<p>Hi,</p>
<p>I am wondering if I should apply early decision to Cornell. I would be happy there, but I don't know if I would miss an opportunity to attend MIT or Stanford if I was accepted by Cornell. Then again, I don't want to miss out on all three schools by applying regular decision and not being accepted.</p>
<p>I have a 4.0 GPA (unweighted)
Ranked 1 of 250 in my class
By the time I graduate I will have taken 14 IB classes (not testing in any)
I will be taking two semesters of Calculus at the local college my senior year (10 credits total)</p>
<p>ACT Best Composite: 34
Best Subscores: English 35, Math 34, Reading 36, Science 36
Writing: 10</p>
<p>SAT: CR 700, Math 690, Writing 750
(Only took once)</p>
<p>SAT II: Chem 770, still need to take a math</p>
<p>Varsity Hockey captain as a Junior and Senior
Varsity Lacrosse captain as a senior
2 Varsity Letters for soccer
4 Varsity Letters for hockey
2 Varsity Letters for Lacrosse
I participated in all three sports all 4 years</p>
<p>I am a Big Brother through BBBS
I am a "Link Crew Leader" meaning I help Freshmen become orientated in the beginning of the year</p>
<p>So what should I do? If I knew Cornell was the best school I had a chance at I would definitely apply ED there. I'm hoping you guys can tell me if that's the case.</p>
<p>Thank you!</p>
<p>If Cornell is not your first choice, don’t apply there ED. My entire life I wanted to attend Cornell, and my original plan was to apply there ED. However, once I began visiting other schools, I realized there were a lot of different options and environments, and by the time ED applications were due, I wasn’t 100% ready to make a commitment yet. So I applied everywhere RD. Once I got my acceptances, I weighed my options, and Cornell came out on top for me by far. So I am still attending Cornell without wondering what would have happened if I had applied to other colleges. If you aren’t completely sure it’s your first choice, wait to apply.</p>
<p>Agreed, don’t apply to Cornell unless you absolutely want to go there. If you’re unsure, you can apply to one of the EA schools in the early round (Stanford and MIT are both REA I think).</p>
<p>Thanks for the advice. I think Cornell is a good fit for me and I’ll have the best chance of getting in there, so I’ll apply ED.</p>
<p>Just wondering, have you visited the Cornell campus?</p>
<p>Only do it if cost is not really a factor. Applying ED is essentially like walking into a car dealership and saying I want this car and no others and I won’t go anywhere else to get it. You have very little leverage to negotiate costs, despite they claim you don’t have to attend if you can’t afford. BUT at that point, you must scramble to apply elsewhere because you withdrew all of your other applications or just didn’t send any. Also, the area is grey sometimes of what your parents say they can afford and what Cornell will say you can afford based on your FAFSA so it may not be easy to get out of that binding contract. Just be careful, is all.</p>
<p>Great stats…make sure you love the school. Now go write a great essay</p>
<p>You’re still saying you’re applying ED because you “have the best chance of getting in there.” That makes me really question your passion for the school, which will definitely show in your essays. Ultimately, it’s your decision, but really really really make sure you’re applying because it is your number one choice and you have no desire to attend the other schools you mentioned. Ask yourself whether if you got into Cornell, MIT, and Stanford RD you would choose to attend Cornell. If not, don’t apply ED. Just my opinion.</p>
<p>I think you have decent chances at some other Ivies like Penn, Darthmouth, and maybe Brown. Also JHU, Tufts, and UVA are all within reach. Don’t know how much you love Cornell but if you’re still dreaming about an even more prestigious college, you might want to hold off on ED cause you definitely have a chance. I think you’ll get into Cornell RD. Wouldn’t want you to make a huge mistake though. If you absolutely love Cornell, apply ED. If not, don’t settle. You may have a chance at a higher ranked, more selective university. </p>
<p>I am now leaning towards applying regular decision to all of the schools. If I don’t end up getting into any of them, I would be happy at my state school, UW-Madison. Thanks for all the input.</p>