And no matter how unique and meaningful your dog and hunting activities are, you need to show what a top college thinks makes you successful in their eyes (I mentioned some earlier) on their campus. You won’t be hunting at a US college (not to the extent you do now.) So I’m suggesting you show the qualities your targets want to see. By all means, you can include these in an essay about the hunting, etc… A balance. This applies to all candidates. We often say not to take the prompts so literally that you focus only on the one thing. It’s not like a hs essay. Adcoms need to see you’ll fit and thrive there. Not just how you thrive where you are.
Some here say what you have is enough, great stats in a remote area, a colorful tradition to relate. Right now. I’m saying you still need to watch how you write, what message you send. Show, not just tell.
I know how I’d suggest it. But I don’t know what else you do. I used the farming example of a US kid. Not misunderstanding your culture. Even that kid shouldn’t just describe life on the farm.
Ps. I do think you should apply early and yes, if aid isn’t enough, you can back out. But I think you need some thinking about how you present, overall. You want them to see you’re ready for this, going forward.
@lookingforward: I think readers understand your well intentioned solid advice. It is just that we disagree. It is a reasonable disagreement. Some see the OP as an exceptional applicant who would benefit from presenting himself & his life as it is without the need to further justify his attractiveness to schools as would a more conventional applicant.
In short @lookingforward, you are correct–but just not in this extraordinary case, in my opinion.
Missing the critical phrase in my opinion, so move on please. You’re guessing, which is all a chance post is. There is no right/wrong in this case until decisions come out. If you guys want to make side bets and the OP can come back with the decision in December, feel free.
FWIW, on the FA question, unless I missed it, has anyone asked the OP if he has run the NPC to get an estimated cost of attendance? Yes, he can back out of an ED acceptance for FA reasons, but he needs to have an initial understanding of what to expect the FA to look like.
@ForwardLooking Is all this advice for my common app or Cornell supplement or both?
From what I understand, the common app can literally be about anything, whereas the supplements are for “why you should pick me” type essays. That’s what I’m doing right now.
Is that really necessary? His parents’ income is less than $38,000 and they hunt and trap for survival because food is expensive. Does anyone really think there are huge assets lurking here?
@ForwardLooking Yes, I’m showing how I will thrive academically and socially through my SUPPLEMENTAL Cornell essays. I’m not talking about sled dogs or hunting either in my supplements (why do you keep bringing it up?)
The common app essay is where I will be talking about my culture and tradition (sled dogs, hunting, growing up, etc) and I don’t see a problem with this…
@skieurope If you were to bet on if I get into Cornell or not, would it be yes/no? I myself would like to take you on a bet because I need more money to pay my tuition.
Of course we are guessing - it’s a “Chance Me” thread - so by definition we are guessing. I think the OP realizes that no one really knows.
Remember OP is an 18-ish year old kid coming from a unique place in the world - some of the posts are so judgmental!
@efefsef Sounds to me you are doing great - best of luck with your application - let us know if you get in! Feel free to PM me with any questions about Cornell or applications.
Yes. it’s really necessary. FA does not mean “tell me how much you want to pay.” It means “This is how much you will pay.” There may (or may not) be a gap between the two. As others have mentioned, other colleges like HYP are usually more generous with aid than Cornell. But I’m not guessing the OP’s CoA based on info given, nor should anyone else here. If the NPC calculator spits out a number that is untenable, it’s not like there are pennies from heaven making up the difference. It’s unwise, IMO, to submit an application with the feeling that “Oh, we’ll somehow figure out the money later.” Would you also advise a person to go shopping for a car without knowing what the monthly payments are going to be?
I don’t chance; I’ll give guidance, but my bets are limited to Powerball and Blackjack. I will say that you seem to be a strong candidate and I hope you will spend time crafting your essays (and running the Net Price Calculator). Good luck.
I’m not sure that the average 17 y/o recognizes gentle sparring between parents who say , and I’m paraphrasing, “I am right and you are wrong.” Perhaps the OP does, but I tend to like precision.
I read through most posts, but not all. There are some great advice here. I think the reason so many seasoned posters are on this thread is because of OP’s unique background. If this was already mentioned by some posters, excuse me for repeating.
Aside from having an unique background, adcoms are concerned about applicant’s ability to adjust to a very different environment and if he/she is able to have a successful college experience (all schools want their students to graduate). If it is possible, OP should demonstrate to adcoms his/her ability to live/thrive in a different environment. I don’t think it needs to be in a different country/city, but just a different environment. If I were an AO I would be concerned if OP could thrive at a very large U, living with hundreds of students in a large dorm and able to advocate for him/herself. When we lived abroad, one thing our kid’s private counselor told her to write about was how she integrated and immersed in a different culture. He said it would show adcoms that she is capable of adjusting and thriving in a new environment.
I am usually a big believer of ED because it gives a bump, but in the OP case I am wondering if he/she should do RD in order to compare FA packages.
Would it be possible for you, OP, to visit Cornell and meet with one or a few people in admissions? I think it would be very helpful if the decision-makers had a chance to eyeball you, so to speak. I venture to say that none of them has ever met a person of your background and might have preconceived notions that would not be in your favor. If not, perhaps you can arrange a Skype conversation. They do not typically do interviews, but given your background and location, perhaps they’d agree that it would be mutually beneficial.
@efefsef - Fantastic, and your age really puts your accomplishments in perspective. @oldfort makes a good point in my opinion that adcoms may be concerned about culture shock at a place like Cornell, and perhaps have some concern about your ability to handle the rigor.
From a personal point of view, however, I do not think you are going to have any problem at all. I was your exact age when I applied to college (longer ago than I care to admit), also from a somewhat unusual background for top schools, though nothing quite so impressive as your own. I can imagine that you have had to take the lead role in blazing your own path for some time. I don’t think you will find the academic aspects of even a top college particularly challenging. I didn’t.
The college experience is definitely more than simply academics, though, something I wish I had appreciated more back then. You are going to have a lot to contribute to any college community and I urge you once you arrive to put yourself out there right in the thick of it. Again, best of luck, and keep us posted.
That’s young @efefsef but I’d still apply since you already have excellent scores and transcript meeting requirements (I am assuming you have checked Cornell’s website that you have met course requirements in HS). Note that sometimes Cornell (and other schools) defer applicants to the following year as they want you to gain more life experience, or take a year of courses at another college. Nonetheless, I do think you’re a good candidate and I would apply…go ED if the calculator (NPC) makes sense for you to do so; if not then RD.
Yes, the reason why I am young is because I started school 1 year early, and I skipped grade 5. I’m turning 16 and graduating this year, whereas my peers who are graduating are turning 17 or 18.
@sunnyschool Yes, I’ve met all the course requirements, taken the SAT once, and taken two subject tests of my choosing- and received high scores on all of them.
