Cornell- Early Decision?

Colleges and Universities A-Z Cornell University
1

<p>How exactly does that work? On their website it says you can apply after 3 years of high school, so would I be able to apply the summer between my junior and senior year (this upcoming summer)?</p>

<p>Also, for those of you who got in, could I have a quick summary of your stats/ECs? I'd like to have a good idea of what it takes to get in. And if I apply regular ED as in my senior year in the fall and get rejected, should I even bother applying to Brown or Dartmouth then?</p>

<p>Do you think I could get in with these stats? I'm really nervous because I really lack ECs because of family responsibilities- I had to take care of my brother every day after school until 1 a.m. which is when my mom would get home from work.
School wise:
-4.0 uw gpa (4.8 currently weighted)
-rank somewhere in the top 10 kids out of a class of 650
-All honors and AP classes throughout high school with the exception of required courses
-30 ACT with alright SAT subject tests (670 being the lowest in US History since I didn't study and it was summer)
Extras:
-First generation college student
-Bilingual (almost trilingual)
-Secretary of Spanish club
-Mentor for freshmen
-Office/teacher aide all 4 years
-first chair of my section in orchestra
-violin since 5th grade
-and will hopefully be a Zoo volunteer and attend American Legion Girl's State if accepted to both
-will hopefully find a job soon (it's so hard with this darn economy!)
-obviously babysitting for my brother and sometimes neighborhood kids
-I also think I have a good essay topic in mind about how I was in a terrible car crash which changed my view on life and has led me to want to pursue a career in public service to give back, but I'm not sure if that would be a good idea? But on here in another forum I was suggested to talk about my time spent with my brother and its affect on our relationship. But maybe I could combine these and talk about how the crash has led me to being more close/thankful for my family AND has led me to want to go into public service, or is that milking it too much and will look like I'm trying too hard?</p>

<p>So, should I even spend all that money on applications to Ivies? Do I have a chance at all? Anything you think I could improve on? I feel so inadequate compared to others on this website... =/</p>

<p>Sorry for such a long post! If you actually read this all, thanks! I really appreciate it. :)</p>

<p>I would apply to the College of Arts and Sciences.</p>

2

<p>From what I see, I think you have competitive stats, depending on what school you apply to, at Cornell. Additionally, I think you should explain your family responsibilities and other aspects of your situation in the "other info" section of the common app; it definitely won't hurt.</p>

3

<p>and to answer your other question, you definitely still have a chance at dartmouth and brown even though you might get rejected from Cornell. I know cornell is statistically the least competitive ivy but it emphasizes fit as im sure you've heard from this forum. So somebody could have 2350 SAT's and be a lock for every other ivy but not get into cornell because he doesn't demonstrate he's truly interested in the major he's applying to.</p>

<p>In other words, Cornell seems to be forgiving to lower stats as long as your a good fit for the program you're applying to. I know 6 people a year ahead of me that got into ivies/stanford/MIT and none of whom got into Cornell (they were all going for engineering)</p>

4

<p>Do you think my lack of involvement will harm me a lot? I don't want to waste my one shot applying ED applying to a school that will probably reject me...</p>

5

<p>Yes, you can apply early decision any time after the Cornell supplement comes out and Nov. 1st--the deadline. Since they don't start reading apps until well after the deadline, I'd recommend you go through several revisions of your essays and submit it closer to the deadline than during the summer.</p>

6

<p>Thanks, that's why I'm asking, so that I can prepare ahead of time.</p>

<p>So what does everyone think of my essay inquiry?</p>

7

<p>Bump. Do I still have a prayer despite very little ECs?!</p>