<p>^
I’ve heard varying things about the weight of essays. I also think it’s stupid, both because of the world limit and the possibility of outside help.</p>
<p>
I semi-disagree. I’d say race is a multiplier to your overall stats. For example an average black applicant would be made as above average since their black. Or a stellar asian applicant would be made only above average because they’re asian. I don’t really agree with this, but you’re right, it is a big factor. </p>
<p>
Yeah man, looking at these decision threads that definitely seems to be the case. I’m 100% confident that if you applied to CAS you would’ve gotten in. I think the engineering stereotype makes things unnecessarily difficult for asians pursuing engineering.</p>
<p>@GregFields</p>
<p>Then how could a Californian Asian possibly get in? What would their stats and ECs need to be?</p>
<p>Also, do you think lying about being white would be cause for recision?</p>
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</p>
<p>I actually think he would’ve gotten in if he were white. I think this is a case of the adcom seeing yet another Indian who volunteers at hospitals and is good with computer science. I personally think race had everything to do with this particular applicant’s rejection.</p>
<p>@Saugus</p>
<p>I don’t really know how they distinguish who gets in and who doesn’t. I meant that schools in California are very hard to get into for Asians, even more so than the rest of the country. It’s simply because there are so many Asian people here. There are actually more Asians than any other racial group at UC Berkeley for instance, but there would be WAY more if race was not looked at in their admissions process. They don’t want the school to become too Asian dominated. There are just so many highly qualified Asian students in California, and they are compared against each other rather than the entire applicant pool.</p>
<p>
It’s hard to tell without seeing the recommendation letters and essays, but I dunno. What you say is true, but on the other hand there were plenty of asian males with worse stats (but better ECs and claimed to have outstanding essays) who were accepted. Too many factors to consider.</p>
<p>@majoreco</p>
<p>Are you looking at people who were accepted to the school of engineering? Because each school at Cornell has their own admissions committee (correct me if I’m wrong). I bet there aren’t all that many Asians who apply to the hotel school compared to the engineering school, etc.</p>
<p>…Another Indian from California too. The Asian population there is large and there are many very smart and talented Asians coming from the magnet high schools there.</p>
<p>I saw that you also got into Northwestern and UC berkeley, 2 excellent schools still.</p>
<p>WOW you didnt get in??? I am an asian male who applied to engineering with way lower Stats, etc and I got in. How is that even explainable?</p>
<p>Saw plenty, plenty of asians with lower stats and everything get into engineering. Just goes to show you that stats isn’t everything, and it’s more luck based esp. when you are asian. Maybe in some cases having perfect everythings may actually hurt you as an asian by conforming to stereotypes.</p>
<p>I think at any selective school, average essays just don’t cut it. If one can apply oneself to obtain perfect scores on the ACT and SAT and produce such a high class rank and GPA , that means that person is also doing well in AP English classes too. An average essay may signal to the school that the applicant’s interest is elsewhere. After all, the essay is not timed. You have lots of time to think about it and hone it to say what you wnat to communicate about yourself. Also, I think schools are always looking for fit. It’s not just about you, it’s also about the school. What will you bring to the school?</p>
<p>I think Harry Bauld’s book, “On writing the College Essay,” is a must read for applicants to selective schools.</p>
<p>Meeting the “threshold” through your stats gets you in the conversation. Your essays, letters of rec., & leadership / excellence through EC’s appears to be the determining factors.</p>
<p>Course rigor I think is a big consideration also</p>
<p>Few weeks before the RD deadline for most schools, I was contacted by an Asian parent through CC because his son was deferred by his EA school. The kid had perfect stats and his ECs were pretty decent for an Asian kid (community service rather than another chess player). The parent some how felt his son´s essay(s) were weak, but since English wasn´t his first language, he didn´t know how to advise his son. He contacted me because he knew D2 was a good writer and she also worked with a consultant (don´t go crazy over this point). </p>
<p>I won´t go over in detail about this student´s essays, but just to say there wasn´t much one could see about the applicant personality, and his intelligence really didn´t show through those essays. College application essays should show the applicant could write and perform at a college leve, at the same time to have some humor and let adcom know what kind of person the applicant is like. It is hard balance to achieve. </p>
