I got a C in my sophomore year, do I have a chance at Cornell?

Colleges & Universities Cornell University
1

I had a GPA of 3.7~3.8 in my freshman year and 3.7 in my sophomore year. I was caught in a cheating incident (I didn’t do anything-I was accused because I was a “bystander”) in second semester and received a 50% on my last AP Biology exam, and that brought my biology term grade down to a C-. I had high B’s all throughout first semester in AP bio.

But now that I received a C… I’m kind of freaking out right now. I have two Cornell legacies, but I don’t have exceptional academics or extracurriculars… I’ve received A+'s in all my classes except science and math classes, in which I received B’s. I’m extremely weak at science and math… I received a 780 on SAT II biology, and will be taking the SAT I in October. I am highly determined to get at least 1560. I’m a co-founder and co-president of an art club, and founder and president of a community service club. I received Scholastic gold and silver key, and gold for an essay competition, but that’s it. I’m aiming to apply for China studies but I’m doubtful that I’ll even be able to get in because of my huge drop in my transcript.

I’ve been aiming for Cornell for a very long time, so I’m extremely desperate to get accepted. Will a C be detrimental when I apply?

2

@ashesandtears yikes. A C is survivable, but if your GC reports the incident, I think your chances are very low indeed. I don’t see how a 780 SAT II Bio = extremely weak in science. That said, do the following:

  1. Find out if they will report the cheating incident, if so, you need to burn an essay on your mea culpa, don't dodge this, take responsibility for it, even if just a bystander, it will look bad if you try explain it away as a mistake
  2. Work on your ECs, you have leadership so that's good, but can you make them standout more?
  3. Work hard junior year, increase your already good GPA
  4. Get an SAT above 1500
  5. Work on your essays

Good luck!