Early decision chances for next year?

Colleges and Universities A-Z Cornell University
1

<p>Put this in the chances forum and didn't get too many responses. As my focus has narrowed on applying to cornell early decision next year, I'd like to hear what some current students think about my resume.</p>

<p>Currently attend a highly-competitive, prestigious private high school in Texas. I'm a junior but I'm putting some stuff on here I know I will be involved with senior year.</p>

<p>Stats:
Full tuition merit scholarship to high school
PSAT: 202 sophomore year, 210 junior year (National Semifinalist)
SAT: 2120 (730 CR, 720 M, 670 WR) - plan to take again over summer, hope to get over 2200
No class rankings provided by school
GPA: 3.78/4.00 UW (school does not weight); Mostly A/A-, few B+s, nothing below a B+
APs (so far):
Soph. year - AP Art History (5), AP World History (5)
Jr year - AP US History (probably 4 or 5), and AP Comp Sci (probably 4 or a 5)
Senior year - probably will take 4 APs including either calc AB or statistics, Environmental Science, Human Geography, Economics</p>

<p>In addition, good number of honors courses throughout high school.</p>

<p>Extracurricular/Awards (I think, my strong point):
Freshman/JV Basketball (9)
Varsity Volleyball (10-12) (captain junior/senior year)
Varsity Lacrosse (9-12) (captain junior/senior year), All Conference Team Junior Year
Summer Club lacrosse team (9-11)
Student Council Representative (11)
Class Vice President (12)
Secretary of Guitar Club (9, 10)
VP of Photography Club (11, 12)
Community Service Club (9-12)
Mock Government (9-12)
Student Ambassador Program (9-12)</p>

<p>National Spanish Exam Bronze Award (75th percentile, 9) and Silver Award (85th percentile, 10)</p>

<p>National Presidential Bronze Service Award (100+ hours/year, grades 10, 11, 12); total hours probably over 300 by end of junior year, mostly done through local church/school opportunities</p>

<p>Work Experience:
-Summer between 9/10 grade, worked 4 days/wk for a 4 hour shift at a coffee shop for about two months</p>

<p>-Lifeguarding @ jewish community center summer between junior/senior year</p>

<p>-Intern in Intensive Care Unit at local teaching hospital summer between junior/senior year</p>

<p>-overall 300+ hours of community service</p>

<p>Male, caucasian, decent-income family, no legacies to colleges I'm interested in.
Thanks for your time!</p>

<p>EDIT: Will apply to CAS.</p>

2

<p>I would suggest the AB calculus over statistics for any college you’re applying to…</p>

<p>I also think you look strong! Will you go for Arts and Sciences? Which college you apply to will make a difference. Word HARD on your essays this summer - both the common app one and the one on the Cornell supplement. Do your research about why Cornell is for you…</p>

<p>My son is the same demographic as you, but we are from Virginia - he got into Cornell engineering ED.</p>

3

<p>thanks for the advice and input! i will be applying to CAS. congrats to your son</p>

4

<p>In my opinion, I think you have a really great shot at ED. Our college counselor told my son to apply early and his SAT’s were not as high as yours. His grades were a little higher. Your leadership and involvement is strong and my guess is that your recommendations will be great. My son showed great insight into his character in his essay by using a situation at his boarding school. I think that was one of the things that pushed him over the top. Did I see SAT 2’s on your list? CAS requires a couple of those, I believe. Really, I can’t stress enough - spend time on the essays and have people with knowledge of college admissions edit them with you. When all the applicants look the same in terms of numbers, something needs to make you stand out. Texas is one of those things, but you need to make a strong case for yourself as an individual.</p>

5

<p>1450/1600 puts you in decent shape for standardized tests, but if you are unhooked I would go for 1480+/1600 for CAS.</p>

<p>I’m not sure where you stand in the class, but if your high school has done well with Cornell in the past and you have similar GPA/rigor to the people who were admitted, then you have a decent chance (an A-/B+ average in honors/AP level classes at my high school would be on the low side to get into CAS, but your high school may have a tougher grading system.)</p>

6

<p>Thanks again. I plan to take the SATII for Math2 and APUSH, as well as Spanish (4 years of the language). I typically write pretty good essays and have already thinking about my common app topic.</p>

7

<p>Your chances look strong. Get that SAT up, if you can. Be sure to emphasize in your essays why Cornell is the school for you, and how you plan to take advantage of the school’s opportunities as well as contribute to its atmosphere (in as detailed a manner as possible). </p>

<p>Good luck.</p>