<p>Between D2 and I, we gave some suggestions on how to rearrange the main essay, D2 did some editing, and he showed it to few other people before he finally submitted it. The final version of RD essay looked very different than his EA essay, but it was done over 2 weeks period. This kid did well during the RD round, but was ultimately denied at his EA school. His father said if they had to do it over, his son would have spent more time on his essays.</p>
<p>My nephew is 100% Asian, his stats are no where close to OP´s, but good enough for Cornell, and he is attending Cornell. I do think race comes into play because Cornell and many selective schools do not want to have the campus filled with 50% Asians who play tennis and have 2400 SAT. But there is a very high percentage of Asians at Cornell.</p>
<p>I am not sure if there is really anything wrong with OP´s application or essays. He/she did get into NU and other top schools, but just not Cornell. I am sure there are other kids who got into Cornell, but not NU.</p>
<p>Oldfort and the other parents are completely on point. About a third of the kids who apply here have the stats to get in, so what will set you apart is a well written essay that showcases your personality and some sort of passion for Cornell (i.e. what can you offer to the community, or even just learning in general.)</p>
<p>Basically, if you’re going to obsess, obsess over your essays - and getting good LORs - not a 50 point jump on your SATs.</p>
<p>Actually about a half of the kids have the stats to get in- it was said years and years ago that the ivies could fill their enrolling classes 3 times over with applicants who have qualifying schools and “would probably do academically well” in the schools. But yes, you do need to set yourself apart.</p>
<p>I think too that even if you don’t have unusual ECs that set you apart, your essay should. I remember reading an essay in Harry Bauld’s book that was just a slice of life that really let you see the kid.</p>
<p>One was about a girl eating rice with chopsticks. Another was about inviting someone over for a pot luck. What would you bring vs what I would bring.</p>
<p>Honestly, OP, I have no idea why Cornell rejected you, so I’ll have to play the devil’s advocate once more.</p>
<p>All this talk about “once your stats are in the threshold or range”, it should depend on soft factors like your essays. Are you serious!? We’re not talking about some common 2300/4.0 Asian with mediocre everything else. This guy has a 2400, which even if it was superscored is still rare, he was salutatorian of a class of over a 1000, and to top it all off he is NATIONALLY ranked in a field that’s been and will continue to burgeon. Being ranked 12th in a math competition like USAMO would basically qualify you to have a shot at the US Olympiad team. This guy’s awards are incredible, and his numbers can literally go no higher. And you’re arguing that some random essay that anyone can hire a professional for matters more than computer genius level skills? Honestly, I see threads of people with 500 SATs, not even top 20% of graduating class get in, and you don’t think this guy deserved to get in? Literally, unless he wrote a big “F YOU” on his essay, I see absolutely NO reason why he got rejected other than affirmative action, which is still surprising considering many Asians with stats far below this get in.</p>
<p>If OP was black, Skorton would’ve personally flown out on a private jet to hand him his acceptance letter, shake his hand, and welcome him to a private tour. I almost thought this was a ■■■■■ thread, esp. since it was the engineering school denying him. And here I see the transfer thread with literally everyone getting accepted and wonder just “how much” superior their essays could’ve been. I guess Hemingways are a dime a dozen these days. OP, you should ask Cornell for another look cause they made a mistake - and a HUGE one at that.</p>
<p>*Yes, I made some exaggerations to make my point; I know, so you don’t have to point them out.</p>
<p>I hear what you are saying. I don’t agree with the rejection, but just am trying to understand. He should ask for another look.</p>
<p>Maybe it’s Tufts Syndrome, Cornell thinking he was using them like a safety? Although that seems unlikely since he did apply via engineering.</p>
<p>I read some of OP’s old posts, he has been #2 since 2 years ago. I know my kid’s ranking has fluctuated over the years, it changed even as late as few weeks ago. This is internet, it is hard to tell how truthful someone is about his/her stats, and OP could certainly be up and up, but on the other hand… When I post, it is not always just for the OP’s benefit. I am not an adcom, I don’t know for sure why OP was not admitted, but even as an Asian, I am not that quick to say his rejection was due to AA.</p>