How much of a reach is Cornell for me?

Transfer Students
1

<p>Hey everyone.</p>

<p>As some of you may know, the filing period for the UCs is coming up, and at this point I'm trying to figure out which (if any) out-of-state schools I will be applying to. Lots of people have told me that getting out of California for a couple of years could be good for me.</p>

<p>Anyway, I've narrowed it down to 3 schools that I would be willing to leave my my life in California for (haha). I had four, but one of them (Brown) I figured out is probably way out of reach. I'll be looking to apply to Cornell, NYU CAS, and Syracuse. I know that these three schools offer extremely different environments, but I'm wondering if anyone can chance me on these? Here are my stats:</p>

<p>Hispanic Male
From: CCC
To: above, several UCs, USC
GPA: 3.73 (can get up to 3.8X by end of Fall)
Major: Philosophy, pre-law
EC: none :( but I work full time to help with bills
Recs: Can get great LOR from USC professor for which I work for, and from a Philosophy professor.</p>

<p>mmm can't really think of anything else, except for 1) I am from bottom-bracket income level (will this hurt me or help me in any way?); and 2) I live in a terrible neighborhood and I want to leave (I have to carry a knife when I commute down my block after night classes that get out late -- it sucks). </p>

<p>Also, here is the hook that I plan on using in my essay (not in these words, of course):</p>

<p>Was gifted all through childhood, got lots of awards, etc... then my parents divorced when I finished middle school (seriously, no one even made it to my culmination, haha). Then my grades suffered in HS, dropped honors/AP, and eventually landed at a continuation school for being over a year behind (from all the F's). Tried to semi-get my act together before graduation, and just barely made it through HS (didn't graduate on a stage or anything -- I had to finish two classes over the summer and get my diploma in the subsequent month). Then I went to CC, was still slacking, took a semester off, then I was involved in a car accident (got tossed half a block by a car while riding my bike). Had an epiphany, yada yada, now I get good grades and work my *ss off.</p>

<p>I'm going to send in a hyper-refined version of something along these lines.</p>

<p>Can anyone chance me? Also, can anyone else recommend any other OOS schools? I'm kind of in dim light when it comes to non-California schools (despite my bad research attempts).</p>

<p>Thank you!</p>

2

<p>What college/major at Cornell?</p>

<p>Although your story could be compelling if told properly, I don’t think it can be considered a “hook.”</p>

3

<p>The Philosophy program.</p>

4

<p>That would be CAS then.</p>

<p>How many years have you finished at the CCC. If you’re applying for sophomore standing then your SATs and high school gpa will matter more.</p>

5

<p>I know all this. This is my second year. Applying for Junior standing. Chances? Suggestions for any other schools?</p>

6

<p>In my opinion, Cornell CAS is still quite a reach despite your URM status/life story. Even though your intangibles somewhat justify your weak academics, you still need to demonstrate intellectual capacity for your major. Since you are applying as a junior, the philosophy department will also evaluate your application. Can you demonstrate a passion for philosophy in your essays? Cornell takes into account an applicant’s intellectual curiosity. What were your SAT/ACT scores?</p>

7

<p>760CR, 590M (ouch), 680W. 1990 total. Would it be frowned upon if I re-took this while at my cc?</p>

<p>I’m not sure how well I’ll be able to put across my intellectual curiosity for Philosophy. I mean, I love the subject but I haven’t quite involved myself with anything extracurricular that is associated with it. I do a lot of reading on it, and I write my own personal ‘pieces’ or essays… but I don’t know what that would count for.</p>

8

<p>

That would count for a lot. You don’t have to have abundant (or any) EC’s relating to your major imo. Just discuss the ideas and books that excite you and why specifically you want to study at Cornell. That’s what I did and I got in. Good luck.</p>

<p>Oh btw, the philosophy deptartment here is pretty cool. I’m currently taking an interesting ethical philosophy course with the former department chair who has written ~15 books on classical/ancient ethics.</p>

9

<p>

No, I don’t think it would. Can you bring it up to 2200/2300+? I wouldn’t re-take it unless you are confident you can destroy it.</p>

10

<p>I’m definitely confident that I can destroy that – I took it in 11th grade when I was still on my intellectual hiatus, hehe.</p>

<p>Thanks so much for your input, it is very helpful.</p>

11

<p>Transferring to top schools is a reach for everyone. </p>

<p>If possible, try to get your math SAT subscore up a bit (and maybe nudge the writing section past 700 in the process).</p>

<p>You have a decent shot. Your lack of ECs may hurt you, but I would consider your job under this category so it’s not totally lost. Explain your situation well, but don’t make it whiny or full of self-pity. These sorts of things can be a tough balancing act.</p>

<p>Your URM status and your situation give you a definite advantage. The fact that you work full time to support yourself in addition to making good grades also speaks volumes. </p>

<p>Don’t be afraid to apply to Brown. You may as well try if it’s a school you’d really like to be at. I almost didn’t apply to Yale for the same reason, yet I (miraculously, it seems) made the cut.</p>

12

<p>Hello,</p>

<p>I’m in a similar situation. I had a terrible high school GPA (~2.5) and a bad ACT score. I started to read philosophy books my senior year and found the subject fascinating. After I found something I loved and wanted to learn, I enrolled at a local community college and finished my 1st year with a 4.0 and 34 cr. while working part-time. Now I’m in my second year and taking 22 cr. this semester, doing a bunch of ECs, and will probably start tutoring philosophy at my community college.
I’m going to apply to some of the top LACs and a maybe a few Ivys and see how it goes. I think your story is similar to mine and we both seem to have a legitimate shot at making it into some of these schools.</p>

<p>Good luck to you.</p>

13

<p>Thanks, good luck to you too!</p>

14

<p>Sounds like you have a good success story Elvis32z. Since you’re at a community college, I assume you plan on continuing on to a 4 year university regardless of your transfer success with the top LACs and Ivies. That being said, I suggest applying to some safety schools, too, so you’re not potentially stuck with no transfer acceptances and no way to continue at your CC.</p>

15

<p>Thank you MagiTF.</p>

<p>Even if no top LAC or Ivy takes me I am almost positive UofM will. The community college I attend has a partnership with UofM where they have a certain amount of students transferring each year. There have been students with a much worse GPA that have transferred from my school. Even with that said, I’ll apply to a local commuter school (Wayne State University) just to be safe.</p>

<p>Thanks for the feedback.</p>