Hurry Up and Wait!
You have all made it - your applications are done - congratulations!
However, now you have this internal dilemma. Part of you is so thankful to be done with your applications, tests, essays, etc. Yet, part of you is also now thinking that you have just completed the most stressful time of your life and we expect you to just sit there waiting for 3 months - how unfair!
So, here is my yearly blog about what you should be doing over the next few months while you wait for your decisions.
1. Give yourself a huge pat on the back - celebrate! You have put a lot of work into all of those applications and you deserve a "well done".
2. Enjoy your senior year. There are lots of fun things about senior year and you should take part in all of them.
3. Keep your eyes open for a message about "missing documents". It is true, every year students send in all of their application information, yet it doesn't all make it to the appropriate place at the right time. Sometimes we end up with a piece of your application missing. So, we have this great website where you can check the status of your application to be sure everything has been received (
http://admissions.cornell.edu/selfservicedn/). Unfortunately, the processing staff are so busy right now trying to get all of your applications together that we are unable to update the self-service accounts. Don't worry though, in a short time, it will be back up and working. So, first of all, don't panic that you can't get into the system. Secondly, Cornell will send you an email letting you know if we are missing pieces of your application. When you receive that email, you should log-on to your self-service account (which will be up and working by then) and it will tell you what pieces we are missing. Do not worry if you have pieces missing! It happens. And you will not be penalized at all if they are missing. Simply get the pieces in at that time and all will be fine.
4. Most importantly - Keep Your Grades Up! I'm not sure why we have to say this every year. Somehow though, whether it is senioritis that sets in or the fact that the stress of applications are done, many people let their grades slip. I am going to tell you right now that even if you are admitted to Cornell, it will be contingent on your finishing out your senior year with the stellar grades that you are accustomed to getting. You are all fabulous students and very capable of doing extremely well in the classroom. Don't let senioritis get in your way and possibly hinder your future plans.
So, yes, in conclusion, we are asking you to wait for a few months for us to carefully review each and every application in order to come up with the next fabulous class of Cornell Engineers. We know it seems unfair that you have to wait for so long, but trust me - we need all the time we can get to make the best decisions. In the meantime, hang back, enjoy your year, keep up your grades, and let me know if there are any questions I can answer.
Best,
Jill
Labels: Application, Decisions, Processing, Reading
I have been receiving questions in regards to international students being able to apply for financial aid and apply early decision. So, I have done some more research into this policy and here are the details:
In previous years, international students wishing to apply for financial aid could only apply during regular decision. However, this year, starts a new policy. So, international students that need aid are now allowed to apply for early decision! Here are the frequently asked questions now dealing with this situation:
Does Cornell offer financial aid for international students? Yes; however, it is limited. We encourage all of our international students to seek outside funding or sponsorship from their local government or industry. In order to be considered for financial aid, international students should complete the Cornell University International Financial Aid Application. For further information on applying for aid as an international student, please visit the Office of Financial Aid and Student Employment. (
http://www.finaid.cornell.edu/)
Can international students apply through Early Decision?Yes, international students can apply through Early Decision even if they are applying for financial aid. Applicants who are admitted through Early Decision must send in their acceptance deposit by early January and withdraw their applications from all other schools.
Can I apply Early Decision if I am applying for financial aid? What happens if I’m admitted and my family can’t afford to pay for it?Yes, you can still apply Early Decision if you are applying for financial aid. Make sure to follow the financial aid application deadlines and submit all the required forms as outlined on the Financial Aid website. (
http://www.finaid.cornell.edu/) When you receive your financial aid package, we expect you to work with the Financial Aid Office to make any necessary adjustments to your package. If both sides have done as much as possible and your family is still unable to afford Cornell, we will release you from your Early Decision agreement, and your seat in the class will be given to another student.
Labels: Application, Financial Aid
Early Decision Time Clock
Hi Everyone,
As the clock is ticking, I am reminded that the early decision deadline is November 1st, only a few days away! So, if you have any last minute questions, please just ask. I am happy to answer them!
Good luck,
Jill
I only need to write one essay, right?
Wrong! You're only applying to college once. You should take the time to write a good essay for each school you are applying to. Assuming you are only applying to schools that you would really like to attend, you want to make a really good impression with your essay.
I always feel that the majority of your application you can't change at this point. Your grades from the past few years, the activities you have participated in, the schools you have attended - none of these can be changed. The biggest impact you can make on your application, the only thing you can change for the better, is your essay.
Having said that, you would think that the essays we read are really good then, right? Well, I would give an estimate that about 80% of the essays we read don't even answer the essay question. Amazing! Our current theory is that students are applying to so many schools these days, that they want to get away with writing as few essays as possible. So, they write one essay and submit it to all of the school on their app list.
I'm going to tell you right now that this will not cut it! If we are trying to select the best of the best candidates and we can only take a few, why would we choose someone who doesn't even bother to write an essay that answers the prompt?
So, what are we looking for in your essay. The following is our essay prompt for Cornell Engineering:
"Engineers turn ideas (technical, scientific, mathematical) into reality. Tell us about an engineering idea you have or your interest in engineering. Explain how Cornell Engineering can help you further explore this idea or interest."
We are looking for you to come up with an idea. Give us the reason for the idea. Tell us how Cornell can help you with your plan and why you want to come to Cornell. The idea doesn't have to be a fabulous patented invention. If you have that kind of idea, great, but for the rest of us, it can be a simple, creative idea. We are really just looking for how your thought process works and how Cornell can help you develop that thought process.
So get those creative juices flowing! And do yourself a huge favor - take the time to write a good essay. It will definitely pay off in the end.
Labels: Application
As you all head back to school I thought I would share some images from Cornell's Move-In Day this year. Lots of pictures of moving things, a few of some meet and greets and of course, one of the swim test :)
Move In Day SlideshowLabels: General College Issues
