Chance me for Cornell ED

PAYNE101
Sun, 15 Sep 2013 19:25:00 +0000

I have no idea how the admissions office will interpret your package…so they may say you are perfect.

This is how I would analyze it for myself… and what I would need to fix up.


Grades: marginal (and maybe too low)
almost everyone applying to cornell is taking hard classes… and I see that you have some B’s – not just B+'s where you where on the fringe but B’s.
I don’t see any college classes.
I don’t see any “virtual High school” classes (to show you moved outside the borders of your physical High School.
I don’t see any Open Course ware (OCW) courses – MIT has some of these for free.
–this is the stuff that shows a passion for learning—
Standardized Tests (Too Low)
I also see low SATs… and 560 is low. (I’m expecting to be competing with people in the 700+ range)… and if they don’t have all A’s & high SATs then they have something amazing they can share… like being a great athlete or an accomplished musician.
Co-Curricular Activities (marginal)
you participated in some activities …
If something is amazing its hard to spot it… I think you will need to make it easy to spot to off set the Low SAT.
It looks like you didn’t do much sports… so if your not doing Sports after school then you should have more time for studying and I think that makes the B’s look a little worse.
Community Service (OK)
the startup looks like it helps people.
Special interests & Abilities (low)
I couldn’t spot anything that made you look really unique and special
Leadership (OK to marginal).
things like Captain of sports teams or President of student council or National Honor Society or anything…you show “leader” but its hard to tell if you are the one that pulled it all together or are just helping out.
College Essay (only you know if its any good)
in your case I think this is Huge and it should be perfect.
Recommendations (I’m sure they are great)


… unless you really highlight that you are unique and can offset your grades and SATs…I’d say it looks tough.