***CORNELL CLASS OF 2020 RD RESULTS ONLY***

Colleges and Universities A-Z Cornell University
1

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.

2

Decision: Accepted

Name of Cornell College you applied to: ILR

Objective:

SAT I (breakdown): 610M, 800R, 720W
ACT (breakdown): Didn’t take
SAT II: World History: 780 US History: 770
Unweighted GPA (out of 4.0): 3.778/4.000 (upward trend)
Rank (percentile if rank is unavailable): 25 out of 207
AP (place score in parenthesis): World History (self-studied): 5 US History: 5 Art History (self-studied): 5 European History (self-studied): 5 Psychology: 5 Human Geography: 4.
IB (place score in parenthesis):
Senior Year Course Load: AP Statistics, two ROTCs, Pre-Calculus, Government Honors, Economics Honors, Spanish 1, and Spanish 2
Major Awards (USAMO, Intel etc.):

Subjective:

Extracurriculars (place leadership in parenthesis):
-Beta Club (President)
-Key Club (President) (Founder)
-Dungeons and Dragons Club (President) (Founder)
-Cross-Country (Team Captain)
-Track and Field (Team Captain)
-AFJROTC (Deputy Corps Commander)
-Palmetto Boys’ State
-Interact Club (Historian)
Job/Work Experience:
Volunteer/Community service:
Summer Activities: Boys’ State
Essays: Excellent. I wrote about my time being a ward of the court in middle school and foster care. For my ILR essay I wrote about the wonderful classes at ILR and how much they interested me.
Teacher Recommendation:
ROTC instructor: 9/10. He knew me since I was a freshman and was like a father to me.
APUSH teacher: 7/10. Best teacher I ever had.
Counselor Rec: 10/10. We knew each other very well.
Additional Rec: 9/10. My XC coach wrote me a great rec.
Interview:

Other

Applied for Financial Aid?: Yes
Intended Major: ILR
State (if domestic applicant): South Carolina (SC)
Country (if international applicant): USA
School Type: Small rinky-dink public school.
Ethnicity: White
Gender: Male
Income Bracket: 0. I’m an independent on FASFA because I’m in foster care.
Hooks (URM, first generation college, etc.): First-generation, along with my crazy childhood.

Reflection

Strengths: Definitely my essays, the fact I came from an under-represented school, and how involved I was.
What you tried to focus on in your application - any hooks you tried to make for yourself: My childhood and how my love for history made me a great fit for ILR.
Weaknesses: Definitely my GPA, class rank, and test scores.
Why you think you were accepted/deferred/rejected: I wrote awesome essays that both really showed my fit for the school and showcased my personality.
Where else were you accepted/deferred/rejected: I’ve been accepted to University of South Carolina Honors College and Clemson University and awaiting everything else in late March.
Your “Big Red” factor - the most unique thing in your application: My essays and ECs. So honored and proud to have been accepted.

3

Pick one:
Decision: Accepted

Name of Cornell College you applied to: ILR

Objective:

SAT I (breakdown): Math 700, CR 750, Writing 730 (Overall 2180)
ACT (breakdown): English 35, Math 34, Reading 34, Science 36 (Overall 35)
SAT II: Math II 770, US History 740, Literature 800
Unweighted GPA (out of 4.0): 4.47
Rank (percentile if rank is unavailable): Top 5%
AP (place score in parenthesis): AP Biology (4), AP US History (5), AP English Literature and Composition (5), AP Human Geography (5)
IB (place score in parenthesis): School doesn’t offer IB
Senior Year Course Load: AP Spanish V, AP US Government and Politics, AP Chemistry, AP Microeconomics, AP Psychology, AP Calculus BC, AP English Language and Composition
Major Awards (USAMO, Intel etc.): National Merit Finalist

Subjective:

Extracurriculars (place leadership in parenthesis):
Debate (Captain)
DECA (Hospitality Services Team Leader, Secretary)
Science Olympiad
Academic Superbowl (Fine Arts Captain)
S.O.N.G- Women’s Acapella Choir (Second Sopranos Group Leader)
Job/Work Experience:
Kumon After School Tutoring (Advanced Learners Teacher)
Asian-Americans Advancing Justice (Lead Intern)
Volunteer/Community service:
National Honors Society Tutoring
Volunteer Campaign Builder/Volunteer Coordinator for Bernie Sanders’ Presidential Campaign
Northwest Indiana Chinese School (Teacher)
Summer Activities:
University of Chicago Summer Research
Asian-Americans Advancing Justice Internship
Purdue University Center for Innovation through Simulation and Visualization Internship
Essays: My common app was good; I talked about the different languages I speak and how each reveal a certain facet of myself. Cheesy in theory, but I think my end result was powerful and made me stand out.
Teacher Recommendation: One rec from my Advanced Spanish teacher who once literally told me I was the “reason he had hope for the future of his grandchildren.” One rec from my AP Bio teacher who is basically my best friend. One rec from my AP Gov teacher who knew me very well and is a good writer.
Counselor Rec: Probably very good, I’m definitely closer to my counselor than most kids at my school are.
Additional Rec: Letter from my boss at my internship for Asian-Americans Advancing Justice. Not sure how good this was, but I did have a pretty big leadership role over the summer.
Interview: None
Other

Applied for Financial Aid?: Yes
Intended Major: ILR
State (if domestic applicant): Indiana
Country (if international applicant):
School Type: Public, very competitive. Top 5 in state
Ethnicity: Chinese
Gender: Female
Income Bracket: Upper middle class
Hooks (URM, first generation college, etc.): Can speak four languages? I don’t know to be honest I wasn’t expecting an acceptance. Daughter of immigrants, but I am also asian so that probably doesn’t help much lol

Reflection

Strengths: Extracurriculars, essays, volunteer/job experience
What you tried to focus on in your application - any hooks you tried to make for yourself:
Weaknesses: GPA/SAT Score
Why you think you were accepted: I think my essays were interesting and made me stand out. I didn’t think my supplement was stellar, but I really liked my common app.
Where else were you accepted/deferred/rejected: Deferred from Georgetown University, Presidential Scholar at Indiana University (full ride)
Your “Big Red” factor - the most unique thing in your application: Essays again. When I saw the envelope form Cornell I had no idea they were sending out acceptances so early, so I wasn’t expecting that acceptance at all. I’m grateful and excited to potentially be part of the Big Red community next year!!

