NYYanks65

Hi all,
I am a second year student at the University of Virginia considering applying for transfer to Cornell for fall of '09. I was wondering how much weight Cornell applies to grades/test scores/extracurrics from high school vs. grades/activities from college. I was also curious about the instructor evaluations - most of the classes I have taken at UVa have been large lecture classes and in the few small classes I have had I am relatively certain that my instructor would not know me enough to write an objective evaluation. Therefore would it be acceptable to submit evaluations from high school teachers (two of my AP teachers taught me for two years and so they know me well) or would that penalize me?

And if anyone would care to take a look at a brief account of my academic record and my chances for admission that'd be great!
High School
-96.5 unweighted average
-Ranked 5/400
-SATs - 1480 (730 math, 750 verbal)
-SATII's: Chem - 720, Math level 2 - 740, U.S. history - 790
-5's on the AP BC Calc, AP American Hist., AP European Hist., AP World Hist., and AP Chem
-Activities - baseball (team won states), VP of Senior Class, NHS

College
-3.3 GPA first semester (took 1 300 level, 3 200 level classes, and 1 100 level)
-3.7 GPA 2nd semester (2 100 level classes, 2 200 level classes, 1 high 100 level class)
-Activities - various business related things (McIntire Investment Institute, stock analysis competitions) and the Roosevelt Institution
Cumulative GPA is 3.5, I'm expecting around a 3.6 this semester while taking 1 100 level course, 2 200's, and 1 300.

Thanks!

CayugaRed2005

What college would you be applying to?

NYYanks65

Agriculture and Life Sciences, most likely.

dewdrop87

Seeing as you're applying for junior admission...your HS numbers are not going to matter as much as your college grades and ECs.

NYYanks65

Also I read that apparently the CALS is state-subsidized, and since I am a NY resident would that mean I have a better chance of admission?

Right now I'm thinking of applying for the AEM program. I would probably have around a 3.6 GPA and I would have gotten about a 3.75 GPA in classes taken in UVa's business school, McIntire, which is pretty highly ranked. So I'm guessing that this would play a role as well because I know that looking right at the numbers a 3.5-3.6 GPA doesn't jump off the charts or catch anyone's eye right away.

CayugaRed2005

Out of curiosity, why are you so interested in transferring to Cornell? Is it just the tuition differential? Or do you not like UVa?

Provided you are happy with UVa, I think that the McIntire program is definitely on par with AEM, if not a bit stronger.

NYYanks65

It's more out of a dislike of UVa...I know how great the McIntire school is. The reasons I've mainly come up with are: lower tuition, social diversity (I will explain below), being closer to home, and friends.

Honestly at UVa, they can say that there is X amount of X certain race/whatever but at the end of the day there is no interaction between different groups. It's pathetic.

Honestly, Cornell would be a lower tuition than UVa and I would be closer to home and my friends. The reason that it is important for me to be closer to home is a personal reason that I do not want to disclose, but it's very important and not to take lightly.

CayugaRed2005

All very good reasons. I knew of another transfer from UVa under the same motivations. I wouldn't recommend transferring solely on the reason of prestige or anything silly like that.

I think you have a strong chance with a 3.5-3.6 from UVa. Make certain you put a lot of time and effort into your essays, and also be sure to clearly communicate why you want to transfer. For some reason, top schools love to poach students from other top schools, so that is definitely to your advantage.

I would also make certain to apply to ILR or PAM as a secondary. The concern I have for somebody like you, a strong candidate who really wants to transfer to Cornell, is that AEM is just getting so incredibly competitive. I would take a close look at both PAM and ILR and see if they can't cater to your interests as well.

Best of luck to you.

NYYanks65

Thanks for the responses Cayuga and dewdrop...I guess the one last question I have at the moment would involving the prerequisites for the AEM/PAM programs. I know the AEM program says that Biology 1 and 2 are required and I haven't taken bio since high school. Since I just came to the decision to transfer a few days ago, I haven't taken these classes into account.

So would Cornell be ok with me taking any of the prereqs I don't have in the summer or is it necessary to have completed them at the time of application?

dewdrop87

Technically...the required courses are supposed to be completed or in the process of being completed at the time of application. Some exceptions have been made in the past...but not often. It's in your best interest to call the admission office of each school you're looking at and speak with them about your situation.