Chances at Cornell (early decision and general)?

BlackwaterNiK
Tue, 17 May 2011 14:45:04 +0000

Hi, I’m reposting this from another section of the forum, because recently I have been looking into Cornell. I’m curious as to what my chances at the College of Arts and Sciences if I apply early decision and the usual way.

Race/Ethnicity: White Male

GPA (Unweighted): Around 3.84, but I can’t remember exactly. A bit higher than 3.8 anyway.
GPA (Weighted): 4.12

I go to a relatively competitive (I think) public high school in northern California, which sends many students into the UC System. Our Valedictorian was accepted at MIT and Princeton.

I have taken AP English, AP Psychology, and AP US History. I have passed each class with at least an A. Unfortunately, AP World History didn’t come into existence here until after I had taken it. Instead, my Freshman and Sophomore I took Honors Courses, which were the most competitive programs available that year. Next year, I will be taking AP Biology, AP Economics, AP English, and AP Government.

SAT I Scores:

Overall: 2310, but I have retaken it several times. This is my highest score.
Critical Reading: 790
Math: 740
Writing: 780

ACT Scores:

Composition: 34
Math 33
English 36
Reading 36
Science 33

SAT II Scores:

Biology: 730
German: 790
Literature: 760
Math I: 700
World History: 800
US History: 800

Extracurriculars:

Lacrosse Team. 3 Years. Junior Varisty for two years, Varsity for one year.
Debate Team. 3 Years. I have won two trophies with my partner.
Interact Club. 1 Year.
Hiking Club. 1 Year.
Public Forum. Not a founding member, but one of the earlier members. I lapsed out of it, and only got involved last year. 1 Year.
High School Paper. I was made an editor my freshman year. Next year, my senior year, I will be made Editor-in-Chief.
Boy Scouts. I am currently a Life Scout; I will be made an Eagle (if all goes as planned…) next fall, right before I send my college application out. Den Chief to the little Cub Scouts.
Black Belt in Tae Kwon Do. Don’t know whether this will help at all, but eh.
I’m also thinking of starting a German club next year. I’m sure it would help.

Community Service:

Tutor in all things history, did this during my Junior year.
Many different things with Interact.
Various things with the Boy Scouts.

There is probably a few other things I’m leaving out, but honestly, I can’t remember. I plan on volunteering for a political campaign in the fall, but I’m not sure whether that means anything.

Recommendations:

I will have, I think, excellent recommendations. My German teacher used to teach at MIT. My English teacher, my mentor, went to UC Berkeley and got his Master’s at Cambridge. My history teacher went to Princeton. Not sure whether any of that helps, but I assume it would. I will have a recommendation from my counselor.

In Conclusion:

Anyway, that’s that. I screwed up a bit my freshman year; I got one C in Algebra I my fresman year, but but I’m going to see if I can retake that and maybe a few others I am unsatisfied with this summer. Last year, I couldn’t, since I was having spinal surgery (I’m 6’11 as a result of it). Anyway, please chance! :)