Do I have a shot at Yale?

Colleges and Universities A-Z Yale University
1

<p>Sorry to annoy everyone with a chances thread, but I'm really interested in going to Yale and as a complete stranger to the college admissions process I'm hoping for a little guidance. </p>

<p>Based on this info can anyone tell me what kind of chance I have at getting into Yale? Maybe recommend other options too. I'd especially love to hear from accepted students...</p>

<p>I'm a white male from an upper middle-class family. (A few strikes already, I know).</p>

<p>Academics:
* I've been ranked 1st in my class Freshman thru Junior year. I'm 95% sure I'll be our valedictorian. (Class size is 137)
*Weighted GPA is a 4.4862 on a 4.33 scale (not sure of unweighted and don't feel like calculating it by hand)
*ACT composite = 35
Reading= 36
Math= 34
Writing= 35
Science= 34
*SAT composite = 2280 (No SAT IIs yet, I'm taking biology and maybe world history in October)
Writing = 780
Math= 740
Reading = 760
* APs = Sophomore year, US history (scored a 5); Junior year, World History (5) and Calc AB (5); Senior year, scheduled to have Gov and Politics, Lit and Comp, Calc BC. (Only two other APs are offered at my school, Art history and Music Theory)
* Some other notable classes: Honors Biology, Honors Trig, four years of Spanish
* This fall I will be taking an Environmental Science class at Lehigh University (not a community college; its a pretty respectable school)</p>

<p>Extra Curriculars:
* Juggling Club (President Jun and Sen years)
* Debate Club ( secretary Jun yr, President Sen year)
* Mock trial team (attorney Soph and Jun yrs)
* Student Representative to School Board
* Writer for a teens section of local newspaper
* Eco- Action Club
* Power (Weight-training) Club (treasurer Sophomore and Jun yrs)
* 4 year member of Marching, Concert, and Jazz Bands (Playing saxophone; soloist in Jazz band and treasurer of band council)
* Employed by County Parks and Rec. Dept (Soph thru Sen years; ~35 hrs per week in summer, less during school)
* about 100 hours of volunteer service including counselor for 5th grade environmental camp, sea turtle conservation in Costa Rica, work at a State Park, and local independent film festival
* I'm hoping to volunteer for the Green Party in the months leading up to the next election</p>

<p>Awards and whatnot:
*Member of NHS
*Based on past years will almost definitely be a National Merit Semifinalist
*Rensselaer Medal Award for outstanding academic achievement in the study of mathematics and science (plus 15,000 renewable institutional scholarship)
*First place in local Rotary Club Speech contest, Second place in regional round (Soph and Jun yrs)
* A few other minor, class specific awards</p>

<p>Note: My school is small, non-competitive (2 Ivy league students in 4 or 5 years) and public. It has limited course offerings, so my schedule might not look too rigorous. I'm positive I'll have great teacher recs and essays shouldn't be a problem, although I'm not so sure about my guidance counselor's rec.</p>

<p>I know Yale is never a sure thing, but I'm hoping someone can give me at least a clue as to what my chances are. Thanks very much to whoever responds!</p>

2

<p>No one can really predict your chances, and I’m sure you know that. Looking at your list of activities and academic achievements, it’s a little hard to read what your “profile” is.
I see ecology and environmental issues as the things that stand out the most, so I would highlight this interest-maybe even work on an essay about it. Your work experience can also be seen in this light, if you focus on the environmental aspects of the Parks Dept. work. I would group some of these things together in your activities list so they are seen as part of a whole- your passion for the environment. Next, I’d highlight the student government, debate and mock trial- they are also parts of a larger leadership whole, showing interest in world affairs. Group them together. Then the band/music interest and writing for the paper (topics written about? They could add strength to one of the other interests) rounds things out nicely.</p>

<p>I would put some of the lesser clubs lower in the priority list- juggling and weight training, while interesting, don’t have the intellectual capital of the others. I might even list them as hobbies or “other interests.” </p>

<p>I’m a bit puzzled by your math SAT score and your math awards. To be honest, while your total score looks ok, I think I’d want the math at least 750. Are you planning to take it again? I wouldn’t normally recommend retesting with a 2280, but the math kind of sticks out.</p>

<pre><code>Being val certainly doesn’t hurt, although missing it by a point or so won’t hurt either. The most important things, other than your general presentation, are your essays and letters of recommendation. Make sure the recs are from teachers who think you’re the best thing since sliced bread. Have a teacher you trust read your essays. And get to know your counselor! They can really be helpful, but you have to make the effort to be a known quantity.
</code></pre>

<p>What state do you live in? I think you do have a shot, but it probably will come down to who else is in the group of people in your general admissions area (other local schools) applies the same year you do. If you stand out as the best in that group, you have a decent chance. You can’t control that, of course, so focus on what you can control and make sure that you research other schools that you’ll be happy attending.</p>

<p>*parent of Yale grad</p>

3

<p>Well, if she has contacts at Cox and various other internet providors she could make sure its yhe only application that gets to them in the state ;)</p>

<p>Sent from my SGH-T959V using CC</p>

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<p>Another thing, being a white upper middle class male really won’t hurt you- certainly being male will not. What might hurt you is coming from a state like Mass., NY, or CA.<br>
But you can’t help that- just do your best, and don’t expect to get in. Have several strong back-ups - even LACs, where the applicant pool isn’t quite so large. For example,
Pomona has a great Environmental Analysis major with a public policy concentration. You’d be a natural. Tufts- a wonderful university with a lot in common with Yale- would be another great choice for environmental studies. You wouldn’t have to major in this area if you get in, of course, but the strength of your interest in your app might help in admissions.</p>

5

<p>Well, if your in CA there are MANY other options, tracks, and plans for higher education.</p>

<p>Sent from my SGH-T959V using CC</p>

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<p>Yes, you have a short at Yale. However, I’d definitely suggest applying to slightly less competitive schools as well, in addition to a few safeties. Moonchild’s recommendations seem reasonable.</p>

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<p>Thanks for the feedback. I actually was already considering Tufts as another option. And I forgot to list it, but I’m from PA. I’m hoping to major in evolutionary biology, possibly with a minor or double major in cognitive science/linguistics</p>

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<p>any more thoughts or advice? I really appreciate the help so far</p>