Chances?

Colleges and Universities A-Z Yale University
1

<p>I would appreciate any feedback on my chances. Thank you!</p>

<p>Background:</p>

<p>White female -- IL
Wants to major in Biology with hopes of MD/PhD degree program for medical research.</p>

<p>Testing/Grades:</p>

<p>GPA: 4.0 UW, 4.275 (highest possible) W</p>

<p>Medium sized public high school</p>

<p>Rank: 1 out of 500ish</p>

<p>ACT: 35 (36 E, 36 R, 35 S, 35 M)</p>

<p>SAT: 2350 (800 CR, 800 W, 750 M)</p>

<p>AP: Euro (5)
Will receive scores for Physics B, English Lang, and US History in about a week
Taking Bio at community college this summer in place of AP Bio
Senior year schedule: AP Calc AB, AP Chem, AP Psych, AP Lit, Honors French V, Advanced Speech, Film as Lit, Orchestra, Gym</p>

<p>SAT Subject: Physics (750)
Will receive scores for Math II and Lit in a few days
Plan to take Bio and Chem in October</p>

<p>ECs:</p>

<p>Did research in physics lab since summer before junior year (i.e., two summers + junior year during school year)</p>

<p>Private violin/viola teacher (9,10,11) -- several students</p>

<p>Top Youth Orchestras for viola (co-principal chair, ~5 hr/week)</p>

<p>National Honor Society (President) (12)</p>

<p>Tri-M (President) (12)</p>

<p>Top school orchestra (President) (10, 11)</p>

<p>IMEA -- Honors All-State Orchestra (10, 11), District (7,8,9,10,11)</p>

<p>National French Honor Society</p>

<p>National English Honor Society</p>

<p>Debate Club (Vice Pres) (10)</p>

<p>EcoClub (11)</p>

<p>Math Team (10, 11)</p>

<p>Literary Festival (9,10,11)</p>

<p>WYSE (10, 11)</p>

<p>National Merit Commended</p>

<p>250+ volunteer hours since freshman year (mostly music stuff)</p>

2

<p>I don’t have any expertise in this other than having been a passenger on my DS’s trip through college applications this year. You must have read other chance threads, and you know that unless there is a glaring deficiency to overcome, there isn’t much that anyone can tell you. You most likely have the usual single-digit percent chance of acceptance.</p>

<p>From the looks of it, you have a strong application, assuming that recs and essays are in line with your objective stats. Enjoy your summer. Think about essays, but still, enjoy your summer.</p>

<p>The one thing that I can add is that I have been impressed with how well Adcoms do their jobs. With only a couple of exceptions, my DS’s friends and classmates have been accepted to schools that seem to my untrained eye to be appropriate and “fitting.” ETA: some kids with a couple of dings in their transcript were accepted, and some posers and grade grubbers were surprised at not being accepted at what they thought were guaranteed schools; high fives ensued in our home :-)</p>

<p>Good luck.</p>

3

<p>Thank you very much for your input IxnayBob! </p>

4

<p>As IxnayBob suggests, “fit” is the key aspect for obviously qualified student’s like yourself - why do you want Yale and why does Yale need you? Whatever you come up with make sure your teacher LOR writer is aware of how you think you would “fit” so that the teacher will, hopefully, corroborate. </p>

5

<p>Your application is really strong, but there’s no telling with the Ivies. Good luck!</p>

6

<p>Is viola your main instrument? If you play at a very high level, you may want to submit an arts supplement.</p>