Clarify HEOP, also can I get in at all?

Colleges & Universities Cornell University
1

<p>I have a few questions, but here are my stats:</p>

<p>3.1 GPA (86.38 average out of my school’s maximum of 95), upward trending.
1230 Critical Reading/Math SAT (took it once junior year)
5 on the AP Biology exam
Took all of the Regents level courses (New Yorker) and a ridiculous amount of elective in science.
Graduating with an Art Honors and Science (Medical) Honors Diploma.
No, I was not aware that SAT subjects were pretty much mandatory.
I’ve also started the only science tutoring program in my school, and am head tutor.</p>

<p>Please hear me out, for most of my high school career I was dead-set on being an illustrator. After being part of the art program at my school I realised that Biology was always going to be my calling. Regardless of my artistic skill, I wanted into the science field. Art may be my mistress, but I’m happily married to biology.</p>

<p>My family’s income is horrible. I’m in a house with my single mother (father is divorced) on an income of $20,000. She struggle to pay the bills, and money is the cause of most problems in the house. It’s been a rough few years. I’m not blaming my academic record on it, that was my fault, but needless to say I’m below the poverty line.</p>

<p>Assuming I write Pulitzer-worthy essays (my writing is above average, to be blunt), can I get into this school at all? I know I can present myself well in person and through essays. Also, what exactly do I need for HEOP? Is it just low income and below the usual stats for admission?</p>

2

<p>This is for the College of Engineering, by the way. My second choice is CALS. Both are for biological engineering.</p>

<p>Also, I will have three killer recommendations.</p>

3

<p>You have a 50/50 chance.</p>

4

<p>Subj tests are not required for CALS, but they are for Engineering. Handy reference;</p>

<p><a href=“http://admissions.cornell.edu/sites/default/files/2013FreshmanRequirementsChart.pdf[/url]”>http://admissions.cornell.edu/sites/default/files/2013FreshmanRequirementsChart.pdf&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt;

5

<p>Oh that’s sort of a relief (for CALS), thank you!</p>

<p>I know I’m long-shotting here but a mentor at my school recently inspired me to try despite it being a pipe dream.</p>