Please Chance Me: Rural High School Issues

Colleges & Universities Cornell University
1

<p>Hey there!</p>

<p>I know these are super annoying but just for the sake of slightly easing my mind or possibly letting me know what I still need to work on please chance me!</p>

<p>So first and foremost, I go to a very small high school in rural ohio that consists of exactly 387 students total with 86 students in my class. Additionally, the school is so small that it doesn’t offer ANY AP classes, and only one Honors program (advanced math courses) that one is placed into in seventh grade. I am very worried how this will reflect upon my transcript.</p>

<p>Here are my stats:</p>

<p>3.75 GPA (out of 4.0)
Top 5% of my class
Freshman: A/B Average
Sophomore: A Average with a special Marine Bio Class
Junior: A Average with 3 classes at a University
I was placed in the advanced math program, so by the time I graduate I will have finished Calc 1 and Calc 2 at a nearby University (named by US News to be one of the top 10 Universities in the Midwest), as well as multiple other classes including Poly Sci, Anthropology, Programming, Intro to Psych, Intro to Philosophy, and Design (all of which I would be surprised to not get A’s)
My curriculum has been as vigorous as possible at my High School.</p>

<p>ACT w/ Writing: 33
SAT: Reading 630, Math 620, Writing 610 (I know these are low, I have one more opportunity to take it before ED)
Haven’t taken Subject Tests yet…</p>

<p>Extracurriculars:
VP of Class
VP in Student Senate for entire high school
4 years in Show Choir; student leader since sophomore year and president senior year
3 years in Mens Chorus: Prestigious Group that has sang at many important events throughout Ohio including the OHSAA Mens Basketball Championship
Drama Club for 4 years (this is a big portion):
Freshmen Year:
Featured Dancer and Stage Director
Sophomore Year:
Lead in fall play, choreographer and artistic director for musical
Junior Year:
Costumer and Lighting Designer for fall play, stage designer for musical and lead role
Spanish Club for 3 Years
Writing Club for 3 Years (typically only juniors and seniors are allowed entrance but I was voted to be allowed in my sophomore year)
Mu Alpha Theta (Math Club) for 3 Years
Started a Speech and Debate Team my Junior Year
Participated in the Production of 7 other musicals and plays beyond that of my High School’s Drama Dept</p>

<p>Spent 2 Summers working as a Lifeguard
Worked for 2 months at a local coffee shop
Just got hired at a nearby American Eagle
Will also be doing an Internship at a professional theatre company in Columbus</p>

<p>Volunteering:
4-8 Hours at Local Pet Rescue Center
Involved in a Community Restoration Project in a nearby city
Volunteer Usher at nearby Performing Arts Center
Volunteered at multiple children drama workshops this and last summer</p>

<p>Awards:
3rd Place for a painting I entered in a Arts Competition
Silver and Gold Honor Roll all through High School</p>

<p>I have had four teachers already offer to write recommendations for me including my guidance counselor; they have allowed me to preview their writings and they are very very good (the benefits of a small school). I also know how to set myself apart with my essays through my unique passions.</p>

<p>Additionally, I am bisexual and participate in the local PFLAG chapter and will apply for many LGBT scholarships; hopefully that labels me as some sort of minority. </p>

<p>Thanks!</p>

2

<p>First, Cornell will take into account the fact that your school offers no AP classes. They will know that from your school’s profile. Cornell is looking for people who have taken full advantage of what’s been offered them, and the fact that you’ve taken University-level courses to complement what you’re doing in high school will be seen as a positive.</p>

<p>Second, you won’t be considered a minority (URM) because of your LGBT status. However, the fact that you are out in a rural community makes you unique, and is something you may want to talk about in your essay (remember, at the same time, your essay should reflect why you’re a fit for Cornell). Cornell, like many top universities, are looking for people who are unique.</p>

3

<p>“Additionally, I am bisexual and participate in the local PFLAG chapter and will apply for many LGBT scholarships; hopefully that labels me as some sort of minority.”</p>

<p>Affirmative action by creed or sexual orientation makes me shudder even more than normal affirmative action. Isn’t that something anyone can fake?</p>