Will pure passion and ambition get me in?

Colleges & Universities A-Z Cornell University
1

<p>Okay, long....
- I've got decent stats. SAT's are good enough to make me "competitive". Weighted GPA is something like a 4.3. I don't know the decimals, exactly. My rank: Top 1% (i.e. Top 5).
- My recommendations come from teachers who've known me throughout my entire high school career and I think one in particular has a special affinity for me as a student, haha.
- I'm aiming for an Animal Science major.</p>

<p>Now, here's the thing: I don't do school EC's at all. I didn't do clubs. No NHS. No sports. No Debate or anything. I'm not really an active school person. Absolutely nothing of the school EC sort.
Furthermore, my volunteer history is small but extremely focused: all animal related and deeply so. For example, instead of just walking dogs at the local shelter for 4 years, I actually earned my way up and am now helping to rehabilitate the shelter's "behaviorally challenged" dogs. But I only put down about 4 volunteering activities. They're all high-quality, fairly unique, and sustained...but I only have 4.</p>

<p>So, what it comes down to is this: The only thing that is getting me/got me anywhere is pure passion. Throughout my life, I've known that I'm going to be a vet. But, recently, I've discovered a real passion- something that excites and spurs me to work into the wee hours of the morning for a reward no greater than self-satisfaction. Animal behavior is my passion and I'm deeply in love with the topic. The mere thought of becoming a veterinary behaviorist sends chills down my back. Seriously, working with aggressive dogs and being able to alter the manner in which they view the negative stimulus is my HIGH!!!</p>

<p>Ergo, my CommonApp essay was centered directly around this passion and my Cornell supplement was as well. I won't lie; I'm a good writer and I write extra well when it's about something I truly give a damn about.</p>

<p>So, now, I'm a little worried. My stats and EC's are good...better if you take it in light of my essays. But it all comes down to this: Will my passion and ambition get me in? <--that's what I'm relying on at this point.</p>

<p>FWIW, I've gotten into all my other schools (UC Berkeley and UCLA, included) based, essentially, on my essays on animal behavior and my passion for it. Like I said, I've got no school EC's, so there must be something about my essays that are getting me in. I just wonder how Cornell is going to view it.....</p>

2

<p>I don’t know if you’ll get in, but considering you seem academically qualified, I really hope so. I can’t stand these people who list everything short of deriving a Theory of Everything on their EC’s section. </p>

<p>Good luck!</p>

3

<p>you’ve done the best you could to express yourself in the application. You should relax until the 31st and see if Cornell has made the right decision</p>

4

<p>If there’s one thing Cornell looks for it’s passion. If you’ve got the stats <em>and</em> the passion you’ve got a shot. </p>

<p>What I am telling my kids at the moment tho – at this point it’s not about YOU. You have the stuff. Right now it’s all about THEM and how they want to fill THEIR class.</p>

5

<p>Cornell looks for unique people who “fit” their programs. They’re not necessarily looking to fill the school with prep school clones.</p>

<p>As long as your stats are good, the fact that your passion could not be pursued through your school and you initiated effort to find what interests you elsewhere is a big bonus. The fact that it directly relates to the field for which you are applying helps as well. </p>

<p>I would liken it to a hockey player who joins a travel club team that has nothing to do with his school but clearly prepares him. </p>

<p>I wouldn’t worry about it - and give yourself credit. You’re not just getting accepted on passion. You’ve pursued a path that really interests you and built a pretty strong resume for it. What more could a school ask out of a 17 year old?</p>

6

<p>O.o</p>

<p>I am in quite the same position as the op except i’m indian…baah</p>

<p>Although its nice to see positive reactions :)</p>

7

<p>I am an applicant myself and perhaps do not have the necessary qualifications to comment … yet I will tell you what my teachers and coaches and family have told me. Pure passion may or may not get you into the school of your choice, but will certainly help you get the most out of your undergrad and grad years no matter which school you go to. </p>

<p>By the way, Berkeley and perhaps UCLA are just as good (I think).</p>

8

<p>Question–for the Cornell supplement, how specific do you have to be in answering the question how CAS/CALS/etc will help you achieve your goals??</p>

<p>I felt like I spent way too many of the 500 words on my passion for chemistry and spent maybe only 5 sentences on how Cornell can help me in the future. Am i doomed?</p>