Advice for a high schooler?

Colleges and Universities A-Z Yale University
1

<p>Hello! I'm hoping to apply to Yale for the class of '14 and was wondering if anyone had any input or advice. I was thinking of applying SCEA, but if you think it's a lost cause feel free to let me know :) Thanks!!
I plan on continuing to participate in all my EC's next year.
Also my schedule won't allow me to take Physics AP, should I try to take a class somewhere else to make up for that?</p>

<p>GPA: 5.2 (5 pt scale)
ACT: 33 (will retake)
School doesn’t rank, at least top 10% of 450
Public school
Asian</p>

<p>Academics (including plan for Senior year):
4 on World History AP test
Math: 4 years (2 honors, Calc BC AP)
Science: 4 years (1 honors, Enviro and Bio AP)
English: 4.5 years (3.5 honors, Lit Crit AP)
History: 4 years (1 honors, WHAP, USAP, Psyc AP)
Art: 4 years (Studio Art AP)
Total of 9 APs, I'm taking 6 senior year
Honor Roll all 4 yrs
Nat. Honors Society, Cum Laude</p>

<p>Significant Extracurriculars:
Global Connections (10,11)
Peer Ministry (11)
Yearbook (10,11)
Young Idea (10,11)
Women’s Club (11)
Pen Pal Club w/ former child slaves (9,10,11)
Golf Team: JV (9,10) Varsity (11)
Currently have almost 600 service hours and was invited on a rescue mission for child slaves in Ghana because of my efforts through Global Connections (not a “service trip,” civilians normally aren’t allowed to go on these).</p>

<p>Work:
Country Club Golf Shop (10,11) on weekends during the fall and spring, about 28 hrs/wk over summer
Professional Photography (10,11) on-call basis</p>

<p>Leadership Positions:
Global Connections: Founder and president (10,11)
Peer Minister: (11)
Young Idea Art Editor (11)
Golf Captain (11)
CoFounder of pen pal program (participants in 14 countries) (9)</p>

<p>Awards:</p>

<p>Participant in Northwestern Midwest Academic Talent Search 2007 (9)
2nd place in a Veteran's day essay contest (11)</p>

<p>Art awards include participation in shows at local galleries, received an honorable mention from the Art Institute of Chicago and was one of 50 students selected to be in a regional competition. Photography featured on a charity's website and literature.</p>

<p>Gold Presidential Service Award (250+ hours/year): (10,11)
Service Leadership Award: (10)
Presidential Spirit of Community Local Honoree & Distinguished Finalist (State Level) (11)
Nestlé Very Best in Youth Competition Finalist (11)</p>

<p>Summer activities: art classes, lots of work, and volunteering.
I’m also going to Stanford this summer for a leadership conference (not that they’re really worth much).</p>

<p>Thanks again, I appreciate it!</p>

2

<p>Come on, you know you have a shot. Apply SCEA, write dazzling essays, get dazzling recommendations, and you may even have a good shot.</p>

<p>Also, just make sure you have the most demanding course load that you can handle/that your schedule will allow.</p>

3

<p>You have a shot. It’s hard to say how good of one, but you definitely have a chance.</p>

4

<p>when it comes to the ivies i think it’s harder to guess, so thanks i appreciate it! the essays are definitely my summer project haha</p>

5

<p>When it comes to Yale SCEA, everything is impossible.</p>

6

<p>Haha not saying much, but you definitely have a higher chance than me! You’ve got some great awards and ECs. </p>

<p>I plan on tackling those essays over the summer too! =] Another SCEA-er for next year. I’m going to make it a little project as well, makes it sound more fun. I’m actually quite excited to start.</p>

7

<p>Haha hooray for essays! I’m just hoping I won’t get too anxious about it… but I’ll cross that bridge when I get to it I guess. I’m sure you have great EC’s and grades, people are always harder on themselves. Good luck!!</p>

8

<p>Admissions is a crapshoot - not a meritocracy.</p>

<p>Apply, but don’t get attached.</p>

<p>I suppose my username is a little out of date now…hmm.</p>

9

<p>"Admissions is a crapshoot - not a meritocracy.</p>

<p>Apply, but don’t get attached."</p>

<p>I actually could not have said it better</p>

10

<p>I agree; great advice. Thanks everyone!</p>

11

<p>buuummmmp!</p>

12

<p>I’d recommend attempting to win something for art on a national level, you seem to have potential to do so! :]</p>

13

<p>Just an update, I got 5’s on the USAP and Bio AP tests, and 730’s on US history and Bio-M
I also was a Build-a-Bear Honorable Mention Huggable Hero. Thanks again!</p>

14

<p>You should probably retake the subject tests to increase your chances. They won’t hurt you, but 750+s are what you should get. If I were you I would study starting NOW and take the them the first testing day this fall. And from the info you provided you seem strong, but what about SAT or ACT scores???</p>

15

<p>Thanks Kram, I know my SAT II scores definitely leave something to be desired, I was thinking of only submitting ACT. I got 33 twice on that, btw, which is far from perfect but considering my other stats I thought it couldn’t hurt me? I was planning on taking the regular SAT this fall but since the schools I’m applying to accept ACTs, is it even worth it?</p>