<p>I was just wondering if anyone has ever been accepted with an SAT score below 2000? I know Yale looks at more than just the SAT, but how important is it really? Could good ECs, essays, and Letters of Rec make up for a low SAT score?</p>
<p>It’s highly unlikely for a student without a major hook. </p>
<p><a href=“http://www.yale.edu/oir/open/pdf_public/W032_Fresh_SATs.pdf[/url]”>http://www.yale.edu/oir/open/pdf_public/W032_Fresh_SATs.pdf</a></p>
<p>whats considered a hook?</p>
<p>Hooks are ethnicity (if you are black, native American, Hispanic) or if you have done something huge in your ECs (international awards like ibo, IMO, etc., published author, etc.)</p>
<p>Students who are hooked are recruited athletes, talented URMs, and development cases (e.g., parents have financed the construction of a library on campus). Students with major extracurricular awards and achievements may have an admissions advantage, but it’s not a classic hook.</p>
<p>OK. So, I am getting rejected, no matter what hooks I have (URM, first person to graduate high school, and attend college, and <20K income) YAY! Thanks guys. </p>
<p>Okay okay, I know that there’s still a chance, but less of a chance that I am getting accepted considering that I have WAAAY below average SATs (and I am not exaggerating.) Plus, it seems that all the URMs with low stats got likely letters. (Just my opinion.)</p>
<p>would losing 90 lbs (went from 270 to 180lbs) before/during my senior year be considered a hook? something that separates me from others, i dont know. I wrote about it in my application.</p>
<p>Not a hook, but it might make you stand out for your perseverance and work-ethic (assuming everything else is decent).</p>
<p>Re post 7: No, that is not a hook. Hooks are narrowly defined. If you get past the basic threshold on academics (transcript + scores), a compelling essay about your weight loss could conceivably help your application. But standing alone, significant weight loss is most definitely not a hook or distinguishing factor for admissions purposes.</p>
<p>Ok, thanks. So it could help then, even with a low SAT score. That makes me feel a little better.</p>
<p>when you say “threshold” do they just throw anyone out who does not have good transcripts and scores, or what?</p>
<p>I know my hooks definitely count, but I have loow SAT scores, wonderful upward trend in GPA, lots of ECs, and leadership, and a good GPA and rigor of courseload. But hey, it’s Yale right? Everyone has good stats, who they’ll choose…probably legacies and athletes… instead of pitifully under represented minorities such as myself. = '(</p>
<p>No, however you would have to have extraordinary extracurriculars to gain an acceptance over other students who do have those stats.</p>
<p>Students with weaker transcripts and scores face tough sledding at the most competitive schools. For most students with lower grades and scores, the essay will likely be read, but will have little weight. There are, of course, exceptions.</p>
<p>Oh, ok. Thanks for your help. My ECs are better than normal, but not extraordinary. Do you know if applying to an unpopular major will help, such as Film Studies?</p>
<p>These questions have been answered on the Yale board; you may want to do an archive search. All students are accepted to Yale College. You don’t apply to a particular major, and trying to target an “unpopular” major doesn’t help. One possible exception: Yale is trying to draw more top engineering and science students, so expressing interest in one of those majors may help – but only if the expressed interest is accompanied by significant achievements/honors in the area.</p>
<p>Alright, thank you for all of your help. I guess all I have to do is wait.</p>