The last 'chance me' thread from me

Colleges & Universities A-Z Cornell University
1

<p>Hello everyone,</p>

<p>I pretty much know what different colleges look for. So I kind of know where I am right now... I just want to hear an opinion from the side. Please tell me, do I have any chances at getting accepted to Cornell (College of Engineering)?</p>

<p>My info:</p>

<p>Specialized courses in:
• Digital Electronics
• AP Physics
• AP Calculus BC</p>

<p>AWARDS RECEIVED</p>

<p>• High School Honor Roll...........Grades 9-12
• National Honor Society...........Grades 11-12
• Certificate of Award for Academic Achievements, Hard Work, and<br>
Responsibility......Grade 10
• Certificate Of Merit for Academic Achievements in Science and
Mathematics.......Grade 11

• Math League – C.A.M.L. 3rd Place Euler Division.......Grade 11</p>

<p>EXTRACURRICULAR ACTIVITIES</p>

<p>• Volleyball Team
....o Junior Varsity – Captain.........Grades 9-11
....o Varsity...............................Grade 12
• Math League
....o B-Team...............................Grades 9-10
....o A-Team...............................Grades 11-12
• National Engineering & Design Challenge............Grades 10-12
• Math tutor at school..............Grades 9-12
• Classical guitar......................2003 - 2010</p>

<p>WORK EXPERIENCE / VOLUNTEER WORK </p>

<p>• The Garlic Farm (volunteer).......Summer 2009, 2010
.......o Harvesting, Greenhouse
• Foodshare (non-profit) (volunteer).........Summer 2010
.......o Sorting food</p>

<p>INTERESTS & HOBBIES
Computers, photography, video editing, classical guitar, chess, working out, volleyball, tennis, soccer</p>

<p>Some extra background about me. I moved to the U.S. 3 years ago with almost no knowledge of English. I was able to learn it in a year time and started taking hard courses like AP Bio, AP Chem, AP Comp Sci, AP Physics, AP Econ, AP US History, AP Calc BC and a few honor classes. Basically all of my classes have been and still are AP or honors except English (level 2) and selectives/required (gen.ed. classes like civics, gym). My unweighted GPA is 3.8 and about 4.0 weighted. SAT score is 1900 (740 M, 640 W, 520 CR) - I took the SAT test this Saturday, hope for 2000+. SAT II: 730 Math II, 640 Chem.
I also took TOEFL iBT in order to 'compensate' for my CR and W SAT scores, I got 107/120, which is pretty good.</p>

<p>If it matters, I moved from Tashkent, Uzbekistan but my ethnicity is Russian. </p>

<p>My recommendation letters (APUSH, APChem) are very strong. My CommonApp is fairly strong, by that I mean I don't have 'unnecessary' parts. I think my supplemental for COE is very strong as well. </p>

<p>I am applying ED, Cornell is my first choice. I have been advised to apply and have been told that 'they' are "looking for students like me". I've also been told that I have a better chance because "I bring diversity to the campus". I already had an interview with a representative from Cornell, it went very well, the lady is going to write a recommendation letter for me. </p>

<p>Sorry for writing so much information, but, as the title says, this is going to be my last 'Chance me' thread on CC ;) I would like to hear truthful responses from you.
Sorry for being annoying, please bear with me. Thank you.</p>

2

<p>no responses at all?</p>

<p>one thing I didn’t mention, my school does not have ranking, however, unofficially, I’m in top 10% (did not say that on CommonApp).</p>

3

<p>Your test score are your weak area but you’ve done amazingly given you have only learned English recently. It’s hard to estimate chances but you definitely have a shot.
Good Luck!</p>

4

<p>Thanks milkweed. </p>

<p>SAT scores come out next Thursday, can’t wait. Also can’t wait to hear from Cornell as I’ve already applied ED. That’s going to be a torture until mid-December.</p>

5

<p>any thoughts? I will post my new SAT results in this thread after I get them on Thursday</p>

6

<p>As I promised, my new SAT scores (2020):
Math: 750
Writing: 670
CR: 600</p>

<p>I think that’s good for a student who just came to the country. How are my chances now?</p>

7

<p>It should be put in the context. How good are profiles of other students who apply to Cornell with you this year?</p>

8

<p>But they look at each student individually. Especially those who don’t have great English skills. You are not going to compare English skills of an international with those of a native English speaker.</p>

9

<p>no, I mean they compare you with Russian kids applying the same year</p>

10

<p>oh, I see. Well, I don’t know the stats :slight_smile: Hopefully I have better composition of grades/scores/ECs/Letters of Recs</p>

11

<p>International applicants are much more competitive (harder to get in as an International student). With what you have provided, I would say your chances of getting in are low. Extracirriculars are nothing spectacular, SAT scores are below average. GPA is not given and class rank is decent.</p>