<p>I'm currently a senior at one of the most competitive private schools in the country. Yale has always been the college I've strived to reach. I wanted to know if anybody could give me a good opinion on whether I have a chance or not. I know my grades are on the low end.</p>
<p>GPA: 96 (unweighted)
Class Rank: 21/417 (Top 5% of my class)
SAT: 1900
ACT: 30
Math: 30
Reading: 26
Science: 34
English/Writing: 28</p>
<p>Extra Curricular
Science Olympiad
ETV (School's Television Studio) - I'm the Studio Manager
Intramural Officials - Assure intramural competitions run smoothly
Sodality - Group of 12 students selected freshman year who meet regularly to discuss whats going on in the word
Band - I have played the Bassoon for 9 years now, and I am in the schools best band. I participated in All County 5 of the 7 years I was eligible.
Lacrosse - I was on varsity lacrosse junior and senior year
Yale Physic Olympics - I was selected by my high school as 1 of 4 students to represent them in the Yale Physic olympics</p>
<p>Academic Achievement
National Honor Society
Honor Roll - I've been on Honor Roll every year</p>
<p>Other Awards
Eagle Scout</p>
<p>My Hook
January of my junior year I was diagnosed with cancer and underwent six months of chemotherapy and radiation. During this time I was sick for roughly 65 school days and I managed to only miss 24. I also maintained my average working extra hard on days I felt well enough. Most ironic about my situation is that my eagle project, which I began before my diagnosis was designed to benefit the very same cancer center I became a patient at (I focused on this in my college essay).</p>
<p>Like I mentioned above I know my grades are on the low end of Yale's acceptance; however, I am hoping that my overcoming of cancer, along with my extra curricular's are enough to draw attention to my application and hopefully get me admitted. </p>
<p>Forgot to mention my school does not offer AP courses, and we are excused from New York State Regents Exams, As the state has deemed our final exam to be harder than the regents.</p>
<p>Scores are on the weaker side, but overcoming something like you have may make up for it. I’d say you have an okay chance if you’re a good writer. (Side note: this sounds a lot like a certain Marianist school on Long Island lol)</p>
<p>Thanks for the feed back (you are correct haha, not sure where you are from but I think the fact that you know the school shows the schools fairly well known)</p>
<p>Your standardized test scores are far too low. Obviously your difficult personal circumstances will be considered, but I’m not sure if it’ll be enough to overlook all the other weaknesses especially since Yale is such a selective and competitive school. You’ll have a chance but I don’t think you’ll get in. I could very well be wrong, however, so you should try your luck there if it is indeed your dream school. </p>
<p>The question would be how you did before and after the cancer. The 26 reading score on ACT drags your total down. Yale will accept ACT with writing in lieu of SAT subject tests which are otherwise.required. Your situation is interesting (I’m sure it didn’t seem like it at the time). You will get a second reading as a result. I don’t think your grades are on the low end if you are top 5 percent at a top school. Try to get your combined ACT at about 32 or if you have run out of time think about what you have to offer Yale. I have a colleague who does alumni interviews for Yale. His advice was to communicate your passion, enthusiasm and achievement drive. The stats are important but Yale will make an admissions decision based on their overall impression of what you have to offer. By all means apply, it is not a long shot</p>
<p>Thanks for the positive feed back, as far as I know it is too late to retake the ACT (I was only able to take it once due to the timing of my illness). I’m hoping that I can get an interview and through that perhaps further demonstrate my drive and enthusiasm as you mentioned. </p>
<p>I’m happy for you for being a fighter, but your scores are obviously a bit on the lower side. If you got so much as a 32+, even a 31+, your chances would dramatically increase, in my opinion, as, at least, it would be close to the 25th percentile. Your story is very compelling, and regardless of which university you go to, you should be happy about your accomplishments. Even if you don’t get accepted to your dream school, it’s fine. It happens to a lot of us. :)</p>
<p>Well, Yale is a reach for everyone that applies. I think that your chances are a bit below average (around 5%). Don’t get discouraged though, this is the case more a lot of people! Apply to all the Ivy League if you’d like, one might like you and just send you an acceptance letter! Best of luck to you! </p>
<p>Nope, sat too low need at least 2200! Good cancer story however not going to help if you have such sat. Also remember if your sat is lower that Yale wants they won’t even open your application! So try harder on the next exam. </p>
<p>@Shabuwa, sorry to burst your bubble but @valeryk0 is right on the money. Look, we all like to believe the fairytale that “every applicant is given equal consideration, and every aspect of your application is read over with a fine tooth comb,” it is absolutely false. Schools like to say this is not true, but it is. Every college expert says it happens, every college counsellor knows it happens, and every student needs to know it. If your GPA and SAT are far, far below the average or benchmark, so to speak, they will chuck your application in the trash. There simply isn’t enough manpower to read every underachieving, hopeful and foolish student’s application. </p>
<p>Everyone I’ve talked to (guidance counselors and teachers, along with Yale’s admissions counselor) have stated it is worth applying. Im well aware that my SAT scores are far too low, and my ACT scores are borderline if anything; however, I was only able to take the ACT once due to the timing of my illness and the February ACT (the last one Yale says they can possibly use) isn’t offered in New York. I’m hoping with the fact that the majority of students improve the second time around my inability to take the exam again will be taken into consideration.</p>
but your scores are obviously a bit on the lower side. If you got so much as a 32+, even a 31+, your chances would dramatically increase, in my opinion, as, at least, it would be close to the 25th percentile. Your story is very compelling, and regardless of which university you go to, you should be happy about your accomplishments. Even if you don’t get accepted to your dream school, it’s fine. It happens to a lot of us. :)</p>