GPA Forgiveness

Colleges & Universities Cornell University
1

<p>How forgiving is Cornell with low GPAs under extenuating circumstances? </p>

<p>I know Uchicago allows almost an entire essay in which you can explain your case and most top universities are very holistic, however my low GPA is such that I’ve lost a bit of motivation to apply to Cornell. After several life threatening hospitalizations and domestic issues with a family member of mine attempting suicide, high school has been very difficult and I’ve struggled to maintain a 3.0 UW. </p>

<p>I’ve taken a ton of AP classes and got the AP scholar award for 2013, my SATs are now 2250 (highest in my class) and i’m taking it again in December hoping to improve to 2300+. My teachers have considered me to be a very good writer and I’ve gotten good feedback on my essays. Im also Vice president and Co-founder of my chess club, have several awards in all of my other EC’s at state level including HOSA and TSA. I am also fluent in Spanish, and proficient in Russian (for what that matters).</p>

<p>With that said, I’d like to consider myself a viable applicant for schools like Cornell and Uchicago but getting in with a 3.0 is simply unheard of. From what I hear these schools in particular are very GPA oriented. </p>

<p>Given the strength of all other aspects of my application, would I be able to overcome my grade trouble? </p>

<p>What other schools of the same caliber as Cornell (if any) would I have a chance at?</p>

2

<p>Assuming you have outstanding ECs that can’t be compared to those of other applicants (although, it does not look like it),you are not at disadvantage. Many students from our school are not in top 15% got into Ivy because they had great ECs.</p>

3

<p>Well I didn’t evaluate completely on my ECs because that’s not what is in question, although there is much more to say about them. But you’re right, assuming I have ECs that are up to par, what would be the best way to communicate my situation?</p>

4

<p>It doesn’t hurt to try, but I really doubt it’ll work out. There are so many mentally ill students already here that I think the admissions committee tries to avoid them like the plague. It’s a serious issue here.</p>

5

<p>just for clarification purposes: are you the one who has had life threatening hospitalizations and suicide attempts? or is this a family member?</p>

6

<p>I am not mentally ill. I have kidney reflux disease and I’ve been hospitalized several times and on antibiotics for years. </p>

<p>My step mother is the one who attempted suicide when I was in 10th grade and it caused a major disruption in my academic performance. This instability in my home never really went away.</p>