Cornell Engineering ED - What Are my Chances?

Colleges and Universities A-Z Cornell University
1

I’m applying to Cornell’s College of Engineering Early Decision.
I’m also applying to RPI, WPI, Purdue, Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology, UIUC, Princeton, Rutgers-New Brunswick, USMA, USAFA, Lehigh, and others.

My intended major is pretty uncommon, so that may help me?

I have a 4.04 unweighted GPA (out of 4.3), 4.49 weighted.
PSAT10: 1480
PSAT11: 1470
SAT (new): 1570 (800M, 770ERW); Essay: 5, 6 ,5
ACT: 35 (36E, 35M, 36R, 34S); Essay: 8/12
School doesn’t rank.

SAT 2s:
Chemistry - 800
Biology E - 710
Math 2 - 800
Physics - 800
German - 610

APs:
AP Chemistry (5)
AP Calculus BC (5)
AP Physics C: Mechanics (5)
AP Physics C: E & M (5)
AP Computer Science A (5)
AP English Language & Composition (5)

Will take in Senior year:
AP Psychology
AP Economics (Macro and Micro)
AP German
AP Statistics
AP Literature

School Activities/recognition
I received the German award in my school, am a member of the German honors society, and participated in a student exchange program.

I am a member of the NHS, did FIRST FRC Robotics for 2 years, and went to world championships both times (very very strong and internationally known team).

I play the saxophone, clarinet, trombone, and piano recreationally and for school.

I play in our jazz band, will have been a member of the marching band for all 4 years, and gotten an A+ in Honors Wind Ensemble freshman year.

I was top in my school in the Merck State Science Day competition for Chemistry, and 65th in the state.

I was have been Secretary and Vice President of Environmental Club, and am currently President

I was one of the two nominees in my school for my state’s Governor’s School for Sciences, but did not get in.

Attended Summer Leader’s Experience at West Point

Likely National Merit Commended (221)

AP Scholar with Distinction

Sports:
I began running track as a sophomore, got a JV letter for winter, and made it to Varsity in Spring
As a junior, I ran varsity cross country, varsity winter track, then got a serious injury that prevented me from finishing my spring season and Senior xc season.

Volunteering:
I regularly volunteer at my local soup kitchen

I occasionally volunteer at our state university’s gardens.

I am a member of the Youth Council for my town’s Parks and Recreation Department, where we help set up and host community events.

I volunteered at a Developmental Center for geriatric physically and mentally disabled patients in the IT department.

Camp Counselor/teacher at Elementary School Summer Music Camp - taught 4th graders to play the saxophone for the first time

Peer Tutor during lunch

Essay:
I think it’s pretty good and tells a strong stong story about myself. It’s not quirky, but that’s due to heavy subject matter.

Supplemental documents include a rap album I wrote myself.

2

bump

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May I ask what is your ethnicity and sex. If you are non asian or female, you have a strong chance of getting in Engineering. The overall male acceptance rate to Engineering is less than 10% while female is beyond 20%. Your stats are solid and have good ECs. However, more of your ECs should be pointed towards what you want to study. I would say you have a very good shot.

4

Yeah last year the acceptance rate for males was 8.04%.

Unfortunately, I am both Asian and male 8-X

5

You have a great chance and I would honestly bet you on getting in.
However, I have seen many profiles (Asian males) like yours accepted and many profiles like yours rejected. I guess it could go either way as this is an Ivy (You seem unique though, I like that rap album lol) Only thing you can really do now is write good essays to differentiate yourself more. This application process is entirely random and don’t fret over whether you get in or not, just try your best. I was rejected ED last year, having similar stats, leadership, volunteering, non asian ECs, 10 APs, and several Cornell students who I messaged to all said they were almost sure I would get in. Honestly, just try your best and don’t fret it if you don’t get in. I am at a top 30 school now after applying ED2 and loving it and I know Cornell ED rejects who got ED2/RD into UChicago, Brown, Duke,…etc.

6

Ah well, can’t do anything but hope for the best and maybe get into my second and third choice school.
Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology is second on my list, and is significantly easier to get into.

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@Bjklw2a Where can I find this type of information - overall male versus female acceptance rates for Engineering? Is it available for other schools besides Cornell too?

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low target to safety – you’re getting in.

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@RJCL1514 for Cornell, you can see applied, accepted, and enrolled for each college within Cornell and you can view both genders together, or you can filter it to see admissions data by gender. Here’s the data: http://irp.dpb.cornell.edu/tableau_visual/admissions

Haven’t found something this thorough for other schools, though. This table also doesn’t show the acceptance rate by race…

One thing to consider is that tech schools, especially with close to equal male:female ratios, have a significantly higher acceptance rate for females, while liberal arts schools (sometimes) have a higher acceptance rate for males.

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Wow those are pretty grim statistics for a male applying for engineering. My son is going to ED next year and it really doesn’t sound hopeful. I’m guessing the ED rate will be somewhat higher though. My daughter had the benefit of those stats last yea,r but her brother is on the opposite end of it now.

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@datboi17 thank you. Very interesting.

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I ended up getting in! \m/

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good luck to everyone