<p>Guten Tag! What are my chances? I vant to apply to Yale early.</p>
<p>GPA: 3.8 (My English is not 2 good since I moved from Germany)
Rank: 13/400ish because of those damned overachievers (btw, i support publik edukateion)
PSAT Commended or Semifinalist
New SAT: second try 2290 (800 M, 760 W, 750 V), first try 1840
SAT IIs: 760 (Math II), 800 (German), 740 (Biology)
APs: Physics B (5), German (5), Chemistry (3)
Quite rigorous courseload with 4 AP's senior year</p>
<p>Sports:
Water Polo (JV, vill make varsity this year)
Crew (one year, hellish experience waking up so early in mornings)</p>
<p>EC's:
Yearbook co-editor</p>
<p>Founder and Prezident of the "Wildlife Club" at my school
Regional winner and national finalist in the EPA's "Save the Animals" essay contest
Zoology Camp at Oregon Zoo (summer of 9th)
Currently I have a summer Internship at Oregon Zoo (I vant to be a zoologist) researching a rare disease of the Ornithorhynchus Anatinus (duck-billed platypus)</p>
<p>I play the bass pretty well in a band and will send a CD of my skillz</p>
<p>Third place in sausage eating competition at the Northwest Oregon OctoberFest '04 (I will not mention this is the actual application but this will be the subject of my essay most likely)</p>
<p>Hooks:
Not a legacy, not a minority, not dirt poor, not very rich, nothing really except that I am from Germany and tri-lingual (I study Spanish in school), i vill have pretty good recommendations at least</p>
<p>How the hell did you raise your SAT score so much? Tell me that and I'll magically predict your chances...</p>
<p>I say you're a contender and that's about all anyone can say for the ivies. Your SAT scores are definitely on par. Your GPA and rank are acceptable. Your ECs are focused and relate to your intended major -- good. Good chances but it's a crapshoot for everyone.</p>
<p>you come off somewhat snobbish for one. just say duck-billed platypus. no one needs to know the scientific name except you. just place it in parentheses.</p>
<p>for stating a minority is a hook, you're actually incorrect.</p>
<p>make sure you emphasize zoology as your main hook, because it seems like the only thing you're interested in.</p>
<p>academically, you're fine... although it looks like just another application.</p>
<p>Sorry, I typed in my writing score wrong for the SAT. It was a 740, not a 760. Overall it was still 2290. The first time I took it I thought I could ace it after doing well on the PSAT without preparation but then I froze on the SAT starting with the essay and it was just downhill from there. I bought a book, did maybe 4 or so tests, and just learned the test format a little better. The SAT is quite easy to learn.</p>
<p>Yes, my activities are mostly concentrated in the field of zoology but I wouldn't consider it a hook. However, how much do you think that doing a bit of scientific research and being a national essay finalist would factor into my ultimate admissions decision?</p>
<p>Also, is the fact that I was born in Germany help me much. And would sending a professionally recorded CD of my musical talents significantly help? (I'm no prodigy but I'm pretty good)</p>
<p>I'd say you have a decent chance. You have the scores. You have an interesting and varied background that might catch the eye of an adcom. A lot will depend on your essay. You GPA is a little low, but understandable if you explain it. If you are from Oregon, you are not from a terribly over-represented state. Unless you are prodigy level, your music will not likely help you. Your ECs are a little weak. Overall, you have a shot, but you definitely need some match and safety schools where you can be happy.</p>
<p>You should definitely play up the platypus thing, scientific name and everything. Adults seem to be fascinated with Latin..... and who doesn't love fancy words for platypi?</p>
<p>Dein Englisch ist sehr gut, aber mein Deutsch ist nicht so gut. So I muss in Englisch gescrieben. Overall, I must say that your research could potentially help you from an extremely lackluster record. You really have nothing in the way of ECs except Zoology which has already been pointed out. It's too late to really work on anything else so just try your best. Oh by the way it's want, not vant.</p>