Do I have any chance?

Colleges and Universities A-Z Cornell University
1

<p>I will be applying ED this fall and I'm wondering if I honestly have any chance. I will be upstate to look at other colleges, and I'm not sure I should even bother looking at Cornell. I don't want to waste gas, my time, and their time.</p>

<p>I'm not sure if this is considered extenuating circumstances: My entire junior year I struggled w/ clinical depression and side effects from meds. I don't want to sound like I'm making an excuse, but it really affected me to the point where I couldn't get out of bed or make it through the school day w/o puking from the meds. I shared a lot of what was happening w/ one of the teachers I am getting a recommendation from, and they are definitely bringing it up in their letter. Anyway, it is evident from my transcript that this is the point where all the As went to Bs and my GPA became this horrible mess below.</p>

<p>Caucasian female, public high school in NY</p>

<p>GPA: 3.65 (will 1st quarter senior grades calculate into my GPA? I really plan on getting all As my first quarter no matter what, I don't care if I die in the process)
Rank: Top 11% of class
AP Classes so far: AP World (4), AP US
Senior Year: AP Studio Art, AP Gov, AP Environmental, AP Lit, Precalc H, College Economics H, French 4
SAT: I find out this Thursday, but from reading the answer threads here I think I got at least a 2100. I can edit this on Thursday
SAT Subjects: Taking in October, US History and French (Idk about US History but French is my best subject. I am thinking about taking the Literature SAT II instead. Strangely enough, I love reading and my CR scores on the SAT are low, and I hate math and my math scores are always the best. Advice from anyone who has taken the Lit test?)
ACT: Taking in September if my SAT score isn't as good as I think it is
Other tests: They probably don't take Regents exams into account since they are only state-wide, but they are on my transcript and pretty good, lowest grade is an 85 and highest so far is a 98. You need an 85 average for "mastery level".
Extracurriculars: National French Honor Society (club is inactive, I am planning on making it active in September if it kills me), National Art Honor Society, Art Club. I am planning on starting a vegetarian club this September if I can find a supervisor, not really for college, just b/c I want to do it.
Volunteering: Two different animal shelters for over a year each. It doesn't seem like a lot but my mom and I are very involved. I am extremely passionate about animal rights.
Awards: Ranked 11 in my region in the National French Contests 2007, ranked 14 in my region 2008
Essay: Planning on writing about my trip to China, vegetarianism or something about one of my favorite authors. Maybe cliche, but they are actually really important to me. I was going to write about the whole depression thing, but I don't want to focus on the negative, and I don't want it to define me.
Other college classes: I've taken two classes offered at my school that offer college credit from Long Island University CW Post. I am also enrolling in Stony Brook University's Young Scholars Program so I can take a philosophy class this fall after school. Hopefully this proves I can handle college work despite my low GPA.</p>

<p>Thank you SO MUCH for reading all this and offering any opinions!</p>

2

<p>Your UW GPA is basically what I had, and I got in. But I did take a lot of AP courses.</p>

<p>And no, I don't think that your first semester grades count, but if you do apply ED, and you don't get in, there's a good chance you will get deferred to regular decision, where they will count. So do try to make all A's, it will make a huge difference.</p>

<p>Also, you say you are from NY, which is a good thing, are you planning to apply to CALS? NY CALS applicants have a better shot than NY applicants in any other College.</p>

<p>But all in all, you seem like a solid applicant. Do not ever discourage yourself from applying to Cornell, you have as good a shot as any.</p>

<p>Another Tip. If you DO apply to CALS and show in your essays a passion for animal rights, that could be a huge bonus, as CALS loves applicants with a passion for agri/animals/quirky things.</p>

3

<p>Thanks so much for your reply! I actually was going to apply to CALS for animal science or sociology, and the pre-vet "program" looks great. I didn't know NY applicants had a better shot there, so that's great to know. </p>

<p>The only thing I am worried about is the admissions requirements for CALS recommends SAT IIs in science and math, and mine will probably be in French/history/literature.</p>

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<p>basically if they RECOMMEND it, it means you should do it. at least take the math Ic</p>

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<p>If you are so worried, try doing a bunch of practice SAT II's. Either buy the practice book, or go and check out a bunch of books (That's what I did, from my school library).</p>

<p>But if you are trying for something Science related, try to make sure Cornell knows you can handle a rigorous science based curriculum.</p>

<p>And not only do NY Residents have a better chance, because CALS is a contract college, tuition costs less for NY residents.</p>