Chances at Yale after Gap Year ... doing.....

Chance Me / Match Me!
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<p>I have decided not to travel to Japan for a few reasons -- money, language shock and the difficulty of applying to schools internationally. However, I am still interested in taking a year off and re-applying to Yale. I have a good friend in NYC who owns a world-wide business and he has offered me an internship/job in the area of research and development. During the night I would take courses at Columbia. NOW....Japan would have been a hook, but is working / Columbia a hook for Yale? I suppose that it is just as enticing in some ways as Japan and not in other ways. Let me know your thoughts and/or if stats would help.......</p>

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<p>I also plan to pursue some music programs at NYU ... yes, I will be a very busy person for this year</p>

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<p>bump bump bump bump</p>

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<p>I'm actually not sure I'd call either a hook. Do you know why you didn't get into Yale? I know lots of qualified people don't get in, but were your stats low or were you weak on ECs? I'd have your counselor find out how they saw you and spend the year doing things that would specifically address any weakness.</p>

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<p>Suze--</p>

<p>Guidance counselor says that I'm a "viable canidate" for any of the ivies...now....I KNOW what I need to improve to a certain extent:<br>
-1330 SAT, 740 SAT II in writing and 600 SAT II in history (800 in Math IIC)
-Maybe EC's ... I've gotten a hand full of awards; I also work and am involved in leadership positions at school and in my community...but I think Yale wants something a little different (and maybe a bit more "prestigious" than community service through my church) ... my 'prestige' is there -- writing awards, band awards, academic awards -- but I think that working in a research and development sector in NYC is another way to round myself out (after all, I come from a very small town....what I really could use is some 'urbanization')...so what do you think? Anyone?</p>

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<p>bump bump bump bump</p>

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<p>Does the counselor not think the 1330 is an issue? I certainly don't know anyone other than a recruited athlete who got into Yale with a similar SAT. Maybe focus on that a bit?</p>

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<p>Or he's possibly an URM.</p>

<p>Eitherway, Ivies are great, but so are hundreds of other schools. Don't get too hung up on the Ivies.</p>

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<p>I absolutely agree...unfotunately, its much easier said than done. </p>

<p>I do love Yale's East Asian Studies program, and it is really a dream of mine to study there. </p>

<p>Suze -- I come from a good high school, but not great, and not nesseccarily known for ivy league futures. I'm certainly a "viable canidate" as far as GPA and EC's even, but surely not SAT. I would defenitaly take the time during next year (if I took a gap year) to really crack the new SAT and do well. </p>

<p>So being well-rounded...I don't know...does a gap year do it...do colleges consider such students 'differently' than other applicants? Anyone who has had success/failure? </p>

<p>I've been accepted to Carnegie Mellon, and yes...it is a wonderful school...and yes....I would be 'content' wherever I go. But again, if you have a dream, why not go for it? The opportunity is there...I say take a risk. Let me know what you think....</p>

<p>Thanks.</p>

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<p>why dont you take Carnegie Mellon and then apply as a transfer? Or is that a bad idea? personally, I wouldn't dare pass up an opportunity like CMU...</p>

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<p>I have to be honest, I think it's insane to pin this much hope, time and effort on a single school, especially when it's a lottery school like Yale. Will what you're proposing make much difference? Probably not.</p>

<p>If you were saying that you didn't apply to the right schools, want to work on some things and apply to several that you'd be happy with after a gap year, that might make sense.</p>

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<p>"Will what you're proposing make much difference? Probably not."</p>

<p>Well....I'll be able to boost SAT I's and SAT II's, boost GPA (though its already high --increased from 97 to 99 or something like that), boost class rank, I've received recent writing awards, I'll be attending Global Young Leader's Conference this summer, I'll have the NYC experience under my belt, I'll have 4 AP grades to show them (hopefully all 5's :)....I'LL VISIT YALE, talk with my admissions officer and allow him to better know me---I think one of my biggest weaknesses was NOT showing just how passionate I was about the school....so I don't know...</p>

<p>Yes, transferring is an option...but odds are simply not in my favor. If I really get better SAT's and make the most out of my year off, aren't my chances better entering as a freshman than transferring with way below average test scores?</p>

<p>SUGESSTIONS PPLLEEASSEE</p>

<p>Anyone else? PLEASE?</p>

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<p>I'm afraid I agree with Zagat: The plan you've outlined does not seem likely to change the outcome, and indeed, admission to Yale is so uncertain for any candidate--including those with perfect scores, grades, etc.--that it is folly to pin all your hopes on re-applying. If the gap year will be fulfilling in other ways, by all means pursue it, but you also need to start looking more seriously at a broader range of schools where you can achieve your goals.</p>

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<p>Ok...here's a thought that a friend suggested: living in New Haven for year and actually taking courses at Yale and becoming involved in activities. </p>

<p>Other suggestions or comments? </p>

<p>Thanks -- its all GREATLY appreciated....</p>

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<p>Are you planning on graduate school? if so, take CMU now - then apply later....otherwise, I still say, take a shot at transferring.
I agree with everyone else. Your plans really won't make that much of a difference and there's no reason to pass up the opportunity you have now just to get into a single school, even if it's your dream school. Carnegie Mellon is excellent; there are people who would kill to go there...</p>

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<p>What you need to keep in mind, is that the vast majority with higher than average scores were also turned down. Heck, half the 1600s were. Yale is not the kind of school where you can predict acceptance by having good scores. </p>

<p>Can anyone bet on a gap year making the difference? Maybe if they spent it winning at the Olympics or as personal assistant to Nelson Mandela. Your tenacity is a great trait, put all that energy to good work with broader goals!</p>

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<p>Ooooo....</p>

<p>Ok, Ok, great points. My family completely agrees with you, as well as most of my friends. </p>

<p>BUT...I still say...go to New Haven, get to know the profs, take some courses, get to know admissions, do your thing with SAT's/EC's ... yes, its a risk, but anything is a risk in life... I mean, how would you suggest standing out from 20,000 other applicants (if you were in my CURRENT position)? </p>

<p>Anyone?</p>

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<p>Its just aggrevating...its something that is accessible and something that I know I can achieve...its sometihng that I know I'm capable of. I just want to do it. But aggrevation comes with rejection, and maybe I can't see beyond it. All I know is that I'm looking toward the future, not the past, and Yale is the spot I want to go. </p>

<p>Zagat -- Life goes on, I agree. But...can I ask a HUGE favor...argue against your current position (just for a second) ... I want to see what kind of hope there is</p>

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<p>


Pining after Yale isn't following your dreams, but a sad waste of your obvious drive and commitment. There are so many other good schools out there; it really is time to move on. Good luck!</p>

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<p>Well I have to say I really admire your will, I just wonder if it's misguided. That said, what the heck, a year is just a blip in a lifetime. If this is what you really want go for it! I actually could see you getting some professors on side which could be a very workable strategy. And BTW, I was about to say this even before reading your last post. Honestly, it's something I would have done at our age. I got my first job as a manahement consultant in the middle of a bad recession by going in as a temp secretary and talking a partner into hiring me.</p>