Chances for getting to Yale

Chance Me / Match Me!
1

<p>Hi, guys!
I'm a junior high school student in Moscow, Russia and I'm now considering applying to Yale. </p>

<p>My cirriculum:</p>

<p>• SAT scores
I'm taking my SAT I exams in 20 days and my SAT II (French and World History) in 50 days. </p>

<p>Based on what I've had for my sample tests, my estimates are:
SAT I — 770 R, 780 M, 750 W
SAT II — 790 FR, 800 WH</p>

<p>• Extracurricular activities</p>

<p>I am both the volleyball and basketball captain of my class team. </p>

<p>I am the head of our theater group (I get the main roles, etc.). </p>

<p>I have been studying French for 6 years and I have recently obtained a B2 level certificate (B2 is sufficient for entering a French college). Each year I participate in activities carried out by Russian Christian Association in France (study of history and culture, sports activities). </p>

<p>I study art and art history and I've done several oil paintings (serious work, not just funny pictures). </p>

<p>I'm a political activist (you may have heard about what's going on here, in Russia), I compose leaflets, take part in demonstrations. I have a blog (and I keep posting), where I compare Russian and American legal and governmental systems. </p>

<p>These are my strong points. </p>

<p>• My REALLY WEAK point is my transcript. It is just horrendous. In Russia, we have a 5 points grading scale. And for most subjects I regularly get like 4s... or even 3s… But that's a universal tendancy. Even though my school is considered one of the best in the country, most of the students get grades like these, not because they are stupid or lazy, but because the educational system is really imperfect and the smartest ones prefer to spend their time reading and studying in other places and on their own. In addition, in Russia transcripts are never taken into account, when a student applies. The most important thing is getting good grades for the final exams (which really test your knowledge and show if you know something well or not). That's it. </p>

<p>So, do I have any chances or the possibility of me getting to Yale or Princeton tends to zero? Maybe my awful English justs ruins it totally)</p>

2

<p>International students will generally have a harder time than Americans. You will be competing with a lot of talented foreigners. </p>

<p>Of course you have a chance, everyone does, but it’s slim for even the best qualified. Good luck.</p>

3

<p>If you’re still close to the top of the class with those grades then you should be okay, transcript-wise. International competition is very cutthroat but if you really emphasize the political activism that could certainly help you stand out.</p>

<p>Keep in mind that in the end, even if you have awesome grades and extracurriculars, it really is a crapshoot–they can only let in so many students. That being said, you do have a chance; keep doing what you love (be it art, activism, sports, etc) and write amazing essays (the most important part after academics!) and it’s possible!</p>

4

<p>You will have to show some evidence of superior academic achievement.</p>

5

<p>Thanks a lot for your evaluations and advice!!</p>