Chances for a First Generation Applicant...

Colleges and Universities A-Z Yale University
1

<p>I know Yale's a stretch but I'm thinking about applying SCEA. Would my SATs keep me out? Any help would be great, thanks!</p>

<p>Stats: </p>

<p>SAT I: 760M / 690CR/ 710W (2160) from 2 testings. <em>Math and Writing are the highest in my school's history</em> (which probably doesnt matter).</p>

<p>SAT IIs: 740, 740, 740 (Math 2, Chem, US History)</p>

<p>GPA: 4.0 UW (hardest courseload offered), 4.2ish weighted</p>

<p>Rank: 1 of 650, possibly down to #2 due to unweighted band class</p>

<p>APs: (3 / 4 / 5 / 5) Euro, Bio, US History, Chemistry (AP Scholar with Honor)</p>

<p>College: Harvard SSP distance education (Neurobiology: A-) and Spanish at local community college (A).</p>

<p>EC's (in order of commitment): </p>

<p>Professional snare drumming with traveling choir (weekends Oct-Dec)</p>

<p>2-year veteran and co-section leader of State Champion (2006) percussion ensemble. I was a featured soloist. (about 15 hrs prac/week Oct-Apr)</p>

<p>Co- section leader for Nationally known Drum and Bugle Corps, 2005 (through Drum Corps International)</p>

<p>University of Michigan Hockey Band: 2003, 2004, 2005</p>

<p>Destination Imagination, 2nd place regionals, 2nd place States, 8th place Globals (of a few hundred) in 2004</p>

<p>JV and V quiz bowl (captain for JV). 9.5 hrs/ week</p>

<p>Volunteer at hospital, 3hrs/ week (just started Dec 2005)</p>

<p>HS drumline section leader (3 years of leadership)</p>

<p>Spent frosh-soph summer trimming trees</p>

<p>NHS</p>

<p>Student Council member (a joke at my school)</p>

<p>Location/Person:
State or Country: MI
School Type: Large Public
Ethnicity: White
Gender: M </p>

<p>Possible Hooks:
First Generation College
State Champion Snare Drummer</p>

<p>I tried to keep it short, let me know what you think. Thanks again.</p>

2

<p>i hate to do it, but bump.</p>

3

<p>Your SATs will not keep you out. First of all, they aren't THAT low. Make sure your guidance counselor notes that your math and writing are the highest in your school's history. It helps put your accomplishments in context. Your SATS would be low for competitive candidates from some high schools, but in the context of your high school, you've done well.</p>

<p>Being first generation helps. And first generation who is savvy enough to take college courses is even better. Your EC's aren't out of this world, but you do have a state championship under your belt, which is a definite plus.</p>

<p>Your resume puts you in the "realistic candidate" category, so you'll need to rock your essays and get great teacher recs. I'm infering from the SAT comment that your high school may not be as familiar with elite college admissions. Make sure your teachers know how to write good recs for you. Yale would want to see a highly enthusiastic description of you with specific details to back up the enthusiasm. There is definitely an art to writing teacher recs and the teachers at schools that send lots of kids to elite college know the buzz words (best I've seen in my career, etc.). You might want to search the topic of teacher recs on the parents forum of CC where people have discussed how to get the best rec out of a teacher.</p>

4

<p>1 out of 650 is rpretty impressive. I've been readin a book of college essays and such (from the princeton review I believe). Many of the applicants had EXTREMELY high stats and such. They incorporated their ECs into their essays and got accepted to many colleges to which they applied for, and yes, the ones I'm talking about did get accepted to Yale.</p>