Hamid
What do you need to get into colleges like Cornell? Is there something extra that you can do to set your application apart from the others?
I am a junior in high school. I am looking to apply to colleges next summer and just wanted to get a heads up to see what I was aiming for. #college #university
2 answers
Robert Cross
Robert’s Answer
Universities want successful students. Get really honest with yourself about what you like, what motivates you, what you'd skip meals or lose sleep to do, and then find colleges that have highly ranked programs in those areas. By doing this, you're creating a natural alignment between who you are and your target schools, and they will want you because of who you are and the alignment that's already there. Then, get your grades and test scores as high as you can, get involved in your community, take leadership positions in your organizations (sports teams, band, extracurricular clubs, 4H, scouts, etc). Academics are important but so is being a well rounded human person. Cornell is a great school, but is it a great place for you? Honestly assess who you want to become and seek that alignment with schools strong in those areas. Then you will have an outstanding college experience!
Jason Flint
Jason’s Answer
This is a great question. Ivy-league institutions like Cornell with single digit acceptance rates receive thousands of competitive applications each year. Having the most rigorous transcript and the highest test scores are considered to be simply the keys needed to get into the admissions committee room. Once inside that room, everyone blends together. Therefore, the question is how do you differentiate yourself?
The first step is to identify your academic and non-academic passions, interests and strengths and engage in intentional extra-curricular activities that align. The goal is to dig deeper than other students and build a profile that is multi-faceted and reflects you authentically. Think about intentional learning experiences such as research with a university faculty member, internships with a company in your industry of choice, passion projects that showcase true leadership and have an impact on the community around you, thoughtful volunteer engagements that align with your passions, clubs that allow you to be competitive or demonstrate your interests, etc. Remember, it's not about any one experience, but rather a collection of experiences over a period of time that depict your overarching profile.
Admissions Officers at highly selective schools are searching for candidates that are exceptional and have gone above and beyond to dedicate to their learning, development and growth. It takes time, energy and commitment to build a profile that will stand out in an pool of candidates.
If that sounds exciting to you than keep pushing forward and working towards Cornell. If not, don't worry! There are over 4k schools in the U. S. which means there will be a great fit for you somewhere. At the end of the day, it's important not to try and mold yourself into the perfect candidate for one school, but rather engage in your interests in a genuine way. If you do that, you'll end up at the right school for you.