ed chances for engineering

<p>ok, so i feel kind of stupid for posting this because there are people on here with like 2300's and I am no where close to that but here it goes...
sex: female
race: African-American (Nigerian to be exact)
SAT: 1980 Math-680 Writing-660 Reading-640
SAT II: havent taken yet..planning on math 2 and chemistry
ACT: planning on taking it
GPA: 3.917 out of 4.000..I don't know if its weighted or unweighted my school doesn't tell us all of that
class rank: top 5% (11 out of 500 or so)
AP: human geography-4
world history-4
calculus bc-3
physics b-2 (i know..bad physics teacher was horrible)
us history-3
language and composition-3
ec: varsity volleyball
student council
national honor society
national beta club
mu alpha theta (a math tutoring club)
sslt (shiloh student leadership team)
mcsa (multi cultural student association)
french honor society
junior board
senior board
french club
and I am getting a community service seal
senior courses: anatomy, AP stat, AP literature and composition, AP macroeconomics, AP government, french 3/4 (its like a weirdly combined class), and environmental science...I wanted to take AP Computer Science but they no longer offer it at my school :(</p>

<p>all other high school courses:
Freshman- 2d/3d art, accelerated gifted geometry/algebra 2, health, pe, some gifted language arts class I was on an accelerated program so I had no idea what it was called, AP human geography, gifted biology
Sophomore: French 1, AP World History, gifted junior language arts, gifted pre-cal, gifted chemistry, speech and debate
junior: French 2, AP Cal BC, AP Physics, AP US History, Psychology, sociology, AP Literature and composition</p>

<p>I really want to go to the school for civil engineering. I've already visited and I fell in love. I just want to know what my real chances really are for getting in. I don't think Cornell is long shot for me or a far reach. I know I'm not a complete shoe-in and I don't have the highest score because I'm not a genius, but I also know that my chances aren't zero, so I would greatly appreciate a response.</p>

<p>Your SAT score and your lack of consistency and passion in your extra-curriculars are hurting your chances. Take the ACT and see if you do better (the median score for Cornell is around a 32). Also writing an GREAT Engineering essay can help you out a lot. </p>

<p>Right now, you have a decent resume, good enough for a lot of schools, but could use an extra push to get you into Cornell.</p>

<p>I think you have a decent chance, but try and raise your sat or ACT and write a good essay. If you really love the school then go after it.</p>

<p>What do you mean by lack of consistency? If you mean the years I have been in the clubs, I just didn’t put that in the list. All of the clubs I have been in for all of high school except things like Beta club, where you can’t be in it as a freshman, or NHS, where you can only join as a junior. And, yea I know I have to do well on the ACT, I’m pretty confident about it though.
But thanks for the responses!</p>

<p>Why do you want to go to Cornell (what did you fall in love with)? Sell that passion in your engineering essay and I think you have a decent chance.</p>

<p>Your chances of getting in are quite good being a URM female for Engineering. I forget the ED advantage for Engineering, but your chances are probably greater than 50/50.</p>

<p>If you do get in, be prepared for a tough freshman year because your math/science aptitude is not on par with other Engineering students (based on APs/standardized tests), which will be a problem when all your classes are graded on a curve. If you only work hard enough to get by, be prepared for C’s/D’s, discouragement, and likely a desire to transfer to a different major/college. However, if you work extra hard (and I mean extra on top of other Engineering students who are already working hard), you should get through your freshman year and be on par with the other students for the remaining 3 years. I’d also advise taking no more than 4 classes so you can really focus your academics.</p>

<p>I realize that last paragraph is tough, but I base it on experience from knowing enough Engineers. If you go in with the right attitude, everything should work out for you ;)</p>

<p>It is true that OP may have a tough first year in Engineering if admitted. I know that from my D’s experience. She had a tough first semester with GPA 3.3 at the end, but then by the end of second semester she got on Dean’s List (3.5 and above). And I am talking about a woman engineer with 4.75 weighted 4.0 unweighted high school GPA, 15 AP’s and tested well, graduated 1/~435, ACT 34, SATII Math and Science 790, 750, and IQ 156.</p>

<p>OP will meet a lot of (I do mean a lot, but not all) smart kids in Cornell Engineering if admitted and most of them also work hard. My D had social/personal activities almost every evening and enjoyed much of her time at Cornell even though she has to work hard and stayed up late(early). </p>

<p>Wish you the best of admission process and college life. With your good stat, if you are determine enough and will work hard on preparing yourself before you get into college, then continue to work hard in college, you can make it.</p>

<p>Thanks for all of your responses. I am prepared to work extremely hard. I understand that Cornell isn’t going to be easy. And, to mikeyc765, unfortunately I have to take six classes (technically seven) to graduate. If I could only take 4 classes, I definitely would, but that is why I am taking stuff like environmental science and anatomy because they aren’t hard, so I will be able to focus on more important things like my AP classes.</p>

<p>I meant in your first semester at Cornell, you’d want to limit your classes. I just wanted to warn you that while your chances of being accepted are excellent, your stats don’t scream of someone who can off the bat, excel in Engineering. Even the strong Cornell students pulling B’s are working hard in their Engineering classes, likely harder than you are currently working in high school for your grades. That said, if you work extra hard your freshman year (relative to your peers), I think that from that point on, there is no reason you should feel behind them. I merely mean to warn that there is a good chance you could feel discouraged in your first semester because your math/science prep doesn’t seem the best to me.</p>

<p>Oh. Ok, yea, I definitely understand. My science skills aren’t really up there, but I am not too worried about math. But, thank you for the advice!</p>

<p>engineering math and physics pretty much kick everyone’s butt – it’s a hard adjustment for most engineers to go from “math is no problem” to “holy **** this stuff is hard!”</p>

<p>DesireeA</p>

<p>I think your application will be very competitive, and I would encourage you to apply.</p>

<p>Yes I know that things can get hard, but I am prepared. And, thank you, zephyr15.</p>

<p>I think you have a great chance, and a great attitude. Just sell your passion in your essays. Good luck!</p>

<p>Thank You mathmomvt, I really appreciate the encouragement.</p>