Hi, I’m a rising senior and want to major in chemical engineering. I plan to apply ED for cornell but I’m afraid my scores are not that high enough.
I have a gpa unweighted 3.79 and my SAT score is 1470 but planning to take another one. I took AP physics 2 (4), chem (4), calculus AB (5), BC (5). I read that for STEM major, the admission people take a look more at math or science grades than other classes, but I didn’t take any calculus classes in my junior year as I took AP exams only. The only science class I took is AP CHEM and my final grade is 92, which is not bad but not so outstanding especially for me who wishes to major in chem engineering.
For my extracurricular, I run a science club and hold some officer positions in other STEM clubs, as well, and participates in school musicals, but they don’t stand out and make myself a unique candidate.
I know my overall grades and scores are not so great but can you give me any helpful advises to better prepare myself for higher chance in getting in to cornell?
Thanks!
What math classes did you take Junior year and what will you be taking Senior year? What science will you be taking Sr year? Where did the B’s in your GPA occur - Math/Science or English/History (or gym/band?).
I don’t understand. You only took the AP tests and not the classes for calc and physics? Schools like Cornell expect 4 years of math and 3-4 years of science. Cornell specifically states they want to see math through calculus, physics, chem and prefer to see bio and CS. Self studying for the AP exams without taking the actual courses is not going to cut it. Cornell engineering also still recommends SAT II subject tests. While not required, your competition will likely have them.
Did you take non AP levels of science and math each year?
Also, your breakdown of the 1470 might matter. What was your math?
Junior year was actually my first yr in US and my previous classes in Korea satisfied all the required math and science credits for graduation. I didn’t take any math in junior yr as I already studied calculus and physics 2 back in korea and that’s why I just took the AP exams at the end of sophomore yr before I came here. I took AP CHEM here and my B’s are apush, ap lang, and programming 2. I’m planning to take AP physics C, psychology, CS but no math again next yr. Also, I took math2c for subject test and got 800 and planning to take chem and physics this october :))
Thanks again!
Double check with your guidance counselor on your course requirements for schools like Cornell. Graduation requirements are often not as strenuous as what colleges want to see on transcripts.