I am indecisive between applying to SHA or ILR of Cornell. I am really drawn to the SHA program in Cornell but I am not confident to outcompete other applicants who are also considering transfer in 2016 Fall. ILR is also a great option for me as I am lenient towards a Economics/Business oriented program (I hate to say, yet also a more viable option), so I need some advice to make the best decision. Thanks!
Personal Information:
- International (Hong Kong)
- currently freshman at a midwestern "Top 10 Public School in US", according to US News
- Asian/Male
- current major: undeclared (maybe Psychology + Economics)
ACT:
- taken once
- Composite: 33 (E: 34/M: 35/R: 29/S: 34)
- Writing: 29
SAT:
- taken, but will not report
HS Grades:
- 99.5th percentile in local National Examination (HKDSE)
College GPA:
- 4.0 UW (17 out of 18 max. credits) for Fall Semester
- Calculus 1, Microeconomics (Intro), Animal Biology (pre-req. for psychology major) and ESL
*I know my classes don't look challenging but they are the hardest I could take since my HS credits are not transferred into college. (local educational system, no IB or AP)
ECs:
(HS)
- Volunteer; ~300 social service hours with childcare center/elderly's home/community of the disabled etc.
- External Secretary; Joint School Volunteers' Association, inter-school voluntary group with 500 members
- Organizer; Charity Ball that raised 2,000USD for ORBIS, housed 300 guests
- Leader; Madrigal Team, champion among 50 other teams
- Chairman; Senior Choir/Mixed Voice Choir, champion in Hong Kong Schools Music Festival + organized competition tour to Cork, Ireland (planned itinerary/design publicity materials/arranged venues)
- Summer Intern; Wah Yan One Family Foundation, organized a fund-raising show that housed ~7,000 guests and raised 8.5million USD, majorly dealt with ticketing issues
(College)
- Member; Asian American Inter-varsity Christian Fellowship
- Bass; Concert Choir [chamber choir of mostly vocal majors]
- Employee; University Housing System
- Volunteer; voluntary group in college that volunteers once a week
- Member; AISEC
Awards:
- CLP Centenary Scholarship 2015; amount equivalent to ~1,300USD
- Students' Pioneers Award; awarded to 3 outstanding student leaders each year back in my HS
- 1st runner-up; Hong Kong Schools Music Festival - 18 or under Bass Vocal
Essays:
- still in progress
RECs:
- my Econ 101 professor, who used to lecture in Stanford University
- a professor from the University of Hong Kong, who taught me for 1 year and knows me well
It would be very nice if you could comment below whether you think I am a safe/match/reach candidate for both/either SHA and/or ILR with reasons. I would definitely chance you back if you do so (if you want me to, of course)!
↧