<p>i know it doesn't really matter, because i'm applying anyway, but i was just curious if it's easier or harder to get in if you're from new york.</p>
<p>admissions has stated numerous times that it wont help you nor hurt you. This wasn't true for the contract collges back at one point (in the 50's), though.</p>
<p>It's still true for the contract colleges. New York residents have an advantage over non-residents in the admissions process. This isn't to say that the New York applicant pool isn't very competitive -- quite the contrary. But New York resident applicants do have an inherent advantage over applicants from other states in the admissions process.</p>
<p>huge advantage.</p>
<p>no, they don't.</p>
<p>i work in admissions for a contract college.<br>
in fact, there's so many NY state residents, they're trying to draw more students in from out of state.</p>
<p>Well, I guess you learn something everyday. I had always assumed that NY residents had an advantage at the contract colleges. My daughter is interested in applying to Cornell CALS. We're residents of Connecticut and, while she still plans to apply to CALS, we were somewhat discouraged by what we read on the admissions FAQ section on the CALS website: </p>
<p>What is the relationship between Cornell and the State University of New York (SUNY) system?</p>
<p>The College of Agriculture and Life Sciences is one of three undergraduate colleges at Cornell that are also part of the State University of New York (SUNY). As a New York State "state-assisted college" we have a unique responsibility to conduct research and public service programs that will benefit the people of the state. In return, the state contributes a significant portion of our operating expenses which provides us with additional funds for student support, faculty salaries, and improved classrooms and laboratories. It also helps keep our tuition lower, making your Cornell degree more affordable. This alliance with the State University of New York allows us to work closely with SUNY's University Colleges of Technology and Community Colleges in advising students on transfer opportunities. </p>
<p>How does this arrangement influence the College's commitment to resident and non-resident students?</p>
<p>As a statutory college within the State University of New York, we are committed to maintaining a strong presence of New York State residents in our student body. A majority of the students in the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences are New York State residents. However, the College is also committed to enrolling a student body that is geographically diverse. Given these commitments, it is also important to note that geography is not by itself a determining factor in any admission decision. </p>
<p>So, Gomestar, you're telling us that NY residents have no inherent advantage in admissions at the contract colleges in spite of the pronouncement above from Cornell? Good to know! I'll tell D to proceed with her application! Thanks.</p>
<p>that's right. </p>
<p>At one point in time, this was not the case. The reason there are so many NY state residents in the contract colleges is because they are so much cheaper for NY state residents, and they provide an identical education. Why would you not apply to one of them? </p>
<p>"geography is not by itself a determining factor in any admission decision"</p>
<p>See here:</p>
<p>"In general, the proportion of New York State residents who are admitted and enroll in these colleges is equivalent to the proportion of NYS students in the entire applicant pool."</p>
<p>So, the percentage of NY state residents that apply is the same as the percentage of NY state residents that are admitted. For the cheaper schools, more NY state residents apply, hence the high population of students from New York. Proceed with your application knowing your daughter isn't hurt in any way comming from another state.</p>
<p>Ok. Next question: D is a senior enrolled in an agricultural magnet high school program in Connecticut. The agricultural magnet program is fully integrated with the regular academic curriculum within the high school, so D has been able to take a traditional honors/AP college prep sequence while also studying veterinary science for the past four years. The magnet program also requires that she log at least 200 hours of animal related work experience each year (she presently works for a vet). The magnet program is supposedly one of the best of its kind in the country, has won numerous awards for the quality of its instruction, and was recently featured on a PBS special about agricultural education.
D's eventual goal is vet school and Cornell CALS would be a great start. There is, however, NO grade inflation in D's magnet school program. Her cumulative GPA through the end of her junior year is 2.92 -- which puts her in the top 1/4 of her class (23rd percentile, to be exact). Her ACT composite is 31 (98th percentile). ECs: vice president of the school's FFA chapter (300+ kids), winner of several regional, state and national FFA competitions, 4-H, formed her own company to start a horse training and equestrian lessons business, church/community involvement, equestrian sports (competitive riding/showing, polo, rodeo), 1st chair oboe player in school band, Tri-M music honorary society. She has also been taking college classes at U-Conn since her sophomore year and should graduate from high school with about 42 semester hours of college credit, including AP. Does she have a reasonable shot at getting into CALS or is she wasting her time? I understand that CALS places heavy weight on the compatability of the applicant for the major selected. D is thinking about majoring in animal science.</p>
<p>Hi NY Mom here. Gb-- I think your d definitely has a very good shot at CALS. As my d is now a junior in ILR, I have learned so much about Cornell over the past few years. What makes Cornell unique and a truly wonderful place, is its ability to look past the numbers and evaluate each kid based on their background and what they will bring to the Cornell program. Your d's experience in an agricultural magnet school in Connecticut (Cornell does want OOS kids too.) and desire to go into Vet Science is obviously very strong and sincere. Her ACT of 31 shows her to be an extremely competitive student too.<br>
Some kids whine about Cornell having lesser SAT or GPA stats than the other Ivy's. But in my opinion, the fact that Cornell looks beyond the #'s, and takes the most interesting and best qualified kids into their school makes me so proud to say that I am a Cornell mom. I really love the school.
I will suggest your d visit Cornell- do a college tour of CALS and maybe do an overnight with the Red Carpet Society. I think personal contact with the school also helps. Trust me Cornell is a lot smaller than it appears. Personal contact with the CALS admission team goes a long way. Reading about your d, she sounds like a wonderful addition to Cornell. Do not think twice about it- She must apply. PS. Does Cornell have an equestrian team?? Sports connections never hurt either.</p>
<p>And getting back to your original question. Personally. I do not think it is easier for NYS residents. There are just so many state residents vying for the same admission spots. Competition is extremely fierce as the tuition for NYS residents is somewhat reasonable (Around $18,000). Trust me, there are alot of savvy NYS parents who will tell their kid "No" to Brown-Dartmouth-Georgetown or U Penn as they are not any better than Cornell and the tuition is much more reasonable at Cornell. As Cornell wants OOS kids, there may be less kids that your d will be competing with for those OOS spots. My understanding is that most of the Contract colleges have less than 40% NYS residents which would mean 60% of the spots go to OOS kids. But I can't confirm those numbers.</p>
<p>Marny, thanks for your encouragement. D will apply. I'm pretty sure that Cornell has both an equestrian team and a polo team -- D is involved in both activities, so that may be a good hook.</p>
<p>Hey I'm from CT too and going to one of these colleges next year. Give it a try! Best of luck</p>