So what's the chance? be honest!

Colleges and Universities A-Z Cornell University
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<p>I've wanted to attend Cornell's College of Agricultural and Life Sciences for a very long time, and I personally believe it would be a perfect fit. Trust me, I've never gone after anything in life because of the "brand name" aspect. I sort of convinced myself it wouldn't happen because there are sooo many excellent students out there applying as well, but i plan on at least giving it a shot...you'll never know if you don't try! I would like to go into genetics, biochemistry, molecular biology, or maybe something with animal sciences...could you please tell me if i at least have a chance? i would be applying early decision. Either way you think, please be HONEST! thanks so much :)</p>

<p>I'll start with classes....</p>

<p>9th grade:</p>

<p>honors earth science
algebra
honors english
honors global history
honors spanish
studio art</p>

<p>10th</p>

<p>honors biology
honors geometry
honors english
honors spanish
honors global history
sculpture</p>

<p>11th</p>

<p>AP biology
AP us history
SUNY spanish (gives college credit)
english 11
algebra 2/trig
honors chemistry</p>

<p>12th (next year)</p>

<p>AP macroeconomics
AP chemistry
health/photography (b/c health is only half year)
honors physics
mythology/creative writing 1 (half year courses)
pre-calc (switches to SUNY mid-year and gives college credit)</p>

<p>Awards...</p>

<p>member of NHS
english award (top student in course)
sculpture award (top student in course)</p>

<p>EC's...</p>

<p>-equestrian for 8 consecutive years, 9 1/2 years total;i compete individually and on a team
-I ride western as well as english, and so have been training in double disciplines for the past 3.5 years. i have done exceptionally well in both
-i had 6 months of natural horsemanship training in 9th grade, with allowed me insight to equine psychology and behavior
-on an Interscholastic Equestrian Association team. This year i went to Nationals and was ranked 8th in the nation for my division, and amassed more points than any other team member. I have done this for two going on three years, and it is about 5 hours a week with the team from August through May, with 12-hours show days 5-8 times a year.
-approx. 400 hours as CIT at horse camp, i was one of the counselors with more responsibility and so often taught anatomy and horsemanship lessons and supervised groups of 10-20 kids. and made morning plans for the other CITs (volunteer)
-about 100 hours of random barn work, from assisting lessons to breaking ice and watering the horses in ten degree weather (volunteer)
-volunteered time giving pony rides at birthday parties and festivals, approx. 40 hours
-i volunteer for the local SPCA; i do marketing and will have most likely published writing in the newspaper by fall
-volunteered for the local nature museum assisting with maple sugaring tours, as well as their annual Earth Day festivals
-I do paid work each summer for a local pet-sitting business, including walking, feeding, grooming, etc.
-I started a project horse in the fall that had zero hunt seat experience, and put in approximately 3 hours each day after school to train her, more on the weekends. I was able to balance a demanding junior year schedule while training a mare that i was able to successfully show come spring and summer, and do very well.
-i also exercise a handful of horses for the barn owners on occasion because they haven't the time
-i volunteer with the local acupuncture office
-i volunteered time with therapeutic riding lessons for 2.5 years, a total of about 10 hours a week, 44 months out of the year
-this summer i am interning with a geneticist at a nearby hospital
-for NHS, i have assisted with senior graduation, and will soon be doing car-washes and orientation for the freshmen, atop numerous other activities
-i hope to join the environmental club at school next year, but i have not yet done so
-for fun, i also raise Light Brahma layer hens, and experiment with botany a bit, growing and grafting cacti and such</p>

<p>GPA, test scores...</p>

<p>my unweighted GPA is a 94 (3.9), my weighted GPA is a 97 (4.0) (out of 4.0 scale)
I have only taken the SAT and ACT once each; i scored very poorly on the SAT with an 1890, and well-enough on the ACT with a 30; i had no preparation for the ACT, i went in completely blind, so i plan to study this summer for both tests and re-take to score higher. I would love to land in the 32-33 range. I am putting all energy into the ACT and disregarding the SAT for the most part since all schools accept either, but i figure i may as well try again! CALS does not require SAT 2s but i plan to take at least three come fall.</p>

<p>I am in the top 10% of my class, and reside in New York state. (As a partially state-funded school, are they required to accept a certain number of NY applicants?)</p>

<p>I hear that Cornell tends to heavily consider fit and the supplement; i am an excellent writer with a strong and unique voice, and so i feel that i could compose a killer essay.</p>

<p>again, thank you!!!</p>

2

<p>i apologize for the bullet about therapeutic riding, it should be WEEKS, not months!! Also, i have been on High Honor Roll for 28 quarters straight, since fifth grade…even though only the high school quarters count i figured i’d throw it in! </p>

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<p>From my understanding, you should have a good chance. I don’t think the state-funded schools have to accept a certain number of NY residents, but in general I think NY students may have a slight edge there. It really is all about fit, though.</p>

4

<p>Getting your test score up should be your number one priority, it is the only “hole” in your application (could use some leadership in your EC’s also) </p>

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<p>I think your EC’s are good considering that you’re a nationally ranked horse rider. Raise your test scores and you’ll be golden IMHO.</p>

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<p>Better scores will make OP competitive. No one is ever “golden” for Cornell. It’s reckless to believe otherwise.</p>

