Student gets into Cornell a year after HS graduation

My cleaning ladies son got into Cornell Engineering with a 90% scholarship but his green card didn’t come in time. He has been working at FDA this year on some state of the art technology and will be going to Cornell next year. However since he graduated in 2011, instead of 2012, he will have difficulty applying for the many scholarships for high school graduates. Do they consider extenuating circumstances (he was ineligible due to his residency status)? Do you have any suggestions on what he should do? Note that this kid is a genius: He took every AP and only got 2 B’s (Chinese in 8th grade and AP World History 10th grade). I don’t think I have ever seen a transcript like this. I can send you all the awards and the transcript this kid got if useful and to add to the story it he hasn’t seen his father since he was 3.

Hi Richard,

It sounds like this young man has a great future ahead of him! While these circumstances may cause some difficulties in getting some scholarships, it is not likely that he will be excluded from all of them. Most scholarships will take into account many circumstances -- GPA, classes taken, finances, extra-curricular activities, family situations, etc. Each scholarship and each organization/school offering the scholarships will have different criteria and flexibilities. It is important to research and/or contact each one and see what their policies and rules are. Make sure that he is well aware of the deadlines and how to apply for the correct year so that he can be considered.

Best,
Amber George
LIC Advisor

We need more people like Richard who takes an interest in young people around them. ;-)