Disability Student Looking Above and Beyond . . . Chances?

Colleges and Universities A-Z Yale University
1

<p>I know that I am probably the 1000th person to ask this, but I would like to get an honest opinion on my chances of getting into Yale. Although I am currently a sophomore, I have decent test scores already showing up that I can provide as well as character information. Any assistance, recommendations, anything really would help! Thanks again!</p>

<p>Gender: M
Race: White
School: Suburban Illinois Public School (Very competitive, quite prestigious)</p>

<p>Academics:
Rank: 4/360
GPA: 3.9 (UW), 4.5 (W) [after Soph year with only 1 AP class to contribute to weight so far]
ACT (Current, looking for one more point!): 35
SAT (Probably not going to submit...): 2250
AP's (rest of classes Honors):
-Completed: European History (5)
-Planned: US History, Physics, Lang/Comp, Spanish, Calc AB, Chemistry, Psychology, Lit/Comp, Music Theory
Summer Chemistry courses at Northwestern University</p>

<p>Extracurriculars:
-Choir: Highest Honors Choir for 10/11/12th grade (section leader for 11th/12th)
-Illinois Music Educators Association All State Honors Choral Performer
-Madrigals: Elite chamber ensemble (Will be leader senior year)
-Speech Team: Already captain, Soph. State Qualifier, looking for championship next year
-Spanish National Honors Society
-Freshmen Mentoring
-Fall Play, Musical, Spring Play (Leads in each since Soph. year)
-Part time job at Potbelly's</p>

<p>Essays/Recs:
-Highest grades in English classes, commended writing ability
-Passion for writing about how my life has been influenced (actually looking forward to college essays!)
-GREAT relationships with teachers/counselors, who are all distinguished professionals</p>

<p>Why I may stand out:
-I have a rare visual/physical disability called Albinism which makes me legally blind and extremely pale. Despite the visual and physical preventions/stigmas that have been presented to me, I have thrived both in academic and extracurricular environments and have garnered respect from peers and educators alike.<br>
-I have a motivation to LEARN about the world around me (currently want to major in Poli-Sci) and I want to learn at one of the greatest educational institutions in the world! I am able to balance amazing extracurricular success with solid academics in a tough environment.
-Charm in interviews (Don't worry, I'm not a cocky jerk!)</p>

<p>Please let me know, I'd really appreciate it!</p>

2

<p>I think you are already well on your way to being a good candidate for Yale. In your application, make sure you convey why Yale is such a good “fit” and explain this to the teacher who will write your LOR so that they can convey the same.</p>

3

<p>You sound like an excellent candidate for any elite school. No one can say more than that.</p>

<p>The albinism is important only in terms of the way you responded (positively) to the challenges it presented. Depending on the degree to which it’s affected your life, you may want a guidance counselor to mention it briefly in their section of the Common App, or you might use one of your essays to write more fully about it. I suggest pushing that button once and once only. You haven’t let it define you, and your app should reflect that.</p>

4

<p>Everything in this Harvard thread also applies to Yale, Princeton, Stanford, MIT et al: <a href=“Chance Threads - PLEASE READ BEFORE POSTING ONE - Harvard University - College Confidential Forums”>http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/harvard-university/1420290-chance-threads-please-read-before-posting-one-p1.html&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt;

<p>FWIW: Did you notice that @WasatchWriter basically gave you the same advice as I did in your post on the Harvard forum with the same title? The advice you receive isn’t going to be much different from forum to forum.

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