<p>I applied to Yale regular decision this year and was rejected. I'd like to re-apply this fall, but I'm not sure of the odds or if its even worth it. SAT's weren't all that great (1330, 600, 800, 740), and I would certainly take the time to really study and significantly boost my scores. I know that Yale specifically stated on their site that very few applicants get accepted their second time, but this is really where I want to be. Next year I plan on taking a year off and studying or performing community serivce work in Japan through the AFS exchange program for a semester. After that, I plan on taking music classes (my passion is for percussion) at University of Southern Maine and online "AP" courses through Standford. Would it help to have stats of high school posted on here? Has anyone had luck/failure with a post-grad year? Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated! Thanks.</p>
<p>Well, you definitely have determination - that boosts your chances, believe me:) But it would also take VERY hard work to get admitted the 2nd time. I would suggest trying, though, because ppl willing to take chances often win.</p>
<p>I would suggest painstakingly learning about all the criteria that Yale uses and writing out your plan to make all of them apparent in your application in the brightest manner. It would also help to communicate with AdmOffice to show them your determination (but not overbearing, beware), optimism and desire to overcome setbacks - they will respect that. You might just try to ask them several of your questions. Communication with the office always helps, especially in your case.</p>
<p>Just keep in mind that it doesn't take the APs and the Japanese year to get there. What is important is WHAT you do in Japan, so try to find ways in which you could become a unique applicant as a result of this experience. Just going to Japan does not mean much, as well as taking APs. But if you can show your uniqueness (or just emphasize unique aspects of your candidacy) through that experience - that could become your "hook".</p>
<p>Most of all, I would suggest making THE MOST of your year off and making sure that this gets on your next application. WHat the AdComs might respect is the determination and persistence. If you combine those qualities with the unique aspect of your character apparent from your activities this year - this would certainly give you a chance.</p>
<p>Good luck.</p>
<p>Hmm...all good things to know. Something that someone brought to my attention was that a great year in a solid college will look more impressive than various activities through so-so institutions. Any takes on this? I understand this perspective, but the transfer rate for Yale (and most Ivies) is extremely low...under 5% last year, and I'm sure many of those transfer applicants had the "great first year" of college but did not stick out to admission officers. To me, it seems less appealing to take that route than to take a risk, pursue an independent plan and hopefully blow their socks off.</p>
<p>Some things to think about. Any other suggestions? Let me know if stats would help...</p>
<p>Duuuuude, you're me...kinda. I went to Japan for a semester with AFS (well, not really AFS but a program like it), and I took a year off after high school and i'm going to y next year.Seriously, though, Japan is the bestest-- After being there you won't care about going to Yale anymore.</p>
<p>But if you do...My suggestion is just to try to improve in any areas that you thought were lacking. I wouldn't depend too much on the U of Maine classes getting you far b/c the Yale application deadline is before second semester really gets underway, no? Maybe take classes over the summer rather than second semester?</p>
<p>Try to improve your essays, try to get additional/better teacher recs, if you have time retake the SATs that might help. Do interviews again, try and develop a relationship w/ the admissions person for your area. Like elberet said, showing determination is key.</p>
<p>Good luck!</p>
<p>Hey cool. What did you do in Japan? I'm debating whether to study or perform community serivce. I mean, I've done the coursework in high school (I'll be graduating with 5 APs), and I would like to really pursue a different area rather than academics, and I think the admission officers would really admire that. Also, how much Japanese did you know before going to Japan? What was it like working/studying in a completely different culture/language?</p>
<p>If/when I choose to re-apply, is it appropriate to say on the application "enrolled in ____ and ____ at UMaine and Stanford"? I mean, if I'm not actually involved in the class when I apply, can I still comment on enrollment? </p>
<p>What did you do for your year off? Did it help in admissions (well...apparently it did....)?</p>
<p>Thanks for the reply.</p>
<p>The reason I ask about prior knowledge/experience is because I know that education in Japan is rigorious, and I can't imagine how difficult it would be not knowing what my teachers are saying. So maybe community service is the way to go....plus, I would have enough studying with the new SAT's and my U.S. History (600) and Writing (740) SATII.</p>
<p>"a great year in a solid college" - I do not think so. They would just let you stay there. :) What you should do is perhaps something unique and unusual, something they could admire you for - to show them that you really do STAND OUT.Just follow your passion and interest and pursue the activities that are most exciting to you - if you don't get into Yale, at least you'll have a great time;)</p>
<p>Thanks elberet 24...</p>
<p>Anyone else?</p>
<p>Weeelll</p>
<p>I was 16 when I went, so I was enrolled in a Japanese high school. The culture shock wasn't so awful (at first, anyway), but the language shock was intense. Before I left I had been studying Japanese on my own with books and stuff, so I could say basic things and read katakata/hiragana and a few kanji, but when I got there it was still pretty overwhelming. </p>
<p>What kind of academic program would you pursue in Japan? If you can, I'd try to attend a language school because I don't really think you'd get a ton out of a straight-Japanese academic program. Besides English, math, and sometimes physics I didn't understand any of my teachers' lectures, so after about 3 weeks I stopped trying :-) And because of the character-based writing system it's really, really hard (read: near-impossible) to try to go home and decipher what the lesson was actually about.</p>
<p>Another thing to keep in mind is that Japanese people are kind of funny in that I wouldn't be surprised if they interpret "community service" as having you teach English to little kids all day. Even so, whatever you do I'm sure it will be a lot of fun. Japan is such a wacky (in a good way) country that you can't help but enjoy yourself.</p>
<p>I was actually accepted at Yale last year, and decided to defer for medical reasons, so it didn't really have a bearing on the admissions side. This year i've mostly been sorting that stuff out, working, and taking random classes at CCs. All things considered i haven't been super-duper productive, but it was still definitely a really good decision.</p>
<p>Please ask if you've got any more questions.</p>
<p>Gambatte yo!</p>
<p>I'm not sure what program...I assume AFS would set it up for me. </p>
<p>To tell you the truth, I don't know about academics, since I really won't be able to understand what they are saying. I would love to reach or perform some sort of community service, but I don't think AFS offers that. Are there other pograms that you would suggest?</p>
<p>bump bump bump</p>
<p>Hmmm...</p>
<p>I don't know how old you are or how extensively you've researched your options yet, but I know most traditional exchange programs don't accept high school grads/ people over 18 due to Japan's crazy-strict visa policy.</p>
<p>The only other thing I can think of is a language school (I don't know any in particular, but there are tons of them). You usually live with a host family or in an apartment of some sort, have Japanese lessons for like 20 or so hours a week, then get the rest of the time to do whatever.</p>
<p>bump bump bump bump bump</p>