Should I even bother dreaming? Chances...

Colleges & Universities Cornell University
1

<p>Applying to CAS intended major: Genetics</p>

<p>GPA 3.9/4.0 uw
rank: 7/28 (small town school, total population 500, kansas)
SAT I: 1970 (R 650 M 620 W 700) (taken several times, reading and math stay the exact same and i studied like crazy. Writing has gone up)
SAT II: math 1c: 650 Bio M: 770
ACT: C32, R 35, E 30 M 30, S 33
No AP courses offered at our school. No IB or anything like that either.
Essays: Good, but not Fantastic
Recommendations: Very good.</p>

<p>Courses:
english: 1, 2, 3, and College english from Pratt Community College
Math: Algebra 1, 2, geometry, precalc, calculus
Science: Physical Science, bio, bio II, AP bio (online, didn’t take test), physics, chemistry
Foreign language: Spanish 1, 2, 3, 4
Social Science: World geography, world history, american history, government, economics</p>

<p>ECurricular:
Kansas association for youths: 4 years
Pep Club: 4 years
Science club: 4 years
Foregin language club: 4 years
NHS: 4 years, vice president, then president my jr/sr years
STUCCO: 1 yr
Forensics: 2 years
Scholar’s Bwol: 4 years, varsity captain
Piano: 3 years (started again)
Bassoon solo: 4 years, most outstanding at tri-state, 1 rating at state
Tenor Sax, in quartet: 3 years, 1 rating at state
All School Play: 4 years, lead male role 2 years.
Community Serive: 100-125 hours (not sure exactly)
Summer internship: at bio lab at Sonoma State University. 6 weeks. populatoin genetics of steelhead trout.
Work Experience: Employed at local grocer/pizza restaurant for 9 months during school year.
Attended American Legion Boys’ State of Kansas</p>

<p>That’s all I can think of. My location might be a curse (in test scores) and a blessing in that it lets me stand out a little bit. Please, be honest…</p>

2

<p>I think you have a really good chance. If you look at the early decision results it seems that test scores were only a little bit of a factor. I was deferred from CAS with a 29 ACT, 1910 SAT, and SAT IIs in the low 600s, but others with over 2200 SAT and high SAT IIs were flat out rejected. I think that essays and recomendations have a big influence…I know that they are what saved me from rejection (and ECs), but I do know that I have to take the SAT IIs in January to be sure that I can get admitted with the RD applicants.</p>

3

<p>I think your scores are too low, particularly for your intended major, which I would imagine is pretty difficult. It’s possible that you’ll get in, though.</p>

4

<p>I know my scores are low. I was hoping that they would realize i came from a small school without much of a curriculum. My decent Bio SAT II score was my own studying. And the SAT reading is odd…at home on practice tests I do very well, but on the actual test I dont.</p>

<p>I’m hoping to stand out a bit from location and my ACT scores from the 10th were okay. not very hopeful though.</p>

5

<p>I mean…you could realistically be accepted, but better scores would help.</p>

6

<p>Do they take the ACT as seriously as the SAT?
SAT is hard to take here, it invovles early morning drives to far away towns. lol. ACT is two miles from my house.</p>

<p>Thanks for the replies!</p>

7

<p>Okay, I’m going to bump this with a change and see if it has an effect on my chances…</p>

<p>My most recent SAT scores (which cornell has) are:
Reading 730, Math 650, Writing 740 (11 essay)</p>

<p>Will that help much or keep my chances about the same?</p>

<p>thanks,
Derek</p>

8

<p>well, higher scores will always help</p>

9

<p>Now you’re a contender. With those old scores I’d say you had no chance.</p>

10

<p>With a 2120 your scores definately won’t hurt you that much if at all. I think you have a good shot. (But none of us are on the admissions committee so really anything could happen. Apply knowing you did your best and just hope for the best.) GL.</p>