Hello! What separates the good from the great?

Colleges and Universities A-Z Yale University
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<p>Hello! So, the first time I wrote this, I suppose I spent too much time on the page as to where it just decided to log itself out. I'm a little annoyed because I couldn't get back what I typed… Feel free to ignore certain parts; I realize I wrote a lot. I'm just taking whatever kind of help I can get. Thank you very much for your time, and hopefully your answers.</p>

<p>Anywho, I was looking through the 2014 Yale results forum. A handful of people with seemingly equal applications have been rejected in comparison to those who(m?) have been accepted. Does it only seem this way to the untrained eye? Or are there other things taken into consideration not found on an application? A combination of both, perhaps? Are there things on it I think wouldn't matter, but in fact do? What separates that 9%? Extensive extracurriculars, ample vounteerwork, excellent GPA, outstanding SAT/ACT/SAT II scores, well written essays, work experience, recommendations, interviews, yeah. How do I prepare for/do this?</p>

<p>I'm going to be a sophomore in a recently established and small high school. Last year, my grades were average (85) for the most part by the end of the school year. I always did very well in math (Ended with a 98), and did okay (90-94) at certain quarters for other classes. I could've done a lot better in everything, but barely tried in anything. I suppose I was just stressed about things not involving school and in a bad mindset (now otherwise). If I did try, I know I could get mid to high 90s in I'd think at least basically every class. </p>

<p>This year, I plan to try my hardest in school, join a few clubs, partake in as many AP classes as I can (which I really want because while I was sitting there wondering when we'd stop reviewing things [which seemed to only seldom happen], my other classmates were either downright failing, or just barely passing, aside from a few exceptions), try to find volunteer work, get my working papers, apply for the Summer Youth Education Program (where many kids get their summer jobs, in case you don't have it where you are or have never heard of it) and continue to study daily (I study for the SATs and other things that would help me with it including some other non-related things for I'd say usually around 1.5-2+ hours a day, but this is during the summer). I'd also like to see if I could handle (and find…) a job for the weekends and holidays if my parents/schoolwork allow once I'm of age. I just ordered SAT prep work, and oh yeah, I'm excited. I actually like learning; I see these things as a productive and interesting way to spend my time, rather than being onerous.</p>

<p>Is there anything I'm missing or can do that will help? Are there any other general tips you could give me that have worked/are working for you? How do I find volunteer work? (I live in NYC… if that helps?) Could you tell me what a hook (just something a college you're applying to takes into consideration when reviewing your application and enhances your chances of acceptance?) is and examples of them? What a Likely Letter is, specifically? What would count as a summer activity and how it differs from community service or a summer job? Once I go back to school (14 more days), should I find a guidance counselor and just explain my situation to them?</p>

<p>I realize as far as Yale goes, I'm setting pretty high standards. Also considering the outrageous tuition (Scholarships, financial aid, loans? [would I also be able to handle a part-time job at the same time? Or should I just wallow in debt for a while and take more classes? How do the dorms work?) it seems like I really need to start to figure out what I'm doing. One of the main reasons I'd like to go to Yale is because it offers a variety of classes I'd be interested in. It seems to be the only school that offers them all. Going anywhere else, I'd have to compromise. There are about 5,000 students accepted to Yale every year, so why can't one be me if I do my absolute best? Even if I don't get in, if I follow through with what I plan to do I'll probably get into a decent school. I figure it's probably good for me to aim high in this situation, even if in the end I'm disappointed and I go to maybe not my dream school, but a fairly good, less expensive one.</p>

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<p>You should sit down and have a long talk with your GC. She/he should be able to give you an idea of the types of students from your school who have made it into Yale and Yale-like schools.</p>

<p>Also, you asked why those with similar stats were accepted or rejected. Often, it comes down to your gpa ranking, letters of recommendation, essays, and whether your GC reports that you have taken the Most Rigorous courseload possible in your school.</p>

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<p>There are a couple of gaps in your post. Yale accepts about 2,000 students every year. The costs are very high but Yale has an extremely generous need-blind financial aid policy that you can read about here: [Financial</a> Aid | Freshmen | Office of Undergraduate Admissions](<a href=“Home | Yale College Undergraduate Admissions”>Affordability: The Basics | Yale College Undergraduate Admissions).</p>

<p>A hook is a factor that makes you more attractive to the school. Three common hooks are legacy [one/both of your parents went to Yale], URM [you are an African-American, Hispanic-American, or Native American, so you are an Under Represented Minority], or recruit [Yale wants you to play a sport for them]. None of them will guarantee acceptance, but they help.</p>

<p>A likely letter is a letter that states that you are “likely to be admitted to Yale”. Read about them here: <a href=“http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/yale-university/804816-quick-facts-about-likely-letters.html[/url]”>http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/yale-university/804816-quick-facts-about-likely-letters.html&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt;

<p>A summer activity is something you do during the summer. Community service is volunteering you do in the community. A summer job is a job you do in the summer. Both community service and summer jobs can be considered summer activities. If you were to play soccer in an organized league, then that would be a summer activity too. </p>

<p>You should definitely go to a guidance counselor and explain your situation. They can provide great info that you can supplement from CC.</p>

<p>As for what separates the good from the great, there’s not much. Just because Yale rejects you doesn’t mean you were only “good” - you can be just as good as the admitted students, but maybe you had bad luck or who knows what. Don’t let acceptances define your worth.</p>

<p>When a school has a 7.5% admission rate, the odds are that you will be rejected. Keep your grades up, find some activities you really like and get involved in them, and enjoy your life. When you apply to schools, you’ll get into some great ones and you won’t get into some great ones. It happens. Best of luck!</p>

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<p>Oh, thank you for correcting that. I suppose the site had old statistics or something along the lines of that.</p>

<p>I thank you both very much for the help you have given me. Those links are going to be very helpful to me. I apologize for the length of the topic… </p>

<p>I’ll hope I get to where I want to be academically and that I’m one of the lucky ones. Thanks again!</p>

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<p>What I get from reading the results threads is the following:

  1. All the admitted applicants have very strong academic achievement, including grades and scores, and most have excellent achievements in ECs as well. A few “hooked” applicants (athletic recruits, URMs, etc.) have slightly–but just slightly–weaker academic credentials.
  2. My perception is that what makes a student stand out among the highly qualified applicants is high-level measurable individual achievement in an activity outside the high school. For example, winning a major science competition, or being accepted to a highly competitive summer program. While not all admittees have this, my perception is that applicants who do have this are more likely to be admitted.</p>