Chance me?

[mrtadashi1]

I am currently a Senior, and I’m applying to Cornell RD. I really love the school, not only the computer engineering but also the jazz program: the largest out of the ivies.

No sugar coating, I want the raw thing.

Stats:
GPA: not sure, see grades
ACT: 34, 36 math, 35 science, 32 reading, 33 reading
SAT II: Math 2 - 720, Physics - 720
AP: 5s on Calc BC, Comp Sci, Music Theory

letter grade is shown for each course
Freshmen year: PreCalc Honors (A), Physics Honors (A), English (B-), History (B), Latin 2 (B) , Jazz Combo (Pass)
Sophomore year: Calc BC (A), Chemistry Honors (B), Latin 3 (A), English (A-), Advanced Computer Programming (A-), Advanced Jazz Improv (A)
Junior year: Bio Honors (B+), English (B), Advanced Calc and Stats (A), Multivariable calc (A), History (A), Advanced Jazz Improv 2/3 (A), AI Comp Sci (A-)
Senior Year: English (B), Group Theory (A), History (B+), Advanced Physics (A-), Advanced Jazz Improv 3(A), Comp Sci: independent study (A)

Some strong extracurriculars:
Jazz - I play drums (7+ years) and bass (2+ years), went on paid tour to Dubai, Europe, South Africa to perform…played at Jazz at Lincoln Center, done concerts with grammy award/nominated musicians (chris potter, bobby sanabria, victor wooten) – all this started when I began playing small gigs in my home town

Computer Programming – Interned at MIT: Center for Ultracold Atoms…helped monitor atoms in extremely cold temperatures (bose-einsten condensate): Taught Robotics to Elementary kids at local science camp (paid)…worked at a startup company (Scrapehero) – intense programming stuff

Speech - Been on speech team for four years, went to states twice and qualified for nationals (did bad tho) - CFLs

Head of South Asian club, Board Member of Cultural Program at school, head of school magazine, also hosts live music performances and raffles

AV Tech - Technology Service “engineer” at school, help with setting up mics, computers, etc…

Recs:
Teacher 1 - 10/10
Teacher 2 - 9/10
Counselor - 9/10

Essays:
I wrote about how jazz is really important to me, especially since I am not much of a sports person at all…literally no sports XD…in the same essay i wrote how jazz needs more appreciation since its a dying art
I also wrote about my home neighborhood, where and how I grew up…and how it connects to cornell for me

[AL]

Seeing as you are thinking of doing jazz as a CS major, I assume you are applying to the College of Arts and Sciences. However, you did refer to your major as “computer engineering”, and ECE is only offered through the College of Engineering.

Your GPA seems fine enough, seeing as you’re getting decent grades in advanced classes that I never knew were offered in American high schools. Your test grades are also very good, well into the acceptable range of admissions. You also seem very accomplished in your fields of CS and jazz; going on tours and doing professional work at your level might even be considered “over-qualified”. As a CS major playing in the Cornell Jazz Ensemble, from my experience, a lot of current students won’t be able to match your level of ability (myself included). Keep in mind you might not be challenged in your fields the first couple years you are here.

Just from your accomplishments alone, you definitely have a very good chance at getting in, as long as admissions can identify a high probability of enrollment should you be accepted. What confuses me is your essay. Are you planning on double-majoring in music and CS? If not, admissions might feel it’s a bit weird for you to focus your essay not on your interest in your intended major, but rather something you see academically as more secondary. Then again, Cornell’s jazz program is unique within the Ivy League, so it might help your application in a different respect.

No matter what, though, applying to the Ivy League is always a gamble. One can only guess at admissions criteria, what happens behind closed doors. Good luck!