4

Decision: Accepted (via Diversity Likely Letter)

Name of Cornell College you applied to: Arts & Sciences

Objective:

SAT I (breakdown): 2400 (not superscored)
ACT (breakdown):
SAT II: 800 Math II, 760 Chemistry
Unweighted GPA (out of 4.0): 3.89
Rank (percentile if rank is unavailable): n/a
AP (place score in parenthesis): not offered
IB (place score in parenthesis): not offered
Senior Year Course Load: won’t disclose for privacy reasons
Major Awards (USAMO, Intel etc.): Nothing too impressive, just National Merit Finalist and Presidential Scholar Candidate

Subjective:

Extracurriculars (place leadership in parenthesis): Debate, Literary mag (editor-in-chief), lots of peer tutoring + community service, some econ and CS stuff, golf, tennis
Job/Work Experience: 2 summer internships, 1 at a bank and another at a Fortune 500 company
Volunteer/Community service: 250 hours of tutoring
Summer Activities: Went to Stanford’s Summer Institutes, Princeton’s Philosophy Seminar, interned, taught myself some CS, traveled around Europe.
Essays: Common App was in the 9-10/10 range. It really spoke to my identity as a multiracial kid growing up in a really white neighborhood, and how that shaped me. Very heartfelt, zero pandering (I discuss how I loathed my culture at one point), and I think they liked the honesty. The supplement was trash, written on the application’s due date in a frenzied rush. I just namedropped some programs I was interested in, and somewhat demonstrated how those aligned with what I’m looking for in my education. Very cut-and-dried, 6-8/10.
Teacher Recommendation: Didn’t see, but from my English and Physics teachers. I’m not somebody who’s especially outgoing around teachers, so they didn’t really know me that well on a personal level. That said, I did great work in their classes. At the worst, generic praise. 6-9/10.
Counselor Rec: Again, didn’t see the rec. I got to know him pretty well though, and he saw lots of my writing and knew what made me tick.
Additional Rec: n/a
Interview: It was the weirdest out of all of my interviews. It really was an “informal meeting” like they said. The guy asked me maybe 2 or 3 questions and then wanted me to ask him about everything. I learned lots about Cornell, but felt really uncomfortable with the role reversal. He was also slightly socially awkward, but I think he liked me. Ultimately I don’t think it had much of an impact. 5-8/10.
Other

Applied for Financial Aid?: no
Intended Major: Computer Science
State (if domestic applicant): NY
Country (if international applicant):
School Type: Private
Ethnicity: White/Hispanic/Asian
Gender: M
Income Bracket: >500,000
Hooks (URM, first generation college, etc.): URM i guess?

Reflection

Strengths:
What you tried to focus on in your application - any hooks you tried to make for yourself: I tried to portray myself as somebody with lots of intellectual curiosity and a diverse palette of interests, from CS to Econ to Philosophy, that could only be satiated through Cornell’s CAS. Also my scores, I guess. And my personal statement, which emphasized what my heritage means to me.
Weaknesses: ECs, definitely. Maybe my recs. Maybe the supplemental essay.
Why you think you were accepted/deferred/rejected: See strengths. Also if you clear a 3.8 and 2250+ at my school you tend to get into Cornell.
Where else were you accepted/deferred/rejected: Rejected Stanford SCEA, waiting on a slew of other schools RD. Feels great to finally get in somewhere!
Your “Big Red” factor - the most unique thing in your application: I really wish it wasn’t this, but truthfully it’s probably my test scores in conjunction with my ethnicity. Honestly can’t think of anything else.

5

Decision: Accepted

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) 29 superscore (32E/31R/26M/25S/30W)
SAT II: HumEc doesn’t require them
Unweighted GPA (out of 4.0): 3.52 UW / 4.44 W
Rank (percentile if rank is unavailable):Top 7% of 700+
AP (place score in parenthesis): Didn’t submit my AP scores
IB (place score in parenthesis): N/A
Senior Year Course Load: 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 (VP), hosa, calculus club, honor societies(didn’t include in application)
Job/Work Experience: Worked at elementary school 11th grade summer
Volunteer/Community service: 200 hours at hospital
Summer Activities: Did my internship and worked part-time
Essays: Common App:(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 probably nothing extraordinary
Counselor Rec: 7 or 8 She knows me well but not enough about what I do outside of school
Additional Rec:
Interview: Had interview w/ the head of my region, went really well!
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

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:
Accepted: Cornell, UF, Case Western
Rejected: Nowhere
Your “Big Red” factor - the most unique thing in your application: By far my interest and internship.
I would like to thank Cornell for taking a chance on me. It’s my dream school and I’m honestly lost for words.

Advice to 2021 applicants: Please PM me w/ any questions you may have! You guys got this and remember, even if you don’t get in, you’re not defined by this school at all by any means. Human Ecology cares the most about fit and dedication!

6

Decision: Accepted Diversity Hosting
College accepted to: CAS

Objective:
SAT I (breakdown): 2130 740M/740CR/650W (one sitting)
ACT (breakdown): 34C 36CR 35E 34S 32M (one sitting)
SAT II: 730 Physics, 700 Math II, 670 Bio E
Unweighted GPA (out of 4.0): 4.0
Weighted GPA: 4.7ish
Rank (percentile if rank is unavailable): 2/660
AP (place score in parenthesis): Calc BC (4), Psychology (5), Physics B (4), Biology (4)
IB (place score in parenthesis): nah fam
Senior Year Course Load: Multivariable Calculus/Intro to Differential Equations, AP Gov, AP Stats, Dual Enrollment Spanish, Dual Enrollment English, Architectural Design
Major Awards (USAMO, Intel etc.): National Hispanic Scholar, AP Scholar

Subjective:

Extracurriculars (place leadership in parenthesis):


[QUOTE=""]

Taekwondo for 10 years, instructor for 2.5
JV Tennis 9,10,11 (Captain 10, 11)
Varsity Tennis 12
Road cycling 2 yrs
NHS
Job/Work Experience: Internship at wealth management firm summer before senior year
Volunteer/Community service: 300 hrs at cat shelter and for my second grade teacher
Summer Activities: Instructing and internship
Essays (rating 1-10, details):
CA essay 6/10, wrote in 2 days, couldn’t focus much
Cornell Supplement 7/10, wrote about how I’ve been captivated by astronomy for my whole life

[/QUOTE]

Recommendations (rating 1-10, details):

Teacher Rec #1: Average
Teacher Rec #2: Average
Counselor Rec: Average
Additional Rec: No
Interview: Didn’t happen

Other

Applied for Financial Aid?: Y
Intended Major: Undecided
State (if domestic applicant): CA
School Type: Large underachieving public
Ethnicity: Hispanic
Gender: M
Income Bracket: 75,000-100,000
Hooks (URM, first generation college, etc.): URM, first gen

Reflection

Strengths: Everything but essays and come test scores
What you tried to focus on in your application - any hooks you tried to make for yourself: I milked everything I could out of my 10 years of Taekwondo
Weaknesses: essays, SAT IIs, ACT Math
Why you think you were accepted/waitlisted/rejected: Because I’m Mexican (and Taekwondo)
Where else were you accepted/waitlisted/rejected:
Accepted: UCSB w/Regents, IU Bloomington, Vanderbilt
Rejected: None yet
Your “Big Red” factor - the most unique thing in your application: No idea

I’m in complete shock right now, I feel like a huge weight has been lifted off of my shoulders.To the Class of 2021, don’t procrastinate with apps, you’ll drive yourself crazy when applying and with worry afterwards like I did.

