Am I a viable candidate for Yale University?

Chance Me / Match Me!
1

How likely is it that I’d be accepted to Yale University Class of 2021? I’m a current junior at a small catholic school with an unweighted GPA of about 3.9. My SAT score is 2250 (740 CR, 780 M, 730 W), along with SAT II scores of 750 on literature and US History. By the time I graduate, I plan on take 11 AP courses, along with self-teaching 4 (a total of 15 exams taken). I’m the captain of my school’s debate team, an editor on my school paper, co-captain of the drama-club, class secretary, heavily involved in student council, national honor society member, math team organizer, editor of my school’s literary magazine, and political activist. In regards to debate, I’ve competed on both the local and national circuits, advancing to out-rounds at various tournaments. I plan on applying for the USA debate team next year as well. In regards to politics, I’ve written blog posts for publications like the Huffington Post. I, too, have spearheaded a 500 person grassroots campaign effort in my area known as “Cape Cod for Bernie Sanders,” where I’ve planned canvassing, phone-banks, tabling, rallies, parties, meetings, and more. I’m in the process of applying for an internship with Senator Elizabeth Warren for August 2016. I’ll, too, be applying for the Senate Youth Program next fall. I’m an active member of the Coffee Party’s campaign group. I’ve worked on various local state representative and state senate campaigns, as well. This spring, I plan on applying for a national position with High School Democrats of America, and will be attending their summit in June.

Side note: after attending an international affairs program at the University of Pennsylvania last summer, I felt inspired to apply for the Yale YGS politics, law, and economics program for the summer of 2016. I will hear back about that in a few months.

I feel that I’m at a disadvantage as I attend a school with few academic or extracurricular options. What are, in all honesty, my chances of being accepted to Yale, and how can I improve them?

2

horrible chances. slim to none. wouldn’t bother applying

3

goldfisharetasy, the OP may not know you are being sarcastic.

4

as a reach school you have as much chance as other good students: very slim. Apply to matches and safeties too.

5

You have a shot, go ahead and apply.

6

You would be a competitive applicant.

That’s all that can be said for any top tier school.

7

You have a chance, so apply.

8

@jaketibbs, you are definitely a competitive applicant. What is better, you appear to have a clear focus in politics that ties in to your extracurricular interests (speech and debate, school leadership, etc.), with a high level of achievement in that area. It sounds like you are doing these things because of a genuine interest and passion, not because of how they appear to colleges. This is what Chris Peterson calls “applying sideways”:

http://mitadmissions.org/blogs/entry/applying_sideways

No one can guarantee you more than a shot at Yale or similar institutions, but generally these schools love academically qualified applicants who are passionately invested in their lives. The things that you are already pursuing (Yale YGS, the Senate Youth Program, High School Democrats of America, etc.) are in the right direction for someone with your interest. As we will be entering an election year in just over 2 days, there should be lots of opportunities for someone with your interests and background to get involved.

Adcoms generally aren’t very impressed by a laundry list of extracurricular activities pursued at a superficial level. The are very impressed by sustained and focused participation in an area of true personal interest, especially if that participation is distinguished by a high level of achievement or external recognition. Even more impressive is when someone is able to take it to the “next level” and do something that can’t easily be replicated by others - what Cal Newport calls the “failed simulation test”:

http://calnewport.com/blog/2010/03/26/how-to-get-into-stanford-with-bs-on-your-transcript-failed-simulations-the-surprising-psychology-of-impressiveness/

Your combined activities in the political grassroots arena has put you in a position to do some distinctive things. Keep an eye open to ways to spin your interest in new directions and to opportunities that may arise because of the expertise you have acquired through sustained effort and passion. Ignore the other stuff, and keep doing what you obviously love, whether or not it ends up getting you into Yale.

9

Jake Tibbets, you need to be better at congress to get in :wink: (The chances of finding you on here though…)

10

You will get into a school that is a solid fit for you.

Most likely that school is not Yale.

What would help?

  • win a national or International competition
  • patent a product
  • launch a successful company
  • Senior Class President
  • Valedictorian
  • Editor in Chief school paper
  • National Honor Society President
  • Young Arts finalist
  • National Merit finalist
11

First, sounds like your school has tons of academic and extracurricular options. Most schools in the US probably do not even have a math club.
Second, definitely apply, you have MUCH MORE than a slim chance, unlike what some other repliers have said. You have a very solid chance of getting in.
Third, in response to ClarinetDad’s suggestions, while

  • win a national or International competition
  • patent a product
  • launch a successful company
    are RIDICULOUSLY impressive,
  • Senior Class President
  • Valedictorian
  • Editor in Chief school paper
  • National Honor Society President
  • Young Arts finalist
  • National Merit finalist
    are not very impressive. These last 6 are so common and so easy to lie and exaggerate about that they mean nothing.

I am 3 of those last 6 things, but I don’t think I’m going to even bother putting it on my app because they are not what I am proud or passionate about. Compared to the first 3, when I even think about those 3 I get all clammy because I cannot even fathom what person I would have to be in order to achieve those. (well except maybe the patent thing)

Back to OP. Your ECs and interest in politics is unique enough to get you into HPYS.

12

__

13

@ClarinetDad16 I’m currently top of my class, will likely be editor-in-chief of my school paper and have been tapped to be president of NHS next year (both positions that are only available to seniors at my school). Can’t say anything about patenting anything thus far, lol.

14

Also forgot to mention – I play trombone, guitar, piano, bass, and drums, and am the captain of my school’s quiz bowl team.

15

Jake, it’s not that hard to make a company, though if Bernie Sanders wins, your organization thing is going to be pretty close.

16

I don’t believe in companies, @YomanAwe. We must abolish industry to preserve the freedom of the proletariat.

17

@theofrelord not sure you understand how few Young Arts finalists there are, or realize the names are published…

18

@theofrelord - do you know how few Young Arts finalists there are? And that list with their names is publicized…

National Merit finalist names are often shared as well…

And a school has one NHS president.

I highly doubt people lie about those accomplishments.

19

^^ @jaketibbs that’s reason #6346365592792756258 Bernie Sanders won’t be elected President

20

Just out of curiosity-what program did you do at Penn? I’m also interested in international relations, do you you have a link to it?