The TLDR is that you feel you could do better than Cornell.
Sorry, but your guidance counselor did you a favor by not letting you waste money and probable fruitless dreams on something incredibly unlikely to happen. Read posts #2, 3 and 5 again.
Your high school quite likely has some kind of relationship with Cornell. Cornell considers test scores VERY important. You can look at section C7 of their Common Data set yourself. That they took you without stellar test scores means that they trust your guidance counselor’s judgement, regardless of your high school’s connection, or lack of, with Cornell.
I just worked with two ED applicants to Cornell. Both had lowish test scores. One was a great applicant and was deferred. The other was rejected. Your guidance counselor deserves a thank you card. You were indeed very lucky and you’ve been given a gift. But instead you’re complaining. Rather than dwelling on what probably would have not happened, focus on all the great opportunities you will have at such a fantastic school.
@cptofthehouse , she can’t turn down Cornell’s offer unless it is financially unviable. She can’t LIE. If she can afford Harvard, et al, she can afford Cornell, surely. ED is binding. There’s a reason why she, her parents, and the counselor agreed to it. Trying to get out of the ED agreement is dishonest and reflects very poorly on the school. Bottom line, she applied ED of her own will. She needs to honor the agreement.