Official Yale 2009 Transfers!

<p>They were generous enough with transfer credit (to the point where I retained my current expected graduation date). They gave me general credit for everything except little 1 hour seminars. Basically I was able to satisfy all of Yale's general reqs (college writing, science, etc) except for the foreign language one... which I hadn't needed at my old school. They did this all without having me show them a single syllabus. However, if you want your old courses to count toward satisfying a specific Yale credit, you usually have to present evidence (syllabi, papers, assignments, etc) that the particular course you took is sufficiently similar in both content and rigor to Yale's equivalent. If they deem that to be the case, they give you credit as if you took that class at Yale (except it still doesn't go toward your Yale GPA). Jumping through those hoops usually isn't worth it unless the class is for your major/minor.</p>

<p>@gobackto2005</p>

<p>Honestly I'm not sure what sort of characteristics Yale is looking for. I can tell you one thing for certain... they aren't looking for someone who only has good test scores and a good GPA. While that is important, I feel that is merely a qualifier to be taken seriously as an applicant. They want someone who is passionate about something more than just getting a 4.0. Get involved at your current school. Find something you love and work hard at it. Make sure that shows in your application. A laundry list of small activities, awards, and community service is going to get you nowhere. Instead of having 100 small things, try to devote a lot of time to one or two of those. For me it was competitive ballroom dance and my research.</p>

<p>Yes, MagiTF, your words are most agreeable!! I'm focusing on leadership programs which I'm passionate at since primary school lol and dancing activities(ballroom dancing and latine dancing). But the greek life has a huge impact in my current college, I think I'm not passionate at it...Hope it wont hurt my chance...
Do you think it is important to know some alumni/alumna of yale? maybe it can help to get better understand yale. :) do you mind if i add you on aim for some talk?</p>

<p>sigh... another main essay question for MagiTF or others (sorry... theres just not a whole lot to fill my mind until school starts)</p>

<p>how did you control the flow of the essay if it wasn't creative (i.e. keep it from being a list of gripes/desires)? and how did you keep it interesting/captivating/nonrepetitive (especially with other portions of the essay asking for Why ___, as well)?</p>

<p>Good question. I guess when people hear to make an essay "interesting," they interpret it as making it creative or different (like writing it from the perspective of your pinkie toe or something), but really that's not necessary. I feel that being too creative often backfires for many applicants as they get so distracted by making it creative that they neglect actual substance and quality. </p>

<p>It was written concisely, but not blandly (or at least I like to think so). I talked about how the activities I have done in college have given me a new sense of myself and maturity, and how Yale uniquely (or so I told them :P) allows me to grow academically and socially in a way that my old school couldn't.</p>

<p>Thanks MagiTF.</p>

<p>Hi, thank you for your advice. I have a few questions. Concerning my EC's I am planning on starting a college newspaper in my campus, devote the grand majority of my time to the political science organization at my college (that's my major), I volunteer at a daycare and I'm also planning to be on the debate team. Do you think that would suffice? Also, in my personal essay, I am some what confused since I don't know exactly what topic to choose. My top 3 are: My grandfather and how even though i never met him ( he died way before I was born) he has influenced me in a lot of things. Especially since he was a political activist for puerto rican rights in NY and he is featured in a book at the NY public library. He inspired to follow in his foot steps and to fight for civil rights (my ultimate goal is to become a civil rights lawyer). My second topic would be my mother's influence and how hard her life was (she left her house at 15 due to the costant abuse by her mother, got married and then got divorced. She had three children and she found herself in a lot of time without anything to eat) but she still overcame everything and graduated in 2007 with a B.S in mechanical engineering at age 47. How she taught to be persistent and to push life's struggles aside and do your best (my life hasn't been easy either). Finally, my third topic would be more in terms of my life (being abandoned by my father at birth, again at age 7 and again at age 18. Having a brother who was a crack addict etc.) In no way I want it to seem that I am searching for their pity. I want to demonstrate inspiration, perseverance, confidence and optimism. What would be the most ideal essay? I am also wondering if maybe after I finished writing them I can send them to you, so I can know your opinion and you can give me some advice on them.</p>

<p>Sincerely, Jemma</p>

<p>P.S: Sorry if my message was poorly written. I am writing this while I'm at work :D</p>

