Chances for Yale SCEA?

Chance Me / Match Me!
1

<p>Hey guys! Chance me please! Yale's my dream school, and I would love to apply early, but I'm a bit apprehensive, because I feel like my ECs are lacking. I'd appreciate any advice or criticism. Thanks!</p>

<p>Bio:
Female Asian. Born in the Philippines. Moved when I was 9. Current American Citizen. </p>

<p>Stats:
SAT I= Math:760, Reading:750, Writing:690 (Composite:2200)
ACT=English: 34, Math: 34, Reading: 35, Science: 35, English/Writing: 31 (Composite: 35)
SAT IIs= Will take probably World History and Math II later this year
GPA:3.85/4.0(unweighted), 4.383/4.0(weighted)
Class Rank: 20/520 (I'm not absolutely sure, but it's around this)
APs: US History (5)
Calculus BC (5/5)
Chemistry (5)
English Language (5)
Physics C: Mechanics (5)
World History (4) </p>

<p>Senior Course Load: AP Psychology, Intro to Cooking, Health/BPE, Multivariable Calculus, Honors Government/Economy, AP Physics: E&M, Research/Internship at Georgia Tech</p>

<p>Awards/Achievements:
• 1st Place Reflections Winner for School Level, Literature
• Nomination to Governor's Honors Program for Latin; Reached State level
• AP Scholar with Distinction
• In the running for National Merit</p>

<p>ECs:
• Marching Band/Symphonic Band (1 year)
• Colt Beta/National Beta Club (1 1/2 years)
• Junior Classical League (Latin Club): 2 years, and hopefully will have a leadership position next year</p>

<p>Volunteering:
• Shop With a Mustang (2 years) - Right before Christmas we give an underprivileged elementary or middle school kid $100, and take them shopping for clothes, toys, and gifts</p>

<p>Work Experience:
• Worked as Data Entry Clerk for a Pediatric office for the summer of 2009
• Hostess at a restaurant for 6 months during the fall of 2009
• Internship as a research lab assistant at Georgia Tech's Combustion Lab during the summer of 2010, and I'll be continuing for about 16 hours a week during the fall of 2010</p>

<p>P.S. I copied the format from Rhaegar Targaryen. :)</p>

2

<p>Very low chances for an Asian with a 2200. Might be worth it to raise your score and set your EA sights somewhere less hyper-competitive.</p>

3

<p>Does the 35 on the ACT count for anything? I mean…it translates as a 2330, right?</p>

4

<p>Your scores are fine with your ACTs, and even SAT. You need a hook to get into Yale though.</p>

5

<p>seadog…do you think female engineer is a hook? I’m definitely thinking about going in for ME or AE.</p>

6

<p>If you’re certain you want to do ME or AE, you should also know that Yale is not known at all for Engineering. If would fit much better for you to apply EA to either MIT or Caltech, or both, two academically equal schools with very different social and learning environments. Besides those two schools, GA Tech is another terrific school for both ME and AE, and my guess is you will be admitted with those stats and EC. Other schools that I believe will admit you, and also have top programs in both ME and AE include U Michigan-Ann Arbor, U Illinois-Urbana-Champaign, and Purdue U-West Lafayette. If you want a well-rounded liberal arts education in addition to your engineering majors (which is the only reason why I would think any resolute engineering student would consider Yale), really look into MIT, and also Duke, Carnegie Mellon, and Cornell. Just a thought. As for your chances at Yale, I’d say you have as much of a chance as any girl as long as you present yourself in the brightest light.</p>

7

<p>Thank you so much, seadog, for the advice! :)</p>

<p>You are so right. That’s exactly why. I have looked at both Caltech and GA Tech, and both of them have very focused curriculums (GA Tech’s ME curriculum squeezes in 5 math and science classes in one semester). I dropped by Caltech when I was in LA last summer, and I just didn’t feel that special feeling. :(. I am still looking at GA Tech though. It’s definitely a place I’m strongly considering because of it’s affordability and reputation for engineering. </p>

<p>I’ll definitely look into the schools you mentioned. Thanks again so much for the advice. :)</p>

<p>Edit: Sorry. One of their semesters. Not every semester. That would be wild, lol.</p>

8

<p>Certainly! I’m glad to be able to put some colleges on the table. It seems to me that you should keep MIT on your list though. In addition to the school’s own strength in the Liberal Arts (such as Linguistics), you may also elect to take 1 class per semester at Harvard. As for Engineering, MIT in my opinion is still the unrivaled school for ME, and essentially tied for 1st with Caltech in AE. You have as good of a chance at EA or RD as anyone can have. Good luck!</p>

9

<p>:D. I’m definitely applying to MIT. I love that they’re strong in business and economics, as well, two fields I have flirted with in the past and likely backups if engineering doesn’t work out. I have thought about applying to MIT early, but, frankly, my parents are scared to death about how much it might cost. They would much rather that I go to Yale if I’m able to get in because of the relative clarity in their financial aid policy. </p>

<p>Thanks so much again!..I can see that you’re going to Caltech next year. Congrats! :)</p>

10

<p>Sometimes, colleges let you break Early Decision agreements if you show that you can’t afford the tuition.</p>

11

<p>I don’t know what glassesarechic is talking about.</p>

<p>35 ACT is good enough for any college (including HYPS), even if you are an asian applicant. The only score above 35 is a 36… How can 35 not be enough? </p>

<p>2200 SAT isn’t as good (only because you’re asian), but you don’t need to send that, so no problem in terms of standardized testing.</p>

12

<p>Yale SCEA, as everyone on these forums will tell you, is as cutthroat as it gets. It takes the best of the best. So I’m going to have to be honest with you; your rank will put hurt on your application, as will the lack of focused and solid ECs (though I’m in the same boat as you, just not applying SCEA). I’d say that you’d be better off applying early elsewhere, to be frank. In the end, it’s your choice: do what you feel comfortable with, but let me share with you the profile of the last kid from our school to get into Yale SCEA, this is 3 years ago now…</p>

<p>Rank: 1/~400
GPA: 4.0 UW
SAT: 2360
ACT: 36
SAT II: Math II 800, US History 800, Chemistry 800
Incredible essays and recommendations
Captain of multiple high-achieving teams, nationally recognized violinist who performed solos at Carnegie Hall.
Interviews were said to be extremely good.</p>

<p>So this is around what your competition would be, and why I know I am no match for it. I don’t mean to be demeaning–if I am, ignore me. Anyways, just a word of caution. I say this because I’ve seen good students who tried making Duke their safety and ended up with near-total rejections.</p>