Let's chance... the last chance...

Colleges and Universities A-Z Cornell University
1

<p>It's late in the game but I'm curious about my chances for Cornell. I'm not the best applicant out there, but I definitely think I'm unique and have demonstrated academic ability. Good luck to everyone who has applied! </p>

<p>• African-American/Asian female from CA</p>

<p>• GPA UW: 3.8, GPA W: 4.1</p>

<p>• MAJOR: Communication</p>

<p>• AP COURSES:</p>

<p>Sophomore year -
AP Euro (score: 2)
English 10 Honors
Algebra II
Spanish II
Journalism
Chemistry</p>

<p>Junior Year -
APUSH (5)
AP English Lang & Comp (5)
Trigonometry
Journalism
PE
Astronomy
I took a college Psych course that I earned an A in.</p>

<p>Senior Year
AP English - likely A
AP Stats - likely A or A-
AP Econ - possibly a B
AP Spanish - likely A
I took a college Art History course that I earned an A in.</p>

<p>• SAT: </p>

<p>1st time:
620 CR
520 M
720 W
total: 1860</p>

<p>2nd time:
680 CR
560 M
750 W
total: 1990</p>

<p>• SAT IIs: </p>

<p>US History: 730
Literature: 580 first time, 640 second time</p>

<p>• EXTRA-CURRICS:
- Newspaper: A&E Editor Junior Year, Editor-in-Chief Senior Year
- Visual and Performing Arts Academy - Visual Art Major (Countless hours put into college art courses, art exhibitions, etc. I've had my work showcased in three different exhibitions. In senior year I graduate from the academy with a diploma.)
- By end of senior year, graduate of Ryman Arts @ USC (A prestigious, application-based program for gifted high school artists. I was awarded an $8,000 scholarship to attend this program.)
- Junior Year - "Link Crew" mentor for Freshmen
- Junior Year and Senior Year - Commissioner of Publicity for Helping Hands Club (Club that offers tutoring to students who need it)
- Hundreds of hrs. working at my Church for Arts & Crafts - throughout HS</p>

<p>• HONORS:
- Blue Honor Roll all four yrs.
- Art Awards - "Best in Visual Art," "Most Improved," etc.</p>

<p>• CURRENT CLASS RANK (out of 522): 22 (top 4%)</p>

<p>• ESSAY: Writing is my strong suit, so I have confidence that it could be my push into a top school like Cornell, in addition to my URM status. It highlights my unique ethnic background, talks about my family and reveals my sense of humor. I think it was a really moving essay, and have heard it from multiple people. A UCLA reader who came to my school said it was the best out of everything that she had read. My Cornell supplement discusses my passion for writing and art, and how my talents in both have played upon each other to make my work stand out.</p>

2

<p>The only thing going against you is the Asian part, otherwise you’re fine. xP</p>

3

<p>Why would being half Asian go against me?</p>

4

<p>Asian are expected to get higher SAT…
maybe your half African American identity will help with your diversity… who knows…Wish you good luck~!</p>

5

<p>It was meant to be taken as a compliment, but alas we all interpret things differently. I was merely joking :P. (However I do love to constantly whine about how my chances were affected by my being Asian, and I feel fully justified doing so)</p>

6

<p>Pretty solid applicant by the looks of it, but the SAT I Math score is pretty brutal. I don’t think it’d keep you out though. Good luck!</p>

7

<p>Thanks for your responses. @Failboat, responses can get pretty ridiculous around here so it’s difficult to tell who’s serious and who’s not. Are you a Cornell student?</p>

8

<p>Not yet, however I was accepted in the ED round so I can somewhat relate to your experience. Don’t worry, you have as solid of a chance as many of the other top applicants. Hang in there possible prospective fellow Cornellian :P</p>

<p>Edit: Also, this might help you fell better: Cornell doesn’t weigh SAT as the exclusive indicator of an applicant’s strength. To be even more honest, the selection process seems to be purely arbitrary if SAT is weighed in. The best thing to do now however is to just keep on doing as you were and to not worry about what will happen comes late March. Good luck.</p>

9

<p>I think you have a pretty solid chance.</p>

10

<p>I think you have a good shot. Some people would say that you have a lower chance because you’re half asian, however I’d think of it as this:</p>

<p>URM~African American~ (Under Represented Minority-Higher Chance of Acceptance)= +1</p>

<p>ORM~Asian~ (Over Represented Minority-Lower Chance of Acceptance)= -1</p>

<p>Therefore:</p>

<p>1+(-1)= 0</p>

<p>In other words, the positive(URM) and negative(ORM) effects cancel out each other, giving you a fair shot with neither advantages nor disadvantages. So the way I see it, you’re normal and dont have anything working against you…except for that math score, but as someone said before, I don’t think it can keep you out. Good Luck!</p>