800, 750
Unweighted GPA (out of 4.0):3.68
Rank (percentile if rank is unavailable): N/A
AP (place score in parenthesis):6 fives
IB (place score in parenthesis):
Senior Year Course Load:6 AP classes
Major Awards (USAMO, Intel etc.):none

Subjective:

Extracurriculars (place leadership in parenthesis): various activities relating to my interest in Public Policy
Job/Work Experience:
Volunteer/Community service: Prez of a volunteering club, church, etc
Summer Activities:volunteer at in an underfunded school during summer
Essays:10/10 (IN MY OPINION!)
Teacher Recommendation: IDK
Counselor Rec: IDK
Additional Rec: got a letter from prez of school where I volunteered
Interview: great!
Other

Applied for Financial Aid?: Yes
Intended Major: Policy Analysis and Management
State (if domestic applicant): PA
Country (if international applicant): USA, but South Korean citizenship
School Type:Public
Ethnicity:Asian
Gender:Male
Income Bracket: idk but applied for fin aid as international student
Hooks (URM, first generation college, etc.): I love Cornell and my sister attends Cornell

Reflection: I know that I am very late but I decided to post this after getting an acceptance letter from Vanderbilt ED2! I was the only student from my high school to be accepted to Cornell ED, but I decided not to attend Cornell since I didn’t receive ANY financial aid from Cornell since I am an international student

Strengths:
What you tried to focus on in your application - any hooks you tried to make for yourself: Essays
Weaknesses: my GPA, SAT
Why you think you were accepted/deferred/rejected: prob cuz i showed very well that I really wanted to go to Cornell
Where else were you accepted/deferred/rejected:
Your “Big Red” factor - the most unique thing in your application:

Again, I was accepted to Cornell ED, but I am not attending due to financial aid. I felt miserable when I decided that I am not going to Cornell, even after being admitted, but looking back, it all turned out to be fine! I know that many applicants prob have much better GPAs and SAT/ACT scores than me, but I still got in! Honestly, I think colleges care about what kind of a person you are as opposed to how good of a test taker you are. Be a good person and you will be successful!

91

@Sred13 So Vanderbilt gave you financial aid? Did you know they would give you money before you withdrew from Cornell? Congratulations - both schools are excellent.

92

[aB][asize=4][acolor=#008000]Decision: Accepted[/color][/size]**

Name of Cornell College you applied to: CAS

Objective:

SAT I (breakdown): -
ACT (breakdown): 33 superscored
SAT II: Math II 800, Physics 720
Unweighted GPA (out of 4.0): 3.95
Rank (percentile if rank is unavailable): top 2%
AP (place score in parenthesis): US History (5), Physics 1 (5), English Lang (5), French (4)
IB (place score in parenthesis): -
Senior Year Course Load: Psych AP, Calc BC, Physics C, Radio Management, Adv French Comm, English Lit AP
Major Awards (USAMO, Intel etc.): AP Scholar with Honors

Subjective:

Extracurriculars (place leadership in parenthesis): Best Highschool Radio Sation in US (Music Director/Manager), Saturday Morning Physics at Fermilab, Boy Scouts (Eagle Scout), Instrumental Muisc - Viola, Guitar, Ukulele, Mandolin, Private/Peer Tutoring, Science Olympiad, French Exchange, NHS
Job/Work Experience: Positions at 2 Professional Radio Stations
Volunteer/Community service: Scouts, NHS, etc.
Summer Activities: Ran summer programs at elementary school districts’s science center.
Essays: Common App 10/10 Philosophical analysis of the importance of diversity, Supplement 9/10 talking about both the breadth and depth of my interests plus my impressions from visiting campus/ interacting with faculty, Common App Additional Info 10/10 Talked about my unique experiences in running americas best high school radio station
Teacher Recommendation: Physics Teacher 9/10 he liked me and I worked hard in his class, English teacher 11/10 said I was possibly his favorite student in his decade and a half of teaching english honors, incredibly well written too.
Counselor Rec: 10/10 my counselor loves me
Additional Rec: -
Interview: nothing official but i skyped with the physics undergrad chair, which I later mentioned in my supplemental essay
Other: campus visit and CAS admissions presentation was very helpful

Applied for Financial Aid?: no
Intended Major: physics
State (if domestic applicant): IL
Country (if international applicant):
School Type: Public
Ethnicity: White (European)
Gender: Male
Income Bracket: > 200,000
Hooks (URM, first generation college, etc.):

