How to Improve Chances at Cornell?

Chance Me / Match Me!
1

<p>Hello, all. I'm a rising sophomore at a pretty competitive public high school in upstate NY. My school doesn't really rank, but I'd guess that (so far) I'm in the top 5% out of ~400 students. I know to take the most challenging courses that my school offers (I think it offers around 15 APs and the full IB program). I have so far, and plan to until I graduate. My schedule for each year looks like this: - keep in mind my school utilizes a 4x4 block schedule, and two semesters. If I don't say which semester, it's a full year course.</p>

<p>Fresh: Pre-AP English, Geometry Honors, AP World, Bio, Spanish 2, Orchestra </p>

<p>Soph: AP Lang, Trig Honors, AP World (broken up into two years), AP Chemistry, Spanish 3, AP Psych, Orchestra</p>

<p>Jr: IB English 11, Pre-Calc Honors, APUSH, AP Physics, IB Spanish 4, AP Gov, Orchestra</p>

<p>Sr: AP Lit, AP Calc BC, AP Econ, AP Bio, IB Spanish 5, AP Stats, Orchestra</p>

<p>So far, my ECs are a little weak. I love to volunteer, and have around 60 hours at the school and library. I plan on volunteering for a nonprofit legal organization this year, which provides free legal services to low income families. This year I'm also joining a leadership club at the YMCA which also does volunteer work. I'm in Key Club, Bio Club, Med Club, and Spanish Club- none of which I can be leader in yet as I'm only a sophomore. I ran for sophomore president last year (and lost), so that was an EC that I'll probably try to get when I'm a junior- meaning I'll run again. Also, next summer I plan on doing two medical-type camps (one at the University of Rochester which only accepts 12 applicants, and one at Cornell, which accepts 60). I also play the cello, but my family is unable to afford a private instructor, so I'm not sure how I could work on that further. </p>

<p>About standardized testing, I'll probably take the Chem SAT test this year, and other than that, I'm not sure how it works at all. My school offers the PLAN for sophomores, so I'll most likely take that. PSAT's offered fall of Junior year, and the SAT and ACT are offered later Junior year. How should I go about taking any/all of these? </p>

<p>I think I'm okay grade-wise. I had a 96.5% all last year (my school only tells us the #/100, and doesn't tell us how things are weighted), and hope to maintain at least a 97% this year.</p>

<p>As far as Cornell is concerned, I love it because it has so many choices for a (future) Biology major, like myself. I plan on visiting the campus sometime this year so I can see what it's like before I apply to spend 3 weeks there next summer. And obviously, it's a great school with a beautiful campus. </p>

<p>I really appreciate your taking the time to read all of this, and thanks if you give me some opinions on how to increase my chances of going to my dream school. :)</p>

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<p>Bump bump. I’m also planning on volunteering at a hospital next summer.</p>

3

<p>… Get good grades, get Good SAT/ACTs.</p>

<p>For your ECs – If you have a passion in life, something that you excel in or love, spend your time doing that. Otherwise, keep busy, but don’t do things just because you think it will look good on your application. </p>

<p>And most important – work hard but enjoy High School and enjoy your life. I know there’s a lot of pressure on kids these days – but it looks like you have good grades and will undoubtedly get into a fine school. Be it Cornell or somewhere else, it will all work out well.</p>

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<p>Thanks for the information! Now, I really love to volunteer. However, should I find one specific thing I like to do (ex. volunteering at a hospital), or would the broad category of volunteering be considered my “thing”?</p>

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<p>My personal belief is that you’d be better off showing depth (i.e., a lot of volunteering at one place) rather than breadth (volunteering a little at lots of places). This is only one man’s opinion, though.</p>

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<p>Looks like you are on track to be a competetive candidate for Cornell. I’d suggest taking the SAT and / or ACT Spring of Soph. or fall of Junior year. This gives you plenty of time to raise the score if need be.</p>

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<p>@csdad, that’s basically what I was thinking. I set up a meeting with my guidance counselor (who already loves me, hahaha) for this Monday, to talk about some other stuff. Do you have any suggestions as to questions I should ask regarding testing? My family and I have no experience in this whatsoever. </p>

<p>And for anyone else reading, I forgot to mention that I’ll probably apply ED to Cornell if all goes well for the rest of my highschool career.</p>