Can I get into Cornell? Should I apply early decision?

Colleges & Universities Cornell University
1

I’m trying to decide if I should apply to Cornell early decision. If I was to be accepted (not sure how likely), it would be binding, and I’m not 100% sure that it’s the school for me. Because of distance and finances, I won’t be able to visit the campus before applying. I’m currently between Cornell and UNC Chapel Hill. Money is a significant factor, and I’m an in-state student for Chapel Hill.

Here’s a bit about me:

SAT scores (old): Math 660, Reading 800, Writing 800
SAT scores (new): Math 690, Reading/Writing 770

ACT scores: 33 overall, 31 Math, 36 Reading, 36 Writing, 27 Science

GPA: 3.869 (unweighted), 4.7784 (weighted)

I will graduate with 8 AP classes and two community college courses.

Class Rank: 4

Clubs: Superintendent’s Student Advisory Council (6 years), Model UN (Vice President), Technical Theater (Backstage/Stage Manager), Teen Court, Newspaper (Opinions Editor, highly awarded paper), China Partnership, Phytofinders (phytoplankton collection, examination, & research), a year of travel club soccer, LEO club, HOSA, National Honor Society

I also volunteer at summer story times and races in my community.

I’m a decent writer so I think my essay will be up to par, and I will have excellent recommendations from teachers/community members that I have close personal relationships with.

I’m also an AP Honors Scholar and a National Merit Semi-Finalist.

What do you think my chances are if I apply to Cornell early decision? Regular application? And I would really appreciate if someone could tell me a little bit about life and academics at Cornell first-hand. If was to be accepted at both Chapel Hill and Cornell, would it be worth giving up location and a cheaper education for an Ivy League?

Thank you so much!

2

Welcome OP and congratulations on your great achievements to date; you have very impressive credentials.
Based on what you’ve written above, my first comment would be that you will do well just about anywhere you choose to attend college (and you’ll almost certainly have many choices).

That said, I’d suggest you need to assess whether Cornell (or any other ivy) would be a fit for for you before deciding whether you want to apply there ED. In response to your Q about trading off cost and location for an Ivy, the two schools you mention are both fine schools and whether the trade off makes sense for you and your family has a lot to do about the costs of the schools, including travel back and forth and whether there is something you want to pursue that is uniquely offered academically at one or the other. If you haven’t already, you ought to look at the net price calculator on the Cornell site and discuss the results w/ your parents and see where you are as a family on the cost side of things to get a good idea of what that’s going to look like.

To your specific Qs, there are countless threads and debates on CC about Ivy vs. flagship state school education and while I do have an opinion on the point, I’m not going to rehash any of that here; you can get a great education at both schools w/o question.

I don’t have direct experience with UNC, but have a good deal of direct Cornell experience as an undergraduate parent and (long ago) student. It has a great range of academic offerings and the resources you would expect of an Ivy school - so you can do most anything you might want to do there in or out of the classroom. It is relatively isolated, however, and the winter weather is pretty brutal for many; its not unusual to see snow from Halloween until Easter, for example. The academics are challenging, but given your background it looks on paper as though you would be fine there.

As far as admissions go w/r/t Cornell, applying early does help your chances of admission; the university doesn’t publish stats on just how much it helps, but there are a number of articles out there on the web that will try to show the ED vd RD impact for all of the Ivies and the increase in probability is not insignificant. Your post doesn’t mention this, but if you’re a first generation college student or fall into other obvious advantaged categories that can also improve your chances of admission as far as I know.

Do as much research as you can on any schools, particularly ones that you can’t visit. Personally, I would not be likely to apply ED binding to a place I had never seen, but it may be appropriate for you. Note that if you pursue RD, Cornell (and most other schools) offer time in the spring when admitted students can come visit the campus to try to make up their minds; there is aid for cases of demonstrated need for these trips as well.

3

ED is a great option if:

  1. you are sure it’s your absolute 1st choice
  2. you have visited

How could you know if it’s your first choice if you haven’t visited? You can’t. Every place has a vibe of it’s own you just can’t pick up from the Internet.

4

Cornell and UNC are fairly different, especially in terms of weather and distance from home. I have visited UNC, and my son attends Cornell from the Carolinas. Both are good schools!

I can tell you that airline flights up north add up, and it is usually a 2-day drive to get to Cornell. But, it is a beautiful school. I wish you could see it before committing ED, but I also understand your desire to apply ED for the better odds of acceptance.

Before you decide to apply to Cornell ED, it would be wise for your parents to complete the Net Price Calculator on the Cornell and UNC websites, and to possibly talk with the two financial aid offices about your potential total costs to go to each. Those efforts might help your family make a more informed decision, as your parents, your guidance counselor, and you all have to sign the ED contract.

In the mean time, you can be working on both applications. Very exciting for you!

Good luck!