<p>Do you think it is easier/harder/etc. to get into Penn ED as a legacy or to get into Cornell RD as a legacy? I ask because Cornell is generally "easier" to get into, but I'm sure Penn ED legacy is a major boost in the admissions office. I'm wondering because I find back from Penn is a couple of weeks and if I am rejected or deferred (which will most likely happen), I plan to apply to Cornell. If Penn doesn't let me in ED, how much of a shot do you think I have at Cornell RD? </p>
<p>Yeah, I figured that. I’m kind of just wondering if in general Penn ED or Cornell RD would be considered tougher… but I understand it’s a really hard question to answer and there are so many factors to be considered with each applicant.</p>
<p>So, which is it? I know generally Cornell is easier to get into… but if I’ve applied to Penn with the ED edge… and apply RD to Cornell, are they similarly selective?</p>
<p>Most schools only consider legacy for ED…but this question would depend on your school’s history with Penn and Cornell…at my daughter’s HS it’s infinitely easier to be admitted to Cornell (ED or RD) than Penn (any D unless you donate big bucks…even if you are double legacy)…</p>
<p>I am doing Penn CAS ED… and I am a legacy at both schools. I will applying to Cornell CAS RD. So are they pretty much the same difficulty level then, in your opinion?</p>
<p>At both universities, admission odds are best assessed by college there that one is applying to, not university aggregates. However, Penn does not publish the information you need to properly make such assessment, so far as I’ve seen.</p>
<p>Cornell CAS accepted 16.7% last year, midrange SATs 640-740 CR, 660-770 M . </p>
<p>I have never seen Penn CAS stats published separately, just aggregated Penn stats which include Wharton and its engineering school, both of which may be higher that Penn CAS. While Cornell CAS stats are higher than university aggregates, my guess is that Penn CAS stats are lower than its reported U aggregates. Without data for Penn CAS though one can just speculate what they are. </p>
<p>IIRC, both universities say that legacy is a tip factor, but only if you apply there ED.</p>
<p>"So you don’t think my legacy status at Cornell will help at all RD? "</p>
<p>I specifically recall a Penn admissions person telling us that when we visited, during the information session. She said legacy meant a good deal there, but only if you apply ED. She was very clear and specific on this point. </p>
<p>I believe I’ve read the same thing is true at Cornell. But I can’t swear to it. You could ask them.</p>
<p>Now whether they’d give some credit even though they say they won’t, who knows.</p>
<p>Thing is, if you get in, you’ll probably never really know whether it helped or not. Assuming you’re well qualified in any event.</p>
<p>Thanks for that information! I don’t know if I’m “well-qualified”, but I think I’m at least a decent applicant. I have a 32 ACT, 3.85 UW GPA, 4.8 W GPA, fairly good ECs with a good amount of leadership/commitment in a few areas, I’ve taken the hardest courses my school offers and then some etc. I wouldn’t say I’m a stellar applicant, but I was hoping that my legacy status might help me out because I assume I’m a borderline applicant at BEST. </p>
<p>But, I guess I’ll just have to wait it out and see what happens. :)</p>