<p>Okay, so final year grades are out, and this year, I haven't done so well compared to 9th and 10th grade. I got a C+ in AP Physics, which isn't always lovely.</p>
<hr>
<p>GPA UW: 3.68
GPA W: 3.92
Class rank: Top 15%
SAT Scores: 700 M 720 CR 740 W
SAT II Scores: 750 US; 760 Lit</p>
<p>I got one C+ in Physics, and I have 8 B's, and 15 A's. I'm planning to apply ED to CAS, so I'm not sure how I will look. Next year I'm taking 6-8 AP's (my schedule still isn't final), so I'll work my butt off first semester senior year and pull up my grades. I guess if I get deferred, my first semester 12th grade transcript won't look bad. </p>
<p>I plan to declare myself undecided, or go into English/History or English/Biology. I'm also a URM and first generation.</p>
<p>EC's:</p>
<p>National Honor Society - 2 years (counting this year and next) ~ 12 hours of volunteer work there
Math Team - 3 years
Academic Quiz Bowl - 3 years
Multicultural Club - President - 4 years
Science Olympiad's - Secretary - 3 years
Volunteering at Nursing Home - 300+ hours
Volunteering by visiting disabled kids - 50 hours
Won an award at Math Competition
Won an award for excellence at an Regional Science Competition
Played instrument for 6 years
Vice President of a Volunteer Club ~ 1 year (my friend is starting it when I'm a senior; she'll be a junior, and we couldn't start the club this year)
Volunteered in a foreign nation when I visited there ~ 60 hours
Writing (currently) for a literary magazine (not my school's)</p>
<p>I think I'll have great rec's, and I'm going to work on my essay to make them great as well.</p>
<p>The reason I'm asking for chances is because since I feel so lowly about my grades and GPA, I wonder if I should bother sending in an application to Cornell.</p>
<p>Any feedback would *<em>greatly</em> be appreciated.</p>
<p><em>Sigh</em> I wish I could go back in time and change my whole high school career >_<</p>
<p>I didn't take any honors/AP's in 9th grade
10th grade: AP Euro and AP Bio (got A's)
11th grade: AP stats (B), AP English Lang (A), AP US H (A), AP Physics B (C+) <-- urghh
12th grade: AP Psych, AP Chem, AP Calc BC, AP Gov't, AP Economics, AP Literature, and independently studying Human Geo and Env Sci.</p>
<p>Look: You're a URM with good SAT scores (in the Cornell range), good grades, lots of AP courses (and, I assume, scores), and some leadership - and you're applying ED. Frankly, you've got a much better shot than most of the non-URMs with your stats - and if something goes wrong, you're highly likely to be accepted RD and/or get into a comparable school. Your only C is in AP Physics, which is a pretty fierce course in most schools. You'll be fine; you've far less reason to worry than the multitudes of non-URM, non-EDers applying with comparable stats to yours.</p>
<p>Thanks for the uplifting advice. I really don't mean to be stressed or freaked out over no reason, I truly am worrying. I guess it's because I come from a school that's semi-competitive. Most of my friends or people that I know have grades around my range, or much better. I guess comparing to them, I feel really down.</p>
<p>I don't plan to make the focus of my major mainly science (like biochemistry or biochemical engineering or etc), so I hope the C+ doesn't really affect me.</p>
<p>Thanks again. Is there anything I could work on, however?</p>
<p>I'm sorry to rain on your parade, but your grades aren't very good. A 3.68 UW isn't very good and your class rank (not even top 10%) doesn't make up for it. Having so many B's is also pretty weak. Also, your C+ is in AP Physics B. At my high school that was a required course for all seniors. AP Physics C is the real one. </p>
<p>Having said all that, your SAT scores are around average for Cornell and you seem to have taken a difficult course load. You also seem to very involved and consistent in that you stayed with activities for multiple years. However, many Ivy League applicants have the exact same EC's. The thing that stands out with yours is your willingness to volunteer. You seem to have taken real initiative in making this a priority and it comes off as genuine. Accentuate this in your essay or recs. </p>
<p>I think when karajanhra gave such a great evaluation of your application chances it was because, in the context of being a URM, you're great. As far as comparing you to the entire applicant pool, the evaluation would be less enthusiastic.</p>
<p>With everything considered (including URM), I'd say you have a very very good shot for ED and a good shot at RD. Hope I wasn't too rough.</p>
<p>It only helps me really know where I stand as a candidate, and also pushes me to work harder. I'll try to focus on the lesson being learned here than the sting I get from this thread >_<.</p>
<p>Edit: SUNY School ftw! ... not really. I really think I should expect the worst so I don't freak out by the time I don't get an acceptance letter for ED, which falls a day after my birthday. Lovely =D</p>
<p>I think the fact that you took Physics AP and not just regular physics shows you're motivated...</p>
<p>I'd be more worried if you were applying to be an Engineer or Science major but since you're doing English, as long as your english and social science grades are high then you should be ok...</p>
<p>Yeah, my English grades have been A's all 3 years of high school so far. Same with history. I've gotten A's in all sciences too so far (except Physics), but have been scoring consistent B's in Math.</p>
<p>Thanks guys, I'll be working more on my EC's this summer to try and step up my resume. I'll also try hard first semester of 12th grade, in case I need to apply RD. That way the admissions officers will see how I pulled myself up again (in a way).</p>
<p>DON'T WORRY!
3.68 is NOT low GPA and you're SAT scores are really good :) PLUS you're first generation. I lot of first generation kids with your GPA get in with scores lower than 2000 because colleges understand that it's much easier if your parents have been to uni because they can help you out A LOT with applications etc.</p>
<p>btw - sorry but what does URM mean? I'm new to this so yeah lol sorry please explain</p>
<p>OK, so some of your scores are higher than my D and some lower. She is a CU student. Admissions is a crap shoot. Where are you from? Can you sell yourself someway?</p>
<p>My point is, you are within the range. Keep getting the C range ,however, and you are NOT.</p>