<p>Hi I am thinking of applying to Cornell early decision. I was either going to apply to CALS and major in information science or the School of Arts and Sciences and go undecided. I'd really appreciate your input on what I would be more likely getting accepted to and if I have a good shot. Thanks!</p>
<p>SAT: 2140
Math 800
CR 660
Writing 680
Math II 770</p>
<p>My school doesn't rank but my GPA is a 91.4/100 unweighted.</p>
<p>My ECs aren't great. I do three varsity sports and have already spoken to Cornell coach about walking on there. Besides sports I just have a little volunteering but I have been state champ, and team captain so I hope that helps.</p>
<p>ED is a good idea if you are positive that you want to attend Cornell and you and your family are able to afford the cost of attendance regardless of the financial aid they can offer. </p>
<p>I have a friend who is close to 60 and still paying off student loans. That includes graduate school (she was funded but she decided she needed to live in a two bedroom apartment and could not, would not consider a roommate - her choice). </p>
<p>So yeah, YOLO. Just do it without life altering debt</p>
<p>Collegegirlxoxo: YOLO sounds fine right now. But with crazy debt payments for the next 25 years, you’re saying that these are OK</p>
<p>Never drive a new car – always having to fix up the “old beater”
Always renting – home? very unlikely
Crazy vacations? Not you.
Grad school or work more? Tough sacrifices.
Living paycheck to paycheck a great likelihood
Saving for retirement or your own kids’ future – severely limited.</p>
<p>And this is assuming you’ll get a decent salary in info technology. Maybe take a class in personal finance online or at the local community college – that’ll open up your eyes.</p>
<p>Okay I appreciate your responses but all I wanted to know was if I had a good chance of getting into cornell. Obviously I am going to consider the costs, but first I want to consider if I’m even a good candidate for cornell. </p>
<p>I will answer your question. Nobody else has. </p>
<p>If Cornell is your first choice, then applying ED could increase the chances of getting in. You are in range, so it could be a wise move. </p>
<p>Now if you qualify for financial aid, they will offer you a package with your offer of admission. You have only two options: (1) Accept the package and agree to attend Cornell and withdraw all other applications, or (2) determine that the financial aid is insufficient to allow you to attend in which case you can ask for a review and if no further relief is granted, you can request a release from your ED commitment, you will be released, and you CANNOT go to Cornell even if it turned out later to be the best FinAid offer. </p>
<p>I think CALS is easier to get into but you should check on their website. </p>
<p>One needs to assess what ones future earnings will be and what the total loan amount would be to determine if this is wise or not. Therefore your statement is fallacious. </p>
<p>@collegegirlxoxo, the reason you were asked about finances – and the reason everyone jumped down your throat afterwards – is that the question of whether you can afford this particular school is one you MUST answer before you apply ED. You need to figure that out first, before you apply.</p>
<p>Here’s why: because if you apply ED and you’re accepted, and then you get your financial aid offer and it isn’t what you hoped for, you have to decide right then whether you’re going to take out loans or do whatever else you have to do in order to attend. You can’t wait to see what the other schools you applied to might offer you. Suppose you turn down the ED offer, you wait to see what your offers are from the schools that accept you RD – and guess what, they offer you even less than Cornell did! Or you accept the ED offer from Cornell and you later find out that a friend of yours with similar stats and similar financial situation got a huge offer from another school that you had applied to RD.</p>
<p>So yes, if you like Cornell best, and you know you’ll be able to afford it, apply ED. Your stats are in range, so you have a shot.</p>
<p>
</p>
<p>Following advice like this is why there are so many news articles about recent graduates from “top” schools who are currently working at low-paying jobs and feeling squeezed by their loan payments.</p>
<p>But taking out a reasonable amount of loans is just that: reasonable. </p>
<p>Some people are totally opposed to loans of any kind. That’s silly IMHO.
You have to do the math.
What is the salary range you can expect to earn?
What will your payments be?
How much will it adversely impact your life?
What are your other options?
I think the question of borrowing is far more complex than “just say no”. </p>
<p>Agreed. But it’s also far more complex than “just take out whatever you need in loans – it will pay itself back as long as you have a degree from X school.”</p>
<p>@ClassicRockerDad I have seen few people post that taking out loans of any kind is bad. The general feeling is taking out loans > the Stafford Loan amount (27-31K) is not a good idea. Some people also feel using the first year’s salary is a good goal. Are you recommending more than that? If so how much and why?</p>
<p>BTW, I have to say that the idea of YOLO, while appealing to a teen (I felt that way to a degree as well when I was that age), because most teens have trouble thinking beyond next year, when applied to colleges, just isn’t true. </p>
<p>It’s much more fun to be in your 20’s with money to spend than being broke in college or scrimping in your 20’s because all your money goes to paying off loans.</p>
<p>Besides, if you want that Ivy/whatever degree so badly, you can always get a grad degree later (and sometimes all or partially for free).</p>