Looking to apply next year. Should I?

Colleges and Universities A-Z Cornell University
1

<p>Cornell is definitely my top top choice for college. Not because of its status, I've visited and found the campus and students there to be exactly what i want.
However, I'm definitely lacking in terms of qualifications and I was wondering if I had a shot of getting in.</p>

<p>This year they took about 13 kids from my school early and in previous have been known to take kids even in the top 30% of the class rather than just the top 10%.</p>

<p>here are my stats:</p>

<p>School: Top SAT scores in NJ for a public school. Cornell seems to like us in terms of acceptance.</p>

<p>My GPA:this is where im lacking the school doesn't consider freshman year so it'll be a 4.05 if I apply early and i had horrible grades frosh yr, plenty of b's =/</p>

<p>AP's (so far): Biology- 5 on the exam
Chemistry- pending
Government- pending
American- pending
im 100% sure il get no less than a 4 on any of the exams.
next year im definitely taking
AP Euro
AP Lang
and 2 of the following mix: ap calc, ap phys, ap environment, ap psych, ap econ so il have a total of 4 aps senior year</p>

<p>SAT's: I'm still waiting for March results but i'l want to apply with over a 2100.
SAT II- 770 in biology. and in may il be taking math II and American and i should be able to get over 700 in both without much difficulty.</p>

<p>Extracurricular- Lacrosse (only frosh year), clubs: women's forum (soph yr and junior), Literary magazine assist. editor, film club (actor & help with plot/anything else), outdoor club and ive sent in my application for a Cornell 3 week summer program in psychology this summer. I'm also in the school band.</p>

<p>Other: I was born in Russia not the U.S however i am a citizen and fluent in russian, so i'll be the first out of my mom and dad to attend a U.S college. i've also lived in israel. </p>

<p>Considering I'm a white male from NJ should i give it a shot applying early? My GPA and lack of any leadership in extra curricular is kind of scaring me, especially my freshman year grades. However, i think i can manage straight A's first quarter senior year with 4 aps and send them in after my early app to give it a boost. </p>

<p>I'm extremely sorry for the wall of text but i wanted to include everything.</p>

<p>(I understand it's really early to be looking at this, but i have a college meeting with my guidance consuelor coming up)</p>

2

<p>You should try. I think you stand a good chance, especially if you apply ED. Just make sure to study a little bit for the SATs over the summer and also make sure your essays are good.</p>

<p>Finally, try to boast up your grades for the rest of this year. A couple of Bs won't hurt you.</p>

3

<p>thanks for the opinion =D
oh and the 4.05 is weighted. the highest gpa we've ever had though was a 4.5, (4.30's are common for 2nd/1st decile though, im in the bottom of the 2nd)</p>

4

<p>anyone else?</p>

5

<p>I think you should go for it. You said that you're sure that Cornell is your top choice, so I don't see a problem with applying ED unless financial aid is a big concern. Your courseload looks good, and if you do end up getting a 2100+ on the SAT, your standardized test scores will be solid. As a high schooler, I didn't have to deal with weighted GPAs, so I don't really know how "good" or "bad" a 4.05 is. Still, it seems like you had a bit of a struggle only during freshman year. If the rest of your grades during high school have been good, I wouldn't worry too much.</p>

<p>Since you didn't go into much detail about how long you've been involved with some of your extracurriculars (i.e. literary magazine, Film Club), I don't know how much they will help you. With the way you described them, they don't particularly stand out. However, if you've dedicated a lot of time to your activities, be sure to highlight that in your application. Write a great essay and show your passion for Cornell, and I think you have a decent shot. Good luck with applying! :)</p>

6

<p>A lot depends on which school within Cornell you apply to. If you have an interest in biology, you can look into CALS, CHE, and CAS, which vary in selectivity (and predictability).</p>

7

<p>i'd want to apply to the school of arts and sciences since its the most broad and i think id fit best in it. I know its the most selective, but is taking ap histories along with ap sciences, having music as an interest (band) showing that i have a broad interest and the school of arts and sciences can accommodate them? </p>

<p>Also, is putting a major on the app helpful? I'm really undecided and probably will be. But if it means a better shot im interested in psychology and i'll be taking a summer course at cornell for it as well as the ap class next yr.</p>

8

<p>u have to puta major on the app...u have 2 choices too! good luck!</p>

9

<p>definitely apply.</p>

10

<p>" u have to puta major on the app...u have 2 choices too! good luck!"</p>

<p>haha ok i didn't realize that, i guess i'd put psych down, and arts and sciences is the only school that has it right?</p>

<p>Also, in regards to showing broad interests, I can definitely compose a musical piece over the summer and record it during the first month of school. It won't be anything complicated but in regards to it.
1) how much will it really help, since it will require a lot of work on my part.
2) will they care as to what type of music it is. I play guitar, so naturally im much more comfortable writing for it than something like saxophone which is in a diff key. Also, im more comfortable with rock, but if i need to i can throw in a cello or some jazz. </p>

<p>And is there any way knowing current students can help me on my app? Like have them write a recommendation or something? (They'll be a junior by the time i apply)</p>

11

<p>Think you have a great chance, and doing the summer program will be a great. Hopefully you have some community service that you did not list? If not, I suggest volunteering soon and keeping it up through Sr year, that way can take credit for doing jr and sr year. Good Luck!</p>

12

<p>Sorry to possibly add to the confusion, but for Arts & Sciences, you don't have to put a major down on your application. I believe Arts & Sciences is the only college where you can be undecided. For other colleges, you have to apply to a specific major, but for Arts & Sciences, you can simply apply to the college as an undecided major. You don't have to declare a major until the end of sophomore year. And since you're very unsure about what you want to do, there's no pressure for you to put down a major. Be truthful in your application. The adcoms will be able to tell when your heart really isn't in the major that you're applying for. Also, for the Cornell supplement in the application, you have to write about why you think your major is right for you; since the people who are undecided don't know what major they want to apply for, they ask undecideds why the college is suited for their interests. It sounds like Arts & Sciences would be perfect for you to explore many different fields.</p>

<p>Same goes for your music composition. When you're composing the piece, don't think about how it will appeal to adcoms. If you do, you run the risk of having your music sound fake and mechanical. Create something that demonstrates your personality. Your passion will show when you make something that you truly enjoy.</p>

13

<p>Go ahead..</p>