do i have ANY chance at Cornell?

Chance Me / Match Me!
1

<p>hey guys</p>

<p>i'm an indian senior at the American International School of Johannesburg, and I would appreciate any feeback whatsoever on my chances at Cornell’s College of Arts and Sciences.</p>

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<p>Grade 9 (Cairo American College):
GPA = 3.76</p>

<p>Grade 10 (AISJ):
GPA = 3.28 </p>

<p>Grade 11 (AISJ):
weighted GPA = 3.73</p>

<p>Grade 12 (AISJ):
weighted GPA for 1st semester = 3.80</p>

<p>As you can see, my GPA had a HUGE drop in the 10th grade (which I think was mainly due to getting used to new surroundings), but it went back up during the next two years, when I was actually taking the toughest courseload the school offers (International Baccalaureate program). Here's the list of the IB courses I took in my junior and senior years:</p>

<p>IB Standard Level (SL) English A1
IB Higher Level (HL) Math
IB SL Information Technology in a Global Society
IB HL Physics
IB HL Chemistry
IB SL French B
Theory of Knowledge (Pass/Fail Course)</p>

<p>My rank would probably be in the top 10% of my class.</p>

<p>My SAT scores are average - 700M, 670V
SATII - 720 MathIC, 650 Physics, 710 Writing</p>

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<p>Academic Awards:</p>

<p>· Honors Award (Grades 7, 8, 9, 10, 11)
· High Honors Award (Grades 8, 9, 11, 12)
· Humanitarian Award (Grades 6, 9)
· Excellence in Math Award (Grade 8)
· Excellence in Science Award (Grades 6, 8)
· Citizenship Award (Grade 11)</p>

<p>Extracurricular Activities:</p>

<p>· Model United Nations (Delegate in annual The Hague International Conference in January 2005) (Grades 9, 10, 11, 12)
· “El Perional” Newsletter (Editor-in-Chief) (Grades 11, 12)
· Cooking Club (Grades 11, 12)
· International Club (Head of Asia group) (Grade 9)
· ISSEA Sports Tournament Web Page Design Team (Grade 11)
· Participant of Eastern Mediterranean Activities Conference during the Junior Fine Arts Festival (Grade 8)</p>

<p>Volunteer Work:</p>

<p>· Monthly visit to Mabopane Orphanage (Grades 11, 12)
· Monthly visit to Soweto Orphanage (Grades 11, 12)
· Habitat for Humanity (low finance building projects for the underprivileged) (Grades 11, 12)
· “Solah Shringar” Charity (assistance in various charity events; Head of Raffles Committee) (Grades 11, 12)</p>

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<p>For my common app essay, I chose to write on my internationalism – I’m the son of an Indian diplomat, and as a result I’ve lived in 6 countries and been to more than 70. Simply put, I focused on the ability to integrate different cultures into one’s own. Do you think Cornell would find this attractive?</p>

<p>If I were to be accepted into Cornell, I’d probably major in Computer Science with a minor or double major in Economics. So, realistically speaking, I know that Cornell is a reach for me, but do you think its worth applying? Again I’d really appreciate any feedback!</p>

<p>Thanks,
SG</p>

2

<p>ERRORPROOF way to learn your chances!!!!! </p>

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<p>ERRORPROOF way to learn your chances!!!!! </p>

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<p>...
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Apply!!!! And then wait ... All of the feedback from people on messageboards who don't know what they're talking about for the most part will either a) stress you out and intimidate you, which might come through in the application or in an interview or b) inflate your head to the point that you're overconfident when you really shouldn't be, and maybe THAT will come through in the app or interview ... </p>

<p>Anyway my point is that no one is doing themselves any good by asking a bunch of strangers their chances of acceptance when nobody but the adcom knows - and I don't think they're patrolling the boards looking to answer questions about chances... </p>

<p>Just take the risk, apply, cross your fingers and keep hope alive, people. </p>

<p>And a final note - to those who ask their chances before even applying - I'm 100% sure you won't get in unless you APPLY ... so if you even KINDA think you want to go and you can afford to apply (or can get a fee waiver), just go ahead and do it!! </p>

<p>Just my two cents ... Best of luck to you all ...</p>

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<p>First of all, thanks so much for replying</p>

<p>I understand your point, and I agree that I will not find out until I have applied. In fact, I have applied. However, the purpose of my message was to ask those who are relatively experienced in the matter what THEY think of my chances, and as a result, have an idea of how optimistic/pessimistic I should be.</p>

<p>again, thanks for replying</p>