I’m hoping to get into CALS at Cornell. I visited the school and I think it’s a great match; I’d love to do their biological sciences major with a concentration in biochemistry . However, I’ve seen many accepted students with agricultural/dairy/farming backgrounds, which I don’t have.
I wanted to major in political science and become a lawyer until the end of my sophomore year, when I decided to switch to biochemistry and head down the pre-med/research track. Thus, many of my ecs and awards are humanities based (such as mock trial, debate, public speaking, volunteer teen attorney). My ACT score is also lopsided towards humanities (36 twice on E, 28M, 35R, 30S). I actually prefer the math and science sections because they are my favorite subjects and more of a challenge. As a homeschooled student, I haven’t been able to take any AP science classes because they are super expensive, only available online, and I wanted a classroom lab experience.
The only science-y things I have on my application are straight As in all my science classes/labs, a great LOR from a bio teacher, a 740 BioE subject test, and bio/chemistry intensives that I attended at a local college during my summers. My CALS supplement is about why I chose to switch majors and why I enjoy science so much/why I’d fit at Cornell.
Now to the actual point: I’m not sure adcoms at Cornell will see my fit within CALS, especially compared with the other students. I think I have a nice application, but I’m sort of well rounded and I’m not sure I have as noticeable of a science spike. Do you think I’ll be able to communicate my interest and competence for science at Cornell?
Thanks so much for your time, and I’m sorry this post was so rambly!
@SuperGymnast_04 I looked at your Chance Me thread and you seem to be a wonderful person and a great applicant. The middle 50% ACT for CALS in 2016 entering freshmen was 28-33, so I think your scores are just fine. I would not worry too much about your ACT science score, as your SAT II score makes up for it. Plus, ACT science is pretty difficult, and has some weird questions on it. I know this from personal experience, as I got a 800 on my SAT Physics but a 33 on my ACT science (lowest section score).
My best advice to you is to talk about your circumstances in the Additional Information section of the Common App. Make sure the admissions officers know that it is expensive to take AP science courses as a homeschooled student. They will understand. Also, take some time to nail your essay, they can often swing a close decision. Show that you are really interested in the sciences and really want to go to CALS.
memes4life thanks so much for your time! It’s encouraging to read somebody’s opinion. I’ve been working hard on my Common App/supplement. I know CALS is super big about fit so I’m hoping to show them my interest in biological sciences.
I agree with @memes4life above. Cornell most definitely isn’t going to rule you out just based on your scores. As long as you represent yourself and your situation fully, and communicate your interest in biology and your willingness to learn, you will stand toe-to-toe with the other applicants.