So, during my freshman year I had like 2 B’s a C+ and an A-. But during this period of time I honestly could not care LESS. I was in shock, grief, and guilt because two very important people in my life, close family members, had passed away ( since then I’ve spoken w guidance counselors and a therapist, it’s been a journey) and sophmore- junior year were all A’s. Nothing below a 96. I also had really good EC’s, president of two clubs and captain of the speech team, and this summer internship at a hospital in NY. I took around 15 AP’s, did really well on the tests, and had a 36 ACT as well as 800 and 800 for the world history sat 2 and Chem as well as a 780 for Math 2.
I’m scared that all anyone will focus on is freshman mistakes and a lot is kind of riding on this. Any feedback, any advice, and any help is appreciated.
Have your guidance counselor address your struggles freshman year in their LOR. Yale is a reach for all applicants but I don’t think your freshman year puts you out of the running.
It’s nothing to stress over. Just give them what you have. You might get in, you might not. It’s that way with everyone who applies to these schools. A bachelors degree is accredited the same no matter where you go, and employers already know that. 99.99% of the workforce run the worlds largest and most diverse economy without going to an ivy league school. You’re not missing anything.
Yale (and every other selective school) will receive hundreds of applications detailing how the student overcame an assortment of tragedies inflicted on themselves and close family members, including illness, homelessness, addiction, sexual assault, murder, accident and natural disaster. Some will have come through these issues with better grades than you, some with far worse. No one here can tell you whether your explanation will be seen as “validly justifiable” at Yale, and even if it is, whether or not you would be admitted.
Apply to Yale anyway - you never know. But, make sure to apply to schools where your overall GPA (including freshman year) gives you a better chance of admissions. There are also some very good schools (UC’s, and others) that don’t even consider freshman grades.
Tippy tops such as Yale are holistic for a reason. Have your GC explain your trouble in his/her LOR and then give it your best shot. Nearly everyone’s odds are pretty terrible, but you’ve got plenty of good stuff going for you, so you might as well throw your hat in the ring.