I'm not one for chances, but I can't stop thinking about Cornell

Colleges & Universities A-Z Cornell University
1

<p>Hi, I'm currently a junior in high school and I've decided to apply ED to Cornell next year. My overall application seems strong, but I'm not really confident due to my current SAT scores and ECs.</p>

<p>White male attending a private, Catholic high school in Pennsylvania
Tied for rank 1/~140 with two other students
4.0 u/w GPA, school calculates weighted an odd way (5.0 honors, 6.0 AP/Dual Enrollment) and bases rank on it
Most rigourous schedule all 4 years
First Generation
Middle Class Income (going to need FA)
Member of numerous clubs, including Finance Club, Math Club (state monthly tests, weekly meetings, prepping for AMC), Key Club, and Student Council. However, I haven't managed to land a significant position in any of these yet. I'm most likely going to be VP of Key Club next year and President of finance club next year, though. I'm also in the process of starting an environmental club.</p>

<p>I participate in Academic Sports League, peer tutoring, and I'm the junior class secretary.</p>

<p>AP classes taken by time of application: Human Geo, World History, Prob & Stats, Biology, Physics, Chem, Calc.</p>

<p>I'm currently doing dual enrollment at a nearby university for 9 credits each semester this year. I'll do the same next year, so I'll be graduating with 36 credits.</p>

<p>I'm worried about my application for a couple of different reasons. First, my SAT score. As of right now, I haven't taken it. I recently took the PSAT and after three practice tests, I'm expecting around a 200. Therefore, would it be safe to expect a 2000 on the SAT? It seems to be pretty low in comparison to the accepted statistics for the class of 2016, so I'm worried about it. As of right now, I'm expecting around 32 on the ACT.</p>

<p>My ECs are also fairly shallow; Key Club member gr. 10-12, Student Council 11-12, Math Club 11-12, Finance Club is new this year, so 11-12 for it as well. ASL member grades 10-12, peer tutoring 10-12, and class secretary gr. 11 (most likely 12, too)</p>

<p>I'm nervous and I definitely want to remain as realistic as possible so that I'm not let down if I get rejected. Given my current statistics, do you believe that I'll stand a chance at being accepted?</p>

<p>If you'd like any other info, just ask!</p>

<p>Thank you!</p>

2

<p>It’s a bit too early to give an accurate chance. Practice more for the SAT and try to get 2300+. Focus on maintaining your grades junior year while trying to gain more ground within those clubs. Your ECs do come off quite generic-- try to do something unique and impactful once you land officer positions.</p>

<p>And really, just try to enjoy high school. I know how you feel right now, and college is a lot better than high school, but it’s not like Cornell is a paradise or something. Lots of people are miserable here. It’s an excellent school with a lot of opportunities, but it really isn’t the end of the world if you don’t get in and wind up at another top or respectable school.</p>

3

<p>Thanks for the reply, Saugus.</p>

<p>In all honesty, I haven’t really started practicing for the SAT yet. I’m strong in math and writing, but I tend to have a tough time with CR.</p>

<p>I’ve been enjoying high school, but a recent college visit to PSU has opened my eyes to the world out there that simply isn’t near being met by my high school experiences. Quite simply, I’m excited to be able to explore education in ways I haven’t yet been able to. I’m trying to maintain a realistic view throughout this entire process; I mean, it’s Cornell. The odds of getting in are slim to everybody, and I know that.</p>

<p>Forgot to mention that I’ve also been a member of ski club 9-11 (will gr.12 too!) and I’ve gone on the Vermont Ski Trips for the same amount of time as well! Snowboarding has become something I’ve spent a LOT of time doing during Pennsylvania’s never ending winters, and I really love it :D</p>

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<p>As to your question regarding the PSAT; no, you shouldn’t expect the same on the SAT. I got 172 on the PSAT sophomore year, practiced quite a bit and got 210 junior year, and then 2170 on my first try (which I felt I could have done much better, but I figured it was good enough).</p>

<p>2300+ on the SAT is definitely not necessary. Cornell doesn’t look at the writing portion, and the newest admissions data shows 1400 - 1450 is the middle range of most applicants, so I would say a 1450 is good enough.</p>

<p>What college are you planning on applying to? A&S and Engineering are the most selective, with CALS not far behind.</p>

<p>These tables break it down by college:
<a href=“http://dpb.cornell.edu/documents/1000176.pdf[/url]”>http://dpb.cornell.edu/documents/1000176.pdf&lt;/a&gt;
<a href=“http://dpb.cornell.edu/documents/1000177.pdf[/url]”>http://dpb.cornell.edu/documents/1000177.pdf&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt;

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<p>I’m still debating what my major is going to be, so the specific college isn’t clear yet. There are two potential paths I’m considering right now - some type of science, most likely biochemistry or neuroscience. That, or I’ll lean toward a Poli Sci (Government, in Cornell’s case) major with a minor in Economics.</p>

<p>I’m not quite sure yet. Are the colleges for science and government much different in terms of acceptance difficulty?</p>

6

<p>^
You could technically take science in Agriculture or Human Ecology, in which case, yes, it would be much easier to get into than CAS Government.</p>

<p>But if you’re talking CAS science, then no, there’s no difference. Otherwise, people would apply to an unpopular major and then just switch later. You don’t even declare until your junior year.</p>

7

<p>Wait, so if I did go with science and I did that way, would it be easier for me to get it? Or are you saying it’s not possible for me to go with science in Human Ecology?</p>

8

<p>How did you decide NOW you want to apply ED to Cornell? Have you even visited Cornell or looked at other schools?</p>

9

<p>I didn’t necessarily decide just now. I’ve been seriously considering colleges for the last six months or so. I’ve visited two within my city, as well as taken classes dual-enrollment at another. Besides these, I’ve also visited Penn State for a weekend and driven and walked through the University of Pittsburgh, and I’ve spoken with a friend of mine currently enrolled at Cornell. Out of everything I’ve experienced thus far, I know that I prefer a college town setting more-so than city life (such as Penn St. vs Pitt; Cornell is similar to Penn State, so I know I would enjoy it more than other schools). However, I’d prefer to go to a more selective school. I know that Penn State will be great to fall back on if Cornell does not work out, but given numerous different conversations with my friend at Cornell, and based upon my own independent research about Cornell, I feel confident that I would really enjoy my time there and would be able to prosper academically. Cornell has always been in the back of my mind as a far-reach, but recently it has come to my attention that it may actually be possible. I plan on visiting sometime within the next couple of months (probably during spring break) to be able to physically experience Cornell; when I take everything into consideration, it just seems like a perfect fit for me.</p>

10

<p>^^^
It depends on the TYPE of science you’re interested in. I’m not sure exactly what you want to study. HumEc and Ag have SCIENCE, it just may not be the type of science you’re aiming for.</p>