My chances, please?

Colleges & Universities Cornell University
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<p>I hate doing this, I think it must be a little annoying, but I would just like some input. </p>

<p>State: FL
High School Grad Year: 2010
Ethnicity: Caucasian, but I was born in Iran and lived there for 8 years. Unfortunately, I forgot Farsi… biggest mistake of my life.</p>

<p>My course load and GPA are my strongest aspects. I’m in the IB program, and when I graduate from HS I will have taken a total of 15 AP/IB courses with 2 years of Calc and Stat.
GPA: 4.0 UW, 4.5 W. Ranked 4/315 (this could drop, but I will definitely be in the top 5% by the end of this, my junior year). </p>

<p>Standardized tests are certainly my weakest point. I KNOW they’re bad, so no one need to rub it in my face.
SAT: 660 M, 630 CR, 660 W
I’ll be re-taking it once more, but I doubt I’ll get out of the 1300 range.
I’m also going to give the ACT a shot-who knows?
When you chance me, assume these scores won’t change… </p>

<p>EC’s: Pretty average and mixed up, i.e. they don’t really follow a theme.
Clubs: Several honor society clubs- treasurer in one of them, Young Republicans treasurer (let’s not be biased upon discovering this please…), and Random Acts of Kindness president and founder- our club usually does low-scale community projects like food and toy drives, hopefully we’ll do something big next year.
No sports… but at least I can swim :slight_smile:
Aviation: a little unique, but I only have about 15 hours of experience. Hopefully I will have enough experience to fly solo by the time I apply… this is a hobby I hope to continue
Piano: pretty new to it, only 3 years of experience, but I did get a superior on a performance so at least I have some evidence that I actually play
I will be doing a business internship this summer in Chicago. I don’t know the full details of this yet, but I know I will have a position that they usually only give to college students (I got in with distant family connections).</p>

<p>Essay and recommendations: Obviously I don’t know how these are yet, but I’m going to work on my essay starting this summer and make sure it’s the best I can make it. My recommendations should be good but not spectacular- there are no teachers who I’ve inspired or who know my “troubled life story” or anything like that. </p>

<p>Cornell is my first choice and I will definitely apply early decisions. I’m probably going to apply to the Applied Economics program, but declare the CAS as an alternate choice (is that a good idea? I figured it would be since the Ap Econ program is harder to get in to) </p>

<p>Be honest, but not brutal. I’ve seen some mean people on this website, so just saying… and any advice or complements on anything specific would be appreciated. </p>

<p>Thank you so much for taking the time to do this!!!</p>

2

<p>You can make it if you apply ED.</p>

3

<p>your experience in Iran will be excellent essay material
you’ll be fine
try to improve your SATs this summer (I recommend the rocket review book)
it took me from 1900 to 2200 range
dont fret though, you’ve got a good shot
just be interesting in your app</p>

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<p>well if he completely forgot farsi, i’m not sure how much he could remember from iran for his essay haha</p>

5

<p>ha that’s a good point
i re-read his statement
BORN in Iran
ok so no 8 year old will remember anything meaningful</p>

6

<p>well you seem to be in the range but, as you said, your SAT falls a little below average. I reccomend this book from Barron’s called Club 2400; it gives you examples of really difficult questions that may appear on the test. My friend and I both used this book and our grades shot up to the 2200-2300 range.</p>

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<p>Thanks for your input, everyone!
Yea, I don’t think I can use much about Iran in my essay, only how it’s affected me with being culturally aware, etc. I mainly just brought that up to show that I’m not typical the “Caucasian American,” but then again, I’m not claiming to be a minority, either.
I’m really running out of time for the SAT, sakurarain106, but nothing seems to be working for me on the SAT, so I’ll give that book a shot- thanks!<br>
I’m really hoping for better luck on the ACT, and I’ve got the summer for it. Would a 29+ be good for me?
Thanks again, everyone! (I appreciate everyone’s optimism as well :slight_smile: )</p>

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<p>You should be shooting for a 31+, a 29+ might not cut it.</p>

9

<p>Yeah try the ACT, might help you out. </p>

<p>Everything else seems in order you just need a solid test score to back yourself up and you should be good.</p>

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<p>i think that with your being in the top 5% that u should be able to get into almost any school. just keep practicing with the SAT and try to get your score higher.</p>

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<p>^wish that was true!</p>