Chances - Yale, Princeton, Brown, Duke

Chance Me / Match Me!
1

<p>Hi all - I've been a "lurker" on CC for a while and I've decided that it's high time I joined up. I'm a senior at a public high school in North Carolina and my intended major is in Classical Languages (eccentric, I know). I'd appreciate it if you could give me some feedback on my chances for the following schools (in order):</p>

<p>Yale University (EA)
Duke University
Princeton University
University of Pennsylvania
Brown University
University of Notre Dame
Wake Forest University (my parents work there, so I'd be nuts not to apply)
Vanderbilt University (classics program)
College of the Holy Cross (classics program)</p>

<p>-Unweighted GPA: 3.9565</p>

<p>-Weighted (sorry, not sure of scale. I know this is unhelpful): 5.0435</p>

<p>-AP classes/scores:
World History, 5
Environmental Science, 5
English Language, 5
Macroeconomics, 5
Microeconomics, 5
US History, 5
Chemistry, 4
Latin, 5
Senior year classes:
Psychology, GOPO, English Lit, Biology, Calculus AB, Computer<br>
Science A</p>

<p>-Class rank: 3/376 </p>

<p>-SAT I scores: (took it twice)
Highest single sitting: 2300 (800 CR, 800 W, 700 M)
Superscore: 2320 (800 CR, 800 W, 720 M)</p>

<p>-SAT II scores: 800 English Literature, 800 US History</p>

<p>-ECs:
North Carolina Youth and Government (state branch of national mock legislature program run by YMCA)
Club President sophomore and senior years
Bill Author freshman year (authored a bill selected for/presented at conference)
Committee Chair (conference-wide leadership position) sophomore and junior years
Latin Club
Vice President junior year, President senior year
Academic team (trivia-based competition, divided into 4 academic categories and a general knowledge team)
Science team captain
Varsity Softball
Starting catcher, freshman and sophomore years
Spring Track and Field
Shotput
** School Improvement Team (SIT) student representative**
RGC (school service club)</p>

<p>*Employment/Volunteerism: *
"Volunteen" Program at local hospital (logged 146 hours of service including administrative/palliative work with intensive care, physical therapy, geriatrics, and oncology departments)</p>

<pre><code> Unpaid internship with WFU Department of Biology studying the pandemic amphibian fungal disease chytridiomycosis

Student producer of local arts gala: coordinated food for 500 people
</code></pre>

<p>Honors/Awards: (if any of these strike you as terrifically unimportant, please let me know and I'll remove it)</p>

<pre><code> NCYAG: Best Bill Presentation (2009), Model Youth Legislator (2010), Best Senate Debater (2011)

NC Junior Classical League Convention: First Place (Best Test Score), Latin Derivatives V, First Place (Best Test Score), Mythology V, First Place (Best Test Score), Pentathlon V
</code></pre>

<p>State Championship Team, NCJCL Advanced Certamen</p>

<pre><code> Attended North Carolina Governor's School East for Social Science
</code></pre>

<p>National Junior Classical League Creative Writing Contest: 1st place </p>

<pre><code> National Classical Etymology Exam: Gold Medal, 2011

National Latin Exam: I, Summa (2009); II, Maxima (2010); VI, Magna (2011) (increases in difficulty)

Latin Honor Society (2008-2012, i.e. through this school year)

National Junior Honor Society

French Honor Society (2008-2012)

National AP Scholar, AP Scholar with Distinction

National Merit Scholarship Semifinalist

Junior Marshal

North Carolina High School Athletic Association: Scholar-Athlete (2009,2010)

National Youth Leadership Conference, 2010: Minority Leader
</code></pre>

<p>** Other:**</p>

<p>I'm a white female and (I'd just as soon be judged on my own merits) my dad went to Yale if that helps in your evaluation.</p>

<p>Language is my strong suit, so I feel confident in the essays I've written...as for my recs, I asked my APUSH teacher and my Latin teacher, both of whom I know to be good writers and with whom I have good friendships. My counselor recommendation should likewise be good.</p>

<p>I know my math scores are not top-notch and I haven't de-loused orphans in Africa or anything - but do I have any chance at the Ivy Leagues? Thanks so much for your time.</p>

2

<p>Wow! I’d say you have a great shot anywhere you apply. :slight_smile: Good luck! :)</p>

3

<p>I concur! This is a fabulous resume. Good luck wherever you go.</p>

4

<p>Yeah you’re pretty set! Of course Yale and Pton are super picky, but there’s no reason why they shouldn’t let you in. If your recs and essays are really convincing, then you have a fantastic shot at any school; I think you’ll get into at least Princeton or Yale, though, if not both. And don’t worry about your math SAT score; it’s perfectly fine since you have 800s in the other two and you’re not gonna be a math major. But Yale and Pton require three SAT IIs, right? I only see two.</p>

5

<p>You’re in, easy. The top schools are desperate for classics majors and you have an actual track record in the subject. You took the Latin VI exam? And did that well? You’re practically a shoo-in. Could you take an advanced Latin course online or at a local college this year? Or better yet, an ancient Greek course? Then they’d REALLY want you.</p>

6

<p>Legacy will help you good luck (:</p>

7

<p>Thanks everyone - I really appreciate your feedback. </p>

<p>@mmmgirl: Hmm, that’s a really interesting idea about taking upper-level classics courses. I’ve been thinking about learning basic Greek before I get to college…I’ll definitely give that some thought.</p>

<p>@JackB427: Yikes, you’re right. Well - I think Yale only requires two, but I know Princeton wants three. I plan to take either the Latin test this December (too repetitive?) or a math/science to improve my range (I’m a decent sciences student).</p>

<p>Again, thank you all for your thoughtful input!</p>

8

<p>So impressive!! Best of luck!!</p>

9

<p>Both Princeton and Yale require only two SAT IIs. There’s really no reason to take a third, so it’s probably better to put your efforts elsewhere.</p>