Hi guys! I was deferred from Cornell ILR last night, meaning I need to apply RD to some schools. The problem is, I am still in love with Cornell (ex I would give up my pinky finger to get accepted). I have a list of RD schools I’m applying to, but none get me as excited as Cornell. Any suggestions? I’m desperate!
SAT I (breakdown): Math 780, Writing 740
SAT II: Math 2 700, US History 710
Unweighted GPA (out of 4.0): 3.65
Weighted GPA : school doesn’t weigh
Rank: school doesn’t rank
AP (place score in parenthesis): school doesn’t have APs
Senior Year Course Load: AP alternative English, History, and French; Honors Calculus, Honors Science
Major Awards: Nat’l Hispanic Recognition Program, National French Contest Medals
Extracurriculars (place leadership in parenthesis):
Nationally ranked debate competitor, debate officer
-Officer of charity org.
-Work at synagogue
-Camp Counselor
-Did an exchange
-Choir, a Capella
State (if domestic applicant): NY
School Type: Large and competitive public high school
Ethnicity: White
Gender: Female
Hooks: URM
My recs are probably very good, and I think my essays are as well. Thank you so much for your help!
If you can identify some of the characteristics Cornell has that really spoke to you, then people can suggest schools which offer those same/similar characteristics. If it is big, research engine kind of school in a neat college town, then perhaps Michigan. If its the physical beauty of the campus (I’ve never been, guessing), then maybe St. Lawrence in upstate NY. Big differences – so to really help, give us more details!
I think that I really love how diverse Cornellian’s interests are. I also like the setting, and I don’t love big city schools. For reference, I’m considering Syracuse, URichmond, Brandeis, Northwestern (reach), Vandy (reach), Pitt, Wellesley, maybe Barnard, and Washington and Lee. That’s my list so far– I clearly don’t have one type :((
Haha, I will reconsider my finger. Honestly, that’s a rough list, and I like different things about each school. I’m kind of in freak out mode and just thinking of places to apply. I like the spirit of Syracuse and Vandy, I know people who are really happy at Richmond, I have legacy at Brandeis and Wellesley, Barnard isn’t a crazy reach from my school, and I like the setting of Northwestern.
@yikescolle9e, welcome! If you haven’t done so, take a look at Hamilton as its got a really big beautiful campus with a smart, diverse and really caring student population.
Our twin DD’s are both freshman there and love it - one is a Poli Sci major and the other Neuroscience; they both profiled the same as you - 35 ACT, 750-800 SAT2’s, 3.8 UW / 4.2 W GPA, AP Scholars with Distinction, ORM from the NE…and this year 40% of the students accepted had a 34+ ACT/ 1500+ SAT so you’ll be in good company.
Guess I’m going to be the realistic “mom.” I have experience with one of the schools on your list as an Alum, and am very familiar with other schools from my own kids searches and other family members attending. So, here’s for honesty, ok? Your GPA is low for some of the schools. It feels like you’re throwing spaghetti on the wall. If you like Cornell, here is a list of possibilities along with your current list of schools listed:(Reach means you might not get in, Match means you have a chance of getting in, safety means you’'ll likely get in)
Brandeis: Match
Vandy: Reach
Northwestern: Reach
Wellesley: Reach
Hamilton: high reach (meaning, it’s harder to get in but you have a solid chance)
URochester: match (meaning you have a good chance of getting in)
Syracuse: safety
St. Lawrence: Match
Union: Match
Colgate: Reach
Smith: Match
Clark: Match
UVM: safety
Bates: high Match (might feel small to you, however)
Colby: low reach (meaning you have a shot, but gpa is low) could feel small to you
St. Olaf: Match (great school in MN)
Case Western: Match (if into science)
Lawrence Univ: Match
Wisonsin, Ohio State, Penn State, UMASS, U Pitt all worth looking at for large school setting.
Williams is extremely hard to get into.Wesleyan, too. I’d not add to your list if you are looking for a range of places to get into.
Budget can be a good, objective starting point.
Have you calculated your FAFSA EFC?
Have you run the online net price calculators on any schools that interest you?
If so, have you asked your parents whether they are able and willing to cover the EFC?
In size, setting, breadth of academic programs, and quality, some state flagships are rather similar to Cornell. You might want to consider Michigan, Wisconsin, UVa, Colorado-Boulder, Penn State, Ohio State, etc. Some of them may not grant much aid to OOS students, so be sure to run the NPCs if cost is an issue. If you don’t expect to qualify for need-based aid anywhere, these schools are a relative bargain (even at OOS rates) compared to most private colleges. However, if you can’t afford their OOS sticker prices, you may be better off focusing on private or in-state public schools.
Somewhere between Richmond and Vandy sits Wake Forest. Huge school spirit for a small school (ACC sports). Kids are very academic but like to have fun. Realistically your GPA is a bit low but they put a lot of weight into essays, interest, rigor, etc.Bigger than RIchmond, smaller than Vandy (UG of 4800). Great weather, beautiful campus, small classes, etc. Combines a lot of pieces of the schools on your list. LAC feel (intimate) with big school spirit and resources. Kind of unique.