7

Decision: Accepted by way of Diversity Letter

Name of Cornell College you applied to: Human Ecology (Policy Analysis and Management)

Objective:

SAT I (breakdown): 730 CR, 760 M, 740 W
ACT (breakdown): Irrelevant, did not send
SAT II: Irrelevant, did not send
Unweighted GPA (out of 4.0): 4.11
Rank (percentile if rank is unavailable): Neither rank nor percentile are reported at my school
AP (place score in parenthesis): AP Calculus AB (5), AP English Language and Composition (5), AP US Government and Politics (3) [note that my school only allows its students to take APs starting in junior year, and only allows a maximum of 3 APs in a year.
IB (place score in parenthesis): N/A
Senior Year Course Load: AP European History, AP Statistics, AP English Literature, Etymology, Physics, 2D Art, Musical Theater Workshop
Major Awards (USAMO, Intel etc.): None of note

Subjective:

Extracurriculars (place leadership in parenthesis): School drama (consistently leads, assistant director in most recent production), Model United Nations (leadership team, de facto head delegate), school all-male choral group (“Co-Czar”, i.e. co-president), church choir (cantor and occasional lector), Gay-Straight Alliance (co-president), acting classes at Wagner College, other outside theatrical experience including professional classes
Job/Work Experience: N/A
Volunteer/Community service: Church choir, some work for Habitat for Humanity
Summer Activities: Mostly acting classes
Essays: CA essay likely 7/10, Cornell essay probably 9/10
Teacher Recommendation: Both letters likely 10/10, waived FERPA right
Counselor Rec: Probably 9/10, counselor does not know me quite as well as other recommenders.
Additional Rec: Letter from longtime teacher and director, likely 10/10
Interview: Alumni interview, pretty average on account of the fact that it was non-evaluative.
Other

Applied for Financial Aid?: Yes
Intended Major: Policy Analysis and Management
State (if domestic applicant): New York
Country (if international applicant):
School Type: Small private
Ethnicity: White and Hispanic (specifically Canary Islands)
Gender: Male
Income Bracket: Prefer not to answer
Hooks (URM, first generation college, etc.): URM, immense involvement in theatre

Reflection

Strengths: Mostly in the subjective, everything in my extracurriculars has been a longtime involvement.
What you tried to focus on in your application - any hooks you tried to make for yourself: Nothing in particular, but hammered home why I wanted to do PAM in the essay (again, prefer not to specify why here)
Weaknesses: Mostly in the objective, my raw scores don’t match up with the rest of the people here.
Why you think you were accepted/deferred/rejected: Again, probably due to my subjective data.
Where else were you accepted/deferred/rejected: Deferred at Williams, accepted at Villanova Honors College, Binghamton Management PwC Scholars, Stony Brook Honors College, Dickinson College with the John Dickinson Scholarship, College of William and Mary under the James Monroe Scholars Program, and Lehigh University
Your “Big Red” factor - the most unique thing in your application: Again, my immense, longtime, professional involvement in theater probably played a big part, as well as my other extracurriculars, but I am not so naive as to disregard my status as a URM completely.

8

** Decision: Accepted (Via Diversity Likely Letter) **

Objective:

Unweighted GPA (out of 4.0): 3.8/4
Rank (percentile if rank is unavailable): not ranked
AP (place score in parenthesis): 4 in USH, 1 in ap physics 1 lmao… needless to say that one wasn’t submitted
Senior Year Course Load: Environmental Science H, AP Spanish, Calc H, Law H, AP Art history, gym…, AP Lit, Newswriting elective, + like an art class
Major Awards (USAMO, Intel etc.): won award at each MUN i attended, some school awards including 2 scholarships i won via my school, spanish + national honor societies

Subjective:

Extracurriculars (place leadership in parenthesis): Started JSA chapter at my school (founder + pres) since junior year + director of activism for my JSA region, president of my american red cross chapter, editor in chief of my school paper, leader of mock trial team, Congressional intern, didn’t hold position in MUN but won awards at conferences I attended when I participated in the club
Job/Work Experience:
Volunteer/Community service: Volunteer on a juvenile justice program + a lot through my red cross club
Summer Activities: Freshmen year I took geometry to get ahead because for god knows why i was placed in alg1 freshmen year, sophomore year summer i did a jsa summer program which honestly changed my life + made me want to start a chapter, junior year summer i took SAT classes :’(
Essays: 10/10 i’d say. writing is my strong suit + my essay was very unique (so i was told)
Teacher Recommendation: Extremely strong. knew all 3 of my recommenders personally and became very close to them over the years (one was a freshmen year science teacher who became my club advisor for two years, one was my APUSH + world history junior year teacher, the third was my freshmen year english teacher- who i am pretty close to)
Counselor Rec:pretty good. didn’t know her personally but she really went in on my rec to include everything
Additional Rec: Past Model UN chair who i became really close with, and my best friend
Interview: pretty good conversation. the guy seemed kind of bland, (lol) but we had a great time and he laughed quite a bit.

Other:

Applied for Financial Aid?: no
Intended Major: English
State (if domestic applicant): NJ
School Type: Magnet
Ethnicity: Hispanic (and half white, which was indicated on my app)
Gender: Male
Hooks (URM, first generation college, etc.):
Single parent household, Main common app essay was about when i truly felt connected to my hispanic culture and thus to my parent who i lost

Reflection:
honestly, the best advice i have is to be as passionate as possible in your applications. you are a human being and your app is being reviewed by other human beings. show everything you care about. what enthralls you?

Strengths:
What you tried to focus on in your application - any hooks you tried to make for yourself: my connection to my culture + leadership
Weaknesses:
Why you think you were accepted/deferred/rejected: i think i came off as very passionate and genuine.
Where else were you accepted/deferred/rejected: first official acceptance with (hopefully) more to come. GW and Brandeis likely letters
Your “Big Red” factor - the most unique thing in your application: again, my essays. i made a point of starting my common app essay off with a very bizarre statement that did not really make sense until the end of the story. don’t be afraid to take risks w/ your essays. use your creativity to personalize them!

