<p>After going through Cornell Universitys ISSO Annual Statics Report I found that in the past ten years Cornell has had one undergraduate Norwegian student. I send them an E-mail asking why this is and they basically told me that they don't get Norwegian applicants. </p>
<p>My question is:</p>
<p>Would potently being the only applicant from an entire country help my chances of admissions?</p>
<p>Huge thanks to all replies.</p>
<p>I’m not sure why you wrote this twice. I don’t think it will make a noticeable difference.</p>
<p>Diversity of the class is certainly a factor that is considered, so it certainly won’t hurt and could help. No idea about how much it could help. (Probably not much if you’re not otherwise qualified).</p>
<p>I remember a couple of years ago, at an information session, one college (not Cornell) indicated that they had students from 49 of the 50 states – and that if anyone was applying from South Dakota, they’re in. I took them as only semi-joking.</p>
<p>Would it help? It might get noticed. But unless your transcript or scores are excellent, your application will only be noted later as a curiosity. Your academic performance and potential are you biggest factors.</p>
<p>Yes, it helps you a lot. It is a lot easier to get in to any top school if you live in a country where there are very, very few applicants.</p>
<p>I feel it may me harder…cause they don’t have a marker to measure you with…but who knows…They may offer you the benefit of that doubt :)</p>
<p>I think it’ll be easier, they’ll want to add to their diversity.</p>
<p>You get a push, definitely, but not that much I’d say. Don’t worry about such stuff anyways. :)</p>
<p>It can’t hurt, but you still need the stats. It’s also very strange that no one from an industrialized country like Norway has applied? Hmmmm maybe answers will follow.</p>
<p>I remember hearing the “missing South Dakoka student” comment too. What college was that? Lehigh? RPI? </p>
<p>As others have said, it won’t get you in without the stats, but I think it would definately edge the balance if a school was on the fence.</p>
<p>Missing South Dakota – Tufts, I think, but it might have been Lehigh.</p>
<p>More information about myself and other things:</p>
<ul>
<li><p>GPA 3.86 (used a norwegian average grade to GPA converter on the US embassy’s website)</p></li>
<li><p>SAT 2100 (going to retake)</p></li>
<li><p>Actually lived in Connecticut for about 8 years before moving to the incredibly small tourist village of Geiranger. Only 230 inhabitants.</p></li>
<li><p>Currently living alone to attend high school. (Don’t have a high school in Geiranger)</p></li>
<li><p>Extracurricular activities: Red Cross volunteer, started a small business (8000 USD + profit), tennis, write a investment blog (if that counts). (Really don’t have much here. Living in a very small place limits the extracurricular activities that i can do + there is no tradition for extracurricular activities in Norway)</p></li>
<li><p>Once again. Will most likely be the only Norwegian applicant. Sent the admission office a new E-mail and they told me that they havent received any Norwegian applicants in a while.</p></li>
</ul>
<p>Thanks for all the replies and looking forward to receiving new ones!</p>
<p>Also:</p>
<p>Should i apply RD or ED? If I am accepted then I will definitely attend!</p>
<p>ABSOLUTELY it will.</p>
<p>Apply early decision if that’s where you want to go!</p>
<p>I have been told being the “only” anything (if you are pretty sure you are) is always something that will get you noticed. I am in that position this year. I know of someone else that was the first “only” in about 5 years to even apply to Ivy schools and they were told they would be accepted at several even before the applications went in. </p>
<p>I think applying from Norway is great. GL to you. I’m thinking I like Cornell very much, too.</p>
<p>I edited to reflect that you are applying from Norway but not sure you are Norwegian. Either way it makes you interesting.</p>