<p>CALS - Biology and Society
I took 2 classes at UCLA relating to what I want to major in
1) Biological Threats to Society
2) Sociology</p>
<p>First Generation (Mother didn't even graduate high school)
African American from the South
$15,000 Income - Single Parent Family
Top 24% in class
Freshman: 3.5 (Extenuating Circumstances: Death of a close family member)
Sophomore: 2.9 (Extenuating Circumstances: Another death of close family member)
Junior: 4.1 (All A's)
1st Semester Senior: 4.5 (All A's)</p>
<p>Senior Classes:
AP Govt
AP Econ
AP Statistics
AP Calculus
AP World History</p>
<p>I have a reccomendation from the top Economics Professor in Georgetown SFS (I know him very very very personally, the Reccomendation was 2 pages long)</p>
<p>It starts out "Of the 10 years being a Georgetown professor, I have not once written a letter regarding an Undergraduate student, however, (my name)......"</p>
<p>He read over my essays and said they are one of the best college essays he has ever read. (One depicts my unusual past...Father was abducted never to be seen again, he was a political activist)</p>
<p>EC's:
President & Founder of Book Club (4 years)
Secretary of FBLA (3 years)
Treasurer & Secretary of French Club (4 years)
Team Leader for Chess Club (2 years)
Cultural Diversity Club (4 years)
20 hour/week job since freshman year.</p>
<p>650-700 Subject Tests</p>
<p>26 ACT (28 Math & 27 English)</p>
<p>Will be taking January 26 SAT in hopes of getting a 1950-2000. (Supposedly Cornell accepts the January SAT)</p>
<p>the guy above is an ahole
honestly you have a decent chance. While people may have higher scores... who cares. You bring alot to the table you dont need a chance thread to tell you that. one guy from my school with a 2300+ sat and a 3.8 got rejected
myself with much lower scores got deferred. Dont worry about it just wait for the mail.</p>
<p>the guy was sarcastic. normally, i wouldn't comment on chance threads but i think everyone has a shot. and with your ec's, recs, and courses, you make a very competitive candidate. don't put yourself down because of low test scores. just ride through senior year and hope for the best. good luck!!</p>
<p>If you write about your low GPA situation in your essay, or have your couselor write a short note to Cornell about it, it would help a ton. I think the key here is to just try and stay positive...the headline sounds like you're just moping no offense.</p>
<p>Normally I don't like commenting on chance threads either, but I think you have some things going for you. Admission can't be guaranteed for any applicant, but you have a few things that will stand out (URM status, first-generation college student, strong recommendation, overcoming difficult times).</p>
<p>I second yousonofatree; I hope that you mentioned how you had to deal with the death of close family members somewhere in your application. It would provide some background info about your weaker grades freshman and sophomore year. Also, as for your GPA, admissions officers don't just look at a single number and accept and reject applicants based on that. They're going to look at your whole transcript and see that you managed to improve your grades dramatically.</p>
<p>Purify's advice was good: enjoy senior year and just hope for the best. I think you were harder on yourself than you needed to be. You certainly have a chance. Good luck!</p>
<p>Heh, thanks for the encouragment. I keep rationalizing my chances at all of these schools!</p>
<p>I wrote a little note attached to my application that talked about the family deaths during my freshman and sophomore year. Hopefully they will take note of it. I just took a SAT practice test a few minutes ago and got a ~2000. Who knows.</p>
<p>i rarely comment on chance threads and have never opened myself up to that kind of scrutinity, but that skyrocketing gpa from year to year would impress anyone. i would think colleges want students who are growing, not who have peeked in high shcool and want to coast. i will be watching the acceptance thread for good news from you!</p>
<p>I think you have great shot. You have a lot of things going for you. They will see that you have great potential due to the dramatic increase in your grades. GOOD LUCK !! I wish you the best.</p>
<p>Yeah, tests are only one part of what they look at. Lots of people told me I had no shot, and I was deferred ED, compared to people with near-perfect SAT's who were rejected. They have plenty of reasons to want you, so I think they most likely will. Best of luck, I love reading stories like yours :)</p>
<p>are you kidding? I'm a CALS Bio&Soc major....you background is incredibly unique. You've overcome a lot...and your stats aren't shabby. CALS loves diversity...and you've got it. You're obviously a strong person and I think you've got a decent shot....</p>
<p>It looks like you would be a good candidate at Cornell for the reasons listed above. I think a note from your g.c. would definitely be in order. The upward trend on your grades is remarkable.</p>
<p>I just got back from school and finally got a copy of my updated transcript. After all it's not the top 24%, It's roughly top 29%...will that change much?</p>