<p>White male, Maryland
SAT: 2240 (CR 720, Math 750, CW 770)
SAT II's: World History 800, US History 790
Very competitive public HS: unweighted GPA 3.95, weighted 4.5
Class Rank: not yet available, about top 10-12%; 5 APs planned for senior yr
Area of Study: Applying to CAS; Government Major; hope to study abroad
Honors/ ECs: Senior year intern/mentorship with local gov't official, 200+ hours volunteer in South America starting tomorrow(!) until start of senior yr (teaching English,basketball), AP Scholar with Distinction (5 APs with all 5's), NHS, Spanish NHS, JV and Varsity basketball with Player award for Sportsmanship; Co-Captain AAU Local Basketball Team as sophomore; JV Cross Country, community volunteer hours at shelter, etc.
Essays/Recs: Know essays will be critical - rough version of common app essay completed; think recs will be good</p>
<p>Do I have a chance to be accepted into Cornell? Suggestions for improving my chances? I appreciate any advice you may offer.</p>
<p>You are certainly strong academically and your internship and volunteer hours in South America will get attention from admissions officials. However your extra curriculars are rather weak. I suggest you look at the admissions website: often times there will be a section on what the school looks for in students. This can give you an idea of how much emphasis they put on extra curriculars. I you seem like a match, just write commendable essays and have fantastic recommendations. And also have a safety or two. I wish you the best of luck! I’m looking at the same major at Cornell but I’m a year younger than you.</p>
<p>Thank you for your advice! Cornell is a reach school for me, and will need to decide if I should apply with so many stellar applicants out there. I will further research Cornell admissions website. Thank you again!</p>
<p>What Saugus said. If I were you, I’d also try to start and/or head a club or two. Something to play up the leadership aspect that comes with a Gov major. Your academics look more than fine, so try focusing more on ECs. Also spend plenty of time to make sure you write the best personal statements that you can.</p>
<p>Saugus and ladyelizabeth429, many thanks. I only have intermittent access to internet here in Argentina, and a long trip. This Argentina volunteer experience is going to be an
adventure for sure, a bit of a risk, but worth it. Hope I can get to visit Cornell in the fall - thanks again for the advice.</p>