As a freshmen, I have 3.5 years ahead of me to get into yale. My current GPA is 4.0. Please comment course, club, athletic, etc suggestions to get into yale!
Find what makes you special or what you are passionate about and do something with it. Every student at Yale is going to be stellar with grades, scores and EC’s. That is a bar you need to meet of course but to break free from the other 30,000+ applications, you will need to have something that makes the AO want to know more about you. Every kid will have some kind of Class office, National Honor Society and list of clubs. These are standards and not special. You need to find something that makes you special and then make it your mission to do something with it for the next 3 years. Keep in mind however that every other prospective student is doing the same so make sure its something you love because at the end of the process you want to be happy with all you have accomplished and not feel like it was all for nothing if you do not make the cut. I read on another thread that most who were accepted did not even feel the things they offered were special, they just did what they loved. There may be something to that statement that rings true in admissions as well. True passion cannot be manufactured. Good luck! And great start with the GPA. Keep it up.
WOW! I seriously appreciate this so much! thank you so much for putting so much time into this response. 
I’m not an expert on this, but from what I’ve read, and learned I think it’s not wise to try to become a student that a certain college would select, but rather, pursue every option that you find amazing and interesting. After that, the colleges that match your personality and avocation will find you.
An analogy would be… Don’t work to make yourself into a key that unlocks the doors at Yale.
Be the best key you can be, and see what doors that key unlocks?
As a freshman, it’s good that you’re already planning your route to college, but you need to realize that getting into Yale shouldn’t be the goal of your high school experience. Do things that YOU love, not what you think the colleges will love. If you love bird watching, start a club or join an organization outside of school. If you hate math, don’t try to be the Math Club president even if you can. Also, getting a 4.0 freshman year is good but not an indicator of your academic ability. You are taking the easiest classes you’ll take in high school. Focusing on academics is more important than trying to create a resume full of good sounding ECs. Getting a good SAT/ACT score is more important that trying to spread yourself thin doing a little bit everything. Do a few things, but with passion.
thanks! i agree, getting a 4.0 was fairly easy. i appreciate your advice a lot!
thank you!
Former Yale admissions dean, Mr. Brenzel, told the NY Times:
Apply sideways: http://mitadmissions.org/blogs/entry/applying_sideways