Chances for Yale REA

Demographics

  • US Citizen
  • State: CA
  • Private religious school (we have a few ivy acceptances every year)
  • White, Female, Italian ethnicity (father born and raised in Italy, I speak fluently)
  • No legacy or athletic recruit status

Intended Major(s)

  • Chemistry or Molecular biochemistry/biophysics

GPA, Rank, and Test Scores

  • Unweighted HS GPA: 4.00/4.00
  • Weighted HS GPA (incl. weighting system): 4.36/4.00 (APs NOT yet adjusted)
  • Class Rank: n/a (but in top 5%)
  • ACT/SAT Scores: 1550/1600

Coursework

  • Took toughest possible curriculum at my school; 10 APs, 6 Honors, 2 Independent Studies
  • On the five AP tests I have taken so far (bio, calc, lang, us history, world history), I have received all 5s (fun fact: only person to receive “5” in my ~20 person ap calc class)
  • AP Scholar with Distinction

Awards (copied from common app)

  • California State Academic Decathlon Gold Science Award (2nd out of 756 participants) (11)
  • Spectrum News Science Trivia Challenge Selected Contestant and Champion, awarded $500
  • National Merit Scholarship Letter of Commendation (top 2% of test takers)
  • Jack Howe Invitational Original Oratory Semifinalist, 2nd place at Forensics University Invitational, 1st place at Beverly Hills LAX Tournament
  • Regal Award (6x): given to 1 student per class to commend efforts and achievements (received for Honors English, French 1, Honors Chemistry, Honors Algebra II, AP Bio, and APUSH)
  • Applied and selected as Orthopedic Research Intern for Children’s Hospital of Los Angeles (CHLA) (term begins in February)
  • And more common honors like NHS and CSF (California Scholarship Federation)

Extracurriculars

  • Paid Research Intern & Assistant at Electroacupuncture Office; worked with Stanford’s Hagey Pediatric Laboratory to study neuronal STEM cell growth and T-cell regeneration; invited to UC Davis conference to familiarize graduate students with KWD 808 electroacupuncture machine. (10-12)
  • Co-founder, president, and speech coordinator of school Speech and Debate Team: interviewed media representative Anna Sitar for audience of 350, crafted entirety of speech curriculum (our team does not have a coach), established internship opportunity with nearby middle school. Our speech team has won bids to the Tournament of Champions.
  • Science Coordinator Academic Decathlon: crafted presentations on marine biology, chemistry, and astrophysics; coached strategy and modeled speech structure; 3x team high score (all possible years), 11x regional medalist
  • Founder/Educational Coordinator of Bridz: initiative designed to promote healthcare equity by writing biweekly articles in multiple languages and devising info sessions w/ medical professionals in underprivileged areas (to expose curious students to the medical field)
  • Associate Student Body President (12) (after participating on council all four years): delivered 8 min address to 350 (2x); coordinated class advisories; initiated scientific “Fact 4 Week” and pep rally system; designed weekly meeting agendas; managed budget
  • Red Cross Blood Donor Ambassador: Aided donors w/ check-in, classified patient records, studied blood types to expedite patient care (received Modelette Award)
  • Participated in Yale Young Global Scholars last year, Innovations in Science and Tech track
  • Developed local tutor STEM business with an emphasis on goal-setting exercises
  • School Ambassador program: Interacted w/ prospective students and parents; led “STEM Night” admissions events (70+ attendees); interviewed applicants; tracked marketing data
  • Played D1/D2 Volleyball all four years, starting libero position and received MVP '21

Essays/LORs/Other

  • I would give my essay an 8.5/10 (I have received pretty great feedback, but I’m my own worst critic)
  • LORs: Guidance (9.5/10), T1 (10/10, said I was type of student to make him rethink his craft and improve AP Chemistry course), T2 (9/10)

Cost Constraints / Budget
No application for financial aid

Schools
Applying to 15 total, but Yale is the dream!

Feel free to ask for more info, and thank you!

1 Like

You have excellent credentials. It’s just hard to tell with Ivies what they are looking for beyond the great stats that most applicants have. Best luck. There is also a Yale EA 2023 thread that you may want to read through.

1 Like

Thank you, I will definitely check it out!

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