<p>There are currently two things that could potentially kill my application: my CR score (590...) and my lack of a science SAT Subject Test. I have taken Math I and Math II, with a 730 and 680 score respectively. My SAT I Math score 710, which I think is also average for the incoming Cornellian.</p>
<p>It's apparent that these are very mediocre, if not bad scores for my chance to Cornell. Will it hurt me if I have not taken any science SAT Subject Test on top? I feel like I match CAS better because I think fit better with a liberals arts and sciences college. On the other hand, CALS has higher acceptance rates, but I have not shown interest any particular science (unless you consider the concurrent microbiology lab internship I'm having right now).</p>
<p>Everything else in my application seems fine, I think: I am well in the top 10% of my class, I have taken 4 AP classes junior year (toughest courseload/year ever, glad I got through it) and I will take 5 APs senior year, I play piano at the state level competitively (I'm Chinese though... so I doubt it matters), I do varsity tennis and XC, and my GPA is good enough considering my potential class rank. Strangely enough, my school is a ghetto school in a rich, elite school system surrounded by other poorer, ghetto(er) school systems. That still doesn't make any sort of difference, though.</p>
<p>I'm still terribly concerned about those scores. I feel like those numbers are what seperates me from the much stronger CC Cornell hopefuls on these forums; I'm doing a bit worse than you guys!</p>
<p>My biggest dilemma is that I want to apply ED. I can only get one more test score before the ED date, and I'm in trouble if I cannot boost my CR score above 700. Additionally, I have no science SAT Subject Test. Plus, I have to compete against the tons of other ED guys who have clearly stronger scores than mine.</p>
<p>I need help and advice. Do you think I can stretch myself as a good biology major hopeful for CALS, or should I try to go for CAS despite the lower acceptance rates?</p>
<p>Those scores won’t particularly hold you back. I took two non-science and non-math SAT’s because I didn’t know that some of Cornell’s schools required a science SAT. I was originally going to apply to Human Ecology but I ended up applying to CAS because I didn’t have that science SAT II. It was destiny, I think, because CAS is the perfect place for me! My scores were 680 and 700, not very impressive, but it didn’t hold me back, apparently. Your CR score is pretty low, but what is your superscore?</p>
<p>Look past your numbers and put time into writing a great essay. Focus on the things you can change and make better, and accept the things that you can’t.</p>
<p>What’s stopping you from taking a science SAT II? Also, what do you think you’d want to major in? As for the CR score, I’ll suggest checking out the SAT Prep forum and getting a good prep book. Memorizing some vocabulary and knowing how to answer passage questions can do some wonders.</p>
<p>Well, I want to probably major in microbiology or something biology-related.</p>
<p>And I can’t take a science SAT Subject Test because I have only one test date before submitting/waiting for my ED application. So, I think it’s more important to improve my CR score, thus opting not to take a science SAT II. I wish that I could take both the SAT I and the SAT II on the same day…</p>
<p>However, I feel like the fact that I haven’t taken any SAT Subject Test besides the Math ones will kill me. I mean, wadawada, you at least took some other SAT II’s. I only took the Math ones. I don’t want Cornell to look at me and go like, “oh, this kid is only confident in math. Look, he didn’t even bother with the other Subject Tests.”</p>
<p>Of course I’m putting my biggest effort into the essays and application, but I still have a last-ditch chance to improve my CR score. I’m going to take that chance. I think getting a 700+ in the CR section is worth more than taking a science SAT II.</p>
<p>I’m still very worried, but I’m gonna prep as much as I can to boost that CR score. </p>
<p>My superscores for the SAT I’s are 750 W, 710 M, and 590 CR. I hate how my writing score is the highest among the three currently, yet Cornell discounts it in its admissions process.</p>
<p>I’m just afraid that my EC’s, besides the internship, just don’t reflect any interest in a particular major. I don’t really want to commit to a specific major, but I want to do anything to make it easier to get into Cornell. That’s my CAS vs. CALS dilemma. With my lack of other SAT II’s, I feel like my chances are further diminished.</p>
<p>You can take the SAT in October and the SAT II in November for ED, but they have to be taken in those months. I just don’t think you can ignore taking a Biology exam if you have the materials/means. This is especially the case if you’re going to apply to CALS, which recommends a science SAT II. A good score can only help you in the admissions process. To help you out a bit, I’m going to leave a link with some information about the Biology department and major.</p>
<p>*do SAT II play a huge part in admission? *</p>
<p>They tend to be recommended by colleges in admission requirements. The exams themselves are really intended for one to show one’s ability in a subject.</p>
