Chance of admission to Cornell

Colleges & Universities Cornell University
1

<p>Please give your honest opinion supplemented with research.</p>

<p>I plan on majoring in finance and minoring in mathematics. I also plan on further pursuing a master’s degree in finance or quantitative analysis. I want to work on wall street.</p>

<p>The big catch is that I have been out of school for about 7 months and I plan on applying starting November this year. I’ve read several articles published by Harvard and other publications that state that taking a year off is actually encouraged, but I am still having some doubts. What will admissions think when I apply almost two years after I graduated? Should I include in my essay details of my mother’s death? of her importance in my life? how this loss has affected me? Please let me know if I should, and also let me know if you think this leave of absence will exacerbate my chances or simply maintain my chances? Thanks.</p>

<p>–Stats–
GPA: 3.3
HPA: 4.2
Class Rank: 18
SAT I: CR-710, M-800, W-690</p>

<p>SAT II: Math Level 1 - 790, Math Level 2 - 800, US History - 660</p>

<p>AP Classes: World History - 4, Human Geography - 5, Music Theory - 3, Microeconomics - 5, Macroeconomics - 5, Statistics - 5, English Language and Composition - 4, Calculus AB - 5, Calculus BC - 5, and English Literature and Composition - 3, Italian Language and Culture - 3
(so 10 in all, micro+macro are one technically one course)</p>

<p>Community Service Hours: 1972 (I know it seems like too much, but I volunteered playing guitar for local events, was the chief salesperson for my school store, and led several fundraisers)</p>

<p>Extra Curricular Activities: Treasurer of SGA (money, budgeting, accounting), President of Math Club, I did the morning announcements through the PA (not visually), I lead the pep rallies senior year. </p>

<p>Sports: Cross Country (obviously 5k or 3.106 miles), Track (one mile, and 800 meters)</p>

<p>Internship: I’ve had an internship with Merrill Lynch from January last year to now. I basically stir up business for the brokers, but this one broker has sort of taken me under his wing, mentored me. I have learned much from him about the market, investing, personal finance, etc. I also get to attend ceremonies and lectures. Overall, I’m very glad I have had this opportunity.</p>

<p>Awards: Science Fair 2nd place (who cares, right?), Business Pathfinders Award</p>

<p>Random interests and hobbies: cycling, jazz guitar, weight lifting</p>

<p>Those are all of the categories I can think of right now. Thanks for your help.</p>

2

<p>Your EC’s, AP, and SAT scores are clearly very good, but the very low unweighted GPA may not be appealing to the admissions office at all. If they see you can test that high, but you don’t put forth the effort in your classes, then they may not take you.</p>

3

<p>You’ll probably get in, assuming good subjectives (essays, presentation of your activities, recs). If you’re going to mention your mother - a decision you should make because essays are to be sincere, not calculated compositions - do it tactfully. A university owes you nothing for a personal tragedy, nor does the fact that your academics might’ve taken a hit as a result favor you when you’re competing against other bright kids.</p>

4

<p>It really depends if your essay can make up for that poor gpa/ranking probably too. You have to depend on luck, but improving your essay and your app as a whole can significantly improve your chances.</p>

5

<p>Your gpa is acceptable meaning its not competitive but it could be enough to get you in depending on your essay and ECs. Since your standardize test scores are good it all comes down to one thing "luck’’ as antiflamer put it. See people that have a high 80 gpa or a 3.4 maybe 3.3 at least do have a shot if they catch the AO eyes some how.</p>

6

<p>I agree with what srrinath says. Although it probably had a huge impact on your life, the situation with your mother may be a bit cliche. However, if you choose to write about it make sure to write tactfully, as srrinath stated.
Although your GPA is a bit low for Cornell, I think your test scores and that internship will get you in. An internship at Merrill Lynch straight out of high school is extremely impressive.
One more thing - I do not believe Cornell offers a major in Finance. I assume that you must be either applying to CAS Economics or Applied Economics & Management (AEM) in CALS (in which you can do a finance concentration)?</p>