Dilemma for a Cornell hopeful!

Colleges and Universities A-Z Cornell University
1

<p>Hi there, I've been browsing this site for some time and now I'm gonna ask my own questions.
This isn't so much a CHANCE ME per say... It's more of a NEED ADVICE question. I guess I'll give my info anyways even though it doesn't directly relate to my dilemma.</p>

<p>From Canada, Class of 2013
-Top 5% in grade, 95% average, 4.0 GPA for highschool (so far... i hear senior year is really hard hahaha)
-I'm in my junior year, Gr.11 in Canada.
-I love sports, especially ultimate frisbee. I've gone to the Canadian national competition representing my province for 3 years now and captained a team or two. I'm also on the school teams for basketball and volleyball.
-Have some debating experience, I've won a couple awards at Model United Nations, which is a kind of simulation debate.
-I volunteer at my church a lot, haven't really collected my hours but will be 100+ by application time. Also other volunteer experience, I organized a global warming conference for 300 elementary school kids in Grade 9.
-I'm on the student council at school, my post is called Public Relations. That's probably another 100 hours of volunteer.
-I'm fluent in Mandarin chinese and reasonably well in French too.
-I've been working on my portfolio for a couple months now. I've been taking art class since I was 7. I'm an avid photographer too, but my artistic strength lies in my drawing/painting skill and creativity. I'm confident in it.
-I play the violin, guitar, and drums</p>

<p>I'm taking the SAT 1 in January and I'm expecting (not just guessing hahaha i'm projecting from my current practice tests) around 2300 give or take 50. Almost definately to be higher than 2200 though. I'm taking the SAT 2 math and physics later during the year. </p>

<p>Now here's my issue. I am currently taking Math 11 which is a pre-requisite to Math 12 and AP Calculus at my school. In my current academic plan, I will take AP Calculus, AP Physics, and AP Pyschology in grade.12.(senior year)</p>

<p>The reason I could not have taken these courses earlier is I'm enrolled in a special program called the Mini program at my school. I take courses with a group of 30 like-minded individuals and all of our academic courses are enriched and we delve a lot deeper and participate in a lot more hands-on learning. For example, in Gr.10 we traveled to the Ashland shakespere festival in Oregon and watched many modern and classic plays, and in Gr.9 we spent a week at a marine biology research doing experiments out at sea.</p>

<p>A requirement of my program is that students may not advance in math or science until after their sophomore year. This meant that this is the first year that I have been able to take math and science courses at my own pace. My dream is to enrol in the Architecture program at Cornell. Their requirements say that 1 year of Calculus is recommended, so I thought that I would be okay with my current plan. But now, many of my peers have been saying that Ivy Leagues are very interested in your AP exam marks and the fact that I won't have any for my application hinders me a lot. </p>

<p>So I am faced with 2 choices: 1. Continue as I am and finish AP calc in grade 12.</p>

<p>or </p>

<ol>
<li>Do 3 years of math in 3 months and take the AP exam in May.</li>
</ol>

<p>The latter would require most of my time from february til May, which means a lot more added stress and a lot less sleep. But I like math and I'm a hard worker, so I believe if I chose to I could do it.</p>

<p>I guess what I'm really asking is whether or not it's worth it to sacrifice my time and sanity in order to get this one edge in my application. Also if you want, go ahead and give me some feedback on how good my chances are or if I have any chance at all.</p>

<p>Thank you so much for reading! =)</p>

2

<p>Given the structure of your school they will not hold it against you that you won’t have AP scores until after admission. Can’t say about Archetecure but AP scores are rarely considered inn admissions. Taking the most rigorous classes available at your school (and getting good grades in them) is most important</p>

3

<p>My S was admitted ED and he is in the same boat as you - his school did not offer AP until senior year (he’s taking 4 now, including Calculus). As csdad noted, Cornell just wants to see that you are taking the most challenging courses available to you. We were told that the admissions office has a good idea of what each high school offers.</p>

4

<p>I would go for the option for AP Calc senior year. That you’re on track to take AP Calc is much more important than actually having admissions see your score.</p>

5

<p>Thanks so much for all the input. I really value the advice. I really hope this is the case because I feel like having a good portfolio and being able pursue my other interests further in these 3 months is important too. If anyone else has anything to say, in agreement with csdad or for the AP rush idea, please do! </p>

<p>Congratulations proudnjdad on your son’s admission too.</p>

6

<p>hi phranc!
i’m from canada too (recent cornell arch ed admit). though i did do my AP calc in grade 11 (i come from a specialized math and science program), i really don’t think it made any difference towards my admission. i also often hear that it’s not counted towards admission but rather, after admission (for ap credits and such). </p>

<p>your stats look good, and of course your projected sat scores.
since you’ll be applying for architecture, the only thing to worry about now is your portfolio!</p>

<p>message me if you have any questions! :slight_smile: where are you at in canada, out of curiosity?</p>

7

<p>hey greenteapalace, thanks a lot. It’s nice to hear it from someone who’s gone through the process. It seems the general consensus is that it would be better just for me to take my AP’s in grade 12. I think this would mean a better Math 12 mark too. Yeah, I’m working hard away at my portfolio, hopefully it turns out well.</p>

<p>I’m from Vancouver! What about you?</p>

8

<p>ah, vancouver! i’m from toronto :slight_smile:
i’m sure you’ll do great! good luck!</p>

9

<p>Take AP Calculus senior year. Even without the AP score, you will have the first and possibly second quarter grades (if you apply regular), which you should send to Cornell if you are doing very well in AP Calculus. Those grades will be enough to convince the adcoms of your competency in calculus.</p>

10

<p>Sweet! Thanks for the advice cortana. I’ll probably apply early to Cornell though, I guess they just won’t have my AP calc mark. Should I make sure to do very well in Math 12?</p>