honorstudent

First off, I'd just like to apologize for posting this, I'm sure all of you are sick of "chance" threads but the "What are my Chances" thread doesn't get much feedback and I figured who better to ask than Cornell students themselves so I'd just like to thank you ahead of time as Cornell is truly my first choice and as you can see from my college list below, I am not an Ivywhore like other people as Cornell will be the only Ivy I'll be applying to and that's not even why I'll be applying even though I know it's a bit of a teach. Thanks again!

Here are my stats:
-female
-rank somewhere in the top 10 of my class out of ~700, not exactly sure where though
-4.0 uw gpa, 4.8333 w
- 29 ACT, this is where the problem is. I got a 30+ in each section except I had about a
fifth of the science section to go so I only got a 25 there bringing all of my 30+s down.
Of course I will be retaking and plan to do some hardcore studying (any tips for the
science section, anyone?) Will Cornell see each section? I wish I could put an asterisk by science that says I'm not majoring in science, lol
-all honors and AP with 6 APs senior year alone so definitely most rigorous sched. possible
and even out of everybody else too
- first generation and fluent in 2 languages, moderate in a 3rd

ECs are okay I think, nothing spectacular really:
- Secretary of Spanish Club (going for president this year)
- Link Crew Leader- freshman mentor
-Cleveland Zoo volunteer
-Girls State delegate
-job at a grocery store
-first chair of my section in orchestra (but I had to quit because of scheduling
conflicts)
-I might begin volunteering at a hospital and children's home if accepted as a
volunteer
-have done costumes for the school play
- LOTS of babysitting as I had to take care of my younger brother and the house
everyday after school until 1 am since my parents worked weird shifts during 9th and
10th grade which is why I don't have that great of ECs but apparently colleges love
this kind of stuff?
- I write a political blog but idk if this counts as an EC

Other: I'm pretty sure I'll have a great supplement essay showing that I really do "fit" and I'll have great teacher recs.

I might be forgetting some things but that's basically all of it. And here are my other schools if you want to give it a shot:

Cornell ED
Tufts ED II if Cornell ED doesn't work out
Boston C
Boston U
Brandeis
NYU
Vassar
American U
Northeastern
Trinity
Holy Cross
Syracuse
Case

Back ups:
OSU (I'm in state)
Drew

ananya77041

Good rank, good GPA...ACT score could use improvement, as you yourself realize. No SAT IIs at all?
As long as you get that score up, you'll have the numbers. Then all that's left is to do is make a knockout essay, and definitely try to find themes that unite your ECs, instead of just listing them out randomly. I submitted a separate resume that organized my ECs into sections, one for music activities, one for science activities, etc.

meestasi

Hey, nice name...honorstudent.

I wouldn't downplay your ECs, they're supposed to be the things that set you apart. I would highly suggest writing your essays about caring for your brother and telling any stories you have about your experience as a caretaker for all that time. It's not that colleges "love that kind of stuff", it's that "that stuff" oftentimes says the most about your character and unique qualities that you might have. I would also talk about your political blog, especially if you're really passionate about it and want to pursue a career in government or law. Your grades are great, but your test scores are a tad low, getting it over a 30 would be excellent for you, maybe even aim higher? The science portion isn't just about your knowledge or skill in science, it says a lot about your critical thinking skills and how you comprehend tough questions...I wouldn't downplay it.

As a first generation student applying ED, I would say you have a great shot of getting in. Are you also an URM?

chendrix

I think the political blog could be an interesting perspective if you spin it right.

honorstudent

ananya77041- Ok, thanks for the tips! You were a great help! I've taken the US History subject test and will be taking math II in October. And I want to go into government/IR and I've actively tried to get involved in things related to it but there aren't many opportunities around here except for Girls State. We don't have a model UN and my local city government doesn't take volunteers/interns so I hoping to tie in working at the zoo/hospital/children's home to being similar to working with constituents and dealing with conservation issues since at the zoo we educate the public about saving energy, recycling, etc.

meestasi- Thanks, I know it's so origianl, lol. No, I'm eastern European. And I actually have somewhat written my essay about my time with my brother. It's about how a car accident renewed my faith in God giving me the strength to overcome my germophobia which is what hindered my relationship with him and I talk about our time spent together as I took care of him. Basically it's about how we're a lot closer now because of it.

chendrix- Thanks, I plan on somehow incorporating it into my supplement.

Thanks again to everyone! You've made me feel as if I have a bit of hope

And are my ECs sufficient?

honorstudent

Anyone else?

honorstudent

Sorry to be that annoying person but, bump. I'd really appreciate some input/suggestions here as Cornell is my first choice.

dragonneedspank

improve your ACT score, and tailor your essays specifically for Cornell...

honorstudent

Thanks, I plan on it! So does everything else look okay/as if I'd have a shot?

dragonneedspank

Yeah I think you have a shot . make sure you research the school more so you can show specific characteristics of Cornell that relates to you.

honorstudent

Thanks- good tips. I'm going to visit next week I think and I already have quite a few things specific to just Cornell I'd like to include. Thanks again, I feel better now.

RileyJohn

Which college are you applying to?

countryangel926

The thread's title says CAS

RileyJohn

wow, my fault.