I think I can......do you?

Colleges and Universities A-Z Cornell University
1

<p>Hey,
I'm a Junior. I know its early, etc., but I was wondering if you could tell me what I should improve on to better my chances of getting into Cornell.</p>

<p>White, Atheist (Jewish heritage) male. No direct legacy/not rich.
PSAT: Probably Nat. Merit Commended (208).
SAT: With a little practice, a realistic estimate is about 21-2250
GPA: 4.25 out of 4.0 (ranking top 1%, class of 450)
SATII:
Bio: 750, Physics: expecting 700+, Math IC: 700+, Writing: 700+, maybe i'll take a few more?</p>

<p>Course load:
I slacked off in 9th grade and a little in 10th w/ easy courses, but I got straight A's. A little afraid the adcom will think i'm lazy:
9th:
First Aid/CPR course (.5 year) (certified now)
Health (mandatory) (.5 year)
English
Math A
Global Hist. 9
Honors Science
Orchestra
Spanish lev 2 (there is no way to skip levels)</p>

<p>10th:
AP Bio (5)
AP Euro (4)
English
Math AB
Orchestra
Science Research
Spanish 3</p>

<p>11th:
Science Research
Spanish 4
Orchestra
AP Language & composition (expecting 5)
AP Physics B (expecting 5)
AP US (expecting 4 or 5)
Math B</p>

<p>12th: (just organized the schedule today w/ guidance!)
Orchestra
AP Lit & composition
Science Research
Participation in Govt. and Leadership
AP Economics
AP Statistics
Calculus (not AP :(, but skipping precalc)
AP Chem</p>

<p>EC's:
Science Olympiad Secretary (compete at state level)
Quiz Bowl (compete, lol)
Class Secretary
Founder/Pres of Young Democrats
NHS (currently running for vp)
N Spanish HS
N Math HS</p>

<p>Summer research at local university and at Cold spring harbor labs (biotech and cancer)
Starting work w/ mentor on really good cancer project. Expecting intel or siemens w semifinalist.
Brown Environmental leadership lab
Some science summer programs
All State Viola Solo</p>

<p>Awards:
Won a few essay contests (1st place) and was finalist at a few poster competitions.
History paper nominated to present at conference.
Top 10 scores in a national bio. science test thing.
Research fellowship w/ university.
ALOT more research awards are coming soon.</p>

<p>essays will be good-I'm a very good writer, recs will be good-teachers really adore me, even the ones I don't like, lol.</p>

<p>I probably forgot a lot of stuff, but please give me your best suggestions/opinions!</p>

2

<p>evals are pointless without your real SAT score...</p>

3

<p>does cornell really value the SAT that much? their web site says it plays less of a role than one would think....or is that just some bs that they like to say to look nice?</p>

4

<p>If you think you can, our opinions really don't matter :p</p>

5

<p>SAT is very very important in all elite college admissions. You will notice there's more of a trend between SAT score and prestige of acceptance than between GPA and prestige of acceptance. It's not the be all and end all, but neither is it of secondary importance like your ECs.</p>

6

<p>I think you're in, just write good essays. Try to weave a theme of interest in Biomedical applications using your ECs if that is what you want to major in (Plus it makes the two courses in 9th grade you were worried about seem positive). I'm not sure what major your applying to though...</p>

7

<p>Thanks demsoc,
I am applying for biology (probably biomedical or molecular/microbiology). Oh, and I'm also probably going to apply to the CALS. Does being in NY help for that college?</p>

<p>So I should look into improving my SATs too, right?</p>

8

<p>Well, SATs are a factor, but I think people give them too much weight. If your essays and ECs are really good, they become merely a slight check. If you can integrate the theme of an interest in biology and how it applies medically, and do some research into specific Cornell Profs, etc., then you'll get in easily. </p>

<p>For CALS, if you live in New York then you get a reduced tuition (I really wish I lived in New York, my family might even move when my mother retires this year).</p>

<p>High SATs help, but if you can land anywhere in the 700s or high 600s you'll get in.</p>

9

<p>yes, i agree with you demsoc, but I'm saying while high SATs won't get you in, low SATs will keep you out. SAT could be viewed as the first hurdle, or getting in the door for consideration. The other factors like GPA (indicator of work ethic), ECs (indicator of diversity of interests) and essays (indicator of personality) will decide who gets accepted and who doesn't.</p>

<p>There are of course exceptions like if a school wants you enough for a sport or a really generous parent's continued donations that even sub-par academics and SAT can be overlooked.</p>

10

<p>what would you consider a score that would be cornell material? Would 21-2200 be enough? That is the range I have been scoring in on my last few practice tests.</p>

11

<p>The title reminds me of the little engine that could...</p>

<p>anyways...take the SATs first and then I'll get back to you.</p>

12

<p>haha....that was intended! okay, i'm signed up to take my 1st real one in april, so it will be a while.</p>

13

<p>according to the CAS faculty advisor manual "anything below 650 is weak for cornell." That would lead my to say as long as you're above 2100/680 on all sections you'd be in perfectly fine standing, though you would certainly be anything but a standout SAT-wise with scores like those.</p>

<p>Remember my word is not the law. Just try and get high 600s and up and you'll be "in the range." Mid to high 700s put you at the top (duh, haha, but even at cornell those are elite scores)</p>

14

<p>Where does everyone get these 4.25/4.0 GPAs? That would be impossible...On a 4.0 scale, the highest possible GPA would be, surprise, 4.0...</p>

15

<p>At Cornell an A+ is a 4.3</p>

16

<p>So GPA would be on scale of 4.3, meaning he has a 4.25/4.3...</p>

17

<p>AP Bio (5)
AP Euro (4)
English
Math AB
Orchestra
Science Research
Spanish 3</p>

<p>the "AdComs" will certainly punish you for this slacker 10th grade year! Just kidding, you've probably got a great chance if you get the test scores you predict. I'm guessing you just want the confidence/ego boost.</p>

18

<p>I'll admit that, in part, I was looking for a bit of confidence. But today, with the crazy admissions process we have to go through, who doesn't look for a boost?</p>

<p>Anyway, thanks again for your support. I look forward to reading your opinions!</p>

19

<p>I wasn't disagreeing with Sparticus, the SATs can be and usually are the first hurdle to get through. My only point was that you can build up the other elements of your application to an extent that the SATs are just reinforcement of the good ECs, Recs, and GPA--not vice versa. That is probably how a lot of kids with lower SATs get in.</p>

20

<p>very true.</p>

<p>I'd like to add than among HS students who have GPAs above 4.0, they are often talking about weighted GPAs where AP and honors classes are weighted up a point (i.e, B is 4, A is 5, etc.) which allows for GPAs higher than 4.0.</p>