9

College accepted to: CALS

Objective:
SAT I (breakdown): n/a
ACT (breakdown): 33 (36E, 33M, 33R, 30S) (one sitting)
SAT II: 790 Math II
Unweighted GPA (out of 4.0): n/a
Weighted GPA: 4.377
Rank (percentile if rank is unavailable): n/a
AP (place score in parenthesis): Calc AB/BC (5); Stat (5); Physics 2 (4); Biology (4); APUSH (4)
IB (place score in parenthesis): n/a
Senior Year Course Load: AP Econ; AP Chem; AP Literature; AP Physics C; AP Comp Sci
Major Awards (USAMO, Intel etc.): AP Scholar with Distinction

Subjective:

Extracurriculars (place leadership in parenthesis):
Non-profit chapter president (12)
Math League secretary (11,12)
JV Softball (9,10)
Swimming (JV 11, varsity 12)
NHS & NHS Tutor
Job/Work Experience: Lifeguard for 3 summers
Volunteer/Community service: Many hours volunteering at local nature preserve over several years
Summer Activities: Work/volunteer
Essays (rating 1-10, details):
CA essay
Cornell Supplement

Recommendations (rating 1-10, details):

Teacher Rec #1: 10
Teacher Rec #2: 10
Counselor Rec: Average
Additional Rec: No
Interview: None

Other

Applied for Financial Aid?: N
Intended Major: Engineering
State (if domestic applicant): NJ
School Type: Small public
Ethnicity:
Gender: F
Income Bracket:

Hooks (URM, first generation college, etc.): None

Reflection

Strengths: Essays, senior year grades (taking 5 APs with 4.8 average first semester)
Weaknesses: Hard to say --not having a “hook”?
Why you think you were accepted/waitlisted/rejected:

Where else were you accepted/waitlisted/rejected:
Accepted: UMich, Georgia Tech
Rejected: None yet
Your “Big Red” factor - the most unique thing in your application: No idea

10

Decision: Accepted

Name of Cornell College you applied to: College of Arts and Sciences

Objective:

SAT I (breakdown): 2140 (640 M, 790 CR, 710 W, 08 essay)
ACT (breakdown): 31 (did not send)
SAT II: 760 Bio E, 800 WH
Unweighted GPA (out of 4.0): 3.82 UW/ 4.2 W
Rank (percentile if rank is unavailable): 34/440
AP (place score in parenthesis):N/A
IB (place score in parenthesis): Spanish SL - 7
Senior Year Course Load: IB Chemistry SL, IB English HL II, IB History HL II, IB Theater HL II, IB Math Studies SL II, IB TOK, Advanced Vocal Ensemble
Major Awards (USAMO, Intel etc.): Nada

Subjective:

Extracurriculars (place leadership in parenthesis):
-Thespian Society (President)
-Drama Club (President)
-Theater (numerous lead roles in musicals and plays, one of which will be showcased at the State Thespian Conference where I’ll be the male lead)
-Crew
-Madrigals (Tenor Section Leader)
-Caroling for Cans (President, student-run organization that collects cans for the food bank while caroling in December)
-NSHS
-Backup vocalist on a local recording artist’s album
-Student one acts (Codirector)
Job/Work Experience: Construction work during summer, nothing huge
Volunteer/Community service:
-Hospital Volunteering every week
Summer Activities:
-Assistant vocal coach in kids summer variety show
Essays: Pretty solid, talked about a brief stint investigating the Mormon church which was probably really unique if weird, like a 8/10
Teacher Recommendation 1: 7/10 History teacher, really great except honest about small dips and rises in performance
Teacher Recommendation 2: 9/10 Theater teacher, glowing praise for my academic and stage work
Teacher Recommendation 3: 10/10 Spanish teacher, the nicest and most amazing thing anybody’s ever written about me
Counselor Rec: 7/10, big school, not super personal
Additional Rec: N/A
Interview: 7/10, interviewer was great but I was awkward
Other

Applied for Financial Aid?: Yes
Intended Major: Theater
State (if domestic applicant): OR
Country (if international applicant):
School Type: Large public
Ethnicity: White, Native American
Gender: M
Income Bracket: ~100,000
Hooks (URM, first generation college, etc.): Kinda URM, first generation college student

Reflection

Strengths: SAT II, IB Diploma, success in and outside school in singing and theater
What you tried to focus on in your application - any hooks you tried to make for yourself: Part Native American, theater major?, first gen student
Weaknesses: Unweighted GPA, some of my IB classes this year are easier due to schedule conflicts, started some EC’s last year
Why you think you were accepted/deferred/rejected: No idea but I’m so happy
Where else were you accepted/deferred/rejected:
-Accepted - Creighton, University of Oregon, Muhlenberg, University of California Irvine
-Waitlisted- Washington University in St. Louis
-Rejected- Nowhere yet
-Waiting- Brown, Northwestern, UChicago, Tulane (Deferred Early Action)
Your “Big Red” factor - the most unique thing in your application: Probably the investigation of the Mormon church and my large amounts of time dedicated to performing arts

11

Got my URM early letter yesterday!

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

Name of Cornell College you applied to: College of Agriculture and life sciences (Dyson School - Applied Econ and Management)

Objective:

SAT I (breakdown): Haha sike af
ACT (breakdown): 34C third try: 35R 31M 35C 33S
SAT II: 790 USH – I think thats the only one I sent
Unweighted GPA (out of 4.0): 3.6 (however unweighted means little in my school)
Rank (percentile if rank is unavailable): 10% (I think I’m #7, colleges dont see that though)
AP (place score in parenthesis): 5s on: Calc AB, USH, Euro, Human Geo, Spanish, German. 4s on: English Lit, World History (Didn’t take the class fort these two tho.
IB (place score in parenthesis):
Senior Year Course Load: Calc BC, Physics IBHL, English IBHL, Econ IBHL, Spanish IBHL, History IBSL
Major Awards (USAMO, Intel etc.): Nope, got national AP tho.

Subjective: I’ve split my childhood between three countries.

Extracurriculars (place leadership in parenthesis):
Job/Work Experience: Accounting internship over the summer (wrote my essay on this)
Volunteer/Community service: Too specific (for my privacy), but 11/10
Summer Activities: Internship before senior year, took precalc over the summer before junior.
Essays: Commonapp was growing up in different countries, 9/10. Cornell essay was about Deca, my South American family, and the summer internship, 10/10 – its the best sell I’ve ever made.
Teacher Recommendation: both are 8-9/10. Eng and history teacher.
Counselor Rec: I assume it’s good?
Additional Rec: Got one from a friend of the family I had never met (haha)
Interview: nope
Other: Low key supporting Trump

Applied for Financial Aid?: No
Intended Major: Applied Econ and Management with a specialization in accounting and international development
State (if domestic applicant): The best one (FL)
Country (if international applicant): –
School Type: Private ~180 per grade
Ethnicity: Hispanic (Soouth American and Puerto Rican)
Gender: M
Income Bracket: Colleges don’t see this as I didn’t apply for FA, but the biggest one.
Hooks (URM, first generation college, etc.): URM, traveled a lot.

