<p>Okay, I applied Early Decision to Cornell (CALS). However, a couple weeks after I applied, my father’s job was threatened due to the economic crisis (even though he holds a fairly high-ranking position), and he sent a letter to Cornell requesting that the decision be moved to Regular without even telling me. So, I do not actually find out that he does this until the day the decisions came out, and I only did because I called the office. I talked to my dad that day and we both attempted to talk the office into reconsidering my application for early decision, since my dad’s job became secure again, but they stated that we were too late. Besides being furious at my dad for not even telling me what he did despite all the anxiety I was going through, I also had to fill out 12 more applications. So soon after I e-mailed CALS explaining the economic problems that ruined my chance for ED, and begged to be looked at as if I were applying early. They responded and told me to type an essay explaining the circumstance and how I would matriculate to Cornell if I were accepted. I have done this, and now I have been told that I will be looked at as if Cornell is my number one choice. I have no idea how or if this will even help me, but here are my stats regardless:</p>
<p>Ethnicity: Mexican/White
High School: 134th in United States (about 10% of us get into Ivy Leagues/equivalent or better)
Major: Neuroscience/biology
GPA (lower numbers explained later, but they still are here): 3.4 UW, 4.03 W, slight downward trend, but leap in Senior year, about 12% rank, but school does not rank. By the end of second semester, I will likely move up a percentage point, but again, it is not indicated on the transcript.
SATs: 2210 superscored (680 CR, 750 M, 790 (12 essay) W), 2190 (650 CR, 750 M, 790 (12 essay) W) for highest single taking. Note how the Writing section likely skews the results.
ACT: 31 (33 reading, 30 math, 31 reading, 28 science)
SAT 2: Biology: 720, Math I: 760, Lit: 620
AP: Psychology: 5, European History: 4, Macroeconomics: 4, Government: 4, Physics: 3, Calculus: 3, Language: 5</p>
<p>Courses (One of the heaviest loads available):
Freshman year: H English, H World History, H Algebra 2, H Bio, Latin 2, Intro to law, Comp Graphics
Sophomore: H English, H Am History, H Latin 3, H Analysis, H Chem, AP Psych
Junior: AP Language, AP Economics/Government, AP Physics, AP European History, AP Calculus, Latin 4
Senior: AP Literature, AP Latin (Literature), AP Environmental Science, AP Statistics, AP American History, Law Seminar, Ceramics (required art course)</p>
<p>EC:
-Key Club (Officer - in charge of website creation/management and organizing events)
-Latin Club (Officer - help with all Latin club projects)
-Tennis Team (Captain - Senior Year, our team is #6 in state)
-Table Tennis Club (Founder/President)
-Latin Honors Society (tutoring)
-National Latin Exam Gold Medalist for 4 straight years
-REPP (Ridge Encouragement for Political Participation)
-Participated in state-wide math contests
-Science club all four years (biology, chem, physics state competitions - no significant awards)
-Minor independent research on neuroscience (read books/attended seminars, nothing submitted/published)
-Economics Club
-Serve dinner at a retirement home (summer job/300 hours over 2 years)
-Worked at the town pool (75 hours over 1 year)
-Volunteer at the VA Hospital (320 hours over 4 years)
-Volunteer at homeless shelter (160 hours over 3 years)
-Various volunteer activities from Key Club outside of school, including Homeless Shelters, creating a prom dance for senior citizens, setting up various fundraisers (estimating about 120 hours over 4 years)
-National AP Scholar with distinction</p>
<p>Letters: GC- amazing, me and her share a connection with our interests, she always talks about how much I have matured and think in a logical manner; Teachers- 1 awesome, 1 okay (my two favorite teachers chose randomly since so many students asked, of course I did not get chosen.)
Essay: Good (unique, to me at least, it has to do with my philosophy about life, and my central focus of helping the elderly and it somehow relates to my major, not going to say it is one of the best essays ever written, but I still feel it is unique), supplements are probably average for their standards.
Hook: Half-URM, somewhat unusual circumstances.
Issue: My parents got a divorce that affected my Sophomore and Junior gpa a lot, which devastated me for a while. My guidance counselor is explaining in her letter how the divorce hit me really hard economically/socially at first, but ultimately led to my more mature and logical approach to life (which it really did).</p>
<p>Keep in mind that my application has not been reviewed yet, but I will hopefully be looked at knowing that CALS is my number one choice. Sorry for making you read all that, but I really appreciate any comments! Thanks.</p>