<p>I have two siblings who are undergrads at Cornell now. Does that help me get in? My scores are a little lower than theirs, my GPA is the same as theirs, and my ECs are different than theirs but pretty good. Anyone out there have experiences to share as a sibling applying? I'm especially interested in your scores and GPA if you didn't get in or know someone who didn't get in despite having sibs there or sib alums. One of my parents also went to grad school at Cornell. Thanks for your help.</p>
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<p>Ya it helps… they officially recognize parents/grandparents to make you a legacy, but I wrote it into my application. If anything they will see that your siblings are doing well at school and surmise that you may have similar success. </p>
<p>For the essay on why cornell I definitely referred to my sister a bit as an influence amongst other reasons. It just shows you know a lot about the school and are more likely to matriculate.</p>
<p>jcas323 - did you get accepted? what kind of scores and GPA?</p>
<p>sibling is not a legacy…my d had a hallmate who’s “better” qualified sister did not get accepted - the sisters applied to two different programs with different standards.</p>
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<p>Wouldn’t that make him a regular legacy?</p>
<p>my point is that it doesn’t matter if it is technically a legacy or not. it looks good to the admissions committee because they know you know the school really well and hopefully that will be articulated in your essays… obviously there will always be stories of people who’s siblings don’t get accepted. will it get you in? no, but it may give you an edge over someone else. </p>
<p>and yes, i was accepted, i just graduated this year. keep in mind that admissions committees regularly reject well qualified applicants, especially as it becomes more competitive every year. i wouldn’t spend too much time stressing… just write killer essays and try to prep well for your sat’s/act’s (I would take both, i did way better on act, so it was definitely worth it). the truth is that no one on this board knows to what extent any of this stuff really helps you.</p>
<p>thanks jcas.
memphis mom - what were the different programs they applied to?</p>
<p>any other sibling experiences out there?</p>
<p>My brother went to Cornell, and my grandmother also. I was offered a GT and I will be heading out next week!</p>
<p>thanks, rl. what’s a GT?</p>
<p>guaranteed transfer.</p>
<p>thanks. any other 3rd siblings out there?</p>
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<p>No. For reporting purposes only undergrad alma mater is considered.</p>
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Well, you can’t surmise that legacy had no play in the decision of the admissions board just based on the fact that the better qualified sister was not accepted…</p>
<p>“No. For reporting purposes only undergrad alma mater is considered.”</p>
<p>I don’t know what you mean about “reporting”, but for admissions purposes who they elect to give legacy “bump” to depends on the university. </p>
<p>as one example, I specifically asked an admissions officer at Princeton a few years ago, as it seemed relevant at the time, and she told me a parent grad degree would confer the same admissions status for them as a parent undergrad degree. </p>
<p>I don’t know what Cornell does though.</p>
<p>crewdad: what do you mean by “for reporting purposes”; </p>
<p>i’m surprised there aren’t more CC Cornell sibs out there yet?</p>
<p>Any new CC Cornell sibs out there who can share their experiences with getting in on after a sib or two have gotten in?</p>
<p>I am a parent, and was told by a Cornell alum involved with students applying that although it is not “advertised”, Cornell does give some weight to siblings.</p>
<p>Both my children are now at Cornell. My gut feeling is that it has to be a fit, and that it helps a tad but would never replace the necessary fit which Cornell is seeking, especially in the “speciality” programs.</p>
<p>phineas: what do you mean by “specialty programs”? did both of your kids have equal stats or do you think #2 may have been boosted by #1? do you think the school looks at how #1 is doing to see if #2 might be a “good fit”?</p>
<p>By specialty I mean the different programs at Human Ecology, and Industrial Labor Relations, Architecture, Hotel, etc. </p>
<p>Cornell has some very focused majors/programs, and when one applies to those they really look for a right fit.</p>
<p>My oldest got in on grades and SATS. My second had very good grades (only slightly less than the oldest), but weaker on test scores, and was accepted on “fit” in a Human Ecology program.</p>
<p>I certainly suspect that admissions looks over the sibling’s record when reviewing the younger, I mean, the older sibling’s record could be a train wreck, and that while I hope that that wouldn’t hurt a younger sibling, it might not help the way a good record for an older sibling would.</p>
<p>Again, my sense is that a successful older sibling is helpful factor, but any applicant has to pretty much tip the scales with everything else the school is looking for.</p>
<p>Good luck!</p>
<p>phineas - thanks very much, that’s very helpful. since you’ve gone through this, do you know how much of a disadvantage a non-New Yorker has in the specialty programs at HEc, CALS, and ILR? hope you don’t mind the questions. </p>
<p>anyone else out there know about NY vs. non-NY in the state grant schools?</p>