How Maya Got Into
Cornell University
Where it started
When Maya started working with AcceptU in sophomore year, she was already a strong student with a clear goal in mind: Cornell. But like many students at that stage, her interests were still broad. She was drawn to biology, psychology, forensic science, and law, and while those interests were all real, they had not yet come together into a clear direction.
- Starting Point: Grade 10
- Home State: Connecticut
- High School Type: Public
- Academic Focus: Psychology
- Acceptance: Cornell University (Early Decision)
How we helped
Over time, Maya started to see that what connected many of her interests was a deeper curiosity about human behavior: how people think, grow, and make decisions.
Once that became clearer, her choices started to feel more intentional. Instead of trying to pursue every possible interest, she began focusing on the ones that made the most sense together. That shift shaped the rest of her process. Her academic plan stayed rigorous, but became better aligned with her developing interests.
Outside the classroom, she made more thoughtful decisions about where to spend her time and energy, especially when her school’s offerings were limited. Her psychology research mentorship also gave her the chance to explore that interest in a more serious and personal way.
Throughout the process, AcceptU helped Maya and her family navigate key decisions, stay on track, and keep building in a way that felt purposeful over time.
By the end, her profile felt much more cohesive, and she approached the application process with greater clarity, confidence, and self-awareness.
