I really want to apply to Cornell

Colleges & Universities A-Z Cornell University
1

But the problem is, I am just not confident with my GPA. Within my past year at community college here, my GPA has bee n a 4.0 GPA and I have taken rigorous classes. I feel like I can handle a rigorous ivy league as well and I really want to get into a big school because my dream is to get accepted into a big tech company in silicon valley such as google or sony.

The only thing is, I just do not feel confident with my first year GPA. People have always been hurting my confidence by telling me I don’t have a shot. I will admit, I got like 5 C’s in my first year, but I only ever gotten 1 C in a math class (College algebra, but irrelevant because I got an A in both Calculus 1 and 2) and environmental science (again, irrelevant because engineering schools only care about chemistry and physics, sciences more related to engineering). The other ones are just a bunch of computer classes that were electives. I’ll admit, I did not study too well back then. It wasn’t that the classes were too hard, I just did not go to a traditional high school like most other students, so I had no idea how to study effectively.

After I improved, I got nothing but A’s in all of my classes. That helped boost my GPA up a lot, but I am still not as confident because I fear I may never get to a 4.0 GPA. Should I let this hold me back from applying to Cornell? People tell me I am a very intelligent person and trust me, they are people who do not bullshit just to make others feel better about themselves. I truly feel like I can handle an ivy league and I am confident I can pass whatever test they put me through. I don’t believe in giving up and I believe that with perseverance and always trying, I will eventually succeed in whatever dream and goal I have.

Is there any advice that can be offered to either increase my chances of getting accepted? I am very passionate about my goals and if you ask people I know, they will tell you that I am the most persistent bastard you can meet. xD

2

You should definitely apply. What is the worst that could happen? Rejection? That is the same result as not applying, ie not attending Cornell.

Have someone, a former or current teacher, read your essays on your application. Show passion for Cornell in your essays.

Good luck.

3

Thank you, morris. I am definitely very interested in the university and I will apply multiple times, even if I get rejected the first or second time. I just hope that they look for signs of improvement instead of just looking at my overall GPA number. My math teacher who taught my calculus classes in college admires my hard work and dedication and she has a doctorates in mathematics. So I am confident she can write me a very good letter of recommendation. I will also ask my physics professor next semester if he can write me a letter of recommendation as well.

Does Cornell offer a Summer program for applicants such as myself? If so, will going to one of those help increase my chances of getting accepted?

4

They do offer summer programs but they don’t increase your chances unless they it was high prestigious because any rich family can afford them. I agree with morris, apply

5

Even though you may have started off your HS career on the wrong foot, if you made up by showing improvement throughout the years with higher grades and challenging classes, then the university will probably see that. Don’t beat yourself too much but keep working hard (even harder perhaps) and show that you are improving. Growth is what colleges like to see and if there is an upward trend with your grades, then the school might overlook your lower grades.

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@directeur: the OP had a very disappointing first year at community college, not High School. http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/what-my-chances/1748411-what-can-i-do-to-get-transferred-into-mit.html The OP doesn’t seem to like the advice given to him/her back in March to target more realistic colleges for transfer.