Transfer as a second-semester freshman??

Colleges and Universities A-Z Cornell University
1

<p>Hey guys, I know this is a bit early, but freshman transfers for Cornell have to apply in early September, so it's not too far away.</p>

<p>Academics:
GPA: 3.7UW, 5.3W
Rank: Top 1%
SAT: 800M, 770W, 680CR
SATII: 800 Math II, 740 USH</p>

<p>Academic Awards:
•2010 Broward Science Miami Herald Silver Knight award winner (May 2010)
•2008 AP Scholar With Honor
•2009 AP Scholar With Distinction
•National Merit Commended Scholar
•Harvard Prize Book award recipient
•Biology student of the year 2006
•Excellence in Physics (2007, 2008)
•Excellence in Chemistry (2007, 2008)
•3rd place physics Intel ISEF Science fair
•2nd place space science Intel ISEF Science Fair
•Honorable Mention: South Florida High School Journalism awards
•1st place declamation-South Florida Spanish competition
•1st place-impromptu-South Florida Spanish Competition</p>

<p>Athletics:
•Football: 2 year varsity letterwinner (2009-2010)
Field Goals: 17-19 (1 blocked) through 10 games
•National Football Foundation-Brian Piccolo Chapter Overall award winner (May 2010)
•Orange Bowl Committee Field-of-Dreams Scholar-Athlete (May 2010)
•South Florida Athlete of the Month (January 2010)
•Water polo: 3-year varsity letterwinner (2008-2010)</p>

<p>Work Experience:
•Student correspondent/journalist: South Florida Sun-Sentinel (2006-2009)
•Model: Sun-Sentinel and CW TV Show (June 2007)
•Official Delegate: Korean Friendship Association-South Korea (2008-2010)
•Communications Secretary: Korean Friendship Association-USA (2008-2010)</p>

<p>Clubs:
•Marching band (section leader, co-captain: 3 years): Increased membership by over 200%
•Parade Band (section leader, co-captain: 3 years): Increased membership by 200% and participated in more parades and competitions previously undertaken.
•BCAA All-Star marching band-Comprised of the best musicians in the county.
•Saxophone quartet (Founder, leader)
•Mu Alpha Theta (president: 4 years): Revived a previously dormant organization
•SECME physics and engineering club (member: 2 years)
•Brain Brawl participant
•National Honor Society</p>

<p>Volunteer Work:
•2.5 weeks in Ghana helping Malaria and HIV/AIDS patients (June 2009)
1 month in Ghana helping Malaria and HIV/AIDS patients (July 2010)
•Founder: Advance Medicine in Africa (AMIA): Organization that collects donations from local and regional hospitals and clinics to send to understaffed hospitals in Ghana-raised over $3000 (2009-present).
•Amnesty International participant (Summer 2009)
•Liberty in North Korea (a North Korean human rights organization) participant in “Movement” project (2009-present).
•Habitat for Humanity worker (Summer 2009)</p>

<p>Research Experience
•Internship/Independent Research under Dr. H.K. Kim, PHD and Dr. Salahadin Abdi, PHD, MD at University of Miami on cytology of neurons (April 2009-August 2009)
Summer Programs:
•2009 West Point Summer Leader's Seminar (June 2009)</p>

<p>Hook: Had to overcome paranoid schizophrenia and clinical depression since sophomore year in high school</p>

2

<p>I’m a little confused by your thread title.</p>

<p>Are you trying to transfer to Cornell as a 2nd year student (i.e. complete your freshman year elsewhere) or are you attempting to come in to Cornell as a 2nd semester freshman? If it’s the latter, it is not possible to do that.</p>

3

<p>I mean come to Cornell as a second semester freshman. Actually Cornell does accept second semester freshmen as transfers. I contacted the admissions office to confirm this.</p>

4

<p>And by the way, I am currently attending the University of Florida Honors College.</p>

5

<p>I didn’t know they accept 2nd semester freshman transfers…
But anyway, what is your reason for transferring?
You’ve barely started at your current school…so the whole “my current school doesn’t fit me” thing probably won’t work.</p>

6

<p>They will accept 2nd semester freshman transfers…but it’s not a common occurrence. </p>

<p>It’s hard to judge your chances when you don’t yet have a semester of college behind you. Your HS background is amazing and I’m sure you’ll fine at your college. I hope you have good reason for wanting to transfer so soon :)</p>

7

<p>I was also unaware that Cornell accepted 2nd semester freshman transfers. It must happen like once every 5 years haha. You are certainly competitive if you just wait for March to roll around and apply normally for Fall '11 admission. </p>

<p>You should be aware that 1) you won’t have any college grades in September when they start reading applications, which is kind of ridiculous if you think about it. 2) you won’t have any UF professors to write you LORs considering you’d have been in school for a whole 3 weeks. 3) What can you possibly write in your why transfer essay? </p>

<p>Even if Cornell accepts your application (which I’m still kind of skeptical of), I don’t think you will get in. It’s not a question of your stats or chances or anything like that, it’s just that your application will be incredibly weak due to a non-existent college GPA, no meaningful LORs in 3 weeks, and few possible essay angles. Is there a reason you can’t wait another semester?</p>

8

<p>Do others view “Had to overcome paranoid schizophrenia and clinical depression since sophomore year in high school” as a hook? …better to disclose this, not disclose, mention but not "play up’ ???</p>

9

<p>Yeah, I also had to deal with psychological issues in highschool, and every person I spoke to said “if you must mention it, mention it very much in passing, and do not draw attention to it.”</p>

<p>Colleges have risk managers, and any person who has a history of prior mental illness is seen as a risk to the college. It sucks, but it’s true, and it’s likely to affect your admission outcome. Your academics speak for themselves, DO NOT MENTION YOUR PSYCHOLOGICAL ISSUES.</p>

10

<p>Yes I would think with all the negative attention Cornell has received regarding suicides any type of mental illness would be a red flag.</p>