<p>Asian male from NJ Public (possible hook, eh?)
Applying early decision to College of Engineering (Operations Research Engineering)</p>
<p>Academics
GPA: 4.00ish weighted (val usually has 4.30ish, but the "0.3" is a pretty decent gap)
Rank: none officially, but ~ top 10 ppl out of 400
Class rigor: one of the most rigorous</p>
<p>Standardized tests
AP: Physics B, Lit, US, Euro (all 5s); will take Physics C, Calc BC, and more
SAT: (760M) (730CR)
SAT II: (800 Math II) (780 Physics) (800 US) (790 World)</p>
<p>Extracurricular activities & Awards
Leadership roles in Math team, Science Bowl, Volunteering club, Model Congress
Summer research at a fairly competitive program
In-school awards for excellence at math/science
A couple research awards at the state and county level</p>
<p>Miscellaneous
Essays: common app will be above-average, but nothing that unique. However, I'm working especially hard on the Cornell supplement; I think it will be the crux of my application, so I'm making sure to do my best to convey my interest in engineering and how Cornell can help me reach my goals.
Recommendations: My teachers like me, so pretty good I guess haha.</p>
<p>I'd just like to know if I'm in range, and that the only thing that could prevent me from getting in is the intangible aspects? </p>
<p>Is there anything I can improve on at this point besides essays?</p>
<p>I'd appreciate any constructive criticism, emphasis on constructive (-:</p>
<p>You are certainly within the range in terms of scores, etc. Work those essays, because that is basically the only part of the application you are currently in control of.</p>
<p>It doesn’t seem that your ego needs to be bruised. You worked hard and are definitely in the running to get in, especially since you are applying ED. I would like to just make one suggestion in regards to your supplement: if the research that you conducted happens to pertain to engineering please try to indicate this in your sup. essay b/c Cornell is all about FIT. I am certain that you have heard this before. My interpretation of fit is defined as a student’s ability to link his/her interests/clubs and ECs with a major (i.e. engineering, business, law, etc…). Those that are able to do this effectively are going to catch their attention. Good Luck!!</p>
<p>***I am soory that I wasn’t able to break you down, but I am still being “brutally honest” with you.</p>
<p>You look fairly average. You have some research experience, which is a plus. Maybe get a recommendation from your research professor to add.</p>
<p>Maybe you want to take the ACT? It could be a better overall score than your 1490/1600 (I had a 1490/1600, took the ACT and got a 35 with no extra practice, so it can be done)</p>
<p>About the only thing I can say is that from your stats you seem like the classic run of the mill smart Asian dude who has good SAT scores and does a whole bunch of extracurriculars. Is that what you wanted? Other than that, I’m telling you, take your time on those essays, that is literally the ONLY place where you can stand out from the many others who look exactly like you on a piece of paper.</p>
<p>Yep, you look like a well-qualified candidate, probably among the top 20% if you’re applying ED. You are right in making the essay the crux of your application, I think that’s how potential engineers best express their fit for the school (it certainly worked for me). </p>
<p>lol i was wondering how long it’d be before someone mentioned the whole stereotypical smart asian thing…but yeah, nothing really too unique about me /-:</p>
<p>@rookie_1: very true, my research is in the field of engineering, so I’ll definitely mention it in either the common app activities short answer, the supplement, or both</p>
<p>the thing is, i plan on majoring in operations research b/c i’m attracted to mathematical analysis more than scientific rigor. i wouldnt consider giving the impression that my major would be one thing just because it matched by research, only to then switch to OR. that seems a little too misleading. but what about leaving it undecided, is it ethical?</p>
<p>@chendrix: i despise standardized testing, so no way am i taking the ACT. but it’s sound advice, thanks haha</p>
<p>I don’t think at Cornell it matters which engineering department you put down, none of them are more competitive than the others. This is unlike Johns Hopkins or Duke, where Biomedical Engineering is significantly more competitive than any other major. You’ll probably be fine leaving it undecided or OR.</p>
<p>Matching your research subject doesn’t matter much if you make a big deal out of the SKILLS you gained while researching, rather than the material, in your essay.</p>
<p>the essay WILL make or break you. I was accepted because I wrote some beast essays among other things… this is despite a “poor” GPA at the time, 3.5 uw, 6.7 percentile. If you want me to proofread you common app and supp essay, Id be glad to, pm me for email. I would offer to post my essays, but I no longer have them. My assumption is that most people write their supp essay as a “why I like engineering/math/science” essay. I STRONGLY suggest that instead of a generic essay, you write a specific essay about a specific topic in engineering that interests you and how you want to improve it. I wrote my essay on how you can turn garbage into oil using thermal depolymerization.</p>
<p>It is going to come down to your CA and Cornell supplement essays and teacher recommendations. If those are stellar I give you a 70-30 shot ED. You will shoot yourself in the foot if you provide bland and generic essays. Start writing them now and let the rough drafts and ideas flow; then refine, refine, refine some more and have someone knowledgeable and trustworthy provide feedback along the way.</p>
<p>I’m truly not sure how to answer your question. More or less I think that this is a matter of opinion. Some will argue that leaving it as undecided might water-down your essay and cause it to lack detail and could possibly ruin your chances. However, others will inform you that touching on different points will make your response seem more worldly and aware of different areas within the field of engineering. But by any means it won’t be considered unethical. You have to remember that engineering students are sometimes treated a little differently b/c they are viewed as inventors. Tboonepickens further illustrates my point by his essay. His idea for an essay was unique and tells the admis. commit. that he is a standout and thinks outside of the box. Without a doubt, this is what you have to aim for. </p>
<p>I hope this makes some sense. Please write back if you have any further questions.</p>
<p>There is nothing wrong with doing research in a technical field that isn’t the same one you want to major in.
Research is there to teach you analytical skills, critical thinking, laboratory protocol, technical communication.</p>
<p>Apply to the major you would like to be in, regardless of if your research wasn’t in ORIE.</p>
<p>Hmm, in all likelihood I’ll put OR down as my major. i think ananya/chendrix put it best, it comes down to the skills you learn, not necessarily the actual field.</p>
<p>What I’ve written so far looks like a series of sweeping generalizations about engineering. I will try to keep my response ‘worldly’ but focus more on including specific things that are unique to me. The best of both worlds, right?</p>
<p>P.S. LOL yeah the whole ‘asian guy = possible hook’ was an attempt at humor. you don’t need to be on CC that long to realize that being an asian guy going for engineering is an anti-hook :P</p>
<p>Sweeping generalizations = bad, you want to try to get in depth as to your aspirations as far as engineering, even if they’re temporary. Try to find a possible project or idea you think could improve the world, and try to connect that to how Cornell might help you accomplish it.</p>
<p>In fact, in your essay, make references to specific professors and the research they do and how you would love to be a part of it. Make reference to project teams you think you will join. Make references to classes you think you are the most interesting.</p>
<p>Do your best to show you’ve researched the school, are aware of all of the opportunities available, and that you will take advantage of all of these.</p>
Good Luck!!</p>