It's unfortunate but that's how things go. That 2% really makes it a lot, lot harder for you. It would still have been a reach for you if you were in the top 10%, but this makes it a lot tougher especially because you are not applying ED and you are an ORM applying for an overrepresented, quantitative major.
hi, to be honest, your chances dont look too great. you are applying for one of the most competetive majors with mediocre scores and grades that are sub par compared to most other students applying.
also, you seem to be stressing that you were contacted about an alumni meeting....those dont mean much. they offer an alumni meeting to everyone they can. my cousin is one of the people who interviews for those, she told me they dont actually matter much. you should go, but it wont truly affect your application.
there is always luck involved of course. legacy would help you tremendously. if not, i hope you have one hell of an essay and some great letters of recommendation to make you seem more than ordinary.
yea, I think my chances aren't too good. I'm just hoping a miracle happens. Cornell, Northwestern, and Rice are my top 3 choices, but I have some safeties of course, b/c these are so hard to get into. My recommendations are pretty good, especially 2 of them--they're probably outstanding. My essays are really good as well.
I don't think your application is horrible but everything is just a bit below par (your rank, SAT scores, and EC's). Overall, I'd say you are more likely rejected than admitted but it's not beyond the realm of possibility.
@desibeats I'm crossing my fingers for you. I have applied as a Chem E major. Cornell is a bit further from home than I wanted, but if I get accepted with a decent financial package I may consider it. I'm a female so that seems to help a little from what I have read here. If I'm waitlisted, I will most likely choose Villanova. I am really leaning that way right now. Keep us posted and Good Luck!
Cool, good luck to you too islandgal. Wow, Chem E major, haven't seen that a lot among the girls lol. I applied to Villanova too, but I haven't heard back yet.
I applied early decisions to cornell and was deferred from the college of human ecology. Regular decisions are being released very soon and I am super anxious about what the outcome will be. Since the beginning, everyone constantly told me that I would be accepted ED and that I belong at Cornell, but clearly that did not happen. I just want the perspective/opinions of people who do not know me personally. Please tell me what you think and chance me! My brother is currently a hotelie and my mom and uncle both graduated from Cornell and both used to be alumni interviewers.
ACT: 1st time: 32 composite – 29 english, 35 math, 32 reading, 30 science
2nd time: 34 composite – 34 english, 33 math, 36 reading, 31 science
SAT II: 730 math 1, 720 english lit
GPA: 3.7 (i know it seems low, however, my school is extremely competitive and is currently ranked in the top 10 public schools in the state)
Rank: top 10%-15%
Senior Year Course Load: AP Physics C, AP Calculus, AP Psychology, Literature of Childhood and Humanities, Women Studies and Contemporary Issues, Spanish 5, Lifetime Skills
Awards: St. Lawrence Book Award, Certificate of Recognition for Academic Achievements and dedication to community service.
Extracurriculars: Horseback riding twice a week. President and co-founder of the foreign exchange club. Also the founder and head of my school’s first ever 7-week foreign exchange program. Representative for U.S. chapter for alumni’s from the school I attended while living in Australia
Work Experience: Babysit twice a week after school for 3 hours, tutor twice a week, taught horseback riding at a summer camp for inner city children, worked gatehouse at pool club
Volunteer/Community service: volunteer once a week at a day care center (for upwards of 6 years), 4 week work trips to Ecuador and Costa Rica, have been on 3 work trips to Nicaragua (the work trips are solely labor oriented, they are not like teen tours and do not cost an excessive amount of money), SHARE, Midnight runs, worked at a women's shelter.
Essays: About my move to Australia (lived there for 2 years until 8th grade) and how i learned to adapt to new places alone and also became more comfortable/confident in myself. Hum ec essay showed how my service trips sparked my interest in how the environment affects one's development, focusing on children. Also showed how the HD major perfectly fits what I am looking for. (talked about Interdisciplinary, and applied psych)
Teacher Recommendation: two of my favorite teachers that know me very personally. Said they put a lot of time into them so hopefully they were good.
Counselor Rec: She seems to like me and she tries her best to make it very personalized.
Additional Rec: The head of the community service organization that i have been on trips with. knows me very well and was very sincere.
Gender: female
The end of January/beginning of February I sent a continued interest letter to Cornell which gave an update on my ECs, grades, etc. I also wrote an essay with it that further explained some things/situations/hardships that I had made the decision to keep out of my original application. I chose to include these difficult family experiences not for pity, but rather to show them that even while going through hard times, I was able to maintain an upward trend for my GPA and achieve great things.
SORRY THIS IS SO LONG. Please tell me what you think. I would really really appreciate it.
