Decent chance for Cornell?

Colleges & Universities A-Z Cornell University
1

<p>Chinese Male (living in HK)
Lived in London for 3 years
Not Applying for Financial Aid </p>

<p>Projected Cumulative GPA (Unweighted) 4.0/4.0</p>

<p>SATs: 2100-2300 (Depending on how much I prep, probably 2200+ if I invest time)</p>

<p>APs (All 5s):
Microeconomics
Macroeconomics
US Government and Politics
Comparative Government and Politics </p>

<p>Calculus BC
Statistics</p>

<p>Biology
Chemistry
Physics B</p>

<p>Chinese Language and Culture</p>

<p>Senior Year APs:
Physics C
Environmental Science
Psychology</p>

<p>Self Study: Multivariable Calculus</p>

<p>Should I self-study APES and AP Psychology and take AP World and AP Human Geo even though I may not get an A in AP World? Should I take AP English if I know I will not get an A or a 5 on the AP Exam?</p>

<p>ECs:
Math and Science Center (Leader - 2 Years)
TA</p>

<p>Sports:
Tennis (Recreational - Twice a week)</p>

<p>Music:
Piano (10 years...dropped Freshman year - Should I include this and just say 10 years?)
Violin (3 years...dropped Freshman year - Should i include this and just say 3 years?)</p>

<p>Service:
NHS
Cheshire Home - Elderly Home for the Disable (Hong Kong Hospital Authority) (Leader)
Z Club (Director - 2 Years)
UNICEF
Heifer (Leader - 1 Year)
Interim (One week long school service trips - incl. India and South Africa)
Teach Elementary School Students English (Bring a class of Freshman) (Leader - 4 years)</p>

<p>Job Experience:
Kumon Instructor (After I completed the program in Freshman year) of English and Mathematics - Twice a week for 3-4 hours each time</p>

<p>Internship:
Summer after Junior year</p>

<p>Awards:
COMAP High School Contest in Mathematical Modeling (National Outstanding)
Mathematics Department Award
Science Department Award
Bausch Lomb Award (Possibly - Partial Scholarship for Rochester University)
Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute Award ("")</p>

<p>AIME...75th Percentile</p>

<p>I think my ECs and awards are VERY weak for top colleges. </p>

<p>What are my chances to Cornell ED and RD?
Where would I place percentile-wise amongst the students accepted to Cornell?</p>

2

<p>Your stats are great. Apply.</p>

<p>If you were a US student I’d say strong candidate RD, VERY strong if ED. Honestly, I don’t know if Cornell has the same criteria for foreign students, similarly, I don’t know how Financial aid works for non-US students (if this is an issue).</p>

<p>ECs are fine.</p>

<p>Percentile – 2100 would put you in the top half. 2300 would put you in the top quarter. 4.0/4.0 unweighted is the maximum, I don’t know what percent maxes out on grades. Since you’re self teaching multivariable calc. I assume you took a rigorous course load.</p>

<p>Overall – definitely apply. You need to talk to some local guidance counselor for a better feel on chances.</p>

3

<p>I think you look like a REALLY well qualified candidate, but I’m not sure how they judge foreign students. Also, I can’t accurately chance you without an SAT/ACT score. Best of luck!</p>

4

<p>Thanks! </p>

<p>I am still slightly concerned about ECs. Are Cornell applicants considerably weaker than HYP? It seems that most HYP applicants are at a national level on at least one thing…</p>

<p>Also, now that H and P are reintroducing an early admissions program, would you think that acceptance rates for early applications for non-HYPS schools go up?</p>

<p>@Zephyr15: By strong candidate, do you mean that I have over 50% chance of getting in? More? Less?</p>

5

<p>Arsenal</p>

<p>I think it’s fair to say that MANY HYP applicants are at a national level at least one thing, not most.</p>

<p>Very Strong -</p>

<p>Cornell’s Common Data Set lists many factors as Very Important. Your record is fantastic in “Rigor of secondary school record”, Academic GPA, and Standardized Test Scores.</p>

<p>Personally, I don’t think your ECs which seem to focus on community service and teaching are weak. But I have no inside information as to how an admissions committee will view this.</p>

<p>Essays and Recommendations are also Very Important to Cornell, and we have no way of knowing what yours will be like (everyone thinks they write good essays and have good recommendations).</p>

<p>I really don’t have much of a basis for providing a percentage chance of acceptance – but I refer you to the following: </p>

<p>[MetaEzra</a> – Cornell Acceptance Rates by SAT Scores](<a href=“http://www.metaezra.com/archive/2010/08/cornell_acceptance_rates_by_sa.shtml]MetaEzra”>MetaEzra -- Cornell Acceptance Rates by SAT Scores)</p>

<p>Essentially, it says that amongst those with CR SAT over 750, about a bit more that 1/3 were accepted. Add perfect grades, and Math in the same range and one would think your chances rise somewhat. This is the only data I’ve seen, though. And I don’t know if it applies at all to non-US citizens. Sorry I can’t be of more help.</p>

<p>Ultimately, it comes down to fit. Definately apply.</p>