<p>I'm trying to decide between applying early decision to cornell engineering, or to apply MIT early action and not do ED. I am very interested in physics and engineering- and like both schools very much-does anyone have any suggestions on what to do? do i miss the chance to get into Cornell for a shot at MIT?? Or does anyone have a personal opinion on either university?
anything will be useful at this point...</p>
<p>Probably, the better bet is to apply ED to Cornell. It will increase your chances at Cornell a lot, while your chances at MIT are probably slim, unless if you have something specific they are looking for. you haven't given us any details, so there's no way to advise you further.</p>
<p>If you could give us your stats and tell us your accomplishments we may be able to guide you better. You better have done something incredible if you want to get into MIT. MIT won't simply admit kids with good scores/good rank/nice ec's. They look for people who are creative, have a good amount of research experience, and have proven themselves by winning very prestigious awards such as Intel, Siemens, etc. </p>
<p>Plus what is your race and gender? If you have URM status or if you are a girl, it might be easier to get into MIT. If you are Asian, it'll be very tough.</p>
<p>yeah- sorry - here's some stats
sat: 680 CR, 800 M, 720 W
satII: 800 Physics, 790 Math IIC, 760 History, 740 Bio and also Math IC
GPA weighted: 3.95
Rank: about 2/ 100
AP classes/ scores: 5 Bio E, 5 Stats, 5 Physics B, 4 US History, currently taking BC Calc, Physics C E+M, Chemistry, European history, computer science A
Location: NYC
Highschool type: Small co ed private school
Ethnicity: White
Gender: female
Financial Aid: N
Extra Curriculars:
3 years varsity soccer, 4 years varsity squash, 4 years varsity lacrosse, 4 years peer tutoring, chinese exchange trip,
awards:
RPI medal, Academic honors 3 years (hopefully 4...), First team all IVY- lacrosse- (sports award)
hook: well, i don't know if this is a hook, but i attended the WTP program at MIT this passed summer and loved it- also, the girls lacrosse coach MAY support my application... maybe... but i haven't been able to contact her-have any suggestions?? </p>
<p>thanks again for your help</p>
<p>I think you should definitely apply EA to MIT if you like it more than Cornell. I'm pretty sure kids who get into the WTP program at MIT have a great chance at MIT. If you want to go to Cornell though, you'll very likely be admitted ED there.</p>
<p>Which field of engineering interests you?</p>
<p>I think the engineering program at Cornell is larger...maybe more course choices, varied opportunities. Broader, well-rounded curriculum at Cornell, less focus on engineering and technology.</p>
<p>Cornell engineering SATs are about 30-40 points below MIT.</p>
<p>Cornell is two-thirds undergrads where as MIT has a smaller proportion of undergrads.</p>
<p>Cornell Applied and Engineering Physics is ranked #1 in the country by US News.</p>
<p>MIT engineering is more prestigious than Cornell but Cornell is an Ivy, which is prestigious in a different way.</p>
<p>Cornell campus is beautiful.</p>
<p>You might want to contact Cornell coaches to see if they would support you.</p>
<p>I wouldn't ED at Cornell unless you would select Cornell over MIT.</p>
<p>You should only apply ED if the school is your clear first choice---not because you think it increases your chances of admission (though that's an added bonus if it IS your first choice). It sounds like you're not there with Cornell, so I'd say apply EA at MIT and RD at Cornell Engineering (and a bunch of other schools) and see what happens. Yours stats should make you competitive at either school, but they both have very low acceptance rates so you can't count on it. I'd say both are reachy, though being a woman may help a little in engineering. Anything more in the match/safety range?</p>
<p>you should apply to MIT EA</p>
<p>well i'm really interested in the engineering physics program at Cornell, and met with the head of the program who gave me some very good information on it. I'm a legacy at Cornell- which may help with RD admission?? i know it doesn't help at Penn...I also really liked MIT and the people there- its pretty much a dead split between the two at this point. I'm also considering of course some safteys, and such, i guess i just have to figure out which school is my first choice...
thanks for the advice- this helps alot :)</p>
<p>I think the education you will get the AEP program at Cornell is very comparable to the education you would receive at MIT. So there's not a lot to discuss there.</p>
<p>One question might be which school would offer better opportunities for undergraduate research and interaction with faculty? I can't speak for MIT, but I know that Cornell is more undergraduate focused than most realize, and that nearly all Cornell students in the physical sciences are getting significant research experience by the time they are sophomores. The AEP program is known to be very tight knit on campus, etc. But then again, all of MIT is known to be tight knit with hacking, etc.</p>
<p>The difference between the two comes down to campus environment and setting, and I think that is what you should be asking yourself. So:</p>
<p>1) Do you want to be in a bustling city? Or do you want to be in a college town with a phenomenal natural setting?</p>
<p>2) Do you want to be part of a big, diverse campus with all sorts of students with all sorts of varied interests? Or would you rather be on a smaller campus with a more intense atmosphere where everybody holds more similar interests?</p>
<p>I often describe Cornell's Engineering school as a little bit of MIT plopped down in a big diverse research university with farmers and philosophers and students studying hotel management.</p>
<p>The fact that you did a program at MIT during the summer will demonstrate your considerable interest, colleges love to admit students who are familiar with their school. </p>
<p>The only thing I'm worried about, is that you don't have any leadership role in your extra-curriculars, this can make a huge difference. You may want to dig some leadership roles out, or hint at it in your essay, your essay will be the key to whether you get into MIT. Other than that, I think you are very competitive for MIT, even as an RD applicant, just show your interest, try to show that you have some leadership experience, and I think you have a great shot at MIT. </p>
<p>I don't think you'll have trouble getting into Cornell as an RD applicant, again, write a kickass essay, showing your interest for the school. </p>
<p>Bottom line, do EA for MIT, apply regular decision for Cornell.</p>
<p>Just a piece of advice, you need a certain GPA, I think it's 3.2, to pursue the AEP program at Cornell. It is an extremely elite program at Cornell so you must realize that you may not necessarily be able to study it at Cornell. But if you can, that would be sweet.</p>
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i guess i just have to figure out which school is my first choice...
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</p>
<p>No, you have to decide your tolerance for risk. The least risky move, for you, is Cornell ED. But strategically, it's a mistake, because you will probably get into MIT EA, and will probably get into Cornell RD.</p>
<p>yayyyyy
to everyone who replied to this thread:
THANK YOU </p>
<p>I went EA to MIT and got in!!!! this website was one of the only sources of info that said I had a good chance of getting in. Even my guidance counselor didn't believe it was possible but obviously he was wrong. Seriously although this may sound stupid, your comments and thoughts really DID impact my decision to take the risk and go EA MIT.
Thanks again,
Laura</p>
<p>
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Even my guidance counselor didn't believe it was possible but obviously he was wrong. Seriously although this may sound stupid, your comments and thoughts really DID impact my decision to take the risk and go EA MIT.
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</p>
<p>I'm surprised your counselor was surprised. MIT tries very hard to get girls of your caliber. Congrats</p>
<p>Definitely apply to MIT EA; you have great stats and MIT looks for talented young women. You have a very good shot at getting in. </p>
<p>Moreover, I believe that engineering schools are generally looking for young women with strong math and science skills, which you clearly have, so you would also have an excellent shot at getting into Cornell RD should MIT not work out for you. By the way, my S applied to MIT EA three years ago, was deferred and ultimately rejected, but did get into Cornell RD, where he now goes and is very happy.</p>
<p>Good luck!</p>