<p>I’m a junior at an average public high school in VA, and I’m going to school in South Dakota for my senior year.</p>
<p>Here are my basic stats:
GPA: 3.98 with A- in Calc
SAT mathverbal: 1590
SAT 2: 790’s and 800’s on Bio-E, Chem, Math II subjects.(taking latin and physics in june)
Rank: number 10 or so out of 500
Only two ap’s so far :/, a 4 in European History and projected 5 in AP Lang(school scheduling problems, but i’m concerned that it implies lack of motivation to adcoms)
Projected Senior Year with 4 aps, the most I can schedule at the new school</p>
<p>Several clubs, a couple volunteer groups, Scholastic and Science Bowl team leader
Violinist in several youth regional orchestras
Should have an exceptional recommendation from chemistry teacher.
Strong Why Cornell? essay</p>
<p>oh, and I’m asian</p>
<p>Weaknesses: Lack of APs!!!
ORM
Helpful factors: Cornell doesnt receive many applicants from S.Dakota…right?</p>
<p>I don’t think the lack of APs is an issue at all, especially if your guidance counselor(s) certify that you have taken the “most challenging” set of classes available to you. My S only has 2 APs in junior year (a 4 and a 5) and is taking 5 this year, so not very different than you, and he was accepted into Cornell’s College of Engineering.</p>
<p>Your SATs are fabulous, your ECs seem fine, so with fabulous recommendations and essays, I think you definitely have a chance.</p>
<p>good luck!</p>
<p>If you really really want to go to Cornell I’d definitely apply ED. If you are trying to decide between 2/3 top schools, I feel like you have the stats to wait it out and probably get into at least one (maybe all depending on which schools). ED does come with the downside of being forced to attend and no comparison of financial aid/merit money though.</p>
<p>You really never know. Your application needs to be good in every way, I know kids that get shot down who were valedictorians and had 2400 SATs.</p>
<p>^ I’d say that this is the exception rather than the rule. Your chances look very good, and if you put as much effort into the application process as you did into your academics/EC’s, you stand a wonderful chance.</p>
<p>Thank you all for your helpful and encouraging words!</p>
<p>@mxmmstudent That is the rule, not the exception.
People get turned down at many top colleges even if they are among the very top.</p>
<p>You still have a good chance, though!
They’ll see your SATs and awe in wonder.
When you say 3.98 GPA with an A- in calc do you mean that that is the only grade which is not an A? If so, it shows that you are an overall strong student (which Cornell looks for).</p>
<p>@ Supervisor</p>
<p>What I’m saying is that a valedictorian with a 2400 SAT that puts effort into his/her application and has good EC’s has a >50% chance of getting in. Thus, it is the exception, not the rule, that someone like that get turned down. Perhaps at MIT or HYP, but not at Cornell (not saying it’s a worse school, I’m just trying to be statistically honest.) Look through the stats threads if you don’t believe me. Even accounting for all the biases at CC, it still looks good if you have perfected your SAT, grades, application, and EC’s. It’s not like the acceptance rate is <5%…</p>
<p>South Dakota probably gives you an edge. Applying ED would be your best bet.</p>