<p>The problem with writing "kickass essays", i<3YaoMing, is that with a 550 CR score, the admission officers might raise an eyebrow at a stellar essay. The college application is holistic; every part of it will represent something about you, and the entire thing represents your collective image. And, like your body, no one part works alone, so the application readers will be looking for consistency.</p>
<p>I think you have a shot at Cornell, apply might as well.</p>
<p>ummmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm REJECTION</p>
<p>im totally going to hijack this thread here... but if im sort of diverse, atleast different from the norm with my activities like: Student government (common), newspaper (common), but spice it up with photography, community service, research in a lab, and a web design business, will that increase my chances??</p>
<p>^Not really.</p>
<p>To the OP, I would seriously try to improve your score. I'll take a shot in the dark and say your first language was not English. If your score can't be improved, you may want to look at 20+ schools and apply ED to Cornell. My stat teacher this past year learned English as a second language, got 800 in math 380 in CR. Needless to say, she had to look at noncompetitive admissions. However, she worked hard in college and worked in wall street for a few years before going back to get a graduate degree in math. Point of the story, if your CR skills are just not up to snuff as of now, you may want to make sure you get into the graduate school/job of your choice.</p>
<p>why can't you just study this summer and improve your CR + writing scores?</p>
<p>also, your awards aren't really amazing when you compare them to the other applicants at the schools you're considering.</p>
<p>Why not just retake that 550? I'm sure if you studied for even ONE hour you could raise it..</p>