ED to Cornell;Your typical CHANCE ME thread.!!!

Colleges and Universities A-Z Cornell University
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<p>We earn $7k a year so I'll basically need a full ride.{ EFC 0 } Applying ED to Cornell.</p>

<p>I am US citizen living in India.
• Ethnicity- Asian </p>

<p>• GPA= 82.3% (it is considered a pretty decent score on the Indian system considering 1.5 million students sit for the exams and the country topper had a 97.4% + my school is the most competitive in Punjab, that being said, it raises the cut off bar each year) so I think I could justify my score here).</p>

<p>• Rank= 14/71 students.</p>

<p>• ACT - Composite 33 and Eng/Math/Reading/Science- (32,35,31,32)
•SAT Subject Tests-Chemistry-{690}, Physics- {730} , Math Level 1- {780} ,Math Level 2- {760}
thinking of taking French w/o listening = expect something around (640-650)</p>

<p>• Course Load = Quite a tough curriculum with the maximum course load. Besides that, I self studied all the APs I took.
I am an AP Scholar with Honor.
AP Chemistry-{3}
AP Calculus-{3}
AP Mechanics-{4}
AP E&M -{5}</p>

<p>Extracurricular Activities - (Please go through them! )</p>

<p>• Qualified for Round 2 in NTSE [National talent science Examination]
• Was awarded with the English book Prize {awarded to the highest grade in class}
• U-14 and U-16 state cricket team {was the highest wicket in U-14 tournament}
• Football in House Team
• Table tennis mini Olympics {though knocked out in 1st round}
• National Cadet Corps(NCC) A certificate
• Table tennis districts tournament
• School band (lead singer in both Indian and rock band)
• School dramatics main play 9th and 10th
• House play 7th ,8th,9th,10th,11th each year
• IPSC cultural fest at Indore(winners)
• My speech on 'saving water' and a song was aired on Doordarshan( TV Channel) in class 7th</p>

<p>Community Service-</p>

<p>• worked for about 2 years in an Canadian NGO for rural development and facilities in India.
• Taught around 20 kids in that village basic maths,English and science concepts
• Taught at another NGO cum ashram (had debates on various topics as abortions,female infanticide etc.).</p>

<p>RESEARCH-
(Because I'm taking a gap year I did a lot of research in the Renewable resources and the Solar industry) my 'to be major' also.</p>

<p>•Increased shelf life of milk to 9 months with an extensive research project.</p>

<p>•Made a Solar dryer[fully working]. In India, we dry the raisins open and 35% of it is damaged as they're eaten by birds and other reasons so this is a solution.</p>

<p>I feel like I've written everything I've done so far in my life and yes, this is just about it.
I feel that my research is going to be my strong and differentiating factor in the admissions.</p>

<p>Thanks for your time. I really do appreciate it ! :)</p>

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<p>Any advice?</p>

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<p>Come on guys… 100+ views without any opinions ?
You’ll get a free cookie !! I promise ! :slight_smile: :D</p>

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<p>It’s a toss up. I’m not sure what the Indian system grading is. If it’s similar to the American system, then your GPA is pretty low. However, you have good test scores and your extracurriculars are good too.</p>

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<p>Well if you do get in, we should hit sometime.</p>

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<p>Acceptance to Cornell and any other top 20 school is a crapshoot. Maybe you’ll get in, maybe you won’t. But you definitely have impressive and competitive stats and accomplishments. So, I would say you definitely have a somewhat decent shot, but that’s all anyone can really say.</p>

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<p>First of all, Thanks a ton for sparing your time everyone!!
@Wongtongtong = Hahah ! Yes! we should ‘hit’ :smiley: </p>

<p>@Kns144 = Thank you. Hmmm I kinda agree with you.</p>

<p>@Alice - well,Yes 82% is an okay score(That’s why the rank) but the topper had something like 90.2% so I don’t think I’m thaaat far.
I completely bombed the Math finals and I have a reason/justification for it and I’ll be writing one essay explaining my circumstances :slight_smile: </p>

<p>I am scared about my AP scores and GPA.
Do you guys think my resume lacks Leadership Activities ?</p>

<p>Thanks again.You guys are wonderful! :slight_smile: :D</p>

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<p>Bumpity bul bol bumpiiii</p>

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<p>Anymore people who know about admissions at Cornell.Please advice :)</p>

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<p>I think you have a shot, especially because you’re applying ED. Make sure you have strong essays that emphasize your “fit” at Cornell and have strong Recs.</p>

<p>And reguarding Financial Aid: Cornell has a policy where if your family income is less than $60,000 and your total assets are less than $100,000 your parental contribution becomes $0. From my understanding, you would still have to contribute about $2,500 for the student contribution but other than that 100% of your need will be met.</p>

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<p>Which school are you applying to? If you’re applying to engineering, your chances are not that good. Your AP scores (especially chemistry and calculus) and grades won’t compare well at all with those of other ED engineering applicants, especially the other Asian applicants. If you’re applying to CALS your chances improve slightly, as your research will help legitimize your interests, but it’s still a toss up. I’m guessing you’re applying to one of those two by your credentials, correct me if I’m wrong.</p>

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<p>Thanks @cleopatra ! the financial aid info was the best thing that happened to me today!</p>

<p>@Lauren -I’ll be applying to engineering :frowning: </p>

<p>I’ve got mixed responses… really !</p>

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<p>Male admit rate to Engineering is one of the lowest at Cornell. You’d have a much better chance if applying to CALS.</p>

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<p>Your GPA is low. Explaining it away with the hard school excuse will be a tough sale. Also the financial aide department might have a hard time accepting only $7000 in family income. They will likely have a lot of questions.</p>