<p>does this increase your chances at all? decrease your chances at all? are there any other benefits than just being able to get into a secondary choice if you cannot get into the primary one? any negatives to the situation?</p>
<p>"does this increase your chances at all?"
no, only students considered very strong candidates for both schools will be considered for a secondary. Plus, admissions has to feel that you're a better fit for the secondary than your primary. </p>
<p>"decrease your chances at all?"
there's a big chance that it can/will with the way you have to make 2 essays for different schools at cornell sound genuine. This can be tricky, adcoms know how to read them. </p>
<p>"are there any other benefits than just being able to get into a secondary choice if you cannot get into the primary one?"
no.</p>