<p>Hello applicants, the application process can be one of the most stressful parts of your senior year (it was for me haha). Since I've been through the process before I would like to offer you some advice on how to approach the application process.</p>
<p>Why am I posting in the Yale forum?: I live about 20 minutes from the Yale campus. My father went there and I pretty much grew up at the university so I know the campus and the college very well.</p>
<p>Advice on Yale:
1) As we all know, Yale is an excellent school (top 3 last time I checked) but this doesn't mean it is the school for everyone. Really consider what major you're looking to study and decide if that program at Yale affords you the best education in that field of study. IF YOU CAN VISIT THE CAMPUS, PLEASE DO! This will offer you the best information to see if Yale and New Haven in general is right for you!
2) <strong><em>IMPORTANT</em></strong>: THERE ARE TONS OF DIFFERENT PEOPLE AT YALE. I understand that there is a huge stereotype when it comes to Ivy League students. But I can say from all my years of walking around the campus that there are people from all walks of life, which is what makes the university special. </p>
<p>Advice on applying:
1) DO NOT LET STATISTICS SCARE YOU AWAY. The stats you see for what GPA and SAT/ACT they accept are ranges (NOT BOUNDERIES)!! (You can look up these ranges online) This advice goes for every school, not just Yale. Don't worry if you're not in the "range" of the statistics you see online. If you really want to apply GO FOR IT, DON'T HOLD BACK!
2) "CHANCING" IS NOT ACCURATE! As you probably all learned by now, there is no "secret formula" that guarantees you admission to a top school like Yale. My advice to all of you is to do as well as you can on your SAT/ACT, GPA, EC's, etc. Make sure your application is the closest representation of you! Once you've done this, you've given yourself the best chance at admission. **Like i said before you can check the "score ranges" online for Yale to see what your goals should be, but PLEASE BE CAREFUL HOW YOU INTERPRET THE STATISTICS.</p>
<p>3) SCEA vs. Regular Decision:
This is a big one! All of you will have to decide which one you will apply through. But one disclaimer I have for all of you is that <strong><em>SCEA DOESN'T ALWAYS MEAN BETTER CHANCE</em></strong>. Yes you'll be competing against less applicants, but they accept a lower number during this round as well. And sometimes it may be harder because the people who apply early to Yale are some of the best students in the country, which means its very competitive.
WAIT UNTIL YOUR APPLICATION IS THE BEST THAT IT CAN BE! DO NOT RUSH YOUR APPLICATION JUST TO MAKE THE SCEA DEADLINE! I've seen this before, which is why I'm warning all of you. Wait until your application is exactly the way you want it to be! if this means waiting until RD, then so be it. One thing is for sure, if Yale wants you, they'll accept you, no matter which program you apply through. </p>
<p>For those who don't know: SCEA = Single Choice Early Action. What this means is if you apply to Yale Early Action, it is the ONLY school you can apply early to!</p>
<p>I hope this answers some of your questions! Sorry for the Caps. I wish you all the best of luck when applying to your schools. If you have a questions feel free to reply and I'll answer them as best as I can. Remember: try to enjoy the process as much as possible, don't get to stressed out like I did because it can really get you down. You are all great people and I know you will do great things, regardless of where you go to college.
Best of Luck to all!</p>