<p>Honest answer: while it might be better to have something you’re passionate about than to have nothing, it’s not going to be as good as having significant personal achievement in some area. So, while it might be great that you poured all your energy into being a competitive swimmer, you’re not going to look good as somebody who made the Olympic team. And it seems to me that an adcom might wonder why you didn’t pour all that energy into something in which you could excel.
Let me add that achievements aren’t just awards–they can also be things like teaching others, crusading for better funding, etc.</p>
<p>Hmm. But just because you love to do something doesn’t mean you’re good at it. And wouldn’t redirecting your efforts towards something that you CAN win tons of awards at (but aren’t necessarily “passionate” about) be sort of tailoring your activities to your application, a process that colleges seem to look down on?</p>
<p>Maybe. But top schools are able to fill their classes with people who have impressive achievements in the areas they are passionate about. But life is about choices–for some people, pursuing their passions may not be compatible with gunning for super-selective colleges, and that’s OK.</p>
<p>i’ve never posted on CC before but after reading this thread i feel like i need to weigh in…</p>
<p>i’m one of those well-rounded people. i pass the “benchmark” sat score mentioned earlier, and my grades and gpa were equivalent to what has been considered normal as an accepted student. i had a laundry list of activities with huge time commitments, and a good set of school awards.</p>
<p>i have never been nationally recognized in my achievements.</p>
<p>so how did i get in to yale? i’d like to think it was honesty, and sincerity, and truth. i wrote my essay on a service project abroad, and my activities essay on my extended commitment to dance. i didnt try to exaggerate the things ive been able to do - because in the end what is important is showing you care, that you were willing to work hard, that you had the drive to try something. you are only a teenager! at some point admissions officers can’t believe all the amazing things they read, and so normalcy is refreshing. someone mentioned earlier - an english teacher i think - that failures are worth writing about too. so true!! </p>
<p>don’t be discouraged if you aren’t the poster child for perfection. and i would say DON’T check out the threads on other accepted applicants to see their stats. that’s just depressing, and will make you feel inadequate (its what it does to me, anyway - thank god i looked at them AFTER i was accepted and not before i applied - i probably would have thought i didnt have a chance). i know a lot of future yalies who have never checked cc, are sort of like me in their “normal”-ness, and are awesome, awesome kids. i’d like to say that they have heart, and bright personalities. that counts, too, for more than we realize.</p>
<p>so don’t limit yourself to looking good on paper. do what you love, that’s all.</p>
<p>I plan on applying to Yale grad school in the future.
The information you provided is insightful, so thank you.</p>
<p>As far as the med school there, what kind of resume am I looking to build in order to be considered there.</p>
<p>My guess off the back is above average MCAT scores, in the 35 + range?
a 3.8 - 4.0 GPA?</p>
<p>outside of these two obvious factors, what kind of students get admitted to Yale?</p>
<p>A voluminous independent research rap
with some award-given internships and
all 4 year volunteering with 2,000 + hours at a hospital?</p>
<p>I dont think this question is appropriate to the Med school thread because I am looking more so to get a perspective on the overall student body of the medical school. What kind of things they are recognized for that catapulted them to the top med school in the country in my opinion.</p>
<p>The philosophy of medicine at Yale is unprecedent and I think the overall mold as a doctor is nothing short of perfection. You become a four year sculpture of omnipresent luster. It is my dream to attend the med school there, and one I am going to work insanely hard for.</p>