Chance for CoE (ECE)

Colleges & Universities Cornell University
1

<p>College of Engineering (ECE)</p>

<p>––––standardized testing scores:––––</p>

<p>SAT:</p>

<p>March: 1340/1940
CR: 650 M: 690 W: 590 (65/6)</p>

<p>June: 1500/2190
CR: 740 M: 760 W: 690 (77/5)</p>

<p>SAT Subject Tests:</p>

<p>Chemistry: 750
U.S. History: 750
Math II: in the fall (+750)</p>

<p>––––school info:––––</p>

<p>unweighted GPA: 95
weighted GPA: 99
class rank: ~25/573 (Top 5%)
To the best of my knowledge, my gpa would convert to anywhere between 3.7 & 4.0</p>

<p>AP courses (8 out of 15):
Eng. Lang., Eng. Lit., U.S. History, U.S. Gov., Stat., Calc. BC, Physics C, Chem.
3 junior year, 5 senior year (no scores yet)</p>

<p>I am not taking these available AP’s:
Biology, Environmental Science, Physics B, Calc. AB, Spanish, French, Studio Art</p>

<p>(no AP’s were available to freshmen/sophmores)</p>

<p>----ec’s----
[03yrs] Web Design (self-taught, created site for community orch, lots of time throughout school year and summer)
[03yrs] Digital Graphics Editing (self-taught, helped with web design, made random stuff but nothing noteworthy, unfortunately)
[11yrs] Piano (Recitals? I really like piano, but I don’t have any awards or anything)
[07yrs] Cello (young artists competition winner, all-region, all-area, section leader of school orch, section leader of local youth orchestra, participant of selective audition-based orchestra)
[11,12] Satire Group, published in school (article writer)
[11,12] NHS (~120 hrs volunteered)
[09,10] Tennis (JV)</p>

<p>––––other info:––––</p>

<pre><code>[ul][li]tx resident[/li][li]male asian (Japanese)[/li][li]no hooks[/li][li]probably good, but not extraordinary rec. letters[/li][li]good essays[/ul][/li]</code></pre>

<p><a href=“I%20know%20%22good%22%20is%20obviously%20subjective%20and%20vague,%20but%20it’s%20the%20unpredictable%20part%20of%20admissions,%20after%20all”>size=“-2”</a>[/size]</p>

<p>Supposedly, piano + classical instrument + tennis is stereotypical asian. That’s really too bad, because I didn’t join them to fit in or anything… It’s actually a bit disturbing that these activities would be looked upon as “typical”?</p>

<p>Anyway, what are my chances (reg or ED) for the CoE? Also, what are some other prestigious colleges where I would have a good chance? I really don’t care about prestige, but my mom has bet that I have no chance at any Ivy, or even any famous school. I want to prove her wrong.</p>

<p>I’d guess my weakness is in my EC’s.</p>

<p>Thanks for the responses.</p>

2

<p>I think if you can get “excellent” recommendation letters and write “excellent” essays (rather than “good”) you could be competitive for CoE. You’re ECs are a bit on the weak side, but not a deal-breaker IMO. The ivies and other tippy top colleges are all crap shoots, though, so you really never know until you apply.</p>

<p>

</p>

<p>This seems like a poor reason to apply to any school. If you’re not excited about the school, don’t think it’s a fantastic match for you, etc. then IMO that will show through in your application, and will hurt your chances. Visit some schools. If you fall in love, then write a fantastic supplement essay that lets that love shine through. Mention something unique about the school or its program that you really like. Make sure the school knows you are applying because you like the school and the program, and not just because you want prestige, for yourself or your parents.</p>

3

<p>You win your bet with your mom.</p>

<p>With top 5% of your class and 1500 SATs (Cornell doesn’t look at writing – we think). You definately have a ‘chance’ at Cornell. To be honest, if your essays and recommendations are strong I don’t think there’s a school that you don’t have a ‘chance’ at.</p>

4

<p>^ agree…</p>

5

<p>Honestly, I wasn’t sure if I even had the slightest chance at Cornell - so I wasn’t even thinking about it. But recently, I’ve been looking into Cornell some more, and it’s definitely perking my interest. </p>

<p>I know that wanting to prove my mom is a terrible reason to apply, but that certainly won’t be my primary reason. I’ll be sure to carefully research any suggested school to see if it would be a good fit for me - if not, there’s no way I’m applying. </p>

<p>It makes me feel better if Cornell doesn’t consider the writing section of the SAT very much because the essay killed me somehow. And I believe that essay score isn’t representative of my writing skill at all, so my application essays should show that.</p>

<p>Although I would hope for “great” recommendation letters, I don’t think (not sure) my personality would have made a huge impression on any of my teachers, particularly math/science teachers. And my guidance counselor is a nightmare… she absolutely has no will to work or help us in any way, and her “recommendation” will undoubtedly be superficial at best. I’ve heard counselor rec’s don’t matter very much, though.</p>

<p>And I would visit some schools, but my mom doesn’t want to until I’m already accepted there…</p>

6

<p>Visiting schools – for some schools, ‘demonstrated interest’ is one of the factors in admissions. Often this translates to having visited the school. (Lehigh, for example tells you this outright at the information session). Also, when it comes to writing the “Why I want to go to <name of=”" school=“”>" essay that so many schools require, being able to talk specifics about the campus and why you loved it (assuming you did), or about how much you enjoyed sitting in on Professor _________'s class, can be a help. This being said, many students to not visit schools especially if they are not within driving distance.</name></p>

<p>As for the reason of applying – i.e., to prove to Mom that you can get in. Actually, I’ve heard of worse reasons. However, I probably wouldn’t mention this on my application if I were you (big grin).</p>

7

<p>

</p>

<p>This was the case for my S as well – he got 8’s on both his SAT and ACT essays, but his writing is really much better than that would suggest, and I think his essays did help him in his applications. (He got a 5 on AP Lit & Comp, so it’s not just my biased opinion as a mother ;-)</p>

<p>As long as you can find a good reason to apply to Cornell and that shines through in your essay, I think you have a decent chance. Good luck!</p>

8

<p>IMHO, just based on stats chances are low. But, try CAS (Physics), do better and switch in sophomore year. You won’t miss much but would have a better chance to clear the initial hurdle.</p>

9

<p>^Which stats would you say are low?</p>

10

<p>Better still, I think you can apply to two colleges, so why not both CAS (physics) and engineering. Writing consistent essays wouldn’t be hard.</p>

<p>Cornell Superscores, so they’ll take the June SATs. (VERY NICE Improvement, WTG!!) I disagree with 2coll, and don’t see any real weaknesses in your stats.</p>

11

<p>I missed reading your second attempt SAT scores. They are fine and well within the range. I would apply to both schools as mentioned above just to be safe. CoE gets incredibly competitive people and unless you are an URM nothing is a sure bet. At Cornell you can be rejected to a particular school in this case CoE. Its not difficult to transfer from CAS if you demonstrate your abilities at Cornell. Maybe dual application is the way to go.</p>