@efefsef You have a really impressive academic record and a very compelling story. I wish you all the very best and I hope you make it. Make sure your essays and supplements clearly articulate “why Cornell” and also “Why CALS”! Good to know that you are planning to apply ED- that should increase the chances and demonstrate your commitment.
The risk with the top schools - as you’d know - is that not only are they selective but further, international students make up only ~10% of their total admits. Cornell’s overall acceptance rate for the class of 2022 was 10.3% and international students made up just 9% of the class. Have a look at the 2022 class profile of Cornell here: http://news.cornell.edu/stories/2018/03/class-2022-selected-record-number-applicants - it may give you some insight.
All the best - with your track record, you will make an excellent candidate for any top school.
@skieurope Is it actually so negative that I’m an international student? If I don’t get into Cornell ED, I will also apply to top ranking schools that are need blind.
@skieurope I’m a first gen college student and I’m an under represented minority (how many Inuits have you seen apply to the States?). I don’t think it’s “more than overshadowed” by my “anti hook”.
OP - I agree with @Publisher. You are not the typical international student. I don’t think you have an “anti hook” and are a very compelling applicant. Good luck!
AFAIK, Cornell does not release admissions statistics for international students, but similar tier schools report that the acceptance rate for intl applicants is half the overall rate.
Every college, where not prohibited by law is free to establish how much of a bump, if any, various hooks will be given. FWIW, Cornell’s definition of under-represented minority excludes international students.
And Cornell (or any tippy top) will look for more than youth group and leadership council. They’ll want to know more than you noted here, see your impact, the ways you engage. There are no slam dunks. They’ll want to know you can succeed there, which is more than scores and grades in your hs. Your challenge is to present that.
If you’ve been researching opportunities, how do you not know what AP means? Or you just mean your hs doesn’t offer them?
I would not fault the OP too much for not knowing, although yeah, a simple google search would have answered the question. Outside of some international schools, APs are pretty much an American thing. It’s not like most American HS seniors know what A-levels are, although if they were applying to UK unis, they’d probably want to look it up since they are discussed frequently.
It has a population of 35000 people (most of it is uninhabited land).
My settlement (community) has around 2000 people in total.
My school has around 150 people in total.
My graduating class of grade 12 has 23 people in total!
Please consider the amount of opportunities that I get. I assure you, I take advantage of opportunities as much as possible.
I pretty much live with polar bears.
People here aren’t expected to go to university. It’s a lot more likely that you’ll finish highschool and become a hunter/fisherman.
@skieurope I’m fairly certain most Ontario schools and BC schools offer AP courses/AP tests. For example, if you take an AP course in grade 11 or 12 and do well, you don’t have to take the corresponding course in first year university.
It’s just that I live in a remote territory and not a province.
P.S I’ve googled what AP tests are and now I understand them. I’ve been seeing the term a lot on this forums.
You’re saying all my hooks are overshadowed because I’m an international student, but I still don’t know what you would rate my chances of getting accepted ED as?
In my “city (aka settlement)”, there are no research opportunities, math/science/English competitions, volunteer work, etc, etc, etc. (Volunteer hours are non-existent).
You can’t just apply to help out a local scientist with his research (because there are none), or try and get volunteer hours/work hours through contacts. The closest academic competition is in Ontario. There may be tutors for hunting/fishing/shooting a gun, but not for physics, biology, the SAT or English.
We’re expecting snow this week, and it’s roughly 0 degrees already, so that’s a simple explanation for our non existent sports teams/competitions.
I think you’re an interesting candidate. But I know how hard it is to get into a tippy top college. I’ve seen apps from remote areas and often the question is, how prepared is this student for the rigorous programs? Is there the right basis to take on the major? (They want to know they’re the right fit for you and you for their reality.) And, how has this student done the most with his circumstances? That means activation. One example. I’d imagine there are many needs in your community. Have you gotten involved? It’s not all about competitions and research.
The application is a self presentation. Part of the trick is to know as much as you can about a college and what it values, the qualifies and attributes they feel make a successful campus, not just in classes. Then you can show that match in the app. But you need to find the right narrative.
How did you achieve the stats? Did you have a mentor or special opportunities? Because you describe an area without many.
@lookingforward Okay thanks. And believe me, there are not a lot of opportunities when everyone in your settlement is a self sufficient hunter. The only thing I can think of is caring for the sled dogs, which I already do.
“I pretty much live with polar bears.” I suggest that this sentence be included in your college applications–especially if you apply to Bowdoin College in Maine.
1540 SAT first try. Ranked #1 in class. Native American/ Indigenous/ Inuit applicant. Low income. First generation college student. In charge of local herd of reindeer & sled dogs. Leadership & community service positions. Won hunting/trapping competitions.
Consider: Cornell University, Dartmouth College, Bowdoin College, St. Lawrence University, University of Montana.
“…believe me, there are not a lot of opportunities when everyone in your settlement is a self sufficient hunter”
People, not the dogs. Think of some way you extend yourself for other people. Maybe it’s an elderly person or some shared community work. The top colleges don’t just want to see that you do this, but that you see the opportunity. They value this sort of involvement with others on campus, both peers and in the community. Do you help others in the high school? What’s the leadership council do?
It will help if you offer not just top stats and a unique home area, but also this attitude. They like to see more than default actions in a candidate. Ironically, this applies to kids from wealthy areas, too.
The more you learn about your target colleges, the more you’ll see this is an important element. It’s “Show, not just tell.”
And how did you achieve those stats in an area you describe as so limited? It’s unusual.
1540 SAT first try is a huge deal for any URM. If you or your family have any facility with an Inuit Language, I’d emphasize that.
I’m with @Publisher. Despite the international wrinkle (which is not quite so severe imo because you are Native American), I think you will be pleasantly surprised with your admissions results. Do be sensitive about how you talk about hunting seals in your essays. Emphasize sled dogs. Everyone loves dogs.
Oh, and when you get to a top school, I think you will find that it is not half so difficult as many on here would lead you to believe.
Best of luck, you sound like you have lived an interesting life so far!
About 56 colleges & universities in the US offer a Food Science major.
Among the 56 are Cornell, Penn State, University of Minnesota, Ohio State, University of Washington–Seattle (main campus), Nebraska, University of Hawaii.
Consider: Penn State University & the University of Washington.
If not limiting yourself to a major in Food Sciences, then you should consider Williams College, any Ivy league school that is of interest to you & Middlebury College in Vermont.
It would be interesting & helpful to know of your preferences.