Chance me for Yale? Thanks!

Chance Me / Match Me!
1

<p>Hey everyone, I'm thinking of doing Yale scea next year and I was hoping you all could give me a little insight. Thanks in advance! All input is appreciated. </p>

<p>Unweighted GPA: 4.0
Cumulative weighted: 5.77
SAT: (Composite) 2300
Math: 770 Writing: 800 Reading: 730 (This is honestly what I'm most worried about)
Rank: 3</p>

<p>APs: Biology (5), Chemistry (5), World History (5), Computer Science (4), Calc AB (5), English Lang (5), US History (5), Psychology (5) </p>

<p>Senior Course Load: AP English Lit, AP Econ, AP Physics C, AP Calc BC, AP European History, Gym [Unfortunately required because I tacked on AP Bio my freshman year)</p>

<p>Intended Major: Either Physics or Biology.
State: Maryland
School type: Public
Ethnicity: White
Gender: Male</p>

<p>ECs:
- 4 Years of Varsity Badminton. Captain for my Junior and Senior years. Led the team to the county championships in 2011.
- 2 Years of Varsity Tennis.
- 3 Years of National Honor society.
- 3 Years of National Science Honor Society.
- 3 Years of National Spanish Honor Society.
- 2 Years National Math Honor Society (Mu Alpha Theta)
- 4 Years of It's Academic (like Quizbowl/trivia team). Team made it to the semi-finals of the multi-state wide televised competition. Also placed highly in various large regional tournaments (I can get the exact placings and details later.)
- 4 year active member of Key Club. Officer positions - Freshman on Board, Board member, Vice President, and Lieutenant Governor for Division 12 Key Club International. Voting delegate sent to International Convention in 2011. Campaign manager for Key Club International Trustee candidate (who won.)
Not all logged but probably around 300+ hours of community service.
- 2 Years Math Club.
- 2 Years Future Business Leaders of America. Officer Position: Parliamentarian
- 2 Years Young Democrats - Founding member
- Lutherville-Timonium Musical Ambassadors - Traveled to Scotland and England to play concerts in 2008.</p>

<p>Summer Activities:
- 2011 #1 seeded tennis player for the Roland Run Country Club Interclub team
- 3 Years Active member of the Loch Raven Badminton Club - Approx. 10 hours practice a week off season.
- 3 Years Self Employed Tutor. Tutored high-school and middle-school students in Science, Math, Spanish, General History and English
- 2010 Interned at the Space Telescope Science Institute on the Johns Hopkins Campus - Not sure how important this is but I worked very closely/directly under Dr. Michael Hauser, a renowned astrophysicist. He led a team that won the Nobel prize in 2006 as well as the Gruber prize. He is the former director of the STScI as well as an Adjunct professor of Physics and Astronomy at the Johns Hopkins University.
- 2011 Johns Hopkins Summer University program - One of two high-school students enrolled in Stars & the Universe, an astrophysics and astronomy course. I am still enrolled in the class so I can't post any final grades, but my average is somewhere around a 96 or 97 at the moment (Just took the midterm.)
- Currently (2011) working on an entirely self motivated and funded project. I am constructing a tunable frequency dye laser in my basement. There is no guarantee that I will be finished before applications are due, but I figured I should at least mention it. </p>

<p>EDIT: (Forgot this one) Co-Founder of a small computer repair business. It has been running for the last two years and coincided with a local cyber-guys going out of business hehehe. (Although probably unrelated I like to tell myself otherwise.)</p>

<p>Awards?:
- 2008 The Halliday Award for outstanding scholarship, dedicated school service and respectful character. One awarded per class.
- 2010 Second place in the Baltimore County Badminton Tournament for Mixed doubles
- 2011 Fourth Place for Men's singles in the Baltimore County Badminton Tournament (Not sure if I should include this one... very hopeful for a Gold medal this year.)
- 2011 First place in Computer Problem Solving at the Regional Future Business Leaders of America convention. </p>

<h2>- Principal's List for 11 of the last 12 quarters. (Principal's List is made by having perfect quarter grades. Aka I have only received one quarter B all of high school.)</h2>

<p>I have a few minor writing contest awards as well as some minor tennis trophy type things that I could dig up as well but I'm really not sure where they are right now. I doubt they would make too much of a difference anyway. </p>

<p>Recs: I can get an absolutely amazing one from my APUSH teacher. He is also my It's Ac coach so I have known him my entire highschool career, I will be taking Euro from him next year as well. Other teacher I haven't decided yet. Probably an good but not amazing one from either my Calc or Physics teacher. Additionally Dr. Hauser has written my a very flattering and professional letter of recommendation with all his credentials listed.
I know that Yale only accepts one additional/non teacher recommendation, but I could get a really bang up rec from my Badminton/Tennis coach (yes, same lady.) Do you think it would be wise to get that rather than Dr. Hauser's? </p>

