<p>Hey I'll be applying to one of these schools ED, the problem is I don't know which one. I love both schools and I know I would be equally happy at either one of them, so I'll probably apply to the one I have a better shot of getting into. Here are my stats.</p>
<p>UW GPA: 3.75ish
W GPA: 4.02
(huge upward trend, have a 4.32 W junior year)</p>
<p>Took 2 APs junior year and taking 4 more senior year-the rest all honors.</p>
<p>ACT: best single score is 32. If they superscore I have a 34 though. I might send both because in one i have 34s in two, and the other one i have 34 in the other two. </p>
<p>SATs: not taking
SAT IIs: same-neither school requires it</p>
<p>ECs: I'm not going to list them but I have quite a view significant ones and am confident that my ECs will definitely help me in admissions. They show that I am really well rounded, am dedicated, and have leadership. </p>
<p>Cornell AEM is cornell's undergrad business program. It is ranked #4 best business school and it has very strong career placement. I would ED to AEM if you want to study business and are thinking about business careers after college.</p>
<p>So, uh, what do you want? A business program or a liberal arts education? A beautiful suburban campus along the shores of Lake Michigan or a beautiful rural campus high above Cayuga's waters? Harsh winters... or harsh winters?</p>
<p>You are going to have to answer a couple of questions for any adcom who reviews your applicaiton:</p>
<p>1) did the applicant take the most rigorous course load available to them?
2) If not, why not?</p>
<p>If I read your post correctly, you took no AP freshman year (not unusual, a lot of schools prohibit this), you to no AP sophomore year, two AP junior year, and you're planning to take a few Sr. year.</p>
<p>Sophomore: 0 AP
Junior: 2 AP</p>
<p>If you've read posts here carefully regarding AP, you'll see that applicants to the most selective colleges/programs have typically taken many, many more AP than you have, and are therefore better prepared to succeed in college, AND have demonstrated a willingness to challenge themselves academically.</p>
<p>Sophomore: 1-3 AP
Junior: 3-5 AP</p>
<p>Are you prepared to explain why your pattern of taking a rigorous course load does not look even remotely like that? Of course if that is the most your school offers, than disregard most of this post and simply point that out very clearly on your application.</p>
<p>I am helping someone make these choices now, and the bare minimum we have charted out shows 1 AP sophomore year, 3 AP junior year, and 3-4 Sr. year. This is the "just enough" option for consideration at the most selective colleges -- le'ts say Top 15. We've identified a few more options that require 2-3 more AP courses over 10-12. As the school offers over 30 different AP courses, and many students take over 10 AP classes, to take only 3-5 would signal that this student consciously chose a lower difficulty course load. No too many people who consciously choose to ease up relative to their peers at the same school are granted admission to the morst prestigious colleges!</p>
<p>Its not which one I'd like more- i know i like them both the same- it's which one i have a better shot I have getting into. I do want to go into business, and from what I hear Cornell AEM and Northwestern Economics (maybe with MMSS or kellogg cert) will give me similar opportunities. As far as APs go, my school does not offer APs to freshmen/sophomores. 6 APs in total at my school is a lot. Like the smartest kid will have only taken 8 tops-and thats with no ecs, sports, or a life. I go to well known private school.</p>
<p>Your ACT is really solid. (check) I agree that for East Coast, Cornell is slightly better. It is also slightly higher rated currently, and has better name recognition among company executives. Yet, it is so close as to make it a toss-up. My niece is at Goldman Sachs interning this summer out of NU.</p>
<p>The six month winters will suck either place. Both schools are on the study most waking hours side. I have close relatives who attended both.</p>
<p>I actually love the winter, which is part of the reason I'm looking at schools in the north rather than the south. Which one do I have a better shot getting into ED though?</p>
<p>We don't know. It's a crap shoot. The popularity of Cornell AEM seems to be skyrocketing these days. You would probably have a better chance ED to ILR or PAM with a business interest, but you would need to demonstrate why you are interested in policy or conflict resolution, etc.</p>
<p>Cornell is definitely a better place to take advantage of the outdoors -- skiing, ice skating, snow shoeing, kite boarding, etc. Maybe not quite at the level of Dartmouth, but we have a better hockey team.</p>
<p>I love Chicago though. The best city in America. Bar none.</p>
<p>
[quote]
I love Chicago though. The best city in America. Bar none.
[/quote]
I disagree. I lived there, and while it's a nice city, it's also one of the most high-stress cities in America. No one there ever seems happy. Everyone seems to be counting the days until they can retire and move away. Sad, but true.</p>