My decision and advice to others

Colleges and Universities A-Z Cornell University
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<p>Cornell has been my dream school, in many ways, since I started the application process. It stood out clearly among all the schools I considered applying for, and that's why I chose it for my early decision school. When I woke up this morning, I saw myself on campus, quietly saying "I'm back" after visiting the campus last summer. I saw myself telling all my friends that I had been accepted by Cornell University, proving that I was one of the best.</p>

<p>I'm an asian male. I have stellar grades and scores, and I'm no indoor nerd either. I do varsity sports and am pretty engaged with my school and community. When I applied for Cornell, I was almost certain I would get in, waitlisted in the worst case scenario.</p>

<p>So when I found out that I had been flat out rejected from Cornell University, you can imagine my surprise. In hindsight, it shouldn't surprise me too much. There's no such thing as a certainty of getting into a prestigious Ivy League school, much less as an asian male. Nevertheless, I'm still coming to terms with my rejection. As one of the top few in my school, I'm not sure how I'll be able to face everybody at school tomorrow and tell them I didn't get in.</p>

<p>As I will not be considered for the regular applicant pool, I guess this is where my very short interaction with Cornell comes to an end. I'm not particularly bitter about anything, and I've learned a valuable lesson about overconfidence, cockiness, and overall humility. To be honest, I was never the overconfident type, but today it looks like I severely underestimated the competition I was facing. Being in the top percentage of my graduating class in no way meant I was in the top few in the nation.</p>

<p>To those of you who were rejected, (and I know I am not the most qualified person to say this), stay humble in victory and graceful in defeat. I still have a long ways to go and in some ways, getting rejected was all for the better. I won't let the rejection get me down-I gave it my best shot and have no regrets. I had a good run. I'm promising myself to walk away from Cornell University with more empathy and understanding-and maybe a bit more strength as a person.</p>

<p>To those of you who were deferred or accepted into Cornell's Class of 2019, my sincerest congratulations and best wishes for your futures.</p>

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<p>What were your stats?</p>

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<p>Great post man, I felt the exact same. Hope you rebound and make Cornell regret their decision! </p>

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<p>@throwawayusern4m This is a very poignant and elegantly written statement which shows your maturity. None of us have the magic formula for admittance, as proven by your excellent stats and HS career. It’s sort of a mysterious process, but one thing is for certain: you are not defined by your test scores, GPA etc. You are more than a number. I firmly believe, and this is what I told my D, that if you don’t get in, Cornell was not the right fit for you. And everyone wants to go to a college that wants them. You will be successful and you will love wherever you go, trust me. Best of luck.</p>

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<p>Best of luck OP. You’ll end up somewhere great.</p>

<p>My daughter was waitlisted on her first choice last year (S), but she’s happy where she at right now.</p>

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<p>@throwawayusern4m great post & perspective. I have a feeling that you will be successful where ever you end up attending. Good luck to you! </p>