<p>I think you're exactly right; it really seems to be the essay that everything hinges on. While avoiding sounding arrogant, I think my test scores did at least put me in some degree of competition for Cornell, and everyone who read my essay generally said it was insightful, unique, well-written, and interesting. And I end up getting rejected, likely because of an A- GPA or something. It just goes to show you that you never know what may happen.</p>
<p>Also, I just went on www[dot]campuscompare[dot]com[slash]what-are-my-chances/ just for fun and chanced myself for Cornell, and it said "Admissions ace" with my chances very high around 85-95%. My point is these sites are extremely inaccurate, especially for top schools.</p>
<p>Does anyone think I have a chance at other Ivies if I got rejected from Cornell...? I'm thinking not, but I have some friends who are encouraging me, and I think they're just trying to be consoling... Getting into a top school is really important to me, but I feel like my GPA is one of many anchors keeping me from my dreams...</p>
<p>^ Also, you applied to CAS and I know they are very picky over the minutia because their acceptance rate this year will probably be less than 15%, AKA 3 out of 20 applicants are accepted. Once the numbers get that small, a lot of it comes down to the little things. I would suggest you apply to Uchicago and northwestern because they are supreme schools, but they have higher acceptance rates so there are less picky details about your app. Also, you may like Claremont mckenna college out west.</p>
<p>Hey, thanks. That does help put it into perspective. It's just, no matter what the politics behind it, it's always hard to get a letter of rejection...</p>
<p>I think Ivy League is out, but if playhacker ca get in with his stats, then maybe I have a shot at other top schools... Who knows? Maybe luck hasn't completely abandoned me yet...</p>
<p>is GPA really that important?let's say if your unweighted GPA is 3.8 (that's my gpa,i know it's not that good),does your chance automatically decrease???</p>
<p>Well 3.8 is still a good grade, an A. If you had that for awhile and had maintained the score for four years, then you should be really okay with it.</p>
<p>but my gpa in this year may drop a little bit,cuz the courses that im taking this year are a lot more challenging than the courses i took last year......im so scared >:</p>
<p>I think I'm increasingly finding a new respect for the Ivy League for not judging a person based on numbers, but for their own character and demonstrated love of learning. But still, GPA's are quite subjective, and people who are studious tend to get the highest moreso than the ones who are really smart; I've seen several brilliant minds with GPA's similar to my own. If you think you're inadequate in some way, make up for it in some other way. Colleges want to know you as a person, your aspirations for the future, not how much time you spent studying for the SAT (which I thank God for in my case, since I studied for like less than an hour). And never, ever apply to a college because of its prestige. They want students who are not only highly academically capable, but show their dedication and passion to attend that college.</p>
<p>One of the most important things is that it's not over until it's over. Never give up, get discouraged, or think you are incapable because you didn't get accepted somewhere. Your GPA doesn't define you, but you CAN keep on improving it and do better. Prove that you can get straight A's in AP classes, that any obstacles are just challenges to be met and overcome, not something you should crumble up against and give up. Finally, show the admissions team that you have the drive and the dedication, that your interest in academics wasn't so that you could wear a Harvard seater twenty years from now but so that through your interest and intellectual ability you could actually be a great and beneficial member to society.</p>
<p>I'm telling you all this because it's too late for me to start trying harder; I got rejected from Cornell and immediately I was tempted to give up in school because I had failed. It took me all day today to decide that my love of learning was more important to me than going to Cornell, even if I really did want to go super badly. Just remember to show that on your application, and don't let a slightly lower GPA keep you from your dreams.</p>
<p>Good luck on your ambitions, and God Speed with your new found passion for learning. Maybe one day, if you really tried you transfer or attend Graduate School here.</p>
<p>if you didnt get into Cornell................SCREW EM. They missed one hell of a student. Wherever you go and whatever you do, let this be motivation. Go on to have extreme success and make them feel stupid. Its all you can really do now anyway.</p>
<p>FireAdept24, you seem like a great person. I think any school would be lucky to have you and it's unfortunate Cornell didn't. I am a firm believer that everything happens for a reason and hopefully this will give you insight that you belong at a school of high caliber and Cornell just may not be the one for you. I hope that you do not give up or feel let down by it and instead channel your energy into another great school, even another Ivy League. Good luck :)</p>
<p>Hey, thanks a lot for the support guys. Truly, I mean it. This board was like a family for me for the short while I was on, and I regret that I won't be able to linger here much longer. I'm looking ahead for the future, and doing my best to learn from my past and do better, not sulk. I am looking into other great schools, but personally I doubt I'll get into them. But whatever school I end up going to, even if it's a community college, let me make a promise to you guys and to myself right now: I'm going to try my best, no matter what. If I do someday become a doctor, it won't matter what undergrad school I went to, anyway. For me, I thought Cornell was the end, but now I realize it is only the beginning.</p>
<p>For one last time, congratulations to all of you who were accepted (especially you, playhacker!), and for those who didn't, congratulations for being such high-achieving, successful students. It's a bitter goodbye for me, but a great future lies ahead for all of you, and I hope that I may someday join that group. You guys are really amazing, and I have a deep admiration and respect for not only your academic abilities, but also for who you all are as individuals, regardless of how your Cornell decision turned out. My best wishes go out for all of you that you may find extreme happiness and success later on down the road. Thanks for the memories!</p>
<p>You have a 1340.
Your acceptance at Cornell is believable even with your scores, good job!
Cornell's 25th percentile is 1290.
Yet again, congratulations! :D</p>
<p>ya i'm just a little discouraged, i have a 3.9 GPA, 30 ACT, Eagle Scout, Varsity Rowing Captain for 4 years, Manager at a General Nutrition Center for 3 years, tons of clubs, tutoring, NHS, great essays and interview, blah blah blah</p>
<p>and still got rejected, not even deferred</p>
<p>i feel like i have to re-evaluate my college choices now =/</p>
<p>
[quote]
ya i'm just a little discouraged, i have a 3.9 GPA, 30 ACT, Eagle Scout, Varsity Rowing Captain for 4 years, Manager at a General Nutrition Center for 3 years, tons of clubs, tutoring, NHS, great essays and interview, blah blah blah</p>
<p>and still got rejected, not even deferred</p>
<p>i feel like i have to re-evaluate my college choices now =/
[/quote]
</p>
<p>I've applied to college and med school both times with awesome stats and neither time did I get into my top choice or even my top 3 choices. Not for college. Not for med school. Maybe it was bad luck. Maybe the rest of my app wasn't that good. But, I've ended up having great experiences both in college and in grad school. Unless you are extremely fastidious, there will be many colleges at which you will be happy. I've found that it's best to move forward and have an open mind towards other options rather than get hung up on one rejection. Good luck with your other applications!</p>