<p>I don't seem to see any talk about this, but if there has been, I apologize for regurgitating old forum topics. I'm just wondering if being related to someone who has taught or worked in either the undergraduate or graduate schools at Yale helps during the admissions process.</p>
<p>Note: In my case, my father went to Yale, my grandmother worked in the humanities office, human resources, and other places for a long time, and my grandfather was associate dean of one of the graduate schools for about 11 years.</p>
<p>I just wonder whether a history like this with the school would make up for unimpressive
-in terms of the general applicant pool - scores.</p>
<p>Yes, it can make up for your scores. But that’s only if your application is strong enough in its other characteristics</p>
<p>Alrighty. Thanks for the responses, I appreciate it.</p>
<p>These things will probably help you, but it depends on what exactly you mean by “unimpressive.”</p>
<p>My scores are good (2170, 32), but I keep hearing that to be competitive you’ve got to have around a 2250/34 or higher, especially in the SCEA pool, which I’m planning on.
My ECs are pretty strong and my GPA is very good. I just worry about my scores and the region that I’m in making it difficult for me (I’m in CT, around a bunch of competitive high schools that send kids to top schools).</p>
<p>I would not assume based on what you’ve told us that your family’s broad connections to Yale will make a significant difference to your application. That doesn’t mean that you shouldn’t apply, but my opinion is that your chances of acceptance will not be materially changed by the connections you’ve mentioned. </p>
<p>I have some experiene to back me up in this opinion. I have known of faculty-related kids who had surprisingly good outcomes, but their relations were their parents (not grandparents) who were current faculty (at levels considerably higher than Assoc. Dean of Graduate School).</p>
<p>There are plenty of faculty and alumni offspring that are admitted to Yale, but for ‘surprising’ outcomes – you need more than what you’ve listed. That said, a 2170 SAT is not so bad – might it be worth spending a few weeks working at improving those scores and trying one more time?</p>
<p>Thanks, memake, for the detailed answer. I’m still trying to decide whether or not to retake the SATs or ACTs, as I’m not sure how much of a difference I would see in the scores, and I’m not sure if I want to put myself under more stress (I’m a bit of an anxious person). I’m definitely applying, but if I’m reading your response correctly, I have pretty much the same chance as I would without the connections.</p>
<p>Memake is wrong. I’m pretty sure all that will have a positive impact on your application. That is not to say that you will be admitted solely based on these “connections”, but they will definitely be looked upon favorably.</p>
<p>I don’t think memake is wrong. Facbrats – children of current faculty – have a significant advantage in admissions. But the OP’s faculty connections are not current, and they are somewhat attenuated. They’re not going to mean much.</p>
<p>The OP’s direct legacy connection will provide a slight tip factor. </p>
<p>I suggest retaking the SAT, or perhaps trying the ACT, which is more curriculum-based.</p>
<p>I never said they would mean much or tried to quantify the effect the connections would have on the application; I just meant to say that they will not be overlooked.</p>
<p>So it’s better than nothing!</p>
<p>(But not too much)</p>
<p>I’d be kind of surprised if you don’t get in, if you have really good ECs as you say.</p>
<p>-Yale 2011</p>
<p>Thanks; I’m looking at a bunch of schools, and I like a lot of them, so I am hopefully prepared for whatever happens. This process is just so stressful!</p>