Cornell Engineering RD?

Chance Me / Match Me!
1

Alright, white male, high income, from Los Angeles CA, Harvard-Westlake high school (so kinda prestigious).

GPA:

9th 3.54
10th 3.50
11th 3.95
12th 4.6
Cumulative 3.82

SAT: 2280: Math 800 Reading 740 Writing 740

SAT II: Math 740 Chem 770 USH 720

AP:
Phys 1: 5

Span Lang: 4

Microeconomics

Macroeconomics

APES

Phys C: Mech

English Lang

Calc BC

Extracurriculars:

NSLC engineering conference, with college credit class from American University

Cello since 5th grade, was in school orchestra but left after grade 10

Robotics team in 11th grade

Shadowed engineer at local firm

Some volunteer work but not a huge amount, probably some 50 or 60 hours throughout high school

Study Icelandic, Norwegian, and Russian independently

National Spanish honor society

National Academy of Future Scientists and Technologists Award of Excellence

Chemical engineering research project in senior year (synthetic fuels)

Coastal Marine Biolabs research program

Recommendation letters: Physics teacher and history teacher, both probably very good.

Essay: Common app probably pretty good, supplement very good, very focused on prospective major (civil eng.)

I know my cumulative GPA is not perfect, but 11th and 12th grade are substantially better than the previous two.

What would you say my chances are with regular decision? I regret not doing early, but I didn’t have a definite first choice at the time.

2

RD would be really difficult (ED/EA rates are higher for all ivies).That said, I am in a similar position (chance me back if you so chose :wink: ), in that I also screwed up the first two years of HS and I’m working to compensate for that now. Placing an emphasis on improvement in essays and rec letters would certainly help. Assuming you submitted everything, your outstanding SAT score might get you wait-listed, so you could write them a very con vicing letter at that point that would push you over the top into acceptance. Good luck!

3

Probably not happening with that GPA. And contrary to what the above poster said, while a 2280 is an outstanding score, it’s not outstanding for Cornell, though it’s above average. The SAT does not make one get waitlisted. You’re applying to an extremely competitive program. It’s possible, but unlikely as RD is so competitive. But honestly, there isn’t anything you can do at this point. You’ll find out in a month.

4

Thanks! Hopefully my counselor’s rec letter can convince them that they’re admitting 12th grade me, not 10th grade me! Anyway good luck!

5

Well said! @Paulbrevik I guess I didn’t account for the fact that it was engineering you’re applying to…