Ask a Yale Student (ie: me)

<p>I’m a high school sophmore and I’m thinking of attending Yale’s 2011 summer session. If I go (and do well) will it improve my chances of being accepted? And do you think there is any possible way I could get a professor at Yale to write a letter of recommendation?</p>

<p>And if I’m not mistaken, the credit load required to graduate is 36, correct?</p>

<p>^yes so most people take 4 credits one semester, 5 another. or 4.5 and 4.5. or 5 and 5 one year, 4 and 4 the next. depends on the classes you choose as well.</p>

<p>One last question. What do you think that admissions officers look at the most in an applicant? I’ve heard everything from what makes you unique to your class schedule to your GPA, but I just want to know what kind of things do people to get into schools like Yale. I see a bunch of credentials of Yale hopefuls, but almost none of those of people who actually got accepted. So, what do you think they pay attention to most?</p>

<p>Did all current Yale students had straight As all throught their high school years? (excuse my grammar)
My friend who “loves” Yale got a B this years. She is only a sophomore but she still cares alot about her grades, teacher, Colleges,etc. She did have straight A and she is in the top 10 in her school. Does one B affect her or anyone that much?</p>

<p>How is nightlife at Yale? Do students go to clubs? or do they just party in a residential college room?</p>

<p>Hi, could i see the essays u wrote as an example to follow… ?</p>

<p>Hi, this is going to be a long…babbly story, so I apologize in advance.
I had attended a middle school that had no advanced/honors classes, so when I switched to a “better” high school, I wasn’t allowed to take honors classes as a freshman. Still, I got all A’s and scored well on my state tests. Sophomore year I took two AP classes-World History and Biology and two honors classes- geometry and English 10H. But, sophomore year I also was REALLY sick for a majority of the year, and spent more time at doctor’s offices and the ER than school, honestly. Because of that, I MAY end up with two “high B’s” (90ish) in AP Biology and honors geometry at the end of the year. Last time it was calculated, my cumulative GPA was 95.71 for all of freshman and half of sophomore year. This is unweighted-our school doesn’t weight honors or advanced placement classes and goes on a scale to 99 as the highest. Junior year, I plan to take more advanced courses- AP US History, AP Chemistry, and half a year of AP English Comp (it’s built into our English 11 Honors course) as well as both Algebra 2/Trig and Pre-Calc (I’ll have no lunch because of this), so that I can take AP Calc my senior year. Senior year I will be taking (most likely) AP English Lit, AP European History, AP Physics, and AP Latin. I also plan to take our school’s pyschology course, buy an AP review book, and take the AP Pyschology test. I’m finally starting to get healthy and expect my grades to go back up junior and senior year.
As far as extracurriculars go, I was in history club freshman year, history club/mock trial/show choir sophomore year, and plan to do all of these plus key club junior year. The way clubs work at our school makes it difficult to join more than one since all clubs meet at the same time.
Freshman year I babysat a lot. The summer after freshman year, I worked as a nanny for three girls. During sophomore year, my illness made working pretty much impossible. This summer (after sophomore year) I am going to the National Student Leadership Conference for Forensic Science, which I got invivted to because of my high PSAT scores (Better than 99% of sophomores and 96% of juniors). After I return home, I plan to get a part time job and look into different volunteering activities.
All that said…(congratulations if you made it through) how much of a chance do I REALLY have at getting into Yale? I’ve always loved the school and hate leaving after visits. It seems like such a perfect fit. But I’m fairly certain I could never get in.</p>

<p>Hey, im going to be a senior this year and so i’ve been figuring out what colleges i want to apply to. I’ve been having a hard time picking which colleges I’d like to apply to-- except yale. Yale is definitely my top choice it’s the one college I really want to get into. </p>

<p>I got a letter from the dean of admissions. I know they send this out to everyone, but I had some questions and i really liked the letter and stuff. Would i be wasting his time if I sent him a letter with my questions and stuff? I also went to a seminar held by some alumni and the assistant dean of admissions, Leah. She was really cool. Actually, all the alumni were cool. Would it be more apprpriate to send a letter to her?</p>

<p>I was also planning on visiting yale in late July. Should i ask for an interview?</p>

<p>This is perhaps the most petty (no pun intended) question asked on this forum, but…there is one thing holding me back from Yale–the fact that no pets are allowed in ANY of the residential colleges. I adore Yale with all my heart, but I must admit that I love my sweet little kitty with every ounce of my being!!! I can’t bear to leave him behind, especially for a 10-hour-driving distance away! He’s getting older, and my worst nightmare is that I’d go off to college and then get a grim phone call from my household. Call me sappy, or hopeless romantic, or downright pathetic, but I really want to be there for my kitty. What do you think are the odds that any of the res. colleges would allow one little quiet, neat, tidy, well-groomed kitty? Or more? Why, exactly, is the no pets policy in place? I sound ridiculous, but I’m dead serious. Animals are the largest element of my life, next to education. Help!!</p>

<p>First world problems</p>

<p>

Yale won’t allow you to have a pet. And it won’t allow you to live off-campus as a freshman, either. If you really, really have to have your pet with you, you should choose a college that doesn’t have these restrictions.</p>

<p>Please use old threads for information only, use the New Thread button to ask your question.</p>

<p>Closing old thread.</p>