Reflection: SELL SELL SELL. My cornell essay took a bunch of random stuff (Deca, internship, hispanic heritage) and meshed it together in a way I knew Cornell would love. Remember, it’s not who you are, but how you present yourself.

Furthermore, I guess there aren’t a lot of Dutch speaking Peruvians who are applying for accounting.

Strengths: Diverse, test scores,
What you tried to focus on in your application - any hooks you tried to make for yourself:
Weaknesses: My GPA is subpar for the ivies for my school. My junior grades were: B, B, A-, A-, A, A-
Why you think you were accepted: see reflection
Where else were you accepted/waitlisted/rejected: Deffered from one of HYP early
Your “Big Red” factor - the most unique thing in your application: Plus I’m the realest spick inside the A.

Remember, no matter where we get in, we’re all inclined to be mediocre. It’s not about where you get in (because that’s too often tied to genetic) but where you’ve worked yourself to. I’m more proud of my 5 on Calc than the 790 on USH, because the former was hard af for me and the latter – while more impressive – came naturally. Peace homies.

12

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

Name of Cornell College you applied to: CAS (notified by likely letter)

Objective:

SAT I (breakdown): 2300 780 WR, 740 M, 780 CR
ACT (breakdown):n/a
SAT II: 750 E-Bio, 760 US History, 700 Math 2
Unweighted GPA (out of 4.0): 3.81 (had some b’s) 4.36 W
Rank (percentile if rank is unavailable): N/A, probably top ten
AP (place score in parenthesis): US history (5), Art History (5), Eng Lang (5), Bio (4), AP Enviro, AP Lit + Comp, AP Calc AB, AP Poli Sci, AP Econ
IB (place score in parenthesis): N/A
Senior Year Course Load: 4 APs and honors class
Major Awards (USAMO, Intel etc.): AP Scholar w/ honors, National novel writing award, national merit commended, people to people international award (not that important), online writing awards, sports awards

Subjective:

Extracurriculars (place leadership in parenthesis):

Varsity soccer and track (4 years + sprints captain),
Gender-sexuality alliance (pres + founder),
National novel writing month(s) -( won an award for this) -
Editor and writer of student-run lit magazine,
People to People Student Ambassadors,
Junior classical league (just a member),
Published on juke pop novels website + articles in Diverse Voices Quarterly, Blue Pencil and Teen Ink -
I also did a lot of club sports and got state/regional recognition. Not recruited though.

Job/Work Experience: N/A

Volunteer/Community service: LGBT Center OC, Heifer International, Hands for Africa, Food Bank, Gay for Good

Summer Activities: Stanford Summer College (took writing and sociology classes) - As in both, People to People Student International Trip to Italy Spain and France, travelled to Tanzania one year and track-trained for one.

Essays: common app is 10/10 - I wrote about how my afro helped me come out of the closet
Cornell supplement: talked about my love for personification and story-telling and how this idea intersects with science and education (super creative and I was specific to Cornell institutes)

Teacher Recommendation:
Art History teacher: 10/10 I participated a lot in her class and she really liked me + Art history was my favorite subjects last year :slight_smile:
Bio teacher: probably 7-8/10 because I did well in his class but I wasn’t his favorite student or anything, but I stand out a lot in general.

Counselor Rec: Ehh… I would say 8-9/10 because I stand out a lot among my class and I had a really good interview with her but she has so many students so I’m not really sure.

Additional Rec: Fiction writing professor from stanford: 10/10 - I talked to her a lot over the summer and she helped me edit/polish a lot of my creative writing work. She knows me very well.

Interview: N/A

Other
I submitted a resume because common app didn’t let me put everything down.

Applied for Financial Aid?: marked yes but ended up not applying.
Intended Major: English
State (if domestic applicant): CA
Country (if international applicant):
School Type: SUPER competitive public school :confused: probably will work against me.
Ethnicity: I’m mixed - half Nigerian and half American (so I put down African-American)
Gender: XX
Income Bracket: ~200k
Hooks (URM, first generation college, etc.): URM, I’m not sure being queer counts but I emphasized that too in my app.

Reflection

Strengths: ESSAYS ESSAYS ESSAYS - if the rest of my app wasn’t strong enough, my essays got me a second chance. SAT scores and unique extracurriculars - but honestly i think my essays played the biggest part.
What you tried to focus on in your application - any hooks you tried to make for yourself: QWOC who wants to be a writer? Idk.

Weaknesses: GPA probably, not a lot of super prestigious awards, super competitive class, and probably the common app activities section. My resume probably gave me a boost on that, and I have a lack of work experience.

Why you think you were accepted/deferred/rejected: Essays, unique ECS, prevalent academic focus

Where else were you accepted/deferred/rejected: dunno yet! waiting on some of the ivies! I really want to get into schools like Upenn and Columbia because I prefer urban settings but if they don’t work out Cornell is great to fall back on! So far I’ve gotten in to UC Santa Barbara, university of san francisco and UC Santa Cruz.
Your “Big Red” factor - the most unique thing in your application: … Probably just getting a second look because my essays are pretty good, but I don’t know. College admissions are part crapshoot.

13

Decision: Accepted

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

Objective:

SAT I (breakdown): 2160 (two sittings) 760M/690R/710W
ACT (breakdown): 32 35E/32M/31R/30S (33 Superscored with one other test)
SAT II: 670 Math II, Biology M 650ish
Unweighted GPA (out of 4.0): 3.97
Weighted GPA: 4.55
Rank (percentile if rank is unavailable): 10
AP (place score in parenthesis): AP Lang (3), APUSH (3), AP Calc AB (1)- lol did not send any scores
IB (place score in parenthesis): N/A
Senior Year Course Load: AP Lit- (if you’re a junior take comp 1), AP Gov, Pre- AP Physics
Major Awards (USAMO, Intel etc.): National Commended, National Academy of Future Physicians Award of Excellence

Extracurriculars (place leadership in parenthesis): Volleyball (Co-Captain), Student Council (Minor Offices), HOSA, Key Club,
Job/Work Experience: CVS
Volunteer/Community service: Over 100 hours this year. Some stuff with the city and hospitals
Summer Activities: Science camp
Essays (rating 1-10, details): 9- I liked it
Recommendations (rating 1-10, details): 8- I don’t really like teachers, but I am a good kid and read over one of them.