<p>^^^^^ on my post above I forgot to specify that the post was towards MagiTF. Although anybody is welcome to respond.</p>

<p>Sorry =)</p>

<p>When and how will you make it poignant?</p>

<p>You're picking topics that seem to stand alone. You'll have a hard time transforming a topic as such into an essay that is equally powerful.</p>

<p>Hey Jemma, sorry it's taken me so long to respond... I don't really check CC much on the weekends.</p>

<p>I think your ECs sound good. It's about quality not quantity. It's definitely enough for an applicant in terms of number, so it's really just contingent upon what you do with those three activities. Kick butt at debate and win a lot of awards; make your newspaper really take off. Most colleges know how time consuming both of those can be (at least if you want to be successful). </p>

<p>Also, I think how you present your activities is equally, if not more, important. Some people may disagree, and this is my personal opinion, but I'm an advocate of using your essays to focus on what you do, rather than what you think/how you feel. The point of the essays (and really the whole app) is to sell yourself to the university, and actions speak a lot louder than feelings and aspirations. If you want to write about your grandfather, that's ok... but if you do I would really suggest using it to highlight how he's inspired you to do what you've already done and become who you are today, rather than how he's inspired you to eventually become a civil rights lawyer. I'm not saying disregard mentioning your aspirations entirely, rather find what is most important to you (whether it's debate, newspaper, or whatever) and focus on how it has changed you and has helped you grow.</p>

<p>
[quote]
My top 3 are: My grandfather and how even though i never met him ( he died way before I was born) he has influenced me in a lot of things. Especially since he was a political activist for puerto rican rights in NY and he is featured in a book at the NY public library. He inspired to follow in his foot steps and to fight for civil rights (my ultimate goal is to become a civil rights lawyer). My second topic would be my mother's influence and how hard her life was (she left her house at 15 due to the costant abuse by her mother, got married and then got divorced. She had three children and she found herself in a lot of time without anything to eat) but she still overcame everything and graduated in 2007 with a B.S in mechanical engineering at age 47. How she taught to be persistent and to push life's struggles aside and do your best (my life hasn't been easy either). Finally, my third topic would be more in terms of my life (being abandoned by my father at birth, again at age 7 and again at age 18. Having a brother who was a crack addict etc.) In no way I want it to seem that I am searching for their pity. I want to demonstrate inspiration, perseverance, confidence and optimism. What would be the most ideal essay? I am also wondering if maybe after I finished writing them I can send them to you, so I can know your opinion and you can give me some advice on them.

[/quote]
</p>

<p>The essay should have the impact. Not the topic. Impressive topic =/= impressive essay. Simple topic =/= simple essay. The power to transform is not limited to subjects like Death and addiction. It can be found anywhere.</p>

<p>^^ She said it best. No need for me to extend.</p>

<p>Thank you both. I completely understand what you are saying and I agree. I will write my essay like that. Again, thank you very much... Anything I can do to better my chances, I will do it. </p>

<p>Sincerely, Jemma</p>

<p>Anyone willing to help with proof-reading. We could read each other's essays.</p>

<p>I need opinions.</p>

<p>Thanks.</p>

<p>Please PM if you're willing.</p>

<p>I wonder if it is okay to bump this? Oh well too late T__T</p>

<p>Good Luck everyone! I'm considering applying next year. Do you know when you'll find out?</p>

<p>we turned our apps in!!! yay for us!!! dont discourage yourselves guys, its over and we're ready to hear our acceptances pour in. now let's get trashed to celebrate turnign our apps in :)</p>

<p>I completely agree with dirty.chicago. Glad to see a ray of sunshine is a world of gray clouds</p>

<p>I don't know if this question was answered before but how long do the yale transfer essays have to be? I looked at the transfer site and it didn't give a minimum or a maximum value. My first essay was a page and one paragraph; second, one page; and third was a paragraph. Also, for my reason for transferring I put that I wanted to get a frank patterson grant which lets you run your own research topic. Is that a valid reason? Thank you so much for your help.</p>

<p>Hey, anyone know how to check to make sure our application was received?</p>

<p>I think they send you something in april if there are any missing documents. Check the transfer site on the yale website.</p>