New to this, but... "chances?"

Colleges & Universities A-Z Yale University
1

<p>I have a pretty interesting case. I graduated from Chicago's top private arts high school in 2006, 7th in my class. I majored in Theatre there. I spent last semester at Marlboro College (received straight A's), but had a very bad experience there. I am taking this semester off, and am applying to schools for next fall as a freshman (Yale, Brown, Northwester, Vassar, Sarah Lawrence, Wesleyan, Skidmore). I did not want to transfer - I want to spend four years at a school fully committed to the institution. Also, for many of my schools I would have needed a full year in college to transfer, and I could not stay at Marlboro do to my bad experiences there (roomate suicide attempt, friend suicide attempt, family issues, and depression). I am now back home in Chicago working in Theatre, primarily doing web design for Chicago's largest acting school and also doing a teaching apprenticeship in children's theatre. My Stats:</p>

<p>ACT: comp-31, math-27 reading-31 science-35 eng/writing-28
SAT: comp-1990, Verbal-700, Math-670, Writing-620
GPA: 3.9ish Rank: 7th/40
AP's: French-2, Calc-2, Euro Hitst-5, Literature-5</p>

<p>Illinois State Scholar</p>

<p>EC's- Professional Theatre, Student Theatre (acting, directing, tech) for 10 years. Chicago's best childrens theatre, work with celebrity actors. Chicago's best theatre high school. Resume as impressive if not better than a theatre BFA graduate (Macbeth, Creon, all the major roles).</p>

<p>-Musical instruments for 8-9 years. Guitar, Organ, Didjeridoo. Bands, Live theatre music, etc.</p>

<p>-3 internships at top Chicago Theatres, including Lookingglass Theatre (Development, Artistic Administration, Technical)</p>

<p>For Yale, Celebrity Rec. from stage and screen actor Austin Pendleton (Yale class of 1961)</p>

<p>Essays: one on being Vegan and its profound ethical effects on my life (Vegan for 4 years, vegetarian for 6). other on Icarus and how his story has inspired me throughout the years. Good, stand up essays.</p>

<p>One teacher rec from High School, one from Marlboro College's top Shakespearean professor.</p>

<p>I think that about sums it up. I really want to go to Yale - I wish to pursue theatre, art history, and social activism.</p>

2

<p>It is hard to see how your theater is gong to outweigh the weak SAT scores and the iff-y class rank. Particularly problematic, given that so many Yale applicants present lustrous theater "credentials." I would definitely omit any mention of the AP French and Calculus scores, if that can be done.</p>

<p>At a glance, I'd say that it's a very long shot. (Very!)</p>

3

<p>Thanks for getting back to me Piglette. I know it is quite a long shot, but I've got some faith and some hope, and sometimes that's all we need (fingers crossed). I'm also hoping that the fact that I have had some college experience and am a relatively individual case will set me apart from the other applicants (particularly theatre ones).</p>

4

<p>everyone on this site is sooo pessimistic it seems, samincollege i think your "creditials" sound really interesting & stand out.</p>

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<p>yeah I agree...you have just about everything going for you except the SAT scores...with yale you never know but I'd say you're definetly in the running.</p>

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<p>IDK, those SAT scores are awfully low. Maybe you can if you are a minority or if Yale decides your theater stuff is good enough, but if not I would get a couple matches on your list of colleges just in case.</p>

7

<p>i would let them know about how you managed to get all As for a semester while all this bad stuff was happening to you, who cares about SATs when you have already proven you can handle a college courseload</p>

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<p>Won't they overlook my SAT's a little more because I am submitting the ACT's?</p>

9

<p>They probably would. Do check if all those institutions allow a freshman application - I can't remember which, but some universities don't allow you to apply freshman if you've already enrolled in another university.</p>

10

<p>I checked all of them for that. The apps are already out, too. Now is just the waiting game (and the financial aid race).</p>