Do I even have a chance? Low GPA, Decent Test Scores

Colleges and Universities A-Z Cornell University
1

<p>Hello, it's the summer and I'm already starting to write application essays and getting a bit nervous. Wanna help calm my nerves and give me a chance? Thanks in advance!</p>

<p>Cali/Male/Asian</p>

<p>1st generation to go to college in USA
born outside USA
One of the most competitive schools in Cali (1H, 1Y, 1P, 2S this year, 6-7 to each UC, 1UPenn, 1JHU, 1Cornell)
Top 10%</p>

<p>GPA: ~3.61 UW & ~4.045 W (10th-11th) Does Cornell include 9th or 1st semes. of 12th?
SAT: Superscore 2180; 2100 (640CR, 720W, 740M), 2100 (600CR, 720W, 780M) ,retaking for 2250+</p>

<p>SAT II: MathIIc 800, Phys 750 (retaking), Bio (pending)
APs: Calc BC (5), Calc AB Subscore (5), Eng Lang. (3), Phys Mech (3), Phys E&M (3), World History (3)</p>

<p>Frosh: HGeometry, HGlobal Studies, Bio
Summer: H Alg 2. @ CC
Sopho: AP World, H Eng, H Pre Calc, Chem, Phys
Summer: H US History @ CC
Junior: AP Calc BC, AP Phys C, AP Eng Lang
Senior: AP Bio, AP Stat, AP CS, AP Gov&MacroEcon, AP Eng Lit</p>

<p>ECs: Piano - 7yrs, Marching Band - 4yrs (Instrument for 6yrs), Bio-related Research Internship - current summer, Siemens/Intel - (pending), Local Science Fair - (pending), Math Club - 4yrs, Riddle Club - 2yrs (President)</p>

<p>Wanting to apply Bio Engineering
I will most likely be applying ED but what are my chances with ED & without?</p>

<p>Thanks!</p>

2

<p>I think with amazing essays and recs..and ED you shall be admittied.. but don't take my word.. because engineering schools are usually tough and I've seen so many people wrong about people's chances on CC. But good luck man!
One question though...have you won any awards, possibly in math and/or in music which seems to be the focus of your ECs?</p>

3

<p>Unfortunately I haven't won any awards in math. </p>

<p>As for piano, I haven't won any awards since I moved to Cali because I haven't had time to find a good teacher and competition program yet. I'm just doing freelance playing right now and doing a little singing and guitar with it for fun. However, I was finalist w/ honors every year back in Minnesota with the music program MMTA - have many trophies/medals. I had time to finish the program at the final level before I moved here.</p>

<p>I don't really have anything special for band - just first chair player at our school's top band (tryout necessary) but I don't think that counts for much.</p>

<p>BioE is more science-related so I'm trying to win something at Siemens as well as a local Science fair but as of now, I don't have any science awards.</p>

<p>OH and I almost forgot to mention. I love doing Web-design. I currently own a small commercial business for both designing and hosting. I also have a volunteer web design program for non-profit organizations. Some organizations I've designed for include my school's PTSA, band, teachers, a local Chinese school, a Perinatal Council, and an SAT prep center. I'll probably emphasize this along with my internship for my essays.</p>

<p>I have many volunteer hours at a thrift store, city museum, and chinese school</p>

4

<p>To the best of my knowledge, I don't think your background as an Asian immigrant will help you. You seemed to imply that it would be beneficial.</p>

<p>"1st generation to go to college in USA"
-I don't think this matters.... I believe first generation status is only obtained if no parents have gone to ANY college. If someone's mom attended Oxford but not Iowa State, I doubt anyone's going to sympathize.. If I were you, I would not put down first generation status on an app.</p>

<p>"born outside USA"
-This will also probably not help you, it may even be detrimental as there is a disproportionally high number of excellent Asian born students whose seem strongest in math and science. </p>

<p>SAT and SAT II scores look fine, uw GPA is a just a bit low, ECs and volunteering seem good..... so yes I'd have to agree that good essays and recs would give you a good shot.</p>

5

<p>Yeah, I didn't really expect being an Asian immigrant to help either >_>. Just put it there in case it did</p>

<p>"SAT scores look fine" - do you mean my current 2180 superscore or a retake of 2250?</p>

<p>I really didn't think my ECs were that great - which ones do you think stand out?</p>

<p>My recs will be quite good but my essay will probably only be above-avg and not stellar.</p>

<p>Cornell is my #1 choice but I think it may be too much of a reach for me. Do you think it would be wiser of me to apply ED to another school, still BioE (I'm thinking maybe Duke, UIUC, NWestern, Carnegie Mellon?)</p>

<p>And since no one has requested my 9th-11th GPA, I'm assuming Cornell only looks at 10th-11th?</p>

<p>Thanks for the replies everyone. Hoping to get some more!</p>

6

<p>no im pretty sure Cornell counts 9th grade....i think princeton is the only Ivy that discards 9th grade</p>

7

<p>the whole thing about asian immigrant was a bit rude and presumptuous IMHO...</p>

<p>cornell is also influenced by your high school's profile, how many asians go there and what are the SAT scores of students...</p>

<p>if you are competitive compared to other students in your class you will do fine! </p>

<p>and as for the immigration issue...Cornell only gets the cream of the crop from Asian countries...USA gets the kids whose parents had to immigrate because of financial/freedom issues and their kids are not always expected to do well here!</p>

8

<p>Well your superscored 1420/1600 is above average for Cornell and if you really do think you will get 2250 then all the better.</p>

<p>I thought your dedication to website design and owning a business for that was pretty good though I personally don't know how difficult or time consuming that would be. It sounds like you have a commendable number of hours volunteering as well. Your music awards sound nice and perhaps you could explain your difficulties with moving on an essay.</p>

<p>"the whole thing about asian immigrant was a bit rude and presumptuous IMHO..."
-Well I'm sorry if I've offended anyone but I was just giving honest input on something he hoped would confer some advantage. It's no secret that Asian immigrant applicants are usually more hurt by affirmative action and diversity goals than helped- especially in a science or math field where Asians are statistically overrepresented.</p>

9

<p>I'm not offended at all. I like honest criticism much better than useless bs.</p>

<p>So do you think it would be wiser of me to apply ED to another school, still BioE (I'm thinking maybe Duke, UIUC, NWestern, Carnegie Mellon?) that I may have a better shot at?</p>

<p>Also, how does my app look in terms of Match, Slight-Reach, Reach, etc. for both ED and without?</p>

10

<p>I think you're a match for Carnegie Mellon, probably in if ED</p>

<p>Duke will probably be a reach ED or not</p>

<p>I think you'd be a match for UIUC but about 90% of their students are from instate... not sure how much instate residency matters here in admissions though</p>

<p>Northwestern is as difficult if not harder than Cornell- though their ED acceptance rate is about 44%. I'd say slight reach here.</p>

<p>But I'm just guessing here and am no expert.</p>

11

<p>my stats were worse than those and i got in and im asian too</p>

12

<p>Your breadth of interests is impressive. Show your passion(s) on your application and go ED for the school you want most. I think you are in great shape.</p>

13

<p>Thanks!</p>

<p>Other opinions please?</p>