<p>I'm applying early action to Yale, but I'd like to know if I actually have a chance. </p>
<p>GPA: 4.0 (unweighted), 4.21 (weighted)
school doesn't rank, but: 6/409
SAT: 770 math, 760 cr, 740 writing :(
SAT II: math 2 (800), chem (770), US hist (760)
ACT: english (36), math (36), reading (35), science (34) (funny how it decreases as the test progresses....)
APs (all 5s): US hist, chem, econ, eng lang
this year: AP eng lit, AP euro, AP calc bc, french 4, AP bio, AP physics C
south asian female, no legacy</p>
<p>ECs/volunteering/awards in brief:
Viola (1st chair in orchestra section, private lessons)
Model UN- vice president, secretariat of conference (organizing massive 400+ conference at our school)
National Honors Society- secretary
Hospital volunteer- 150+ hours
sunday school teacher- 70+ hours
Forensics (speech/drama, not dead people :P)
Fed Challenge (but this is the only one starting 12th grade, cause the advisor will only take seniors)
National Merit Semifinalist
Joyce Ivy Foundation Scholar (Scholarship for summer program at Johns Hopkins)
AP scholar (if that counts?)</p>
<p>recs: decent ( i don't want to assume they'll be great)
essays: decent (but i'm working really hard to try to make them awesome)</p>
<p>i know this is long, but i really appreciate any comments/tips/help i can get.
and also, be harsh, i want to know realistic expectations/comments
thank you thank you thank you to anyone that replies :D</p>
<p>Academically, you’re solid. Your EC’s are nice, but there really isn’t anything “special” about you to be honest. Basically, you are like most of the applicants, damn good students with an array of extra activities, but nothing that makes you stand out. Maybe you have something you can write a superb essay about, but you’re the average Yale applicant right now.</p>
<p>^ Agree. You gotta show them they need to take you, instead of the hundreds of other people with your stats applying too.</p>
<p>Thank you so much for the advice! it’s actually useful as oppose to the fluffy “oh of course you’ll get in” responses i get from school
so, do you think an exceptional essay (if i could pull it off) might be enough to make me stand out? because, with my relatively dull suburban life, that’s pretty much my only option</p>
<p>Excellent essays and exceptional letters of recommendation make a big difference at Yale:
[Q</a>. and A.: College Admissions - NYTimes.com](<a href=“Q. and A.: College Admissions - The New York Times”>Q. and A.: College Admissions - The New York Times)</p>
<p>Thank you all 
I guess it’s high time i seriously revise those essays, hopefully the recs will be atleast good (<em>fingers crossed</em>)
anyhoo, the advice is much appreciated
again, muchas gracias</p>
<p>As an Asian, I will share with you an important advice I received. Make sure in your essay you write what nobody else could. Try to avoid popular topics and cliches.</p>
<p>go asians!!!</p>
<p>anywayyy…
i’ll definitely keep that in mind, thanks :]</p>
<p>Looks good - But I do not know… I am going SCEA. Good luck!</p>