<p>I have looked at these for years now and am so pumped to finally fill one out myself.</p>
<p>Decision: Accepted</p>
<p>Objective:[ul]
[<em>] SAT I (breakdown): 2290 (760CR, 740M, 790W). 2nd try.
[</em>] ACT: 34 (35E, 35M, 32R, 35S, 10E). 1st try.
[<em>] SAT II: 720 US History, 740 Chemistry, 760 Literature, 770 Math II.
[</em>] Unweighted GPA (out of 4.0): 3.98
[<em>] Rank (percentile if rank is unavailable): 3/215
[</em>] AP (place score in parenthesis): My school doesn’t really let you take APs until junior year. 7 exams, 4 from classes and 3 self-studed. Four 5’s and three 4’s.
[<em>] IB (place score in parenthesis): N/A
[</em>] Senior Year Course Load: AP Calc BC, AP Chemistry, Honors Physics, AP English Literature, Astronomy, Film for first semester. Chamber Ensemble, Concert Choir, and Jazz Band if those count.
[li] Major Awards (USAMO, Intel etc.): Renssalaer Medal, National Merit Semifinalist, AP Scholar w/ distinction, bunch of other small stuff.</p>[/li]
<p>[/ul]Subjective:[ul]
[<em>] Extracurriculars: Cross country, indoor track, outdoor track–team was state champions at XC and I have some qualifying times in track. No intention of running in college, though I am going to play Ultimate Disc. Captain of Math Team, Executive Board Member of National Honor Society. Future Farmers of America / vo-ag stuff. Tutor, ski club, sort of scratching the surface by this point… Lots of music related stuff but I left that for my music teacher’s recommendation.
[</em>] Job/Work Experience: small data internship over the summer.
[<em>] Volunteer/Community service: not a whole lot. volunteer beekeeper at this fair each year. music teacher rec talked about playing piano at nursing homes.
[</em>] Summer Activities: I don’t think this showed up much on my application. An ocassional camp, summer XC practice, bleh. On my big supplemental essay I talked about how I love the outdoors, specifically mentioning cliff jumping with friends and hiking at Yosemite.
[<em>] Common App Essay: About growing up on a farm. I played it up and it totally added a unique element to my application.
[</em>] Supplement Essays: Short takes were funny and lighthearted. “Why Yale” was solid and I injected as many possible specifics about the school as I could. Big supplemental essay was on this performance/presentation I did as Bob Dylan that sort of went on to expand on my character and how I love to do things.
[<em>] Teacher Recommendation 1: From my AP English teacher last year. One of my best friends but he’s lazy so it’s totally templated, although he did add a part about me being the best writer in the school.
[</em>] Teacher Recommendation 2: From my Precalc/BC Calc teacher, NHS advisor, Cross Country/Track coach (pretty much everything, I see this guy way too much). He’s an immigrant and not really a great writer but he clearly put time in to it and it was rather long and heartfelt.
[<em>] Counselor Rec: I basically wrote this. Tailored it specifically for Yale and found out my regional admissions officer and addressed it directly to her.
[</em>] Additional Rec: From my music teacher. No doubt in my mind that this is what tipped me in. Very well written, and she said I was the most inspiring student she had ever known. I left out most of my music extracurriculars from the rest of my application and instead asked her to mention them in context which worked really well I think.
[li] Interview: Oh lord. The bane of my application. The thing that people will remember me by–“Mr. Wet Handshake.” Yes, upon arriving at Yale for my on-campus interview I used the bathroom only to find no paper towels. As I was walking out and about to dry my hand on my pants the interviewer came out of nowhere and shook my soaking wet hand. Likely the most awkward moment of my life. Otherwise the interview went really well, and at least it has made for a good story to tell.</p>[/li]
<p>[/ul]Other[ul]
[<em>] Applied for Financial Aid?: Yes
[</em>] Intended Major: Undecided but indicated interest in physics
[<em>] State (if domestic applicant): CT
[</em>] Country (if international applicant): US
[<em>] School Type: Public as it gets. Small farm town. Nobody has ever gotten in to Yale from my school, though we do occasionally get some reputable acceptances.
[</em>] Race(s) (AI/AN, Asian, AA, NH/PI, White, not reported): White
[<em>] Gender: Male
[</em>] Income Bracket: idk, combined parent income of slightly over $100k
[li] Hooks/tips (URM, athlete, legacy, 1st gen, etc.):</p>[/li]
<p>[/ul]Reflection[ul]
[<em>] Strengths: Although I’m honestly probably one of the most normal applicants around, I did everything possible to stand out and seem unique on my application. That totally entails playing up little quirky things. I did my best and apparently succeeded at conveying passion in everything I do. I promise that passion is the key to acceptance at any top university.
[</em>] Weaknesses: Nothing in particular. I’m a pretty well-rounded applicant. If they saw my calc grade from this year then, well, that would be a different story…
[li] Why you think you were accepted: Ability to convey myself as unique, ability to convey passion.</p>[/li]
<p>[/ul]General Comments: </p>
<p>My best friend (another totally normal dude) also got in to Yale which is literally unbelievable. So pumped for Bulldogs Days. Not sure if it’s my top choice–I love Brown and also like Dartmouth, Northwestern, Stanford–but I do sort of have a feeling I will end up here. Congratulations to all those accepted, and I look very much forward to meeting you! </p>
<p>For those rejected/deferred: as the cliche goes, you’ll ultimately find the right place and be happy. There are too many resources and awesome people at whatever college you go to for you to take advantage of; you’re limited only by your willingness to push your comfort zone. And for people who are saying stuff like “what were they thinking, so ****ed at admissions, etc. (I know I’m bad at coming up with examples),” that type of arrogant attitude totally shows up in your application and there’s no doubt in my mind that you did not get in for that reason. Yale more than any other school I feel tries to accept genuinely nice people.</p>
<p>For future applicants: There is no key to acceptance. Admissions officers are human beings and they want to admit people they feel they can relate to, not someone who takes standardized tests religiously. I am by no means a perfect applicant, but I’m well rounded, passionate, nice, oh, and totally normal, and I got in to Yale. Good luck!</p>
But in all honesty, I have no idea. I did what I loved throughout high school and stayed true to myself in the application, so maybe it was sincerity. [/li][/ul]General Comments: AHHHHHH!!! This is crazy!!! Congrats to everyone accepted!</p>
