I know there are already way to much of these posts, but does anyone want to chance me?

Colleges and Universities A-Z Cornell University
1

<p>Okay, I will graduate High-School soon and have to start applying to colleges by January to fit into the Fall 2015 Semester. Decided to apply to schools like Harvard and John Hopkins and Cornell as long-shot schools (I've got a couple net-schools lined up and willing to take me when I graduate), and was wondering if anyone wanted to chance me.</p>

<p>SAT:
Reading: 690
Math: 650
Writing: 700
Composite: 2040 (10 on essay)</p>

<p>Will get ACT scores next month, and taking 2 SAT Subject Test in December (mainly for my own reasons, not as much to send to colleges)</p>

<p>GPA:
unweighted: 3.75
Weighted: 4.2</p>

<p>AP: N/A
IB: N/A</p>

<p>SENIOR-YEAR COURSES: (College level for ALL)
Music Theory I
Intro to Biology I
Intro to Biology lab I (not sure if lab counts as separate course)
Chemistry A
Intro to Biology II
Intro to Biology II Lab
Beginning French
College Algebra
Anatomy and Physiology I
Anatomy and Physiology I Lab
Pre-calculus
(going to complete five more before I enroll in college)</p>

<p>PERSPECTIVE MAJOR: neurobiology
MAJOR AWARDS: none</p>

<p>EXTRA-CURRICULARS:
Drama for two years (major role in three plays)
Bass for Broward College Choral Society (night and day choir)
Performance shows at varying venues (guitarist, pianist, and singer)
Lauderdale Small Boat Club Harbor Clean-up</p>

<p>WORK EXPERIENCE:
Co-founder of Flying Toy Shop (sold R/C airplanes at airshows around the US)
Yacht repairs and maintenance (summer job)</p>

<p>COMMUNITY SERVICE:
Volunteer at Cleveland Clinic Florida (around 160 hours)
Fort Lauderdale People to People coral reef clean-up (diver)
Rotary's Helping Hands Project</p>

<p>SUMMER ACTIVITIES:
Attended Fudan University's International Summer School (summer immersive language intensive program)
Research and data collection with Dr. Micheal Shen or Cleveland Clinic Florida on a study about implantable cardiovascular difibrillators (<a href="http://www.anthem.com/medicalpolicies/policies/mp_pw_a053321.htm"&gt;http://www.anthem.com/medicalpolicies/policies/mp_pw_a053321.htm&lt;/a&gt;)&lt;/p>

<p>TEACHER RECOMMENDATIONS:
French II (college) professor
A and P lab (college) professor
College Algebra (college, obviously) professor</p>

<p>OTHER RECOMMENDATIONS:
Dr. Micheal Shen, Head of Cardiology at Cleveland Clinic Florida
A dean of a college where i live
A teacher I know personally, but never took a course from</p>

<p>SCHOOL TYPE: Homeschooled</p>

<p>ADDITIONAL INFORMATION:
I am not sure how this will fit into the rest of my application, but I think it's a large hook that I'll be graduating high-school
2-3 years early.
(when I'm 15)
-Took SAT 3 years early
-Spent my entire high-school career dual-enrolling at a college
-Almost completed my AA degree (due to amount of credits taken at college)
-started attending college at 14
-homeschooled my whole life (but not for religious reasons, I'll make that clear)
-Ill get my bachelors done 4-6 years early (depending on how slow or fast I go)
-Other benefits of graduating young</p>

<p>-Also, both my grandfathers are doctors and chemists, and my father is a full professor and well-known in his field
Maternal grandfather I think either WORKED or is a ALUMNI from here.</p>

<p>I don't know how many other kids graduate this early, and in these circumstances, but I think it's the most unique part of my application so far.</p>

