Cornell University CALS Chances

<p>Hey, I'm a freshman applying for sophomore transfer to the Biometry and Statistics program at Cornell CALS. I was wondering what my chances were, so any helpful input would be appreciated. Here goes:
[ b]Objective:[ /b][ list]
[ *] SAT I (breakdown):2300 (780M 760 CR 760 W)
[ *] ACT: N/A
[ *] SAT II:800 Math II, 700 US History, 680 Biology
[ *] Unweighted GPA (out of 4.0):3.42 College GPA (took twenty credits first term, twenty credits again this term, first term classes Bio, Chem, Calc, English, Biblical history, this term's classes 400 level bio class, calc II, CHem II, Stat, English, midterm report GPA 3.86), 83.5 average at top NYC public school (bx sci)
[ *] Rank (percentile if rank is unavailable):N/A
[ *] AP (place score in parenthesis):AP Bio 4 AP Calc AB 3 AP US History 4 AP Comparative Govt 4
[ *] IB (place score in parenthesis):</p>

<p>[ /list][ b]Subjective:[ /b][ list]
[ *] Extracurriculars (place leadership in parenthesis):lots and lots of research experience, research at Columbia summer after junior year, research at AMNH all of senior year, and research at current university since beginning of freshman year, i have other more generic positions at clubs too
[ *] Job/Work Experience:worked at the library summer after sophomore year, worked at a Law office summer after senior year
[ *] Volunteer/Community service:
[ *] Summer Activities:research</p>

<p>[ /list][ b]Other[ /b][ list]
[ *] Applied for Financial Aid?:Yup
[ *] Intended Major:Biometry and Statistics
[ *] State (if domestic applicant):NY
[ *] Country (if international applicant):USA
[ *] School Type:large public university
[ *] Ethnicity:Bengali
[ *] Hooks (URM, first generation college, etc.):(research, first generation college?)
[ *] Reason for transferring:hate my school
Awards?
New York City Science and Engineering Fair (NYCSEF) Finalist
2nd Place Award in the Animal Sciences Division of the NYCSEF
3rd Place Award from the Humane Education Committee
National Geo-science Teachers Association Award for Exemplary Research Project
American Invitational Mathematics Examination (AIME) Qualifier
-awarded to top five percent of scorers in the American Mathematics Competition
AP Scholar with Honors Distinction
National Merit Commended Student
National Latin Honor Society
AMC 12 Score: 114
AIME Score: 5</p>

<p>I have some other stuff too, I included a recommendation from my professor who I conduct research with, another recommendation from my AMNH internship, and yeah that's about it I guess. I'm really worried about transfer admission, honestly my major reason is because of Financial Aid, I have to pay around 18K a year for a state university, my sister got into princeton this year and has to pay around 3K a year, obviously that's not what I wrote in my essays for reasons for transfer (I think my essays were pretty good, but don't we all?)</p>

<p>bump anyone?</p>

<p>shameless bump!!</p>

<p>Looks pretty solid. The only problem I have with ur stats is ur GPA. Also, ur reason for transfer has to be beyond just hating ur school. I think that is pretty much assume. Write something deep and meaningful to u and how that is best fit at Cornell CALS. CALS is a fit school. So make sure u look at their mission statement and try to convey those mission of statement in ur essays. I think it looks pretty good overall but the college GPA and high school GPA concerns me a little bit! I think for biometry and stats u need a 3.5 to be competitive though. So I hope ur essay is outstanding and portrays why CALS is best fit for u and what u can bring to campus.</p>

<p>Thanks dragon! I didn’t write about how I hated my school, I wrote about the various research opportunities at Cornell CALS and about the school itself and why it’s a fit for me, the reason my GPA was so low was because I was taking twenty credits last semester and it was a bit much
Thanks for replying tho :)</p>

<p>I transfered into Biometry & Statistics with no problem. I heard back super quick and talked to some people that made it sound like I was guaranteed acceptance. Your SAT’s are a little better then mine (800M 700CR 680W) but my GPA owned yours (3.93/4.0) and I had calc 1, 2, 3, stats and linear algebra. Also, your extracurriculars are pretty much WORTHLESS unless they fit your overall goal. The real finisher was my essay; this is HUGE to CALS. Here is my biggest piece of advice:</p>

<p>Make everything fit into a tight picture i.e. I founded a math club, participated in math competitions, took tons of math & science, wrote about how I love to think quantitatively etc. So the admissions committee was like “Ok, no question this is the right major for him”… CALS wants you to FIT YOUR MAJOR more than anything.</p>

<p>Overall, yeah you have a good shot; make up for your GPA with your essay. If you need guidance I will email you mine: <a href=“mailto:cdg63@cornell.edu”>cdg63@cornell.edu</a></p>

<p>Good Luck!</p>