<p>younghickory- if your question is for me- although he loves outdoor activities, my son is definitely not a recruited athlete. Could care less about the Red Sox, Patriots,and Celtics (unlike me). However, he is interested in pursuing the sciences, which may have helped.</p>
<p>Good luck tachyon90- a potential physics major?</p>
<p>I have read that Yale aims its academic likely letters at talented science and music students.</p>
<p>Yeah, I'm definitely not an athlete either. Nor a music student. And while I do want to major in physics, I wouldn't say that I'm notably talented at science; at least, none of my ECs speak for that.</p>
<p>I know this probably sounds kind of rude, but I'm just a curious junior trying to get a head start on the game. Any hook?</p>
<p>Yeah, I had a little bit of a hook, but everyone does, they just have to find it. I know this sounds cheesy, but you really have to show how unique you are. What I discovered in the whole application process/essays was that what is normal to you is not necessarily normal for everyone else.</p>
<p>Just to give some hope to everyone who doesn't have the crazy stats of tachyon90 and onedad. I got a call from a Yale admission officer today informing me of my incoming likely letter. I got a 2140 on my SATs, I've only completed 4 AP tests (three 5s and a 4), I'm not in the top ten of my class, and I don't have spotless grades (4 Bs in high school, in 4 out of 9 AP classes). I even got a 620 in the math section of the SAT!! That said, I've been heavily involved in music since 5th grade, found 100% unique essay topics to write about, and have a good variety of extracurricular activities that I'm focused on (although I'm not a big athelete, and not a member of student gov). I guess the lesson of this post is...BE UNIQUE!!! While colleges are impressed by high grades, they as equally impressed by people who have accomplished uncommon feats or developed themselves well in a non-academic way. If you make your application stand out, elite colleges are willing to overlook a not-so-spotless record...don't lose hope just because you aren't that sterotypical straight-A, valedictorian that has come to symbolize the ideal candidate. In reality, that image is not true.</p>
<p>By the way, when likely letters say that you'll be accepted as long as your grades don't take a dive, do they mean you can't flunk any classes or you can't drop from, say, an A to a B in a couple of classes?</p>
<p>Thanks for that lexicon, I think we all need a reality check here on CC. And congratulations to you!!</p>
<p>
[quote]
By the way, when likely letters say that you'll be accepted as long as your grades don't take a dive, do they mean you can't flunk any classes or you can't drop from, say, an A to a B in a couple of classes?
[/quote]
You probable should not drop any academic courses and try to keep the grades about C.</p>
<p>This is just my humble opinion :)</p>
<p>And to those of you who do not receive likely letters - don't panic!!!</p>
<p>DD did not, nor did most of her friends. The vast majority of incoming freshman did not receive one. </p>
<p>Congratulations to those who did and here's to enjoying the rest of your senior year. If you still have any other schools you are considering, may I just say that Yale is truly a wonderful place where there is a healthy balance of intellectual challenge and just plain fun.</p>
<p>Lexicon, I think you hit the nail on the head. It's like you took the words out of my mouth haha. Uniqueness is what Yale (and most universities, I believe) is looking for. While I'm honored that you said I had "crazy stats" LOL, I don't think that is what got me a likely letter. Fortunately, I've been raised in a unique environment, and that gave me some great help in writing my essays. It felt weird to describe my life as unique (born and raised on an Army base, son of an enlisted SF soldier), but the key thing to remember is that what may seem normal for you is not necessarily normal for everyone else.</p>
<p>And as far as keeping up grades, I wouldn't be too worried, as long as you don't fail. But then again, what's five more months of working hard in high school compared to the laborious eons you've already spent getting to now.</p>
<p>so likely letters are still being sent out??</p>
<p>(for non-athletes??)</p>
<p>(or just academics in general)?</p>
<p>I GOT A LETTER!!!!! wow i'm so surprised. im not even an athlete or URM. wow. i'm speechless</p>
<p>congrats cloudnine!!! u must rly b on cloud nine now ;)</p>
<p>(btw, may i ask wut part of the country u r from? )</p>
<p>sry about the double post again, but also:</p>
<p>is this only for people who applied SCEA?</p>
<p>SCEA released its decisions two months ago.</p>
<p>Do you mean SCEA deferees? If so, then no. If they didn't get admitted SCEA, then they probably wouldn't get a likely letter, but thats not to say that its impossible.</p>
<p>yea, i meant the deferees. that's makes sense, though, chicagoboy.</p>
<p>I'm from North Carolina (so I guess I'm kind of a minority in that sense). I didn't apply SCEA and I regretted that for awhile. FYI - I am a normal kid. My SAT scores are good but not 2400, I got a B in Calc last year, and I've only taken 5 APs (with a 4 in B Phys). I do go to one of the top public schools and I have significant research experience so I guess that's my hook. I'm not some crazy resume builder and I still got a letter. For a long time I built up an idea of Yale being a school that no one gets into. I know 3 people who got into Yale early who I didn't really expect. So don't worry. More people have a shot at acceptance than you would imagine.</p>
<p>PS - I'm really excited so sorry for any grammar/spelling crap</p>