<p>special thanks to DRAKE128 who gave me basic outline identity.</p>

2

<p>My daughter started Cornell at age 16 (she was 15 when she applied) and is a freshman now. We wanted her to wait a year, but she felt ready to move on. Many don’t view being young as a hook, but more of a liability. While it’s impressive to have accomplished so much at a young age, some colleges might feel less comfortable with younger teens on campus. You might not want to emphasize that part of your application. Taking a gap year before college is not a bad idea, especially at your age.</p>

<p>Also, your test scores should be higher for Cornell, Harvard, and John Hopkins. And doesn’t Harvard still require 2-3 subject tests? Cornell requires 2 for CAS and Engineering (and maybe others). </p>

<p>I think these top 3 are long shots for now. But it doesn’t hurt to try.</p>

<p>Good luck!</p>

3

<p>I agree with Renomamma.You’ll need to submit at least 2 SAT Subject tests(Math 2 and Physics are recommended) for Cornell.They are strongly recommended for any of the engineering/sciences programs.</p>

<p>I’m not sure about the deal with AP courses but i think most of the candidates applying have taken them(Esp calculus).</p>

<p>To sum it up, you have some really good ECs, and your chances are good.Good Luck</p>

4

<p>So, I need one more Subject test? The only one I’m signed up for now is Biology E/M, and that’s in december.
Do I have time to sign up, take another test, and get back my scores before the deadline?</p>

<p>I will be enrolling in Fall 2015 (probably around August), i think most deadlines for then are somewhere around early January.</p>

5

<p>Check the websites for each of the colleges you are applying to for their requirements. They’re all different. If you really want acceptance into one of these top tier schools, you might consider one more year of “high school” and work on those test scores and research your choices more thoroughly (and maybe even apply ED to one of them). Your test scores are around the 25th percentile (look up freshman profiles for each college) and unless you’re a recruited athlete or have a very strong hook (age is not a hook), your chances are very low right now. Sorry, but you asked.</p>

<p>Of course there are numerous colleges where you should get accepted ;)</p>

6

<p>Which college are you applying to within Cornell? Different colleges have different test requirements.</p>

<p>Also, I would definitely not send 6 recommendation letters. I would send no more than three. What could the Head of Cardiology or the dean at some local college possibly have to say about you that nobody else could? Admissions has hundreds of thousands of documents to look over. They don’t need six recommendations from one applicant.</p>

7

<p>too much? I thought the more the better! the longer I spend on this forum, the stoopid-er I feel. Which one should I remove? I personally know my French teacher the best, the others are ones that I did well in their class, but never invited them over to my house or anything. I could dredge up character recommendations all day, but I have only had, like, 10 separate teachers my entire life, so not very many options to pick.</p>

8

<p>Jolex2, it sounds like you could use some adult guidance because navigating this college application process (esp for top tier schools) can be time-consuming and complicated. And since you were homeschooled, you may not be getting much assistance from peers or counselors. Are your parents helping you? Have they taken you to visit any campuses for college tours? Will you need financial aid? People often spend a few years planning these things out for entrance to very competitive universities. There is a lot to navigate. </p>

<p>If you want to start college next Fall, applying to most state schools is a pretty easy process and you should be fine with that. But if you want to strive for a very competitive university (where you can connect with many bright and motivated students like yourself), you would do yourself a favor to wait a year to ripen and do your research first. Sounds to me like you’re wanting to add these top schools as an afterthought and haven’t had the time to do your homework on the whole process.</p>

<p>I’m wondering what your parents think about your options.</p>

9

<p>Regarding recommendation letters, you send what is requested by each school. Following instructions is an important part of the process. (Many colleges require 2 academic letters and one counselor letter.) </p>

10

<p>I’m in this position because of my parents actually.
originally, I really wanted to move away, and go to schools like NYU, Harvard, Cornell, and so on, but they didn’t want me to. Two days ago, all of a sudden my dad says I should apply, and I find out that I have a month to get everything together and apply. I don’t think I want to wait another year, and take a gap. I want to get somewhere and start learning as soon as I can, even if it’s not an Ivy league school. Oh well, I guess I’ll try my best.</p>

