A sophomore thinking about Yale

<p>I just created this account because some people have been recommending this website to me. So far, this website seems to be very helpful in pretty much anything college related. Sadly, since I am a high school sophomore, I probably won't be able to repay for all the help and advice all you guys have to offer me, but thanks nonetheless! So... Back to the main point...</p>

<p>I've been eyeing Yale for a looong time... And it's not because of the prestige and what not, but because I really love the place. I can go on and on about why I love it, but let's just say it's awesome from what I've heard. NOW HERE COMES THE BIG QUESTION... WILL I BE ABLE TO MAKE THE CUT?</p>

<p>Since, to me, this is the #1 school, I'll be applying under early decision, so that'll help a bit. I might have some other backup ones like Georgetown, but Yale is a top priority school. Here's some information about me:</p>

<p>Freshman year:
-I've taken 2 AP courses (Human Geography and Macroeconomics) and scored 5 on both of them
-I got all A's on my freshman year...except 1 A-... Gah, da English!
-Played tennis in the spring</p>

<p>Sophomore year (right now):
-Taking 2 AP courses, but they're year round ones (AP Lang/Comp and AP Biology)
-All A's...except AP LANG AND COMP... It's a B right now, but I'm pretty sure I can easily bring it back up if I do better... Since we have this portfolio-based system
-In speech
-In mock trial
-Planning to do tennis again when spring comes
-Volunteer at my preschool-8th grade school as a math tutor (at a private school...makes it seem better?)</p>

<p>I think what really stands out about me is that I love to help others... And the best way I can help others is usually through school work. On a lot of days, I'd be at my school library after school and everybody would ask me questions on their homework, whether if they're in my class or not. It's as if I'm a tutor for my classmates. I have a few adults that acknowledge that such as my AP Bio teacher. He knows I help my classmates when they have questions and I'm planning to have him do a recommendation letter when the time comes. (Is it a good idea to ask him to do one for me, by the way? Since he probably won't be my teacher the following years... But then... He was also my freshman teacher, so I've known him for awhile) Also, I volunteer (officially) at a private school, where I literally grew up from preschool to 8th grade. There, I'm tutoring math, since it's more of a concrete subject and the teachers there seem to trust me most in math.</p>

<p>Now my junior and senior year....... What I'm planning:</p>

<p>Junior year:
-Probably all the extracurriculars I'm in right now
-AP Calc I, AP Lit and Comp, AP World History, AP Spanish?, AP Computer Science, College chemistry, and one more elective</p>

<p>Senior year (a bit fuzzy here):
-All the extracurriculars I'm in right now
-AP Calc II, CIS English (College in school English), AP Psychology, AP Physics, and maybe 1-2 more AP's</p>

<p>Test scores... Booooooooooooo... I'm not very good when it comes to standardized testing, but I've gotten back my PLAN score (pre-ACT thing) and it was a 26. I know I can do better, but ehhhh... I haven't gotten back my PSAT score yet, but I know I did really well on it. Sadly, I don't qualify for NMS even if I did well...! Anyways, I think I could work on my ACT and SAT scores.</p>

<p>My mom works at a place where she talks to lawyers, doctors, CEO's... You name it... Some of them have gotten to know me too... I was wondering if I should get an internship or be an apprentice for somebody? Is that a good idea for summer?</p>

<p>Anyways... That's pretty much me... Do you guys think I have a shot?</p>

<p>It’s hard to say without standardized testing scores and your final GPA to determine whether or not you make it out for Yale. </p>

<p>Just some points:</p>

<p>Your ECs are good, I’d try and get some leadership roles (Captain/President/Secretary, etc.) in those ECs to make it seem like you aren’t just making a laundry list of clubs to put on a resume. Maybe add 2-3 more solid ECs and I think you’re good in that category.</p>

<p>However, you need a way to differentiate yourself. Everybody is going to have 5-6 solid ECs and perfect test scores. That internship would be a way to do that; or maybe you can do something else that NOBODY else would have.</p>

<p>Make sure you take subject tests and aim for a 750+, also a 26 act score is nothing to be ashamed of for your first time. It won’t cut it for an ivy, but try and get to the 34+ range.</p>

<p>Good luck!</p>

<p>Your chances depend on what you want to major in, but Yale is a very hard school to get into in the the first place. Make sure it’s not the only school you want to go to. I know people who really thought they did all they could to get into their dream school but still fell short. You seem pretty solid as a sophomore, taking 4 AP classes already. ECs are a little weak, I suggest looking at this thread for ECs that set you apart: <a href=“http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/what-my-chances/210497-those-ecs-weak-so-whats-good.html[/url]”>http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/what-my-chances/210497-those-ecs-weak-so-whats-good.html&lt;/a&gt; but other than that, just keep your grades up and do well on the tests. That’s the best advice I can give you as a high school student myself. Good luck.</p>

<p>Thanks for the replies, guys! I’m probably going to join the National Honors Society next year, and I think that’ll make my EC resume look a bit better. I’m not sure if I want to do student council… Since all you do is decorate stuff when dances come etc. (at least that’s what they do in my school). I really want to be the best in a few, rather than have a lot… So maybe something like speech captain in senior year? I don’t know… Any more recommendations would be greattttly appreciated :)!</p>

<p>Your idea to be the best at a few is definitely the right path to take.</p>

<p>@thrownaway:
Do you think it’s more in the passion of that “few” or how good you are at them? Because it’s unlikely I’ll be the best at everything I listed…</p>