Shimex

Lately I've become very concerned about getting into Cornell, so I really need opinions as to what I need to work on. I can take a little criticism. I will be applying to CAS, for the Class of 2013.

Unweighted GPA: At least a 3.7 My school discouraged class rank and a final GPA...

-Weighted GPA: At least 4+

-AP Courses: By graduation I will have taken the following:

Junior or earlier:
AP World History (3) =(
AP US History (4)
AP Physics B (5)
AP Eng. Language(4)
AP Psychology (5)

Senior Year:
AP Government
AP Economics
AP Physics C: Mechanics
AP Physics C: E&M (Self Study)
AP English: Literature and Composition
AP Calculus BC
AP Biology

-Class Rank: Rough Estimate: between 3-7%

-SAT: Critical Reading (590), Math (680), Writing (590)
-ACT: Composite: 32
-SAT II: Physics: 770 Math II: 730 US: 710
I am curious if I should even submit my SAT scores to Cornell, and just stick to submitting my ACT score. I do realize my SAT scores are sub-par for Cornell, and plan on retaking.

-ECs: (upon graduation)

Varsity Cross Country, 3 Years (Captain)
Varsity Indoor and Outdoor Track, 3 Years
Masterminds, 4 years. (Trivia team, similar to college bowl)
Math Team, 1 year
National Honor Society
Varsity Club (volunteer work)

-Employment: Customer Service at a grocery store.
I've worked there for a little over a year to date, and the majority of earnings go to the bank for college.

-Honors/Awards:
Clarkson Academic Award
Xerox Innovation for a website I designed for the school
Recognition for developing APUSH podcasts for student use.
Most Improved Player - Indoor Track
Academic Letter and Varsity Letter
150+ hours of volunteering
Shining Star Finalist (Volunteer Award, working as a snack runner for a play)
Started a small nonprofit business. Earnings will be donated to charity.

That's about all I can think of at the moment.

-Recommendations: Will have 2 or 3 good recs from my Physics teacher and Cross Country Coach. I plan to demonstrate my passion for physics in my application to CAS (hence rec from physics teacher and self study in Phys:C E&M). I'm a good writer (or at least I think I am lol), and so I do not think the essay will be a problem.

Thank you for helping me!

Jman21

I would not even consider sending the SAT scores...I dont know if you'd get the foot in the door at Cornell with a 1860 SAT. That is incredibly low for an Ivy League school. However, the ACT at 32 is at least respectable enough not to hurt you. I think the ECs show more activities not related to your academics, which is not bad, but you should probably have a little more in the way of academic ECs. Just being realistic and attempting to help out.

I think you have a chance with only the ACT score. You need to raise your UW GPA and maybe add an academic EC.

Shimex

Ok, thanks for the suggestions, I will certainly look into some more EC's. It's really a pain I cannot send in my SAT subject test scores without sending in my meager SAT ones.

Jman21

I dont know if I would attempt to send in the SAT II scores then...unless you want to retake the SAT. That SAT will hurt.

MDog795

Yeah, the SAT score seems a little weak for Ivy league standards, no offense.