Reflection

Strengths: Essays, Rec Letters, Diverse Interests, Extracurriculars
What you tried to focus on in your application - any hooks you tried to make for yourself: How my very diverse passions/interests/mindset plays right into cornell’s whole “any student, any study” thing
Weaknesses: Awards, Standardized Tests
Why you think you were accepted/deferred/rejected: I’m a very talented writer so I think I nailed the whole “fit” thing in my essays, strong rec letters, very cool eclectic interests/experiences that made me stand out
Where else were you accepted/deferred/rejected:-
Your “Big Red” factor - the most unique thing in your application:- Physicist who loves the liberal arts as well

93

[aB][asize=4][acolor=#008000]Decision: Accepted[/color][/size]**

Name of Cornell College you applied to: College of Engineering

Objective: Undecided Engineering (most likely mechanical or CS)

SAT I (breakdown): 750 CR, 720 M, 680 W
ACT (breakdown): 35 E, 34 M, 36 R, 35 S
SAT II: 800 Math II, 700 Chem
Unweighted GPA (out of 4.0): Not available on 4.0, 97.2/100 weighted
Rank (percentile if rank is unavailable): 58/474
AP (place score in parenthesis): World (5), Calc BC (5), Physics 1 (4), Comp Sci A (5), Lang (5)
IB (place score in parenthesis):
Senior Year Course Load: Georgia Tech Dual Enrollment Calc 2 & 3, AP Physics 2, AP Micro & Macro, AP Lit, Intro to Art (Semester), Directed Study (Semester), Internship
Major Awards (USAMO, Intel etc.): USA Fencing All-Academic First Team (3 years)

Subjective:

Extracurriculars (place leadership in parenthesis): Eagle Scout (Senior Patrol Leader, Assistant Senior Patrol Leader, Order of the Arrow), Fencing (Founder and Captain of high school team - 4 years, Nationals and Junior Olympics Competitor), VEX Robotics (Founder, top 32 at state with new team)
Job/Work Experience: Special needs swim coach, CS internship at the Georgia Tech Research Institute, CS internship at Intercontinental Hotels
Volunteer/Community service: Lots through scouting, not much outside of that
Summer Activities: Backpacking at Philmont Scout Ranch
Essays: CommonApp 9/10, Supplemental 9.5/10
Teacher Recommendation: The one I saw was 10/10, the other one I would assume is at least 8/10
Counselor Rec: She seemed to like me, so I guess at least 8/10
Additional Rec: 8.5/10
Interview: Went well, kept a good conversation going throughout. 9/10
Other

Applied for Financial Aid?: No
Intended Major: Undecided Engineering
State (if domestic applicant): GA
Country (if international applicant):
School Type: Public
Ethnicity: White
Gender: Male
Income Bracket: >500,000
Hooks (URM, first generation college, etc.): My grandfather attended Cornell but did not graduate

Reflection

Strengths: Extracurriculars, relevant to potential majors
What you tried to focus on in your application - any hooks you tried to make for yourself: Perspectives given to me through fencing
Weaknesses: Class rank
Why you think you were accepted/deferred/rejected: Strong numbers, varied extracurriculars
Where else were you accepted/deferred/rejected: Accepted to Purdue, Auburn, Worcester Polytechnic; Deferred MIT
Your “Big Red” factor - the most unique thing in your application: Mix of extracurriculars

94

Name of Cornell College you applied to:
Engineering
Objective: CEE

SAT I (breakdown):R740 M780 W710
ACT (breakdown): 35 comp
SAT II: 770 Math 1 690 Chem
Weighted GPA (out of 4.0): 4.82
Rank (percentile if rank is unavailable): 1/274
AP (place score in parenthesis):
Env 5, Eng Lang 3, Psych 5, Chem 3
Senior Year Course Load:
AP Eng Lit, AP Calc AC/BC, AP Physics, AP Stats, Honors Spanish, Gym, Drawing (for the stress release)
Major Awards (USAMO, Intel etc.):
The usual: NM Commendation, AP w/Honors, NHS, Mensa, mostly in state honors

Extracurriculars (place leadership in parenthesis): Cheerleading varsity captain (yes, seriously), Track, Math Team, Yale Physics Olympics, Animal Rights Club, Book Club, Greek Folk Dance Team, NHS,
Job/Work Experience: starting in May!!
Volunteer/Community service:
Hospital, 1 year
Church fundraising, 7 years
Therapeutic Riding Stable, 1+ year

Summer Activities: (blah) surgery one year. Next year NSLC and studying in GR

Essays: very good for an engineer :wink:

Teacher Recommendation: very + but a little vague
Counselor Rec: Stellar
Interview: with an unemployed Cornell alum :))

Applied for Financial Aid?: yep
Intended Major: CEE
State (if domestic applicant): CT
School Type: Mediocre public
Ethnicity: white but Greek
Gender: F
Hooks: I’m pretty “green” and it shows thru my activities, essay, classes & intended major.

