<p>I was just wondering... What doea cornell really look for in applicants?l Do they focus on your SATs and ACTs or in the essay? What are some good things to do in high school to get in? What is the minimum gpa and sat score? Any other helpful things? Thanks!:)</p>
<p>1) What have you read in Cornell’s own webpages?
2) Do want random strangers’ interpretation of it?
3) Will you place this above your own reading of Cornell’s criteria?</p>
<p>Tell us what you find out and report back.</p>
<p>I asked the same question four years ago when my son was applying to Cornell. I received the good advice to read the website with scrutiny and make sure that he responded to all the requirements asked–that was good advice. Now he’s a rising senior and has had a great experience at Cornell.</p>
<p>I agree with momwhowant… Spend a lot of time really thinking about the requirements. Make sure you scrutinize the checklist of things to do. If you are missing something it may hurt you.</p>
<p>There is no secret as to what Cornell looks for. </p>
<p>Broadly speaking, I find: Course rigor>GPA/rank>Essay>EC’s>SAT/ACT/APs.</p>
<p>The word “fit” is used a lot, but basically I would define it as having a meaningful combination of the above characteristics for an applicant. Exceptional SAT scores in the context of other achievement can compensate for poorer GPA and some EC’s are too amazing to ignore, no matter what else the applicant has to offer. Sometimes with the stats of some applicants you see accepted, unless they were hiding something, you gotta believe their essays were a cut above the rest.</p>
<p>Look at the College Board website… It tells you all this.</p>
<p>Thanks everyone! Does anybody have any connections with anyone who went or is applying to cornell?</p>
<p>AP’s should not be lumped in with SAT / ACT scores. AP scores ARE NOT required, but SAT/ACT is. High grades in rigorous coures along with SAT/ACT scores within their average range will get you in the conversation. Then it comes down to EC’s, Letters of Rec., & fit. …of course of the things you can control. Some factors such as the applicant pool, where you are from, etc. are out of your control.</p>
<p>30% - Grades (weighted by course difficulty and ranking) = 30% - Scores (SAT Is/ACTs>>SAT IIs > AP scores) > (by a little bit) ECs (Awards (weighted by scale of competition), leadership positions, other forms of unique experience)= ESSAY (showing uniqueness and maturity), combined for like 40%</p>
<ul>
<li>Bonus points (HOOKS)</li>
</ul>