Teacher Rec #1: 8.5
Teacher Rec #2: 7.5
Counselor Rec: 6- She’s a dunderhead but I am one of her favorites somewhat.
Additional Rec: 9- sooo pretty written by my mentor who is practically my best friend/sister
Interview: didn’t have one

Other

Applied for Financial Aid?:Yup
Intended Major: Medicine, Health, and Society
State (if domestic applicant): The South
Country (if international applicant): Merica
School Type: Public ~ 2,000
Ethnicity: African-American
Gender: F
Income Bracket: 160,000
Hooks (URM, first generation college, etc.): URM

Reflection: Pray everyday there is a God who will make all things work together for the good of those who love Him :slight_smile:

Strengths:
What you tried to focus on in your application - any hooks you tried to make for yourself:
Weaknesses: Test scores
Why you think you were accepted/waitlisted/rejected: My interest clearly related with all my activities.
Where else were you accepted/waitlisted/rejected: Accepted UChicago, Vanderbilt/ Rejected MIT lol
Your “Big Red” factor - the most unique thing in your application: I talked about my interest in healthcare reform here in the states and in west African countries

Please do not feel discouraged if you do not get in. I know that coming from someone who was accepted you might think that’s bs advice, but honestly I have met a lot of admission officers and become friends with people who do this whole “application judging” thing and somedays you seem great to everyone and one day someone may just be able to see all your imperfections or basicness. There are building a dinner table and just want interesting people WHO ALSO fit in with the image of their dinner table.

14

Decision: Accepted via diversity letter

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

Objective: (sorry for all the short hand and terrible grammar/potential typos in advance… I’m doing this super quickly)

SAT I (breakdown): didn’t take
ACT (breakdown): 30C, 32SC
SAT II: didn’t send
Unweighted GPA (out of 4.0): 3.6 UW, 4.25W
Rank (percentile if rank is unavailable): 9/377
AP (place score in parenthesis): English Language (4), didn’t report: APUSH (3), Spanish Language (3)
Senior Year Course Load: AP Spanish Lit, AP Calculus AB, AP Gov’t, AP Microeconomics, AP Calculus BC (spring only), AP Bio, AP English, Pre-Ap Anatomy & Physiology
Major Awards (USAMO, Intel etc.): uhh idk went to regionals for math competition, all district for lacrosse, all state nominee for lacrosse

Subjective:

Extracurriculars (place leadership in parenthesis): mathletes (secretary), girl scouts since kindergarten, student council (secretary), hs and club lacrosse (captain since sophomore year), NHS, athletic trainer
Job/Work Experience: babysitter, worked at a bakery last summer and into the beginning of the school year
Volunteer/Community service: have helped with a local beautification organization since elementary school, nhs/stuco related stuff, 120+ hours combined at 2 hospitlas, math tutor, volunteer at my old elementary school
Summer Activities: club lacrosse, hospital volunteer, job at bakery
Essays: first essay was very compelling abt my cousin passing away from leukemia and how it has pushed me to make the most out of my life and how his passing has confirmed that I really want to be a doctor… supplement was about my passion for the environment and how I have made efforts to preserve it and how I plan to carry that over at cornell
Teacher Recommendation: one from my freshman bio/current anatomy teacher-was good but nothing special. one from old algebra 2 teacher/mathletes coach/tutored his regular algebra 1 kids-probably pretty good bc he knew me really well. the third I accidentally invited but she was my geometry teacher/ has been my student council leader since sophomore year so she also knows me pretty well too.
Counselor Rec: really good except she misspelt my name once haha
Interview: went really well!! I talked about how I wanted to be a doctor my whole life but how I am now realizing my passion for saving the environment. we talked about going into the environmental policy side of things and he had a lot of helpful advice w that.

Applied for Financial Aid?: yes
Intended Major: Environmental and Sustainability Sciences
State (if domestic applicant): TX
School Type: public
Ethnicity: mexican and white
Gender: F
Income Bracket: <100,000
Hooks (URM, first generation college, etc.): URM, dual citizen

Reflection
I thought my test scores and lack of impressive EC’s would bring me down but I think my passion for pursuing what I love really came out in my essays?? I don’t think I want to be a doctor anymore but I did have a heavy science/math course load and I spent a lot of time volunteering at the hospital.

Strengths:
What you tried to focus on in your application - any hooks you tried to make for yourself: in my interview I stressed how I grew up w a very interesting perspective having biracial parents/living in spain in elementary school
Weaknesses: test scores, no super unique ec’s
Why you think you were accepted/deferred/rejected: I haven’t the slightest clue to be honest
Where else were you accepted/deferred/rejected: Rejected: Dartmouth Accepted: UT Austin, William and Mary (likely letter), UNC Chapel Hill
Your “Big Red” factor - the most unique thing in your application: no idea??! I came off as very determined to make a difference in the community

15

BEFORE YOU READ I JUST WANT TO SAY: DARE TO DREAM BIG! I WOULD’VE NEVER THOUGHT I WOULD GET IN. IN FACT, I ALMOST DIDN’T APPLY BECAUSE I WAS SO DISCOURAGED WHEN READING ON FORUMS ABOUT OTHER PEOPLE’S SCORES AND GPA’S. I THANK GOD FOR THIS GIFT BECAUSE IT WAS ALL HIM. WHEN YOU COMBINE FAITH WITH OBEDIENCE EVEN THE IMPOSSIBLE BECOMES REALITY.

ACCEPTED

Name of Cornell College you applied to:
CAS (Arts and Sciences)

Objective:
Major in Psychology or Neuroscience (I’ll decide as I go) and go onto medical school

SAT I (breakdown): 1940 General: 690 R, 600 M, 650 W
ACT (breakdown): 29 General; 27 M, 32 R, 32 W, 25 S
SAT II: 630 Bio (Molecular), 800 Spanish
Unweighted GPA (out of 4.0): 3.865
Rank (percentile if rank is unavailable): N/A
AP (place score in parenthesis): AP World (3), AP Euro (3), APUSH (5), AP LIT (4), AP Lang (4)
IB (place score in parenthesis): Spanish SL (7), taking the rest in May

Senior Year Course Load:
-IB Math SL
-IB Bio HL
-IB English HL
-IB French SL
-IB History HL
-TOK

Major Awards (USAMO, Intel etc.):
-Keynote Speaker at Research Program
-Honor Roll
-AP Scholar w/Distinction

Extracurriculars (place leadership in parenthesis):
-NHS
-SHS
-FHS
-NSHS
-Geography Club (Historian)
-Current Events Club (co-founder)

Job/Work Experience: N/A

Volunteer/Community service:
-Zoo volunteer
-Hospice
-Hospital
-Church
-Tutoring
-Program where we do arts and crafts with kids with disabilities

Summer Activities:

