<p>Right now I'm a junior in high school and am interested in Cornell, mainly because my uncle's friend had a great time in engineering physics which is what I'm interested in. My school has a good success rate for kids similar to my statistics in getting into Cornell, but I don't think I'll ever feel <em>comfortable</em> applying. I was going to wait to do my "Chances" but after reading so many of them on these boards I can probably predict the answer. I'm going to post my current stats and instead ask, how can I improve them between now and when I apply next year? It probably doesn't help, but Alan (Uncle's friend) said he'd call admissions and recommend me (He's rich if that helps so I'm assuming, though don't know, whether he donates a lot, plus it's not like my connection to him is significant). Anyways, here are my stats:</p>
<p>Planned Major: Physics/Engineering Physics
GPA: 96 (Estimated but I doubt it will drop to a 95)
Rank: Unknown (Not given but most likely top 5%)
Advanced Classes- AP World History (Scored a 5), Honors English 10, Honors English 11, AP Chemistry, AP Statistics, University Pre-Calc, AP US History
-Taking Next Year: AP Physics, AP English, AP French, University Meteorology, AP Calculus
PSAT: A low 189[0], but guidance counselor thinks for the real one I'll be able to get them it to 2100 with a bit of studying.
SAT II: World History 770
-Will take: Math IC and Chemistry and expect 700+
I should get good recs.
EC's (Probably where I need advice since they're weak): Black belt karate, varsity tennis, JV cross country, Key Club, National Honor Society, and tech crew for drama club
Thanks for looking at this in advance :)</p>
<p>I also think you should invent a cure for cancer.</p>
<p>But seriously, it looks like you're on the right track. You should bring up your SATs. Your GPA looks good. Your class percentile looks good. Your extracurriculars could use some improvement. As of now, on paper, you don't really stand out much. I noticed you didn't post any volunteering. You should look into some volunteering, which might help. Good luck.</p>
<p>I think all that volunteering and EC stuff is crap. Only thing I ever did was some academic leagues. Otherwise I relied on good scores and grades. I think this myth of needing to volunteer and such was created so stupider but hard working kids can feel they have a chance at getting into top schools.</p>
<p>I figured I needed to look into more volunteering. I guess I'll have to figure something out. As for low PSAT, after reviewing the score my math was lowest when it really should have been the highest. I got 5 questions wrong which were just stupid so I'll do a few practice tests and my math section should be 750+, not 600. Writing needs work, but I have gotten better.</p>
<p>Your point is moot since I can say with complete confidence that 99% of high school kids doing volunteer work are doing it soley because, as everyone as stated, they think it will help them get into a "good" college. Period. When someone goes running around telling everyone and all their colleges they did 7000 hours of volunteer work they aren't doing it because it makes them feel all warm and fuzzy inside. For the 1% of people out there that actually get something out of the volunteer work they have done, that's great and I respect that. But everyone else shouldn't even pretend that they aren't "volunteering" superficially for their own benefit.</p>
<p>And anyway, I had 75 required hours and that was it. And I had a similar PSAT score (though I don't remember offhand), but scored a 2210 on the real thing. No biggie. Grades and scores are going to be the first thing the admissions committee sees and probably the most important thing as well...everything else is subjective.</p>
<p>Grades and scores are most important. Presenting yourself as a definitive example of why volunteer hours don't matter is ridiculous. You were one of millions when you applied. I agree that most do it for college and that is why colleges seek a common thread or a passion within the volunteer work. The fact of the matter is that volunteering is an experience whether you cherish it or not. It's an experience that shouldn't be negated, an experience that everyone should have, and an experience that admissions committees seek whether they're cynical about it or not.</p>
<p>Don't worry about the PSATs, I don't remember offhand but I got somewhere in the 1800s on it also, but I got a 2210 on the real thing. I find that PSAT scores rarely reflect how well you'll do on the actual SAT (at least with me and my friends). Like, I think I got a 670 or something on the PSAT verbal, but I got a 790 on the real SAT without studying any verbal sections or vocab or anything. PSATs really don't reflect your actual SAT abilities at all.</p>
<p>When I suggested that he volunteer I was just giving him an idea since he came here looking for some suggestions. I didn't just want to shoot him down and tell him to buzz off. Remember: it's just a suggestion mikey. At least in my experience, volunteering made me realize why I wanted to go into the medical profession so much. I'm sure a lot of people disagree but I think volunteering builds character. But of course, everything on these boards are speculative, so I guess my suggestion is not any better than a suggestion to cure cancer.</p>
<p>oh yeah i have an internship at a hospital wheere i spend about 10 hrs a week...and i dont get paid..so i guess that would constitute as volunteer work</p>
<p>So the best way to improve my app between now and when I apply senior year (Probably ED) would be to make sure I get good SAT scores and do some volunteer work?</p>