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Ok, I will be a freshman at RPI this fall, and I am planning on trnafering to Cornell school of engineering in 2005. My SAT's are 1200, 600 Math my HS GPA is around a 3.1 or somthin, but from a competitive private Jesuit high school in Buffalo. My question is how or what do I need realistically in order to give myself a good shot at getting into Cornell. I plan on do a bunch of Community service, archery, astronomy club, perhaps sailing, and scuba diving, ski club, and a race car club which cornell competes and is in first place. Now realistically I understand how difficult it will be for somewone with my SAT scores and HS GPA to get in, but I need to get in to this school, I need advise please. Also I think I should be able to handle getting around a 3.6-4.0 GPA first semester but Im not sure about the second at RPI.

By E1c2c3c (E1c2c3c) on Sunday, July 11, 2004 - 10:50 pm: Edit

To be honest, it will be really tough for you because of your SAT math score. I don't really think Cornell will look at those ECs. I think what you need is to get A in all your math and engineering classes during your time at RPI to prove that you can handle college level engineering math. If you can do that, then you will have a good chance. Good luck!

By Hopeforthebest (Hopeforthebest) on Monday, July 12, 2004 - 03:23 am: Edit

Thanks for your advise E1c2c3c, ok lets say the academics is under control, what kind of EC's would Cornell look at? Those that I listed I was planning on being majorly involved in, and having many Community service hours. But along with top grades first quarter which Im quite sure will not be a problem, what else would be beneficial? EC wise.

By E1c2c3c (E1c2c3c) on Monday, July 12, 2004 - 03:53 pm: Edit

I think you should look into research opportunity. Since Cornell is a major research institution, if you have research experience, then you should be an extremely competitive applicant.

By Hopeforthebest (Hopeforthebest) on Monday, July 12, 2004 - 06:37 pm: Edit

Of course then I would have to transfer after my second year, at which point Cornell would not require my SAT scores, and I would have some research, possibly. The thing is what can I do in my first year, outside of school clubs which, nobody really cares about? I was thinking about habitat for humanity, and other service organizations. I heard that Cornell focuses alot on EC's and I don't know what they consider to be more impressive, assuming I become highly involved in each. I think my main question is, assuming I do very well in clas, what else within my freshman year could I do to improve my chances? the Thing with the research is, I would only be able to start after my freshman year, and I would like to be going to Cornell by then.

By Iluvcornell (Iluvcornell) on Tuesday, July 13, 2004 - 12:24 am: Edit

ok, take it easy man - i was at RPI last year and i got accepted at Cornell engineering for the coming fall (2004) - i'm actually at Cornell right now taking some summer courses to get them out of the way since they require so many courses here for a bachelors degree. What i can tell you is : Research - research - research !!!! That's what counts. Basically most of the stuff you mentioned in your first post ie: archery, astronomy club, perhaps sailing, and scuba diving, ski club, are average - those stuff looked ok back in high school - now it's very different. Pay careful attention to what i'm telling/going to tell you. At RPI there is this URP program (undergraduate research program) where you can do some research uder the guidance of a professor. During your orientation at RPI don't waste too much time, that is look at what each professor is researching in your department and go talk to the ones you're interested in. Dress well when you go talk to them, have a resume on hand, and show them that you're really interested in working for them.
Second point: Know your professors!!! I can't stress that enough. I don't care if you go to their office hours everyday - do it to get to know them. Get to know your advisor (he'll have to write you a recommendation as well) ++++ get to know the professor you're conducting research with very well (his recommendation will make you or break you!!) Most importantly do well in your classes (do not take 3 classes!!) Take a MINIMUM of 4 every semester (i don't want to discourage you but i took a 6 courses my first semester, 7 my second, 8 my third, and 5 my fourth) However some of those courses i took were one credit each so that's why the number is that high. Kill the maths, physics, and chemistry courses but most importantly your grade in the INTRODUCTION TO ENGINEERING ANALYSIS course a.k.a STATICS is looked upon very closely.
My third point is ESSAYS (make them perfect - period!) AT RPI there are a lot of resources for you to perfect your writing with (the most visible is THE WRITING CENTER in Russell Sage Building or any professor who teaches writing).
Fourth point (i hope you're writing those down): On your cornell application there is very limited space for you to include stuff about EC's (about 4 lines) so use those lines wisely (include stuff that really stand out) for example: i mentioned that i was a Beach Resort Manager overseas, i also included that i was founding an organization at RPI etc..
FIFTH point: Whatever you do, whatever you do, DO NOT RUSH WITH ANY FRATERNITY - and i'm telling you this because i was stupid enough to rush for one whole year, went to hell and back, became a brother, and then i transfered (what a waste of my time it was!!) (it'll take up about 75% of your time) and it's hell - besides you're transferring so it'll be useless.
Sixth point: Relax - basically RPI (and this is 100% true) is a FEEDER to Cornell (through transferring and grad school) / they just love taking RPI's best and brightest to their campus - i met till now in 3 weeks only (and in summer when there are not many students) 6 RPI students that have transferred here. WHY? Because and this is also true, RPI is a great engineering school eventhough i hated it with a passion.
My last piece of advice to you is make sure you know which courses to take at RPI during your first year - maybe second if you don't get in as a sophomore because you want the courses to transfer (for example: do not take C programming for engineers at RPI because it wouldn't transfer to cornell because it's only a one credit course at RPI and the required programming course (which i'm currently taking here at Cornell (hell i can tell you) is 4 credits). Oh and try to apply for sophomore admission to cornell, if you don't get in, and you apply for junior admission the following year, having applied the year before will help you a lot. About SAT's they could care less !!! Basically they are willing to overlook everthing back from your high school years if you do well at RPI (as in >or= 3.6 with tough courses (don't take any electives!!!!))
AND Finally, my phone number is 561-351-3655 call me if you need more advice on anything or e-mail me at mr355@cornell.edu. My name's Mike and i'd love to help you some more if you need it.
PS: Cornell kicks ass (except all the work they give!!) - It's the best decision i've ever made + they give tons more financial aid than RPI ( my parents are only paying about $2000 a semester)
Best of luck man. Hope to see you at cornell before i graduate (i'm a junior now).Later!

By E1c2c3c (E1c2c3c) on Tuesday, July 13, 2004 - 10:20 pm: Edit

Excellent advices! Hopeforthebest listen to this guy. Congratulation to you Iluvcornell! I am so glad that you enjoy the beautiful Ithaca summer. Hopefully, you will like the winter as well. Just out of curiosity, how many credits did you get from Cornell for all your RPI courses? Also, what's your major at Cornell? Btw, i will be a junior this fall as well.

By Hopeforthebest (Hopeforthebest) on Wednesday, July 14, 2004 - 10:23 pm: Edit

Wow I thank both of you so much for your help, I will listen to Mike, infact I emailed him with a few more questions but Im not sure if he got it. Anyway it looks like Im going to have to find some research opportunities real soon, which will be a challenge, but well worth it Im sure. I have NEVER once heard anything bad about Cornell, minus the ussual about the weather and all the crap about being just a number, but I have no problem with that, and hopefully I will see you two your senior year at CU. Thanks a ton!