I really really want to go to Cornell University, and am considering applying ED in fall.
With a 4.24 W/3.76 UW GPA (atm) and a 35 ACT, should I even bother applying?
I don’t want to apply ED and waste my time and money if my stats are extremely incompetent.
My high school is really competitive; it doesn’t rank but I would estimate to be in the top ~20% at least, if not top 10%.
I have taken an extremely rigorous course load and received decent grades.
If I have decent XC’s, LoR and such, is there a chance I could get into Cornell ED?
Basically, I guess I’m trying to ask, should I apply at all or is it pointless?
And I didn’t include National AP Scholar (hopefully), NM finalist (hopefully), SAT IIs: Math 2 (770, going to retake) and chemistry (720) and AP test scores of: 4 - ap chem, 4- ap world, 5 - ap calc ab, 5 - ap psychology…if these make any difference?
And I am out of state (from California).
Seems like you have good credentials. Why would you retake math at 770 (about 75th percentile) but not chem at 720 (about 63rd percentile)? Do you really wonder if your stats are incompetent or is that a humble boast? What school would you apply to within Cornell?
You are competitive, however Cornell is still a reach. Unfortunately, “decent” extracurriculars are what seem to separate the rejected from the accepted. Personally, I’d apply ED and spend a lot of time working on the essays.
@lostaccount I’ve just always heard that most people get an 800 in math II. I’m afraid I’ll do worse in chem if I retake it, since quite a bit of time has elapsed since I took AP Chem. I really do feel they are incompetent, at least my GPA, but a lot of people on CC have told me they are not, and considering you all are so smart, my confidence has gone up a bit haha. I would apply for a biology major, so either the agriculture and life sciences school or the arts and sciences school.
@asianfang Thank you, and yes, it’s understandable that it’s a reach. I’m definitely trying to get some internships and stuff like that this summer, thank you very much for the input.
Out of all the Ivies, time and time again, Cornell seems to be the most forgiving for slightly less than perfect GPA’s. With a 35 on the ACT, applying ED, I would ABSOLUTELY not rule it out.
“With a 4.24 W/3.76 UW GPA (atm) and a 35 ACT, should I even bother applying?”
“…if my stats are extremely incompetent.”
“I’ve just always heard that most people get an 800 in math II.”
And so on.
Really? How much have you looked into what Cornell itself says? No one can expect to meet the range of what the top schools look for without doing a bit of digging, interpreting and then self evaluating. You have to know what they value in general and in applicants. After all, you’re hoping for a school that likes this level of savvy.
@lookingforward what exactly are you trying to tell me?
…that you don’t seem to have an idea what Cornell looks for, beyond stats. And, even that’s off. Is your major STEM? What have you done? Other questions, too. Before you worry about ED, you should really have an idea of what they look for, how you match, in the first place.
And Cornell varies in competitiveness, depending on the school and some in-state consideration.
@lookingforward Ok…? I clearly started this thread because I’m not an expert on Cornell and their admissions. Instead of being condescending and telling me that I “don’t seem to have an idea what Cornell looks for, beyond stats. And, even that’s off” why don’t you kindly let me know what they ARE looking for? what stats are they looking for? do I match? or at least tell me where I could find this info?
You’re clearly very knowledgeable, so I don’t understand why you can’t use your knowledge to nicely help people who are clearly not as well-versed as you.
You need to look at what Cornell says. It’s part of self matching; after kids somehow decide they like the school, they need a way to gauge if the school will like them. Have you looked at their blogs, what they say about the supplement, what the students they brag about are involved in? Where did you get the idea a 770 math II isn’t good enough?
There’s a comment in one blog article that they want to see applicants have done their homework about the U. That’s what I’m suggesting. Lots of us tell kids who want a tippy top this same thing. It’s not about asking on CC. Try to do this, it will empower you. The goal is your best “whole” application.
@lookingforward Looks like I misunderstood your intent. Thanks for the advice and I’ll definitely try to scrounge around and find what Cornell is saying.
However, I am still tempted to ask your opinion, as people on CC always have valuable opinions…do you think my numbers are competent? 
You have to know they are. But it can matter what you got less than A in. Something related to your major can be an oops. Depends. You need to set aside the anxiety, which just interferes with thinking. And, it’s not a race to have the most APs. but those that show rigor in your possible major and the other cores. It’s also going to matter that you get good AP scores, especially related to the major. These are the ways you build a solid app, stats-wise. Not worrying about retaking a 770. But remember, lots of kids have good stats and it’s the rest of the app where you can create a great impression.
@lookingforward well I plan to major in biology/biochemistry. I got A’s in regular biology and chemistry but B’s in first semester of AP Biology and AP Chemistry (I did get an A second semester, so perhaps that shows an upward trend?) And I did get a 4 on the AP chem exam, and hope to get a 4 or 5 on AP Biology. Do you think this is ok?
I’ll try not to get too anxious. And I’ll focus more on essays, letters of rec, and extracurriculars. Thanks for the help.