  • Dual Enrollment (Microeconomics, Stats, Finance)
    -Research Program

Teacher Recommendation: History and Lit teachers
Counselor Rec: Counselor?
Additional Rec: Peer and Dean of an office at a university
Interview: N/A

Applied for Financial Aid?: Yes
Intended Major: Psychology
State (if domestic applicant): FL
Country (if international applicant): USA
School Type: Public
Ethnicity: Hispanic
Income Bracket: less than 60K
Hooks (URM, first generation college, etc.): first generation

Reflection

Strengths: Unique essays, IB program, lots of extracurriculars
What you tried to focus on in your application - any hooks you tried to make for yourself: N/A
Weaknesses: scores
Why you think you were accepted/waitlisted/rejected: I was myself. Be yourself!
Where else were you accepted/waitlisted/rejected: still waiting
Your “Big Red” factor - the most unique thing in your application: My supplemental essay

16

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

Applied to which school/college: College of Arts and Sciences

Objective:
SAT I (breakdown): did not take/submit
ACT: 32 Composite (35 English, 34 CR, 30 M, 27 S)
SAT II: 690 (Math II) 720 (Spanish)
Unweighted GPA (out of 4.0): 97.6 (My school does GPA out of 100)
Rank (percentile if rank is unavailable): school doesn’t rank
AP (place score in parenthesis): AP English Lang (4), AP Spanish (5), AP Physics (3), APUSH (4), AP Bio, AP Calc AB, AP English Literature
IB (place score in parenthesis): N/A
Senior Year Course Load: AP Biology, AP English Literature, AP Calculus AB, Psych/Sociology, Dual Enrollment with FDU for Anatomy and Physiology
Major Awards (USAMO, Intel etc.): AP Scholar, National Spanish Exam Honorable Mention, Young Arts Finalist, National Honor Society Executive Board Member, basically every other National Honor Society (Music, Thespian, Mathematics, Social Studies)

Subjective:

Extracurriculars (place leadership in parenthesis): Fall Drama and Spring Musical (lead roles), competitive swimmer in New York City, competition pianist
Job/Work Experience: Algebra I/II and Geometry Tutor
Volunteer/Community service: Edgewater Free Public Library (70+ hours), Retreat Organization Committee, Actors Fund (30+ Hours)
Summer Activities: N/A
Essays (rating 1-10, details): 10/10 for both common app and Northwestern statement. To be completely honest they were both the best pieces of reflective writing that I’ve ever written

Other

State (if domestic applicant): New Jersey
Country (if international applicant):
School Type: Private/Catholic
Ethnicity: Hispanic
Gender: Female
Income Bracket: >75,000
Hooks (Athlete; first generation college, etc.): first generation on paternal side, mother attended Cornell

Reflection

Strengths: I think the majority of my strengths stemmed from my essays; I definitely poured my heart and soul into both of them and I feel as though they genuinely captivated who I am as a person to paint a full image beyond my scores
Weaknesses: Definitely my standardized test stats, especially in comparison to alot of the other scores on this thread
Why you think you were accepted/deferred/rejected: Like I said, I think the essays overshadowed my test scores. I was very surprised but completely elated
Where else were you accepted/deferred/rejected: ACCEPTED - Duke, Cornell, Northwestern
I’m waiting to hear back from just about everywhere else!

KEEP DREAMING, YOU GUYS <3

17

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

Name of Cornell College you applied to: engineering

Objective:

ACT (breakdown): 36, 11W
SAT II: 800 math 2, 760 chem
Unweighted GPA (out of 4.0): no clue (school does not provide unweighted gpa)
Rank (percentile if rank is unavailable): top 3%
AP (place score in parenthesis): 5 - physics c (both), 5 - calc ab, 5 - calc bc, 4 - chemistry
IB (place score in parenthesis): not offered
Senior Year Course Load: ap art history, ap lit, ap comp sci, ap stats, diffeq
Major Awards (USAMO, Intel etc.): national journalism award x 2, AIME qualifier x 1

Subjective:

Extracurriculars (place leadership in parenthesis): violin, research, calculus tutoring, student-run research journal, journalism, cross country/track
Job/Work Experience: at a local supplemental learning center
Volunteer/Community service: calculus tutoring
Summer Activities: research, violin, hiking and running
Essays: pretty good
Teacher Recommendation: mvc teacher (had near a 100 in the class) and english teacher, pretty good
Counselor Rec: pretty good we’re bffs
Additional Rec: violin teacher - again, pretty good
Interview: had an ~informational meeting~ with an engineering alum, went really well
Other

Applied for Financial Aid?: no
Intended Major: CS
State (if domestic applicant): CA
School Type: private
Gender: female
Income Bracket: not applying for FA
Hooks (URM, first generation college, etc.): female in engineering (i was accepted under a women in engineering initiative)

Reflection

Strengths:
What you tried to focus on in your application - any hooks you tried to make for yourself: research experience, math competition experience, areas of cs research that appeal to me, etc.
Weaknesses: no big hook
Why you think you were accepted/waitlisted/rejected: woman in engineering helps loads not gonna lie, but other than that, test scores, research experience, etc.
Where else were you accepted/waitlisted/rejected: accepted - yale, ucla, ucsd, ucsb, umich rejected - nowhere yet (will change shortly)
Your “Big Red” factor - the most unique thing in your application: man i don’t know

18

**Decision: Accepted (ILR early letter and Diversity Letter) **

Objective:

  • [] SAT I (breakdown): 2110, didn’t send
    [    ] ACT (breakdown): 32, 35 E, 35 R, 32 S, 27 M, 36 W
    [] SAT II: 730 french, didn’t send
    [    ] Unweighted GPA: we don’t use those lol
    [] Weighted GPA: 4.10
    [    ] Rank (percentile if rank is unavailable): NA
    [] AP (place score in parenthesis): 5s on French and APUSH, 4 on English lit
    [    ] IB (place score in parenthesis): NA
    [] Senior Year Course Load: AP Stats, AP Calc AB, Honors French Lit, honors gov, honors English, physics
    [    ] Major Awards (USAMO, Intel etc.): not really, just Grand Concours awards

Subjective:

  • [] Extracurriculars (place leadership in parenthesis): investment club president, model un, golf, gymnastics, lacrosse
    [    ] Job/Work Experience: camp counselor
    [] Volunteer/Community service: summer of service
    [    ] Summer Activities: LEAD business program
    [] Essays: common app was good maybe 8/10; I thought my ILR supplement was too long, but it was good! 8/10
    [    ] Teacher Recommendation: I didn’t read them but great 8-9/10
    [] Counselor Rec: same as above
    [    ] Additional Rec:
    [] Interview: it went really well! We got along great!
    [    ] Supplementary Material (portfolio, etc.): NA

Other

  • [] Applied for Financial Aid?: yup
    [    ] State (if domestic applicant): OH
    [] Country (if international applicant):
    [    ] School Type: private college prep
    [] Ethnicity: black
    [    ] Gender: female
    [] Income Bracket: >$100,000
    [    ] Hooks (URM, first generation college, etc.): URM

Reflection

  • [] Strengths: good essays, good school
    [    ] Weaknesses: test scores and gpa ehh
    [] Why you think you were accepted/deferred/rejected: I think I seemed like a good fit!
    [    ] Where else were you accepted/deferred/rejected: Accepted to Case Western, Wellesley, Mount Holyoke, and Cornell!

