Am I going to New Haven? (ill chance back!)

Chance Me / Match Me!
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<p>Your best bet is to maintain your grades (harder than you might think…never assume you’ll graduate with a 4.0) and get that SAT score as high as possible. I have no faith in the PSAT after my experience with it versus SAT scores, so I’d recommend scouring the SAT forum for some great advice. Take one SAT II this year as well (or early fall) to have one under your belt. </p>

<p>EC-wise, I’m impressed by your Math/Science and Photography involvement, but the other stuff is just noise. Perhaps this is a radical suggestion, but I would cut everything but those two categories. This leaves you time to intensely pursue those two passions. </p>

<p>As for photography leadership, I think “leadership” is a word thrown around too much. Club presidencies are popularity contests, and there are ways to be a leader without a title. In the case of photography, accomplishment rather than leadership should be your focus. Yale has plenty of applicants striving to be president; if you’re not one of them, don’t force yourself to be Photography Club president.</p>

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<p>Thanks! You don’t think I should bother with summer jobs/internships/sports if they dont relate directly to photo/math/science? To clarify, in college I would like to double major in Physics and Econ. Are you sure that this strategy still makes sense? Thanks for all input!</p>

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<p>Yale - Borderline, GPA-wise, students both frequently get accepted and rejected. What was your overall SAT I score? I’m guessing factors like that and essays (if they have them), teacher recs, etc will be the deciding factor. It will be somewhat of a reach but definitely possible.</p>

<p>Princeton - Ditto for GPAs. The best of the rejected often are about the same as the average accepted student. Statistically, you’re below average for accepted students, but not severely. Your other factors, like for Yale, will have to be excellent.</p>

<p>Duke - Your GPA is average for accepted students. It’ll depend on the other factors like EC.</p>

<p>Chicago - Keep getting top-notch grades, and your GPA (and SAT assuming your SAT II subject scores are reflective of an SAT I score) are where they should be. Try to get an interview, write a good essay of course, and get 2 good teacher recommendations, and you would probably be admitted.</p>

<p>Tufts - Your GPA is slightly above the admitted average (3.9). Get a letter of recommendation from your Guidance Counselor and get the teacher you think will write you the best recommendation, and again try to get an interview. Your ECs are definitely what they’re looking for and will make you stand out. Write a good essay and, although nothing is very certain with these top schools, you have good chances.</p>

<p>Notre Dame - GPA, ditto for Tufts. Assuming again your SAT I is reflective of those SAT II scores, then those are above average. Good match.</p>

<p>Overall there is a good outlook for getting into the schools listed if they are your favorite choices. The top ones like Princeton and Yale are a reach for almost everyone, and might not be completely objective in who gets accepted or not, since they get so many well qualified, top-tier applicants. Good Luck!</p>

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<p>Thank You all for chances/suggestions. Andy – What is the acceptable GPA for Y and P? At my school no one has EVER gotten a 4.0 :frowning: I have a 4.0 - one A-. Is this unacceptable? We don’t calculated GPA so I hand calculated the one I provided – it might be wrong :(. Also, If i take more AP classes over the next two years, planned on 3 jr and 4 sr I think it should boost my weighted avg, if it does will this bring my GPA into the acceptable range for Y and P? Thanks, YaleCat</p>

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<p>you have a decent shot. I dont know if you wanna live in new haven for four years that city is terrible.</p>

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<p>Yale - reach
Princeton - reach
Duke - high match/low reach
UChicago - match based on quality of essay
Tufts - high match
Notre Dame - match
RIT - in</p>

<p>if you can keep up your grades and do well on the SAT you have a shot…remember its nearly impossible for anyone to get into Yale but ur stats put u in a good position</p>

<p><a href=“http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/what-my-chances/915376-chances-some-east-coast-schools.html[/url]”>http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/what-my-chances/915376-chances-some-east-coast-schools.html&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt;

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<p>Yale - reach
Princeton - reach
Duke - high match/low reach
UChicago - match based on quality of essay
Tufts - high match
Notre Dame - match
RIT - in</p>

<p>if you can keep up your grades and do well on the SAT you have a shot…remember its nearly impossible for anyone to get into Yale but ur stats put u in a good position</p>

<p><a href=“http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/what-my-chances/915376-chances-some-east-coast-schools.html[/url]”>http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/what-my-chances/915376-chances-some-east-coast-schools.html&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt;

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<p>Thanks for the chances! I actually really like New Haven. Any other suggestions?</p>

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<p>bump, please any more suggestions?</p>

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<p>

</p>

<p>I’m saying that, strictly from an admissions standpoint, it probably makes the most sense to focus your efforts and produce accomplishments. However, if an incredible summer opportunity regarding something totally unrelated comes along, it would be silly to disregard it in favor of gaming the admissions game. The chances you’ll be rejected from Yale is, statistically speaking, incredibly high. Even for those with perfect stats and awards up the wazoo, nothing is certain. Don’t sacrifice something you would enjoy for admissions. In fact, my recommendation to par down your ECs is partially for your own sanity, since it will free up your schedule. If your sanity would be better served taking on an extra activity you really enjoy, go for it!</p>

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<p>I think most of the people here have covered it for you… The best thing you could do for yourself is get a great SAT or ACT score. I would retake that physics SAT2 and make sure you take MathII.
Your EC’s are GREAT, by the way. That stuff really shows through as a passion (just point them to your website) and is sure to give you a very good edge.
Good luck, I think you’re on your way!</p>

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<p>Not bad, not bad. Awesome stats but, to be brutally honest, pitiful extracurriculars. However, you’re in luck: EC’s are easy to pad up. Join a sport, 3 clubs, volunteer 70 hours this summer, make a company, do whatever. Or do them all!
Chances:
Yale- reach (for all)
Princeton- same as the far inferior Yale
Duke- same as the far superior Princeton and the far inferior Yale
UChicago- low reach
Tufts- match
Notre Dame- match
RIT- In with substantial scholarship</p>

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<p>Thanks all! And I do believe everything has just about been said. I appreciate all opinions. Just one final question with regard to IZahiris post…First, I play a varsity sport :stuck_out_tongue: and have lettered both high school years :slight_smile: We can only join one club at school and I have founded the one I am currently in. I have 100 hours of community service so far, plan to put in 50+ at first tee and 30 for the aviary. But I am interested in NONE of this stuff (with the exception of golf!) What I love is photography! Should I really bother doing things that I don’t love just to “pad” my resume? Because I could right down a heck of a lot more meaningless garbage that I did because my mom told me to. I have long term goals in photography that I hope to achieve by application time but these will require most, if not all, of my time. I am asking sincerely if I should bother “padding” resume or spend time with something I am passionate about. Yes, I agree, my ECs are not “ivy-caliber,” not great but not horrible, but in my opinion, padding a resume will not bring them up to par. Any final opinions before I retire this thread and begin enjoying my last years before college?</p>

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<p>bump…any last suggestions before this post heads to the CC graveyard?</p>

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<p>Hey, want to exchange photography portfolios? I’d love to see your work, as I do quite a bit in photography myself as well.</p>

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<p>I would love to chance this in a year, it just doesn’t seem practical to chance now.</p>

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<p>Definitely the latter, not only for your sanity but because it will likely produce more significant accomplishments if you concentrate your efforts. Remember, of course, that your extracurriculars are only as good as your stats–without a stellar SAT and a consistantly high GPA, all the photography awards in the world would do little good.</p>