What are my chances?

Colleges and Universities A-Z Cornell University
1

I applied ED to Cornell, but I’m concerned about my essays since I think they were a bit rushed (I wasn’t sure up until the very end if I was going to go through with my decision). I actually ended up handing in my application a few days late, but my college counselor and I talked with an admissions rep after I sent it, and we explained my situation (I truly had everything done before the deadline, but there was a problem on the Common App for me when submitting my app. I waited a few days because (as I explained to their call number) I wanted to be 100% sure this was the school for me). The University accepted my application (the Common App was still open for ED), and I received a login and alumni interview nearly immediately after.

Then I started to get cold feet and thought about pulling my app. I called the admissions number (many weeks after I submitted the App) and asked about the procedure to do this as well as many other questions about the school’s curriculum that I couldn’t find online. I accidentally left my name with one of the people I spoke to on the phone.

I love love love Cornell, but what are my chances? Did I ruin everything because of many minor events that just all happened at the same time? I applied to the School of Engineering.

SAT Scores: 790 Math, 760 Reading/English
ACT Scores: 33 Math, 35 English, 35 Reading, 34 Science (I only sent this to show admissions officers my English was more proficient than on the SAT)
SAT Subject Tests: 790 Math II, 800 Chemistry, 750 Lit
AP Scores: AP Lit 5, AP Lang 5, AP Spanish 5, AP Chem 5
Current classes: Honors Bio, AP BC Calc, AP Stats, AP Physics, English 12, AP Micro/Macro Econ
GPA: 96.42/100 (I believe this is weighted, but I’m not sure because my school is strange)
Class Rank: top 10% (Cum Laude)
Awards (in general): Rensselaer Medal (math/science thing), National Merit Semi-Finalist (most likely finalist too), Cum Laude, STEM Scholar (internal school recognition, on my official transcript. Someone who’s focused their high school on STEM), AP Scholar with Honor, a few local chem titles that I won with my school team (6 people), National Chem Olympiad Finalist (top 18 in DC)
Legacy: None
Extracurricular activities and positions: Model UN President, Model UN Sec-Gen for a 200 person meet, Clubs’ Executive Board President (organize clubs stuff), Jazz Band and Band Alto Saxophone, Former field hockey player, rower, volunteer math tutor
Community Service: 50 hours (My school requires this)
Jobs: Internship for Aerospace Engineering at UMD, worked for my dad renovating houses
Financial Aid Status: I don’t need it, didn’t apply for it
Recs: I didn’t read any of them, but I know both teachers are at least ok/good, (one teacher said she sort of implied Cornell but didn’t say the name?), heard the college counselor one is good
Supplementals: 1 Supplemental Rec from MUN sponsor about my leadership in the club
Other: I’m a girl, and Cornell accepts a lot of female engineers. I’m bilingual and lived outside of the US for 9 years.

My essays don’t suck, but the Cornell supplement might not have been as good as it could be (I’m really not sure, a lot of the stuff I might have included were things I found out about much later).

What are my chances?

2

Also, my alumni interview went really well! My interviewer seemed to really like me, and she praised my Model UN experience. We talked for like an hour.

3

You have a great shot, I think. Don’t put too much weight into the alumni interview, I doubt it sways your application that much but it’s still a positive if it goes well. As for the essay, it’s unfortunate you had to rush your Cornell supplement, I do think that is a big part of your application, they like to distinguish students through that essay specifically, to see if you’re fit for the major/college.

About the late application: believe it or not, I got in with submitting my application and essay a few days late, I didn’t expect to be accepted at all, thought they’d just throw away my application LOL, it was RD, so don’t worry too much about the late application, if it was accepted then it won’t have any affect on your acceptance chance.

4

As long as Cornell doesn’t recognize you submitted your app late, you look good. I really haven’t heard stories of people submitting late, so can’t give you much advice on that, sorry. (Unlike me), you look very well-rounded with that MUN and AP Lit/Lang scores. I think your chem olympiad and MUN president will definitely help your chance as well as great GPA, SAT/ACT, all those stuff. I would say high target (not even a low reach) for you? But don’t trust my words for granted … good luck!

Chance me back too please!