Do I have a chance at Yale?

I visited Yale and I really liked it, but I’m really not sure that I can get in at all. I have 3.57 GPA (weighted), but it’s at a private school with a difficult curriculum. All the students who came from public schools had a difficult time at the school, at least for the first year. My SAT is only 1250 (750 writing, 500 math). I have written several short stories which have been published in literary journals and I’ve written two novels, each around 500 pages. I tried to get the second one published, but I haven’t had any luck with that so far. I also play violin. I’m also an African-American male. I don’t know how much it would help, but my father went to Yale for undergrad and my parents are able to pay the tuition (so I will not need financial aid). I’m going to be a senior this upcoming year and I’m thinking about applying to Yale early. My councilor did not think I had that good a chance of being admitted, but I had a black friend who was a year ahead of me who he didn’t think would get into Princeton because of her grades and SAT scores and she did. I don’t know if I have a good chance of getting in.

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I have 3.57 GPA (weighted), but it’s at a private school with a difficult curriculum. All the students who came from public schools had a difficult time at the school, at least for the first year. My SAT is only 1250 (750 writing, 500 math).
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I don’t think you have a chance. A 3.57, even if unweighted is too low…but weighted means really too low.

What were your friend’s stats?

Being a black male who comes from money, isn’t going to be a hook.


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There are no score cutoffs for standardized tests, and successful candidates present a wide range of test results. During the most recent year, test score ranges (25th to 75th percentiles) for enrolled freshmen were:

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SAT-Verbal: 710-800
SAT-Math: 710-790
SAT-Writing: 720-800
ACT: 32-35


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Your math score is just way too low, along with your GPA.

I would recommend retaking the SAT or taking the ACT and trying to get better stats on that. Your chances admittedly are not fantastic for Yale. Do you have a chance? Yes. But it isn’t a great one. I would ask your Princeton friend what she did for ECs and essays etc to see what Princeton wanted.

Do you have any other writing accomplishments? Acceptance to prestigious programs? Awards? Winning a competition? If you can demonstrate that you are one of the more accomplished writers of your graduating class, it may help overcome certain obstacles.

My friend has a 3.6 GPA and 1970 SAT. Her extracurriculars were mostly volunteering to work on political campaigns. She also volunteered to help lawyers who were defending people who had the civil rights violated.

@ojoji8 Well you are URM, Legacy and have really great accomplishments and EC’s. If your father went to Yale and you go to private school one would hope he could pay for the best SAT/ACT tutors in your city( yes I’m judging a bit). Regardless of your double hook and EC’s your SAT AND GPA are too low that all top 25 schools are a REACH. A 3.57 weighted is like a 3.0-3.2 UW bro, I really think you’re aiming to high. However,if you can raise your SAT to a 1400 then I think you Legacy status at Yale will do you some favors.

I’d say you have slim to no chance. Scores don’t mean everything, but a 3.57 weight GPA and a 1250 is extremely low for Yale. Even if you improved your SAT by 200, it still wouldn’t break Yale’s 25th percentile. Your EC’s are also very lacking. Unless your book is published, writing 2 novels don’t mean anything to admissions.

I mean there is always a possibility, but there is also always the possibility of winning the lottery. You can apply and see what happens, but you should be realistic.

Your father having studied there gives you legacy status and you are URM, which is also a hook.

Any chance of doing some major test prep to bring up your scores? Right now, you’re not even in the ballpark, I’m afraid. What kind of recs do you anticipate getting?

As for standardized testing, have you tried the ACT? Did you just take the SAT once? If so, you might want to try it again to bring up the math score and/or take the Math II Subject Test.

The biggest issue I see is your GPA. Is it being brought down by too many extracurriculars or honors classes that are too difficult? Since academics are by far the most important aspect of your application, I’d recommend improving those outright. Drop anything that’s taking time away from your studies until you get those back on track. Since you’ll self-report your grades when you apply, I’m not sure if you’ll have enough time to reflect an upward trend by the time the app is due, so maybe take summer classes at a local community college to re-do some botched classes and up your GPA? I know people who have saved a lot of money getting GEs out of the way using this strategy, and it also shows rigor and initiative.

Also, I’d definitely retake your SAT and try the ACT. I preferred the SAT when I took it (I was the last class to take the old one) but my ACT score was actually higher when you compare the two, so I’m glad I did both. Wish I’d redone them or studied harder to boost my scores even more, but it is what it is (I’m at a community college by choice to save $, looking to transfer soon).

Legacy status does help, but the most important factor is why YOU want to be there and why YOU are a great fit for that school. Your essays hold a lot of leverage in this area. Reflecting drive, leadership, passion, etc will help ease the blow of some of your shortcomings. I still think Yale is a reach, but best of luck!

You never know unless you apply…