Hi all! I am currently a rising senior at a prep school in NYC. I am looking into Cornell next year along with Dartmouth, Brown, Upenn, Columbia, Georgetown and Barnard, but I really have my heart set on Cornell after visiting last spring. So I guess this question is a little general, but I was wondering if some of you guys could give me tips on how to format and structure my application in the best way I can. Here is what I have:
Grades: average B+/A- grades in freshman and sophomore year then straight flat A’s junior year in Honors Spanish, AP History, Experiments in Chem. + Physics, and English then a B+ in physics. Are these grades good enough to get me into the aforementioned schools? This upcoming year I am taking AP math, History, and Spanish along with either Ap english or Ap psychology with no science (at my school psychology is considered a Humanities course).
ACT: 3500
SAT 2: Chem: 730, U.S. History 780 and Spanish with listening 780
My essay is still in the works but it is going to be about my interests in women’s studies and politics in relation to the Middle East as my family is from Iran and had to escape during the revolution. I have done my 80 hours of community service at a school for young girls in Tehran.
EC: I am head of Debate, Women’s Issues club, VP of the Student Council and managing editor of Folio 51 (our Women’s issues publication). I am a three trimester athlete: Water polo, Swim (Captain), and Track.
I don’t know what to do with my recomendations! How much do they really count for? If I am a history person, but cannot get a rec. from someone who was my teacher in 9th grade (head of hist. dept.) what should I do? At my school we can only get recs. from our 11th and 12th grade teachers! Do I need recs. from people who pull more weight at my school or just someone who knows me well? Please help!!
At my school our college office tells us to market ourselves like a package, but I am still trying to figure out how! I really want to get into Cornell so any tips on how to do so will be much appreciated!
What major/school are you applying for? Sounds like maybe history or something similar in CAS?
For recs, someone who knows you well will be able to write a much better rec than just someone who carries “more weight.” I’m not sure how a college would even know if one teacher were more important or well-regarded than another teacher.
Did you go to an information on your visit? If so, try to work something into your essay that was said about the college within Cornell that you are applying to. Applying Early Decision will improve your chances.
Sounds like your stats are in the ballpark. For CAS, if that is the college you will be applying to, I would really scour the Arts and Sciences website and look at all the majors, classes offered and the degree requirements. Really get to know what CAS has to offer (which is A LOT!) so when you write your supplemental essay, you can really speak to why you feel Cornell will be a good fit for you.
You have great scores and good chances at getting into at least some of the schools you listed, but I think you should find a safety school to apply to just in case. Good luck
@TiggyB62’s suggestion is a good one if you are applying to CAS. CAS faculty members review the Supplement essays along with the Admissions staff. Also, if you have time, you should seriously consider sitting in on a class or two that interest you. My D did so her senior year, and the experience really helped her with writing the Supplement essay for Arts& Sciences. She was accepted ED, and the prof of the class she sat in on ended up becoming her advisor.
^thank you @xanthippe. My D was also accepted ED and on our visit last year she met with a professor who teaches a class she was interested in. She came away with lots of insights, that’s for sure!
I have to say - 3500 for ACT? That kind of typo will certainly be unfavorable to any good college - least of all an Ivy League!
I am also not a big supporter of chance threads since no one can tell who will get in and for what. Nevertheless, I am repling here because I just want to say - don’t fall in love with one college! College is what you make of it and with some elbow grease, you may be able to make better of any opportunity you may have! That’s all !
