Advice: Transfer to Yale?

Colleges and Universities A-Z Yale University
1

<p>Hello, all. I'm Laura.</p>

<p>I was hoping someone here who knows about these things could give me some advice about transferring to Ivy League and other top-tier school. In particular, I desperately want to go to Yale.</p>

<p>My background is somewhat different than most applicants. I got middling grades in high school, due in part to a general lack of self-discipline, and in part to personal problems I was not equipped to handle at the time. I graduated early to enlist in the Army at seventeen. I served just under nine years, including two combat deployments--one in Afghanistan, and one in Iraq. </p>

<p>I am currently enrolled in community college, and will be ready to transfer to a four-year institution next fall. My current GPA is 3.9. I haven't taken entrance exams yet, but will be next month. I got a 35 on my ACT in high school, and have done college coursework since then, so I expect to do fairly well.</p>

<p>Things I think I have going for me:</p>

<ul>
<li><p>I am the founder and president of a student veterans' organization on campus. This is a Student Leadership Program position, and I'll be given a co-curricular transcript outlining my responsibilities and achievements.</p></li>
<li><p>I've had a few pieces of poetry published in "little magazines."</p></li>
<li><p>I know I have a few people who will write me glowing recommendations, and will be able to get one from my Dean of Students.</p></li>
<li><p>I'm confident I can write a decent essay.</p></li>
<li><p>I think my military record works in my favor (?)</p></li>
<li><p>I'm Phi Theta Kappa, if that helps. I'm also taking some honors courses, but the honors program at my school is a pilot program started this term, so I won't have enough time to take everything I'd need to to graduate "with honors." In general, though, I've tried to take challenging courses. for instance, I'm a philosophy major, but I took biology and chemistry courses designed for hard science majors, and math courses for math/science/engineering majors.</p></li>
<li><p>I did some hurricane recovery work after Katrina...rebuilding houses and such. I think that might look good an application.</p></li>
</ul>

<p>Things I'm worried about:</p>

<ul>
<li><p>My mediocre high school grades. How much will that matter? High school was a decade ago.</p></li>
<li><p>I'm dirt poor. I know they say they don't care, but is that true? The only money I have for college is my GI Bill.</p></li>
<li><p>I took one gym class pass/no pass and got a "no pass." I couldn't come to all the required sessions and I was really just taking it for myself. At the time, I had not intentions of applying to a top school. I'm retaking it to get a pass, but the first grade will still show on my transcript. It doesn't affect my GPA.</p></li>
<li><p>It's Yale. 'Nuff said.</p></li>
</ul>

<p>So, do I have a shot? Is it worth trying for? Any advice on how to distinguish myself? I have until March 1 to apply. Also, is it better to take the ACT or SAT or both?</p>

<p>Thanks!</p>

2

<p>You should have a look at their Whitney program for non traditional students. Columbia and Penn have similar programs. Being 9 years older than the typical undergrad at any school could be a challenge.</p>

3

<p>If I understand correctly, the Eli Whitney Program is for students who aren’t currently enrolled anywhere. Maybe I’m wrong on that.</p>

<p>Will my age prevent me from being admitted?</p>

4

<p>[Eli</a> Whitney Students Program ? A Program for Non-Traditional Students | Yale College Admissions](<a href=“http://admissions.yale.edu/eli-whitney]Eli”>Eli Whitney Students Program | Yale College Undergraduate Admissions)
Start here. I’m fairly certain you qualify as Eli Whitney and may be a better fit than regular Yale college. They do accept transfers. I’m not as familiar with it though and can only wish you good luck.</p>

5

<p>i have some friends who transferred to stanford who are about the age you are and they came in as standing sophomores. it won’t hurt you at all. </p>

<p>your experience in the army will be a boost to your application also. i could be mistaken but i believe they have to give veterans some preference in the admissions process. i saw something like that on their site last spring. </p>

<p>good luck mate</p>

6

<p>Based on your background and academic record since your discharge from the military, I’d say that you have an excellent chance at being admitted. I would check with Yale as to whether the standard Yale college transfer app or the Eli Whitney app is more appropriate. Someone in the admissions office will easily be able to answer that.</p>

<p>I’m a senior at Yale, and I’ve met and heard of a number of students who have non-traditional backgrounds similar to yours (smart but not necessarily focused on academics in high school, did meaningful work or important national service after HS, now looking to get a college education). Perhaps because of its current emphasize on foreign policy and IR, Yale seems to look <em>particularly</em> favorably on applications from veterans. I know of quite a few (both undergrad and grad).</p>

<p>As for money, that should not be a problem. Yale offers excellent financial aid. For traditional undergrads, anyone whose family makes ≤ $65,000/year goes essentially tuition free (the only tuition requirement for those students is a small “self-help” contribution; students do work-study, or use funds from summer jobs or outside scholarship). I think Yale financial aid for Whitney students may be particularly good; again, someone in the admissions office should be able to tell you more about that.</p>

<p>Basically, I’d say that Yale is definitely a good school for you to consider, and I think you’d have an excellent chance of getting in.</p>

<p>Best,
hdm245</p>