**General Comments: ** Go Big Red!

19

Decision: ACCEPTED! (Diversity Hosting for CAS)

Objective:
SAT I (breakdown): 2120 (690 W, 690 M, 740 R)
ACT (breakdown): 33
SAT II: 710 Math I, 700 Literature, 670 Biology E
Unweighted GPA (out of 4.0): 3.95
Weighted GPA: 4.329
Rank (percentile if rank is unavailable): 1 of 311
AP (place score in parenthesis): Art History (4), European History (4), Biology (3), Calculus AB (3), Literature (4), Psychology (5); currently taking Language & Comp, Physics II, and Government
IB (place score in parenthesis): none
Senior Year Course Load: AP Language & Comp, AP Statistics (dropped after 1st semester), AP Gov, AP Physics II, 3 Dual Credit computer classes
Major Awards (USAMO, Intel etc.): Letter of Commendation (PSAT), AP Scholar with Distinction

Subjective:

Extracurriculars (place leadership in parenthesis): tennis (#1 singles, captain), FCCLA (secretary), Voice–antitobacco club (secretary), NHS, Spell Bowl, Quiz Bowl (captain), Green Team–recycling (officer), Freshman Mentoring (council member)
Job/Work Experience: Charming Charlie since December
Volunteer/Community service: 85+ hours every year for NHS, Adaptive Swim (helping mentally handicapped children learn to swim)
Summer Activities: staff at tennis summer camp, went to UK with a group from school
Essays (rating 1-10, details): Common App (8)–about helping my grandmother when she moved in with us, Supplement (10)–researched the crap out of Cornell and my possible major, included a lot of detail
Recommendations (rating 1-10, details):

Teacher Rec #1: 10, AP English teacher who went on Europe trip, loved me, I cried when I read her recommendation
Teacher Rec #2: no clue, never saw it, from AP Bio teacher
Counselor Rec: no clue, never saw it
Additional Rec: 8, from tennis coach (although he had me write most of it)
Interview: none

Other

Applied for Financial Aid?: Of course!
Intended Major: Biology
State (if domestic applicant): Indiana
Country (if international applicant):
School Type: small public school in hicktown, IN (no one has ever gotten in from my school before!)
Ethnicity: White Hispanic (mom born in Mexico)
Gender: female
Income Bracket: $150+
Hooks (URM, first generation college, etc.): Hispanic

Reflection

Strengths: good extracurriculars, good grades, a few hooks
Weaknesses: did not found a company or do anything significant, go to small public school in Indiana
Why you think you were accepted/waitlisted/rejected: overall I am a good candidate
Where else were you accepted/waitlisted/rejected:
Accepted: UColorado, UWashington Seattle, William & Mary, and Vanderbilt
Waitlisted: nowhere
Waiting on: Brown

Big Red Factor: My essay was the bomb! I included specific courses and what kind of research I want to do. I named professors and talked about possible internships I would look into.

General Comments: I honestly thought I was going to get rejected because I am nothing special to an Ivy. Do not let your belief that you are not good enough deter you from applying to reach schools! You never no what could happen!

20

Decision: Accepted!!! (LL)

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

Objective:

SAT I (breakdown): 2310 (800 M, 770 W, 740 CR)
ACT (breakdown): N/A
SAT II: 770 Maths 2, 760 Bio M, 750 Chem.
Unweighted GPA (out of 4.0): N/A
Rank (percentile if rank is unavailable): N/A
AP (place score in parenthesis): AP Macroeconomics 4, AP Microeconomics 5, AP Psychology 5
IB (place score in parenthesis): English A Lit SL 6, Chinese A Lit SL 7, Maths SL 7, Chem HL 7, Bio HL 7, Eco HL 7
Senior Year Course Load: IB subjects listed above, self-studying APUSH, AP Calculus BC, AP Statistics
Major Awards (USAMO, Intel etc.): Not many major ones. Mainly small awards in Bio, Eco and Maths competition.

Subjective:

Extracurriculars (place leadership in parenthesis): Chamber music club that perform in rest homes (founder and leader), first violin at city youth orchestra (concertmaster for one program)
Job/Work Experience: Charity related to aged care (founder and chairperson); research on residential aged care model with university (student researcher, with name printed on research paper)
Volunteer/Community service: Rest home volunteer for several years (organizer of volunteer event, research assitant)
Summer Activities: Student instructor at music school for kids
Essays: CommonApp is hard to tell. The topic is unique: my special experience with dementia patient at volunteering, but it’s probably quite cheesy; Cornell one 8/10, average
Teacher Recommendation: FERPA, don’t know, but probably both 9/10
Counselor Rec: FERPA, but probably 9/10
Additional Rec: Volunteer coordinator of my rest home, 9.5/10
Interview: no interview. That’s why I was surprised when I got the LL.
Other

Applied for Financial Aid?: No
Intended Major: Human Biology, Health, and Society
State (if domestic applicant):
Country (if international applicant):
School Type: Small private
Ethnicity: Asian
Gender:
Income Bracket:
Hooks (URM, first generation college, etc.):

Reflection

Strengths: The fact that I have a clear interest in aged care and gerontology means that all my EC are super focused; SAT 1, GPA
What you tried to focus on in your application - any hooks you tried to make for yourself: Gerontology, I want to be a geriatrician or geriatric nurse practitioner in the future
Weaknesses: SAT 2, essays.
Why you think you were accepted/deferred/rejected: my strengths :slight_smile:
Where else were you accepted/deferred/rejected: Rejection: Columbia (ED), JHU; Waitlist: Washington St. Loius, Northwestern, Duke; Accepted: UCB, UCSB, UCD (with provost’s), UCLA, BC, UMich (Ross), Rice (merit scholarship); waiting for: CMU, Emory, Brown, Penn, Harvard, Yale (probably not much hope lol)
Your “Big Red” factor - the most unique thing in your application: my interest in caring for the elderly i think? not many people focus on the aged population at my age. Just a thought; maybe I am wrong.

General comments: still trying to decide between Cornell and Rice. Anxious for ivy day!