Reflection: I wonder if Cornell might be particularly sttracted by green applicants?

95

Deferred, then rejected

Objective:
SAT I (breakdown): 2270 (CR=720, Writing= 750, Math= 800)
ACT (breakdown): didn’t take
SAT II: Physics=740, Math 2C= 800
TOEFL: 119 (Not included in the formula, but thought might help for internationals, so)
Unweighted GPA (out of 4.0): 3.7, but 3.8 excluding freshman
Weighted GPA: 4.3
Rank (percentile if rank is unavailable): 2/30
AP (place score in parenthesis): calculus=5, statistics=4, micro and macro= 4, english= 4, physics b=5
IB (place score in parenthesis): no
Senior Year Course Load: APUSH, AP Chem
Major Awards (USAMO, Intel etc.):

  • International Social Science for Youth finalist
  • Global Enterprise Challenge 2nd place
    *Global Enterprise Challenge individual Award
  • Seould National University Essay Competition 1st place (international)
  • GO game (it’s the game that alphago played) - I became a professional
    P.S: dunno if these awards count, as they’re not that recognized except GEC

Subjective:

Extracurriculars (place leadership in parenthesis): Business Club (president/founder), Math Club (council member), A Secondhandshop (more like volunteer, but was assistant manager in the shop), , Forensics Club (president), Varsity Cross Country, Church Orchestra (lead cellist), Peace Club, GO game club
Job/Work Experience: Korea Economic Development Cooperative Intern, Direct FX Trading intern, CJ (a Korean firm) intern in the marketing section
Volunteer/Community service: North Korea Human Rights Group intern, library assistant,
Summer Activities: ummmm… I guess none? Wow, what did I do now I come to think about it?
Essays (rating 1-10, details): I think around 9.
Recommendations (rating 1-10, details):

Teacher Rec #1: 10. She knows me well, and we got along very well.
Teacher Rec #2: Ummmm… 6, I think he just copy pasted the rec letter for every student lol, but wrote beneficially at least.
Counselor Rec: 10, she also knows me well.
Additional Rec: No
Interview: No

Other

Applied for Financial Aid?: No
Intended Major: Policy analysis and management
State (if domestic applicant):
Country (if international applicant): South Korea
School Type: Freaking small, like 30 kids
Ethnicity: Korean
Gender: Male
Income Bracket: Parents don’t tell me, so don’t ask me.
Hooks (URM, first generation college, etc.):
First Generation college

Reflection

Strengths: Awards? Extracurricular activities
Weaknesses: AP scores, low SAT compared to other asians, mayber should have taken one more subject test, freaking bad freshman grades, universities don’t know my high school
Why you think you were accepted/waitlisted/rejected: honestly, it’s Harvard. I did it just in case. Doesn’t make me sad at all
Where else were you accepted/waitlisted/rejected:
Accepted: UCLA, Vanderbilt, the other UCs except Berkeley, Emory, UVA, BC, colgate,
Waitlisted: Notre Dame, NYU stern, chicago, washu, stanford
rejected: harvard, yale, johns hopkins, northwestern, brown, cornell (ED- defer, then reject), georgetown, berkeley, michigan, oh i can’t even remember the rest. too much to write all.

General Comments :
I don’t even know how many colleges I applied to. 25? 30? All I know is, I don’t regret it. There are lots of cases in which a student has to go to his/her safety school. I didn’t want that. So applied a lot. (freakishly exhausting, I know) There are lots of people that tell you to apply to few that you really want to. The truth is, the competition is so fierce nowadays that the old way isn’t really going to work anymore. I was actually depressed that I didn’t get into any ivy league. But after getting accepted to Vanderbilt from the waitlist, where I’m going, I’m pretty satisfied. I feel that I got accepted pretty well compared to other international asians with my score, and I’m grateful for that. I looked through college confidential a lot, and I do admit that it helped a bit. but i think it would be better for future kids to do other stuff instead of cc. try to raise your SAT score as much as possible, and also GPA. it is holistic, I know, but the higher your score is, the greater your chance of acceptance. Unless your SAT is 2350+, then RAISE YOUR SCORE as much as you can. Colleges do look into your personality and other things, especially for HYPS, but the score, I think, is the basis, especially for asians who have such high scores. Feel free to message me. I’ll try to help, if I can.

I wrote late cause i was so stressed before acceptance to Vandy. this post is for future kids anyway, so