not your average Cornell applicant

Colleges and Universities A-Z Cornell University
1

<p>Hi, I'm really interested in Cornell's Meteorology program (Early Decision), and I'm interested in my chance of getting in. I'd appreciate any opinion </p>

<p>here it goes!</p>

<p>URM- Hispanic Male</p>

<p>GPA: 96% (4.0)</p>

<p>Rank: 11 out of 317 (Top 04%)</p>

<p>ACT: 28 (retaking)
SAT: 1900 (1220 combined) - not sending?
SATII: U.S. Hist.-620 Math I- 660 Physics-540</p>

<p>Courseload: Most rigorous in school
5 AP's 3 college courses
Advanced and Honors Courses</p>

<p>2007 NYS Boys' State Alumni
2007/08 member of Hispanic Youth Leadership Institute</p>

<p>First Generation Student</p>

<p>Worked at same job for 2.5 years (17 Hour weeks during the school year)</p>

<p>3 Varsity Sport Athlete
Nordic Skiing Section Qualifyer
X-Country League Qualifyer</p>

<p>Wind Ensemble- Section Leader
Jazz Band
Percussion Ensemble- Librarian
Mixed Choir- Section Leader
2 years at Area-All State</p>

<p>300+ hours community service
Sunday School Assistant</p>

<p>Expanded Horizons
Math Team</p>

<p>Perfect Attendence since Kindergarten</p>

<p>SKYWARN Spotter (Weather program)</p>

<p>NYS Resident</p>

<p>Applying Early Decision to the College of Agricultural and Life Sciences at Cornell</p>

<p>That's it</p>

<p>I know I don't have amazing test scores... but is there enough of other stuff do push me through?</p>

<p>Thanks a lot! </p>

<p>P.S- If anyone knows anything about Meteorology at Cornell, please feel free to add it in a post, I'd appreciate it a lot.</p>

2

<p>Improve that SAT/ACT and you'll hell one hell of a chance</p>

3

<p>your background is likely going to increase your chance of getting in..I mean..you are a hispanic male and a first generation student..</p>

4

<p>Your GPA, class rank and EC's are all good. In addition to trying to improve your test scores, spend time writing your essays and get the best recommendations possible.</p>

5

<p>I like perfect attendance since kindergarten! I dont think that's gunna give you a boost at Cornell but that is just really neat. I have had to miss school for required athletic team events or other club-related trips, but I haven't missed for illness since I was around 12.</p>

6

<p>Hispanic, First generation, 4.0 GPA, (almost) Top 3% with the most rigorous course load at your disposal is a virtual guarantee. Your standardized tests are the only things that are holding you back (really work your back side off).</p>

<p>If it's not too late try to get a leadership in one of those ECs.</p>

<p>Hope this help. Good Luck :)</p>

7

<p>
[quote]
Perfect Attendence since Kindergarten

[/quote]
</p>

<p>Irrelevant</p>

8

<p>just fyi...if you send your sat II's which are required, they will see your sat score as well unfortunately. retake the act and if you do better it hopefully won't matter as much.</p>

9

<p>Write a good essay showing passion that you have for something. Show how you are a good fit for CALS. Show some specific classes that the school offers and how will utilize those classes to further your education. If you can do this, your standardized test scores wont hold you back. Good luck.</p>

10

<p>I agree with the others. Meteorology is science-heavy, so the higher your scores on the math/science SATs the better. Best of luck!</p>

11

<p>I don't know why everyone on this forum bashes everyone who says they had perfect attendence and acts like putting it on the app will hurt your chances. I'm thinking maybe their jealous they didn't have it themselves :rolleyes:. It is a nice accomplishment and it can (and will) only help you; there is more than enough space on your app for it, so definitely include it.</p>

12

<p>
[quote]
I don't know why everyone on this forum bashes everyone who says they had perfect attendence and acts like putting it on the app will hurt your chances. I'm thinking maybe their jealous they didn't have it themselves . It is a nice accomplishment and it can (and will) only help you; there is more than enough space on your app for it, so definitely include it.

[/quote]
</p>

<p>Uh no, it is irrelevant. If you actually had legitimate extracurricular or academic accomplishments to put on your application, you wouldn't need to include worthless filler like this.</p>

13

<p>um... "Timduncanbball", if you misread, 3 varsity sports a week, 4 music groups, work, active in church, i have PLENTY of EC's, and I'm a double section leader, so I am a leader. There are things that may hold me back from Cornell, but I don't think EC's are part of it. And furthermore, most colleges do take perfect attendence into consideration, because it shows commitment, and it also shows you never hid from a test or project, you had to have everything in on time. Perfect attendence for 13 years is an accomplishment I'm proud of, and it's going on my application. If there is any Constructive criticism, I'd be glad to hear more. Thanks everyone else! :)</p>

14

<p>
[quote]
Perfect attendence for 13 years is an accomplishment I'm proud of, and it's going on my application.

[/quote]
</p>

<p>No, it reeks of filler material. Emphasize your legitimate ECs, if you really did a lot with them then you will have plenty to talk about. Don't bother with crap like "perfect attendence."</p>

15

<p>Why would perfect attendance be irrelevant? It's not irrelevant when you enter the workforce and it's not irrelevant for a college application. That's a great accomplishment and something to be proud of it. It's not filler. Sure, it's not curing cancer or building houses for the homeless but it absolutely shows dedication and great time management skills (people take off "sick" to finish papers, homework, etc). Congrats grandtortue!</p>

16

<p>i agree with SmileDarling. Just don't go writing your admissions essay on this fact.</p>

17

<p>Thanks guys, I agree 100%. Don't worry, it'll Maybe be a sentence (tops) in my admissions essay.</p>

18

<p>Perfect attendance is more a component of luck than dedication. Sure, you didn't skip school to smoke pot. Neither did most of the applicants to Cornell. People miss school for a variety of legit reasons. So, perfect attendance doesn't demonstrate anything. Good students, which Cornell doesn't lack, are going to go to school on a regular basis.</p>

19

<p>I've come into school sick plenty of times, it's not all luck.</p>

20

<p>^^^And thank you for thinking about the welfare of your peers the next time you come to school with the whooping cough.</p>

<p>There are bigger issues in life than maintaining perfect attendance. If I have something wrong with me, it's smarter to go to the doctor rather than show up at school just so I can keep my streak alive. </p>

<p>I think once you get to college, you will realize how overrated attendance is. You have plenty going for you. Don't waste precious essay space on attendance.</p>