<p>Wow I was going to apply to Princeton too…</p>
<p>I’m a Cornell alum, based on URMs I met while I was there I’d say your app is going to be a stretch… not impossible but tough. The thing is, your app seems very science oriented (with your ECs and your interest in astronomy), but your SAT and ACT math scores are (presumably) not very great. So I think this is going to show an interest in the field, but they are going to want to see higher math scores to back that up. </p>
<p>The other thing is, generally to get in with a lower test score you have to bring something very unique to the table (all-state athlete, some sort of national award, etc) or have absolutely baller HS grades. Friend of mine was something like 4th out of 800 kids or so in her HS class with an SAT just below the average and she got in (URM), but that’s the top 1% of her HS class. </p>
<p>Looking at your list, I’m surprised you don’t have more schools that are still very well regarded academically but a bit easier to get into. Your list sort of drops sharply from Cornell / Penn / Hopkins to Maryland, etc. What about a school on the level of Boston College or something? If you are totally dead set on Cornell I say give it a shot, but you only get one ED card to play so use it wisely. If you don’t get in ED and then have a tougher time in the regular app pool, you don’t want to end up kicking yourself down the road. Either way good luck!</p>
<p>I will tell you this much, If I dont get into Cornell I rather go to Penn state, they offer a program in which you can double major and do your masters in 4 years!</p>
<p>To sum up this tread, The only thing standing in my way is my ACT/SAT. I guess I will take them 2 times. But how about my Rank and GPA (3.8)?</p>
<p>They’re fine (although get your rank up 2 and you’re in better shape, you just miss top 10% which is unfortunate, but considering you just moved there it’s not that bad), it’s just the ACT/SAT combo are not great at all for you. Especially with interest in a math/science related subject, the SAT IIs are important and those don’t help much either (do you have any?). The ECs aren’t plentiful either, so just don’t be too set on a school yet because with ivies anything can happen.</p>
<p>that is true with the ivies and not yet (sat ii)</p>
<p>Of course still apply and everything (write strong essays) but be aware of the possibilities.</p>
<p>People at cornell must be nice b/c it is the place for good advice, nice advice… Thank you all!!!1</p>
<p>I think you will get in regardless of your scores!</p>
<p>Looks like cornell is a no go I got a 23 ACT score!
depressed</p>
<p>Sorry to hear about the score, we were all pulling for you.</p>
<p>Well, I felt equally bad on my SAT :(</p>
<p>creacher, if you are still interested in Cornell, I think you should apply regardless.</p>
<p>True that…</p>
<p>I agree with creacher, the Cornell thread is the nicest one. You don’t have a bunch of bone heads throwing insults around -__- <em>cough, cough</em> Harvard thread <em>cough</em> ahem, anyway,
I think that if you pick up your scores (as others have said), and just write a banging essay, you’ll be fine. My GPA is about a 92/93. My class rank is 20, but my SAT is 1620. I plan on taking the act as well. Just keep trying, that’s all people like us can do.</p>
<p>and yaaa for Africans :)</p>
<p>p.s. I’m applying to Cornell RD this year.
p.s.s. There is this organization that Cornell has. It has a bunch of people and admin people, and students etc etc who contact minority students in the hopes of recruiting them (I couldn’t think of a better word…), if they happen to email you then strike up a dialogue, and keep it going until you get your application decision back. I’ve heard that this group can be a good advocate for minority students who are above par, and on the edge (by Cornell standards). I don’t think that you can contact them, I think that they must contact you first or something. It’s really interesting when they start talking to you :). So get noticed by Cornell, and they might find you, and then advocate on your behalf. Good Luck!!</p>
<p>Do you have any Idea what they are called or how they present them selves</p>
<p>You may want to consider how you would fair if by chance you did make it in. That should be more concerning than the SAT score at this point.</p>