11

<p>It’s admirable that you’re doing this by yourself. Sounds like your dad doesn’t understand much of the current process. It takes some planning. </p>

<p>Look at each college website to see what they require for testing, letters, etc. Take the subject tests required (or recommended, which is almost like required) as soon as possible. Learn about the colleges and start those essays. Have a trusted adult edit them. Cornell focuses a lot on “fit” so you want to at least sound like you know the programs and show your enthusiasm for them and talk about what you have to offer. Also, for Cornell, if your ACT was 32 or higher, you don’t need to send your SAT. </p>

<p>Good luck, young one!</p>

12

<p>Jolex --</p>

<p>First of all – if you have time to do these applications (as well as applications to other schools, so you have a good mix of Reaches, Matches and Safeties), there’s no reason not to apply.</p>

<p>Now as to your chances. Honestly, I don’t know and I don’t think any one else does either. Sorry.</p>

<p>The reason I say this is because your resume is somewhat unique, esp the fact that you’re graduating 2-3 years early. Those of us who can express a an opinion that is worth anything can only do so because we’ve looked at Cornell’s data, and reviewed self reported data from lots of students. (Still with all of this, the best advice is little better than reading tea-leaves).</p>

<p>We see very few applicants applying 2-3 years early (you’re the first one in my recollection). Does Cornell view this as a Plus? Would it rather see students graduating with their class? I have no idea. So, really all you can do at this stage is apply and hope (which honestly puts you in the same situation as everyone else).</p>

<p>GOOD LUCK.</p>

13

<p>zephyr15- my daughter applied 2 yrs early and got in, but she visited , spent a lot of time on her essays, and applied ED. </p>

<p>Jolex- you may get some great offers with scholarships at some non-ivies that can provide you an excellent college experience, so it’s good that you’re facing this with an open mind.</p>

14

<p>My daughter’s roommate skipped a year. She’s only 16 as a Freshmen. Not sure if graduating early in HS is a “hook”.</p>

15

<p>Parents are against me holding back. I’m bored enough taking regular college classes, I don’t think I would want to wait another year either. Hopefully, the admission board will find it in their hearts to accept someone as young as me. ^:)^ </p>

16

<p>I know several 15-16 year-olds who have gotten into college. It’s not unheard of. I think some colleges may have rules about ages in the dorms, but I’m not sure. What state are you from? </p>

17

<p>Florida, but I’m a Oregon boy at heart. So getting into college this early isn’t rare? Everyone is shocked when they find out how young I am.</p>

18

<p>It is rare. But not unheard of. The high school my kids went to is for highly gifted kids, located on a college campus, so most of them take college classes early (13-14 like you) and many of them graduate young. That’s why I’ve been so active on your thread. Both of my kids graduated young also. But it’s not the norm. And you and your parents need to be aware (I’m sure you are) that lots can happen in dorm life, like sex and drugs, that some 15 year-olds may not be prepared for, even if you’re miles ahead academically. </p>

<p>I knew a 15 year-old who went to Cal Tech, and her mom moved nearby (out of state) for the first year. The other 15 year-olds I knew who went to college went to smaller colleges where it felt relatively safe. But I know several 16 year-olds who went to various large universities.</p>

19

<p>yeah, that’s no problem for me. I jumped right past the undergraduate I’m-21-and-I-wanna-get-drunk phase right into the Graduate student I’m-addicted-to-coffee, Dont-sleep-enough, Study-too-much, and painfully-aware-how-of-how-much-I-don’t-know phase. </p>

<p>Also, I’m applying to schools that are near the respective schools my brother is applying to (basically same stats that I have, but with a 3.9 UW GPA, 4.8 W, and a slightly lower SAT score). He’s applying to Harvard, MIT, UCB, And NYU.</p>