[Low GPA/High ACT] Can I get in?

Colleges & Universities A-Z Cornell University
1

<p>3.3 UW / 4.0 weighted
What's always dragged my grade down has been my math grades. I usually get high 80s to low 90s in all my sciences and humanities, including APs, but I've never seemed to be able to break out of the low 80s in my math classes.
Also, my grades definitely show an upward trend, the last semester of my Junior year I hit a 3.6 GPA, and I hope to continue that in the first semester of my Senior year.</p>

<p>SAT - I got about 2000 first time around, without studying, so I think I could bump that up to at least a 2100, hopefully higher, taking it the second time around after some studying. </p>

<p>SAT II
Chem - 780
Math II - 770</p>

<p>ACT - I took the ACT because my friend suggested it, and I was pleasantly surprised to find my scores were very competitive.
35 Composite
English - 36
Math - 36
Science - 33
Reading - 35</p>

<p>Honors Classes:
Geometry
English 10
Chemistry
Physics
Independent study Architecture</p>

<p>APs:
Chem - 4
Language and Comp - 5
US History - 5
Biology
Literature
Computer Science
European History</p>

<p>Extracurriculars:
Four years of Varsity Cross Country - Senior year as captain
Two years of Indoor Track
Four years of Spring Track
Volunteer french teacher for 5-6 year olds - an hour weekly for six months
Volunteer teacher at a computer camp for kids - 160 hours
Three years of Science Olympiad - I'm a state medalist and my team placed 3rd in the state in my first year - I'll be an officer on the team next year (huge time commitment, upwards of 400 hours per year, I'll be writing one of my essays on this)</p>

<p>I'm not sure which category to place this one under but, I attended a two week accredited summer-college business program at Northeastern University.</p>

<p>I'd be applying to the Arts and Sciences school, regular decision.</p>

2

<p>You have a chance if your grades end up at the top 10% of your class. Otherwise, not really because grades show a long term commitment and schools care about that.</p>

3

<p>I agree with Colene, over 90% of admits are in top 10% of their class, if not there your chances are well below average.</p>

4

<p>Generally speaking, GPA>SAT/ACT. However, usually they are highly correlated so most people with high GPA also have high SAT/ACT (and vice versa). Now the bad news is from what I’ve seen, when there is a disparity, Cornell tends to value the high GPA more than the high SAT/ACT. That you have scored well in the SAT II/ACT math will help you. The thing about applying to CAS is the school itself values well-rounded students and its applicant pool is full of strong, well-rounded students. </p>

<p>You can definitely get in and it’s worth applying, but I’d say your chances are low. BTW, it’s not just the math that’s a problem. High 80s/low 90s is a minimum standard for Cornell and not all that impressive.</p>