Int Student Cornell ED & Financial aid

Colleges and Universities A-Z Cornell University
1

Hi
I am an international student who is going to take his chances by applying to Cornell in early decision. 2 days ago, the college that I was going to ED was Princeton, because it is need-blind for us. And I do need financial aid that is why I chose Princeton as my first choice. But the competitive is soooooooo huge, it is already huge in the United States if you are an international + seeking aid, in Princeton. I want to major in Computer Science and the CS is one of the most competitive majors in the country. When I looked at the stats I saw that Princeton got 2000 undergraduates while Cornell got around 5000. + Cornell’s acceptance rate is bit higher than that of Princeton. That is why I changed my mind.

I have some concerns though. Since Cornell is need aware, my chances are going to be so low compared to Princeton’s, or as I think. So I don’t know if my “strategic move” was clever enough. That is why I am asking you to help me, please…

Also, would you recommend another major that is less competitive compared to CS? I am interested in Astronomy, Physics, Engineering.

Stats:
GPA 96.47
Class Rank: 1/42
SAT: 1450 (650 EBRW/800M) (retaking in December) (very low for T20s but this is best I can do because of my English curriculum)
SAT II: Math 780 Physics 790
IELTS: 8
LOR: They are pretty good, actually better than my essays
Essays: I would rate it 7/10
ECs:
My ECs are decent as an international but I am not going to write all of them
Student Council President 1 year
Student Council Vice President 2 years
The Duke of Edinburgh’s International Award ( Bronze-Silver-Gold)
Turkish National Science Team / T3 Foundation
Secretary General, organizing our school’s first MUN conference
+25 MUN conferences
President of MUN Club
Founder of FRC club
Robotics Club, won couple awards
…

2

@ergunackz Applying ED to Cornell CS in view of your personal circumstances, i.e. need of financial aid as an international student, clearly is not the right solution to your problem in my pov.

There are five four-year colleges who are truly need-blind for international students: Harvard, Yale, Princeton, MIT, and Amherst.

Cornell, on the other hand, extends its need-blind admissions policy to international students but does not meet full demonstrated need of international students admitted. Cornell states that “due to our limited funds we cannot provide funding to all admitted international students that demonstrate financial need”. Presuming, despite your SAT score etc., you were admitted ED to Cornell but would not be able to attend because your request for financial aid is rejected, how awful would this be?

In view of your competitive major plans, need for financial aid as an international student and your SAT score, you probably will best advised to forget about applying ED in general and to throw a much wider net as part of your college application strategy, instead.

Bets of luck and success!

3

Correction…Cornell is need aware not need blind when it comes to admission, but will meet 100% needs to admitted students.

4

I would apply to Cornell RD because ED is not going to give you a bump if you need FA.