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<p>Hi OP! Definetly focus on bringing your ACT up. Other than that, you’ve done what you need to to get in the pool–now it’s a lot of luck and distinguishing yourself from other applicants. OP are you interested in riding at Cornell for our equestrian team and, if so, have you contacted the coach?</p>

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<p>@cbear2017 thank you for your opinion! I would love to be a part of Cornell’s IHSA team, however I have not yet contacted the coach. I really must do so, thank you for the suggestion and I plan on it tonight. You write as though you are on the team…if so, could you please give a bit of info about the barn you utilize and such? I know some colleges around here have stables on campus and yet others ride out of barns nearby…what is Cornell’s situation? Also, if the barn is located on campus, are we allowed to bring and board our personal horses? </p>

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<p>@purpleroan‌ I am actually not on the team at Cornell, although I do know several people on the team, and a fair number of animal science majors, and thus should be able to answer your questions. From what I’ve heard we have our own barn on campus out near the vet school. As for boarding and bringing personal horses, I’ve heard that equestrian members ride “team horses” only and that if you wanted to use your own horse then you would have to give it to the team and your horse would have to be accessible to everyone on the teAm (although this could be wrong). Best of luck with the coach! Feel free to message me with other questions.</p>

<p>Also–I’m a CALS ambassador so let me know if you have any other questions!</p>

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<p>Hmmm…thanks for clearing things up as much as possible! I am actually on vacation right now and the wifi is being problematic from my laptop, so I will be contacting the coach soon upon my arrival at home next saturday. It’s great to know you are a CALS ambassador, I’ll apologize ahead of time for an abundance of questions that I may ask haha…but I will most likely inquire as I come up with them! Thanks again @cbear2017‌ </p>

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<p>If I am not mistaken, undergraduate applications to the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences specify a specific major (you apply to that major), and the admissions committee for CALS checks to see if you are qualified and a well fit for that major.</p>

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<p>Post Deleted.</p>

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<p>@yikesyikesyikes‌ that’s what I heard too! Will most likely apply with a major in either animal sciences or biological sciences…possibly the latter with a minor in animal sciences. I believe that was something that could be done, but of course I’ll double check! (:</p>

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<p>@purpleroan</p>

<p>Your subjective analysis: </p>

<p>The thing that sticks out to me is the math class situation: most applicants I know have at least reached Calculus (this might weaken your application to Biological sciences, I am not completely sure). However, I did just visit Cornell this weekend, and the nice admissions counsellor/officer told our group that Cornell does admissions by college, and certain departments are looking for what she described as “lopsided” students (ex: students who focus almost entirely on math for their studies and extracurriculars), while also highyl valuing the classic well-rounded students (i.e. Renaissance men and women). I think you fit in the former category, so as long as you prove in your application your interest in the animal sciences and your qualifications, you should be in great shape (especially with qualifications like 8 years of equestrian experience and what not- very good ECs).</p>

<p>Your objective analysis:</p>

<p>GPA/Grades: Look good</p>

<p>Test Scores: Your ACT is probably better than your SAT, might be in lower half, retake if you wish or do subject tests or just continue focusing on your passion.</p>

<p>I am a rising high school senior myself, and have been strongly considering Cornell for my ED application myself :).</p>

<p>Best of Luck!</p>

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<p>Good point regarding Calculus, the vast majority of applicants will have taken it. </p>

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<p>@csdad‌ and @yikesyikesyikes‌ I do see that not taking calculus is a weak spot…in my school, I order to be accelerated in math/science we are chosen at the end of sixth grade. My class is very competitive and I didn’t make the group by tenths of a point :frowning: I have basically been kicking myself since it happened…I figure I can only move forward though and really strengthen the other parts of my application! It does seem like my ACT is in the 25th percentile for Cornell in general, however I don’t know about CALS in particular…in any case, I am really working to improve it. Thanks again for all advice you have to offer!! </p>

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<p>Hi there!</p>

<p>I think your chances are pretty good if you apply ED, especially to animal sciences. I was in your shoes last year and had a similar level of involvement in my extracurriculars, except that my focus was on birds instead of horses. And I also interned with a geneticist the summer of my junior year! I ended up applying as a biological sciences major, which I kind of regret now, because most of my activities were animal-related and I’m sure the admissions committee thought I didn’t read the list of CALS majors through or something.</p>

<p>I was deferred and then given a GT in March, and I’ll be joining the Cornell community next fall. That’s the silver lining about applying ED to the contract colleges–most of us who were deferred ended up receiving guaranteed transfers, so if your heart is set on CALS, your chances aren’t bad at all. </p>

<p>What I’d definitely do this summer is to improve your test scores. Aim for, like you said, at least a 32-33 on the ACT, and try to take it in the early fall so you have time to take your SAT II’s too. As for the subject tests I think I’d take Math II, Chem and maybe US History or something if you can. </p>

<p>Best of luck! Hope everything goes smoothly for you :slight_smile: </p>

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<p>@Coriander23‌ thanks so much for your reply! Definitely encouraging…always nice to have advice as to which direction to take in order to increase chances! Am I correct in saying that once you choose a major, you eventually choose a “focus” as well? And so I could theoretically apply as an animal sciences major and then focus in (animal) genetics? </p>