I think I'll add a "chances" thread

<p>I am a junior and I plan on applying to Yale EA in the fall. The EA part will depend on whether my application looks good enough by November.</p>

<p>I very recently switched paths from being a theatre major. I had not intended on applying to an Ivy League school, but to a conservatory.</p>

<p>I have not yet taken any SAT II's or the SAT I, which I'm taking next month. I don't know when I'm taking any SAT II's. I should probably look into that. lol</p>

<p>Here are my current stats.</p>

<p>ACT: 30 with a perfect score in English. I'm taking it again in the fall to hopefully boost my math and essay scores.
GPA: 4.0
EC: I have 500+ hours in community theatre. It's mainly acting, but some of it is tech work, stage managing, asisstant directing, and writing.
I did some volunteer work at a children's museum in my freshmen year.
I am going to be volunteering at a local cultural centre this summer and tutoring.
I attended Summer Session 2005 at the North Carolina School of the Arts.
I am in the process of writing a play that will be performed, hopefully, in early fall. I will also direct it and possibly act in it if I can't find an actor that can handle a certain role.</p>

<p>Other: I am homeschooled. I've made straight A's since freshmen year. This summer I will be taking my sixth course at a community college. I am from an area with bad public schools and not so great private schools (I think there's only two private schools that go all the way through high school). I only know of one girl that might have been accepted to Yale this year. I'm fairly certain she got in though. I've had a job since the beginning of the year. I am expecting really great recommendations and I interview well. I think my essays will be excellent, but I can't say for sure until I've written them. :)</p>

<p>There you have it. It's a bit unusual; I hope that works in my favor!</p>

<p>Please be completely honest as to what you think the odds are. Thank you to whoever responds!!!</p>

<p>EDIT: I forgot to add that I'm a first generation college student on my mom's side.</p>

<p>Are there no opinions?</p>

<p>The ACT score is lower than normal for Yale, and you only have 2 test dates left before the EA deadline, so you will not be able to retake anything. And if you are homeschooled, you need to submit 4 SAT Subject tests, and since there are only two test dates left, and you need to take the SAT on one, and three SAT II's on the other, you will not be able to have all of the neccessary test requirements before the deadline. </p>

<p>Also, communtiy theatre is not considered community service, because it is not directly benefiting the community, only your acting skills. </p>

<p>Im not trying to be mean, but you tol me to tell you the "truth" and also, since you are homeschooled, they do not rely on grades, because a parent can give you good grades just to get into a good college. They rely on SAT/SAT II score, so you need a 2250+ and four 750+ to have a great shot.</p>

<p>also, it doesnt matter if you are a first generation college student on your moms side, beacuse that means your Dad went to college, so that voids the first generation hook</p>

<p>I usually don't respond to chances threads, but here goes. My perspective comes from many years of alumni interviewing for Yale.</p>

<p>While I agree that your ACT scores is low, I think the bigger problem is your extracurricular activities. While you obviously have a passion for theater, you have no other significant extracurricular activities. A number of successful applicants have only one extracurricular activity, but I think they pursue them more than your 500+ hours plus writing a play demonstrate. Applicants who have pursued only one extracurricular often times are recognized on a statewide or national level for that talent.</p>

<p>I think your chances are excellent for getting into a wonderful college, but I would be sure to apply to plenty of schools outside the Ivy League.</p>

<p>Thank you both for responding. I have also recieved all A's (97-100 averages) in my five college courses, so that should help as far as the parents giving a child good grades, which my mom has never done, but I know that doesn't mean anything.
I have not seen anything about homeschoolers being required to submit four SAT Subject Tests, but I will be sure to e-mail the dean of admissions and inquire about the specific requirements for homeschoolers.
I am adding more community service to my repetoire this summer, as I mentioned. While I may not be recognized statewide or nationally for theatre, I am consistently cast in difficult, adult roles and beat out actual adults for the parts. I will submit a resume with my application and, if neccessary, a supplimentary letter from one of my directors. The play will be performed under a statewide organization for beginning playwrites.
I suppose I am considered a first generation college student because my dad did not go to college. I didn't understand exactly how that worked and I thought that if my grandmother, for instance, went to college I wouldn't be considered first generation.
Again, thank you both for responding. I appreciate the criticism. I may wait to apply regular decision, but I will still apply at Yale as well as many others. I figure I should at least give Yale a shot.</p>

<p>You should absolutely give Yale a shot as long as you realize that it's a reach for just about everyone and you have some safety schools that you would be happy to attend on your list. Best of luck in your college quest. You have an impressive resume.</p>

<p>Thank you very, very much for taking the time to respond. I definitely realize Yale is a reach school and I do have plenty of other schools that I am likely to get into as well as fall back schools. :) It's just nice to hear that hear that I have an "impressive resume!"</p>