Do I have a chance for my dream school? RD

Colleges & Universities Cornell University
1

<p>I am applying to the School of Engineering</p>

<p>Weighted GPA is 102.3. On a 4-scale I’m guessing it would be about at least a 3.9 or so unweighted. I am 8th in a class of 202. </p>

<p>SAT (superscore): Math 730, Writing 660, Reading 610
SATII: Chem 620, Math 1 690, Bio M 580. I retook Math 1 and Chem, plus Math 2, this month - have not received scores yet. If they give more weight to my highest subject scores, they will hopefully disregard the my low (relatively) bio score.</p>

<p>Grade 9: Honors Bio, Honors English, Honors Geometry, World Studies I, Phys. Ed (required) Melody & Improvisation, Wind Ensemble
Grade 10: Honors Algebra 2, Honors Chemistry, Honors English 2, World Studies II, Health, Melody & Improvisation, Wind Ensemble
Grade 11: Chinese I, Earth Science, Honors English 3, Honors Pre-Calculus, Honors U.S. History, Wind Ensemble, Music Arranging (independent study), Engineering (independent study), and an online semester of Astronomy
Grade 12 (with 1st quarter grades): AP English (87), AP Psychology (92), AP Calculus (96), AP Physics (93), Applied Engineering (97), Wind Ensemble</p>

<p>Outside ECs (years involved): All-State Honors Jazz Combo (11,12), All-State Honors Jazz Band (10), Portland Youth Wind Ensemble (10,11), Maine Jazz Camp (11), Saxophone Lessons (9,10,11,12), District Festival Jazz Band (9,10,11,12), New England Track & Field Championships (11), State Track & Field Championships (9,10,11), Youth Summer Track State Championships (9), Youth Summer Track (9), Summer Engineering Camp (12)</p>

<p>In-school ECs: Student Council/Class Director (11,12), Envirothon (12), Interact Club (11,12), Jazz Combo (9,10,11,12), Jazz Ensemble I (9,10,11,12), Outdoor Track (9,10,11,12), Math Team (9,10,11,12) </p>

<p>Awards/Honors: State Jazz Festival Outstanding Musicianship Award (10, 11), Harvard Book Award (11), National Honor Society (10,11,12), Berklee College of Music: Jazz Festival Judge’s Choice Award (10, 11) and Outstanding Musicianship Award (11)</p>

<p>Additional info:
I also have about 53 hours of community service at a hospital.
I believe I have some great teacher recommendations, all from teachers who have known me for several years in high school. My essays aren’t bad either (I hope, haha).
I am Chinese.
I am hoping that my hook will be my focused ECs: lots of music, and strong athletics (track). And I’m hoping that my math team and engineering camp will help my chances for engineering.
I will also be submitting a music supplement. </p>

<p>Thanks a lot everyone for the help!</p>

<p>Question: do they notify you upon receipt of your application? Also, I notice that the number of admits to the SEAS is significantly less than other schools, such as Arts & Sciences. Is this simply because there are less engineering applicants, or is the school actually more selective?
Thanks so much.</p>

2

<p>Well, you’ve got several things to your disadvantage: low (by Cornell standards) standardized test scores (let’s hope you get 750+ on those SATII’s…) and the fact that you’re Asian doesn’t help either. But great job on ECs. Write a stellar essay and that just might tip the balance in your favor. Hopefully your supplements help too, although since you’re applying for engineering…
It’s definitely a reach, but worth a try!
Best of luck!!</p>

3

<p>Thanks for the input, lyc0r! My SATs definitely don’t compare to those applicants out there that get 2300s, but I’m hoping the 730 on math is appealing to admissions; I heard they hardly consider the other two sections… I’m not sure, but it would be nice. Also, will my ethnicity negatively impact the decision?</p>

4

<p>A 730 is certainly not appealing to the college of engineering. However, other than your standardized test scores you have a good chance. My only advice would be to not focus too much on music in your application, since you are applying to the engineering school, and not CAS. I got accepted ED to engineering and was also very involved in music, but i tried not to let it dominate my application. Try to connect music to engineering (not the easiest thing to do) in order to reinforce your fit to the COE.</p>

5

<p>jhf, thanks for the help. That is a good idea…tying music to my engineering goals. Perhaps it is something I should include in one of their supplemental essays (one that asks why I choose engineering)? I can think of some ideas.</p>

<p>I know I shouldn’t get my hopes up, but would it be possible that my ECs outweigh my okay test scores? I’m guessing it’s probably quite rare…</p>