I really love Cornell! It’s my top-pick and I think I’ve expressed that to the University pretty well. I’m applying Regular Decision to the College of Arts and Sciences - Majoring in Political Science and Minoring in Communications and LGBT+ Studies
Location: New Jersey
Race: White
SAT : 750 M 740 CR
ACT : 33 (35 R/35 E/34 M/29 S) / 33 (35 R/33 E/31 M/33 S)
SAT II: 760 Math I, 710 Math II, 650 Literature (Yikes)
Unweighted GPA: 3.53 Weighted GPA: 4.23
AP Scores: AP English (5), AP United States History (4), AP Human Geography (4), AP United States Government (4)
Senior Class Load: AP Statistics, AP Comparative Government and Politics, AP Psychology, AP European History, Language Arts 4 Honors, Advanced Journalism II Honors
Freshman Year: 3.8 UW / 4.42 W
Sophomore Year: 3.1 UW / 4.0 W (see conditions)
Junior Year: 3.8 UW / 4.42 W
Senior Year Grades (not calculated in GPA): 4.0 UW / 5.0 W
8 AP Classes Total in High School
14 Honors Classes Total in High School
4.5 Regular Classes - 3 Freshman Year (No Honors Options Available for these subjects), 1.5 Junior Year (No Honors Option Avaliable for the .5 subject)
Awards:
Two-Time Scholastic Press Association Silver Medal Award for the school newspaper
Two-Time ASPA First Place Awards for the school newspaper
Adobe Certified Associate in Photoshop
Activities:
The School Newspaper (News Editor - 10th Grade/Editor-In-Chief - 11th, 12th Grade)
Drama Department (Lighting Technician - 10th Grade, Officer of Lighting and Sound department - 11th, 12th Grade)
Student-Directed One Acts (Director - 10th, 11th Grade, Vice-President - 12th Grade)
Student Council (Member - 11th, 12th Grade)
Homecoming Committee (Member - 10th, 11th Grade, Project Leader - 12th Grade)
National Honor Society (Member - 12th Grade)
Work Experience
Cashier at local grocery store in 10th, 11th, and 12th Grades
Office Administrator for two local restaurants in 11th and 12th Grades - I handle invoice organization, warehouse inventory, and invoice payments.
Catering Event Associate for another local restaurant in 11th and 12th Grade - I basically bussed tables at the events we were catering.
Canvas Recruiter for the Phil Murphy Governor Campaign in 12th Grade - Responsible for recruiting door-to-door canvassers in the county that I live in.
Conditions:
I moved across the country from an academically poor school in a very conservative portion of Florida to a highly competitive and intellectually strong high school in New Jersey between my freshman and sophomore year of high school. I didn’t take the move well and ended up having to deal with symptoms of depression and developing a variety of anxieties (especially social). It took me a while to adjust to this new school (as seen in the sophomore year GPA), but I ended up succeeding at the school and joining a bunch of extracurriculars. I wrote my essay about this topic and what I learned about myself from it.
I am an LGBT+ Student and I include this portion of my life and how it relates to my interests in Politics in my Cornell-Specific Essay.
I am not sure if we know any better than you, other than that the various folks on CC can give opinions without our emotions affecting our opinions.
That being said, I would think that it is a reach or a high reach. Apply but definitely put significant thought and effort into considering alternatives and apply to some match and safety schools where you would be happy and that you can afford.
Additional Information:
-Attempted to start a Political Action Club at my school, but Administration shot down the idea - Too controversial I suppose.
-Also a member of the Black Student Union
I really appreciate the feedback @sattut and @DadTwoGirls! I actually retook my subject tests and I’ll receive the scores tomorrow (I think I did much better). As for the GPA, the problem originates from sophomore year, where I was dealing with a lot of personal problems (anxiety and depression) from moving across the country. I strongly believe that my counselors rec details this process, and the move is my topic for my common app essay. The essay is more specifically about my experience with the move and what it revealed about myself and how these aspects will be beneficial to my future. Additionally I’ll also be retaking the SAT and i’ve been consistently receiving 1550’s. Do you think that Cornell will consider my circumstances in my application? And what would you categorize as stronger SAT II scores? Once again, thank you so much for leaving a comment on the post!
You have a good application, but IMO Ivy schools are reaches. I understand how competitive some NJ schools are and I had all sorts of things that messed up my high school record.
My high school education was really messed up. I went to this hippie public high school 10th and 11 grade. When I went back to the regular school in the 12 grade, my mother picked out my whole schedule, and I wasn’t prepared for some of the classes, as I hadn’t learned much the other two years. I didn’t get into anywhere I applied, but I transferred to Johns Hopkins, which really liked my 800 USHIST SAT II. That wasn’t entirely a great experience either.
So much for a little of the story of my life. However, yes I understand having a strong record, but some things having gone wrong. I also tutor in NJ and know how tough some of the high schools are with relatively wealthy parents who hire me.
I would say that Cornell would not rule you out just based on your stats. Your SAT and ACT scores are acceptable, and your GPA might be as well, if you make use of the section in your application designed for explaining extenuating circumstances (if it still exists; I remember it from when I applied a couple years ago). Admissions will look at what you’ve accomplished despite the obstacles you faced in high school; hopefully this offsets your below-average GPA for Cornell.
Since you seem to be active in student government, political life and service/management (with some awards along the way - nice!), your EC’s tend to line up with your interests, which is a good sign for admissions as well. If you craft your application well enough, and demonstrate enough of a fit for campus and vested interest, then you absolutely have a chance. It’s definitely worth it to apply if it’s truly a “top-pick” for you.
And remember, when applying to Ivies, it might just come down to sheer luck at the end. So good luck! :-bd
I agree with AL that you stat is in the mix for Cornell. Look into CAS to see if they have any program, project or initiative that matches your passion/interest and relate to it in your essay. It will show that you do your homework. Spend time on your essay. Pick one topic that inspire you. It can be anything. I know a Cornell kid who wrote aabout making tacos, something she loves to do. Write with passion. Be genuine. Don’t talk about woe is me. Talk about what will you bring to Cornell and why you can be an asset to them. It worked for my daughter. I wish you the best.
You certainly have a chance! Cornell is not a guarantee for anyone, but I think you have a good shot at making it past the initial examination of your application. I’m not an AO, but you seem like a well-qualified, interesting applicant
