Cornell ED or RD?

Colleges and Universities A-Z Cornell University
1

<p>Hi everyone! I'm a white female interested in engineering and I'm wondering if you could help give me some input on whether to ED or RD at Cornell this year. I've heard that applying ED would increase my chances, but I'm wondering if I would still be safe(ish?) to RD since my parents don't want me bound anywhere so I can have choices (financial aid, where would I be happiest, etc). </p>

<p>Stats:
GPA: 4.44/4.5 UW (top 3%)
SAT: 2310 (740 CR, 800 M, 770 W)
ACT: 34 composite
SATII: 770 Biology, 740 Math II
APs (by end of senior year): BC Calc (5), English Language and Composition (5), Biology (5), Studio Art 2D Design, Statistics, Chemistry, Spanish Language, Literature and Composition</p>

<p>Academic Achievements/Honors:
High Honor Roll, All Semesters/Years
National Honor Society
Recognition of Academic Excellence:
ο AP English Language and Composition (Junior Year)
ο Latin I (Junior Year)
ο English II Honors (Sophomore Year)
ο Chemistry Honors (Sophomore Year)
National Latin Exam, Magna Cum Laude (Junior Year)
National Spanish Exam, Premio de Oro, Gold Level (Junior Year)
Springfield College Book Award (Junior Year)
Presidential Volunteer Service Award (Junior Year)</p>

<p>ECs:
- Piano: playing since age six, performed as a solo classical performer, in jazz bands, symphonic orchestras, pit orchestras, rock bands, at weddings, and as accompanist to Julliard opera singers
- Cello: playing since age nine, performer as first chair in symphonic and chamber orchestras, in pit orchestras, duets, regional orchestras
- Music and Arts Center: VP, Secretary of town-wide music and arts organization
- Founder and President of club to promote music in our school system
- Run Spring Track
- Best Buddies Club
- Art and Media Club</p>

<p>Volunteering:
- Relay for Life: team captain
- National Charity League: VP, Treasurer
- Sunday School teacher
- Annual week-long mission trip
- Safe Rides: team member, providing rides to those incapable of driving themselves</p>

<p>Work Experience:
- Work in local Orthodontist Office</p>

<p>Recommendations:
AP English Language teacher/head of English Department (will write very strong letter)
AP Calc BC teacher/head of Math Department (should write good letter)
Orchestra director whom I've known since I was 11 (will write very strong/personal letter)</p>

<p>Legacy: Grandfather and dad both graduated from ILR School at Cornell</p>

<p>Other:
Will submit music supplement for piano, possibly art portfolio or link to art website</p>

<p>So overall I feel that I have a pretty strong application. I've already written my supplement for Cornell, and I'm very happy with that also. I really do love Cornell and have always imagined myself there, so personally I'm inclined to applying ED, but my parents don't think that the financial aid will be enough for what we need, which I understand. I know Cornell (and the other Ivies) say that they meet all demonstrated need, but my family makes enough so that it seems we won't need much aid, even though we really do, which may cause some discrepancies in the numbers (if that makes sense). So I'm pretty torn. (FYI if I don't ED at Cornell I'll probably REA at Harvard and EA at UVA, so any input there would be nice also). Overall question is, do you think I need to apply ED to have a really good shot or can I hold off until RD and still have a strong chance? Any input would be appreciated. Thanks!</p>

2

<p><a href=“Financial Aid Calculator | Financial Aid”>http://www.finaid.cornell.edu/cost-attend/financial-aid-estimator&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt;

<p>Finances are a very large component to education and a very personal/family decision. The Financial Aid calculator will give you and your parents a very accurate estimate of the amount of aid you will or will not receive. </p>

<p>Statistics show that applicants have a stronger chance of admission ED, especially for legacy applications. That being said, you and your family have to be comfortable with the financial commitment that is made with and ED application and acceptance. </p>

3

<p>Thanks maxsdad for the input. I agree with you that finances are a large aspect of the process we have to take into consideration. I guess my real question is, will my chances of admittance be significantly decreased by applying RD? A friend told me I most definitely have to ED if I want any chance of acceptance, which worried me. Does anyone think that would be the case, or can I feel assured applying RD? </p>

4

<p><a href=“http://irp.dpb.cornell.edu/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2014/08/Profile2014-Freshmen.pdf”>http://irp.dpb.cornell.edu/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2014/08/Profile2014-Freshmen.pdf&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt;

<p>Stats for current freshman: ED acceptance was 27.9% and RD acceptance was 12.4% With 38,255 RD applications there is absolutely no assurances on acceptance. If you read through past years decisions, you will find deny and waitlist decisions with similar stats as you have. The adcom committee will also want to know why as a third generation legacy you did not apply ED.</p>

<p>As a student who got 800 on your math SAT’s, what do you think?</p>

5

<p>^^ I don’t think the adcom will want to know why as a third generation legacy you didn’t apply ED. I was a third generation legacy and didn’t apply ED. I wanted to weigh my options and see the prices before I committed. Yes, your chance of acceptance is higher with ED, but if you aren’t sure about it, or if you just want to weigh your other options, then don’t commit to ED. </p>

6

<p>For a while female interested in engineering your chance is actually bigger than male. Your stats looks good if you still want to shop & compare do you apply MIT, Caltech, U Michigan EA & Cornell ED at the same time? Time is running out!</p>

7

<p>Thanks for all the advice, everyone! I’ve decided I don’t think I want to be bound by doing ED anywhere, even Cornell. Do you think applying REA to Princeton and EA to UVA would be good options? (and of course Cornell RD amongst other schools) </p>