<p>Well that's all I've got at the moment! Thanks for all your comments and sorry about the wall of text.</p>

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<p>are you applying to the engineering program or arts & sciences</p>

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<p>Arts and Sciences. I plan on doing straight up physics or biology.</p>

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<p>It’s an uncertain process, but you’re a strong candidate! Apply with confidence in yourself, write exceptional essays, and make sure your teachers have enough information to write informed and personal letters of recommendation.</p>

<p>If you have the opportunity between now and application time to participate in/create/do something spectacular, take it!</p>

<p>Though I didn’t ever apply to Yale, somehow I ended up reading admission advice on their website once…the “Advice to Candidates” section is extremely encouraging, thoughtful, and provides some good information. If you haven’t already read through it all, I think it’s worthwhile.</p>

<p>[What</a> Yale Looks For | Yale College Admissions](<a href=“http://admissions.yale.edu/what-yale-looks-for]What”>What Yale Looks For | Yale College Undergraduate Admissions)</p>

<p>Best of luck and don’t hesitate to PM me if there’s anything I can do to help out!</p>

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<p>Thanks! I’ll be sure to get those essays started asap. What exactly do you mean something spectacular? Any examples you could throw my way for some guidance? </p>

<p>Thanks for the links! You’ve been very helpful.</p>

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<p>Oops. Doubly forgetful. I just realized I left off my SAT2 scores.</p>

<p>Math2: 790
USH: 780
Bio: 780</p>

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<p>your EC list looks good, but if you have any cool opportunities you should take them that’s all</p>

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<p>Ahh okay, gotcha. I will do my best not to pass up any opportunities. I’ve been looking for research opportunities for a while but they sure are hard to come by.</p>

<p>While I’m at it I forgot an award.
2011 First place Men’s Doubles at the Maryland Junior Open for Badminton (Regional tournament, encompasses just about the entire East Coast.)</p>

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<p>Shameless bump. Any other thoughts anyone?</p>

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<p>I think you would be an excellent canidate for Yale SCEA. About your recommendation issue. Does Dr.Hauser know you better than your badminton/tennis coach? In my opinion, the one you spent the most time with, will likely write you a better more genuine rec.</p>

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<p>Thank you very much! </p>

<p>No, my coach knows me much better. She however has no first hand experience with me in any academic field. She did recommend me for a scholar athlete conference to represent our school though. I had to decline but she thinks very highly of me and is aware of some of the more superficial aspects of my transcript (i.e. GPA.)</p>

<p>I’m leaning toward having her write one, it’s a tough call though.</p>

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<p>No harm applying (you look incredibly well qualified), but you never know what might happen! Give it your best effort! Good luck!</p>

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<p>Thanks very much!</p>

<p>You’re very encouraging, and I certainly will. :D</p>

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<p>I think it’s in your best interest to really dedicate an absurd amount of time to your essays. An amount of time so horribly enormous that you will want to die</p>

<p>if you can write amazing yale essays I think your chances of getting in are very, very good</p>

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<p>Your ECs have a wow factor that is wonderful. Coupled with solid academics, you should have great chance at Yale SCEA.</p>

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<p>I would not be surprised if you get in, so good luck!</p>

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<p>Thanks guys! </p>

<p>And RE: Essays, I have started a common app essay already. But I heard somewhere that topic of your choice is generally frowned upon? Is there any substance to that?</p>

<p>I was having a hard time coming up with good ideas to be honest. I feel like that’s the hardest part.</p>

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<p>I guess I should have posed that question in another thread, I’ll do that later. Sorry!</p>

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<p>You have a wonderful chance at Yale! Your SATs should be the last of your worries, 2300 is extremely impressive.</p>

<p>I can’t find a flaw in your package - good luck.</p>

<p><a href=“http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/what-my-chances/1184450-chance-stanford-ea-princeton-northwestern-yale-duke-etc.html#post12987613[/url]”>http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/what-my-chances/1184450-chance-stanford-ea-princeton-northwestern-yale-duke-etc.html#post12987613&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt;

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<p>Thanks! I hope you’re right. I know it falls in the middle of the range for students admitted to Yale which isn’t a bad thing, but it’s not exactly going to make me stand out either.</p>

<p>I will chance you back as soon as I get a chance! (Haha) Although I’m not sure how helpful my input will be.</p>