<p>I think SAT II’s are more important than SATs honestly. What I think can really give you an edge are good AP scores. It’s tough to compare AP scores since not all schools offer a lot of APs, but if your GPA/SATs are mediocre (by Cornell standards), seeing that you got four 5’s can definitely put you over the top since studies show AP scores have the best correlation to success in college, followed by SAT and GPA (I think in that order).</p>
<p>If I were you I would definitely improve that CR scores since it’s probably like 10th percentile or less for admitted students. That said, it certainly doesn’t put you out of the running given your other stats. That said, realistically you are probably one of the few biology majors who didn’t take the SAT II biology. However, the math SAT II’s overall are probably the most respected of the SAT II’s to take, especially since they would be the most important for engineers. </p>
<p>As for CAS vs. CALS, you really have to appreciate the difference in curriculums (and I would suggest emphasizing this in your essay). For your biology courses, there won’t be any difference, but for the other requirements there will be. I was a CAS student and appreciate the good liberal arts education. I liked the foreign language requirement, the literature, culture, and other requirements for a well-rounded educational experience (not that you can’t get this in CALS, but it’s definitely more emphasized in CAS).</p>
<p>That’s exactly it, though. If you’re not too interested in what CAS has to offer, then go right ahead and apply to CALS. If you apply to CALS, though, you must specify a major.</p>
<p>I thought that if you were applying ED all of your scores had to be included by Nov. 1st which would exclude the November SAT II’s? I know that if you apply to CALS without any SAT II’s it will not negatively affect your application. I spoke to the CALS admissions office and they told me it was best to apply ED w/out subject tests then to wait for RD</p>
<p>Islander, I don’t think I necessarily have to take the Biology SAT II if I want to major in biology in CALS, do I? I thought it had to be just one science SAT II. Currently, my best and most remembered science subject is definitely Physics, and I’ll take that when I get the chance.</p>
<p>However, elcrew’s right, I think. Taking the November SAT II’s would be too late for both CAS and CALS ED, obviously.</p>
<p>Elcrew, have you, by any chance, talked to a CAS admissions officer? Will not having an SAT II in (anything) hurt your chances? I would definitely apply to CAS if it were the case that having no SAT II in anything besides the Maths won’t hurt my application.</p>
<p>On the contrary, if I have to, I think I’ll apply to CALS just for the sake of the higher acceptance rate and leeway on the SAT II’s. The only problem will be showing interest in a biology major.</p>
<p>Here’s my mindset:
If I could choose, I’d go to CAS. If I want to maximize my chances of ever even getting into Cornell, I’d apply for CALS under a Bio major.</p>
<p>According to the freshman requirement grid, subject tests in math and science are recommended but not required. Im sure having double math subject tests wouldn’t be a problem but you can always double check. You can major in general biology which would allow you to show that you have interests in all of the sciences not just biology. “General Biology is a particularly good choice for students whose interests lie within more than one established concentration”–as taken from cornell’s website. </p>
<p>My advice would be to take the SAT I again to raise your critical reading score, then you can use the math SAT II as a bonus for CALS. If I’m not mistaken you can always switch colleges once you’re in right?</p>
<p>There wouldn’t be much point in switching unless you don’t like the college requirements. It’s the same department throughout both colleges anyway.</p>
<p>Alright, I’m gonna go for a General Biology major in CALS then.</p>
<p>However, how much interest in biology do admissions officers typically want? My only real EC that pertains to anything life science is my current internship. Should I show interest in the life sciences through my essays, too?</p>
<p>Additionally, should I also try to shape my academic interests toward my particular major? I mean, my favorite science class for all of high school was biology. Should I show that somehow?</p>
<p>I don’t want to show that I’m out-of-place for their college, nor do I want to show that I’m too eager.</p>
<p>In my supplement essay, I plan on talking about my love for animals and plans to be a veterinarian. You could talk about what you plan you do post-graduation and how a major in biology at CALS would help you get there. I wouldn’t focus so much on what you are doing now but rather what you want to achieve in the future.</p>
<p>In your essay you want to answer the question and connect your interests to why you think Cornell is good for you. Don’t be afraid to get some help with that vision.</p>
My scores were 680 and 700, not very impressive, but it didn’t hold me back, apparently. Your CR score is pretty low, but what is your superscore?</p>