<p>hey! I am a high school sophomore, absolutely in love with Cornell, specifically the Architecture, Art, and Planning College.
I would like to know, how do I prepare to get into Cornell.
At the end of last year I had a 4.0, was 56/556 in my class, my PSAT’s were high for not having studied (69/80 in CR, 59/80 in Mathematics, 70/80 in Writing)
this year’s grades fell a little, geometry honors being an 84 first quarter brought me to about a 3.9 I think.
I take/have taken, as far as honors/AP courses: english honors 9 & 10, global honors, AP world, geometry honors
I am in several ECs (key club, gives me about 70 volunteer hours/year, mock trial, art club), play one sport (field hockey, definitely not considering athletics, but considering picking up rowing in the spring to supplement my ivy applications), currently searching for a job
I am a NYS resident.
please tell me what you did to get in, especially if you’re in the AAP college, how you prepared, what ECs/classes I should be in, etc. anything at all will be helpful. </p>
<p>EDIT: also, any info about greek life/rushing/sorority stories would be helpful, especially if they are positive… my parents think I will be hazed and killed should I rush and I would like to prove them wrong. </p>
<p>Speak to your art/design instructors: saying you have a desire to apply to competitive Art/Architecture programs. They should have experience with guiding you on preparing a portfolio – an essential element of AA program candidates. Also research what the career field really entails. For more than a decade, architecture is at or near the top of the lists of “hardest degree to worst job prospects” majors. There’s a huge glut of them. When my own oldest daughter was contemplating this, I kept quiet. Eventually she moved to Engineering. I was very happy she put Architecture behind her. Crazy long hard hours in crushingly hard major – then no jobs: yeech!</p>
<p>Talking about sororities and stuff is WAY too premature. Simply eliminate it from your conversations, at this point. The idea of their 15-16 year old daughter eventually being at some fraternity/sorority party in a few years is too much to absorb for most parents. Why rock the boat for nothing? Keep this to yourself. It has no bearing whatsoever, at this point.</p>
<p>There’s no “formula” for getting in. You’ve got to strive to be excellent and fairly natural at doing so. Prep for you ACTs or SATs – simply getting a 2000 SAT or above isn’t so simple. If you’ve got the body type or potential body type for successful rowing (and enjoy it), then try it out – but not as some mercenary tool to bolster your “Ivy” chances. World class rowers emerge from several of the Ivy schools – don’t think it’s simply something you can just don like a light jacket in the rain. The single most important thing for students at your stage is NOT to be focused on a specific college. It’s way too early and a lot can happen between now and when you apply. Good luck though.</p>