<p>I'm a junior and I want to apply to Cornell ED.
My average for freshman and sophomore is probably around an 86 or 87 (which is terrible, I know), but I've maintained 90 averages for the first two quarters this year and plan on getting much higher averages to bump my overall average to a 90. I'm currently in two honors courses (Spanish and English). I know my grades are pretty low, but it's mostly because of my extracurriculars (Sunday is my only day off)
My ECs include:
Interning at the District Attorney's Office (I plan on being a prosecutor)
Dance (7.5 hours/wk)
Stepping team at school
Member of the Drama Club
National Honor's Society
500+ community service hours (volunteered at kid's summer camp and after school program freshman and sophomore year)
and that's about it...
I don't know if this bit of info matters, but I'd be the first in my family to go to college (which I plan on including in my essay), I haven't taken the SAT yet but I'm being tutored so I can get the highest score possible, live in-state, go to Catholic school, will take AP Art, AP Psychology, Anatomy Honors, AP English, Spanish 12, Law in a Free Society next year.... and that's all I can think of at the moment.</p>
<p>Oh, and the thing that worries me most is the fact that I'm only in the top 50%, but my guidance counselor told me that it's because of my school's highly competitive environment (she said something like the first 10 girls had averages over 100 and the next had 100s or close 100s) so you can imagine where my measely 87 fits into place. :(
Also I plan on majoring in philosophy (seems like a very interesting major) at CAS.
I would really appreciate if you could tell me what you think my chances are and give me any advice possible about improving my chances of getting accepted. I feel that Cornell would be a wonderful school for me from the wonderful professors, to the beautiful campus, to it's mission statement, and even sledding down Libe slope (I've read many stories about that). I plan on visiting Spring break and hopefully getting an information session with a member of the CAAAN. Thanks in advance everyone!</p>
<p>I'm also a tutor in Spanish
...just adding things as they pop into my head</p>
<p>No chance whatsoever. </p>
<p>Looks like its the University of Illinois!</p>
<p>Really? Not at all? I find that really hard to believe. Well I'm still going to try my hardest because I'm sure I know their history more than the majority of the people who apply. Thanks for you input, though.</p>
<p>Could I have an explanation of WHY there's no chance? I mean, I've heard of people getting into Princeton with 85 averages and their acceptance rate is much lower than that of Cornell's. If I get a good grade on the SAT and write a killer essay (have started this) as well as obtain excellent recommendations, I don't see why I wouldn't have a shot. Not to mention colleges love to have students who are the first in their family to go to college (from what I've heard).</p>
<p>Dude, I was joking. I think you have a great chance if you do good on your standardized tests and essay. </p>
<p>However, I think ILR will be a better school for you. I too plan to an attorney (Defense Attorney FTW) and when I called and told them my long term goals they couldn't reccomend ILR enough. I looked into it more and it definently seems like the place for me. </p>
<p>And I'll be the first in my family to go to college as well.</p>
<p>Really? Okay because I was losing my mind over here, haha.
And I'll look into ILR. And I've been looking into calling them but just haven't figured out what to say. Not to mention I'd be extremely nervous.</p>
<p>Don't get me wrong, the odds arn't in your favor per se, with those grades. But the fact that you have an upward trend is a good thing, and I'm sure colleges will know you went to a competitive school. Still, you should look into bringing that rank up.</p>
<p>Yes, I really screwed up on the grades, but I hope I can bring it up. If I apply early decision, will they get some of my senior year grades or just freshman-junior?</p>
<p>It depends. What sort of schedule does your school operate on? Trimester? Semester? 4 term? </p>
<p>Give me those details first.</p>
<p>ILR will be tough as an out-of-state applicant, as it is one of the state-funded colleges. You'll do better applying to the Arts school (CAS), if you're from out-of-state. Otherwise, bring up that class rank. I know it's easier said than done.</p>
<p>Best of luck to you in your college search!</p>
<p>Have you taken the ACT or SAT yet? If you can score well on one of those, then that will help. If you have to cut back on your ECs to raise your average, then do it. Too many ECs doesn't look good and it NOT a valid excuse for a low GPA. Focus more on the ones that are most important to you and spend the extra time studying. </p>
<p>And if people tell you they get into Princeton with an 85 average, they are possibly not being honest. They'd have to be recruited athletes or have other special, unusual circumstances to get admitted with so low a GPA. As a rule, Princeton turns down perfect 4.0s and 2400s and has lines of kids with the same stats waiting for a spot. There would have to be a great reason why they'd admit an 85 average.</p>
<p>The OP said that she lives in-state.</p>
<p>Yeah, they operate in quarters and there's four quarters. I currently have two more quarters left.
And I plan on doing very well on the SAT, ACT, and SATII. Can anyone recommend which SATII I should take? I was thinking of English and American History but I'm not very sure.</p>
<p>whichever you'll do best on</p>
<p>If they operate in quarters, most likely you will send maybe the first quarter grades, but I'm not sure because that wouldn't be very fair to students who operate on a trimester schedule. I know for RD you have to send mid-year reports but I'm just not sure about ED</p>
<p>Sorry, but you're chances are very slim. Ivy League schools get thousands and thousands of applications per year, and yours just isn't going to stand out. You really need an average above 95 for all four years of high school to even be considered.</p>
<p>^^ where the **** did you get that information?</p>
<p>Well that is certainly not true, because decisions are looked at hollistically, and many many people with below 95% get into ivies. They do not "automatically" discard anything. Thats like saying you neeeeeed a 4.0.... how come more than 50% of admits had slightly less than 4.0? But I do believe 86 is low... but if you get it to 90, you have just as good a shot as anyone else.</p>
<p>However I do agree that you should get your rank up... 50% is not good enough.</p>
<p>I Have A 3.8 GPA (95%), And In The Top 10 Out Of 250 And Got Deferred From EOP. Your Chances Are Very Slim.</p>
<p>Each application is unique, so do not think that because you were not accepted, someone else cannot.</p>