<p>"I'm not counting on my ethnicity to get me in, but I wouldn't say that my stats aren't on par, especially since I personally know people who have gotten into Yale with lesser stats than mine."</p>
<p>Yes, you know people who have gotten in with "lesser" stats, but you also know people who got in with "superior" stats. What does that say about you? It says you can't count on comparing yourself to people as a means to gage whether or not you'll get in.</p>
<p>In a way, I hope you do end up applying Yale EA. That way, you'll finally understand.</p>
<p>As for your scores, your ACT is on the low side. A 27 translates to less than a 2100 on the SAT. The average for Yale is 2200+, so, in order to even get into the pool for consideration, you need at least that.</p>
<p>The fact that you're from a drop out factory suggests the rigor of your APs, despite taking so many of them, might not equate to the rigor of courses of students from, say, not drop out factories. In essence, when presented with stats/ECs/ethnicity equal to yours but the other student's school happens to be a magnet school known for a hard curriculum, guess who is going to get in?</p>
<p>Work hard in the next few months earning awards in your ECs and understanding yourself.</p>
<p>Obviously my 5 in an AP class demonstrates that although my school's curriculum may not be as rigorous as top private schools, I can more than handle myself come test day. I'm sorry, but I can't help my situation and the fact that going to an inner city school is all it allows me. I would like to think that colleges will see that I've tried to create opportunities for myself while those in magnet schools with hard curriculums have them at a premium.</p>
<p>Also, I know that comparing yourself shouldn't be something you should be concetrating on, but everyone does it, particularly at this time of year when stress levels are high. It shouldn't be taken to heart, but most can't help it. I know that just because someone with lower stats than mine got accepted doesn't mean I will. I never said I would. I'm just presenting an example that higher stats and perfect scores aren't the end all be all.</p>
<p>Lastly, I know my scores are low. That's why I'm hoping my SAT Subject Tests can make up for them. I'm trying for mid-700s. I'm sorry if I come off as being sure of my chances because that's TRULY far from the case.</p>
<p>OliveTree: Consider changing the fifth word of your post #3 to "well" from "good". Next year may be more difficult for college admissions than this year, so you might want to add some less competitive schools to your list. Vassar & Wheaton College (Massachusetts) could be matches for you. For an intended journalism major, Columbia & Northwestern should be on the top of your list. Columbia is a match school for you. Class rank, URM, socio-economic status, first generation college student & focused passions should enable you to do well in the college admissions process. I encourage you to apply to a dozen schools.</p>
<p>^ What are ECs that are on par? Also, by "stats" do you mean my test scores or ECs? I get frustrated because I don't know what activities are enough of an advantage to get you accepted. Not only that, but I'm not a Math/Science person so RSI and SSP are not of interest to me.
So can anyone buy me a clue as to what activities are extraordinary and need no money to participate in to give me a clear advantage?</p>
<p>Also, Vassar will be added to the list. I have been thinking about applying for a long time.</p>
<p>chill out. don't do activities that you think will give you a "clear advantage" - do ones that you honestly enjoy (which will therefore give you an advantage in life far beyond the college admissions process).</p>
<p>I worded that wrong. I meant to say that I'm confused and curious about these so-called "on par" activities. It seems everyone says that to all of the posters on this board I wasn't asking about what activities I should do to have an advantage, but that's what it seems now that I look back at my post.</p>
<p>I just received my ACT score and I got a 26. I'm disappointed since I was basically one question away from a 27. =( Yes, I know it's a bit low for Yale but I won't retake it and instead focus on my SAT Subject Tests. They may be my saving grace.</p>
<p>fyi, ACT w/ writing substitutes for the SAT & SAT IIs</p>
<p>if you're not taking ACT again but you are taking subject tests, i would try the SAT I. if you do well there, you def shouldn't even send that ACT.</p>
<p>To tell you the truth, I'm just sick of tests and really want to use the time I have from now on until college admissions for AP tests, SAT Subject Tests and, most importantly, ECs in order to make them as strong as possible. Also, I think the ACT was easier for me and my SAT might be lower. BTW, what's my score converted to the SAT?</p>
<p>BTW, is my GPA on par with Yale and other top colleges? Although the maximum at my school is a 5.0, the system is strangely weighted so that about a 4.2 is the maximum anyone can get. My GPA would have been close to that, but Math this year ruined me. Will this hurt me?</p>