Please Chance Me for Yale SCEA

Colleges and Universities A-Z Yale University
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Intended Major - Neuroscience; Possible Minor in Philosophy (I know Yale doesn’t have any minors, might double major if I get in, depending on workload).

Stats - 1510 SAT (20 essay), 3.95/4.48 GPA, 12 APs. Waiting on Math II, Lit, and Latin subject tests (all prob 750+, taking Bio in the fall and retaking SAT later)

Demographics - Black/Hispanic — some native ties to tribes in South America.

Awards - Gold medals in National Latin exam (x3; perfect score x1). National Semifinalist, AP Scholar, National Hispanic Scholar. Gold medalist at regional Latin competition (state qualifier)

ECs -
Founded non-profit, raised tens of thousands for internally displaced children in South America. Founded an international youth summit to promote youth empowerment amongst the internally displaced

Neuroscience research. Currently working on research paper with intention to submit to competitions in fall.

Neuroscience internship (around a hundred hours over the summer spent interning at local research university)

Published poetry in school publication, hopefully submitting to larger publication soon.

Founded Quizbowl and SciOly teams at school. Elected to NHS Board and Latin Club Board.

Regional and State guitar competitions (self taught)

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Well Yale’s SCEA admit rate is about 17%.

Now maybe if we consider all the legacies and athletes who probably get in through SCEA, the actual admit rate for an unhooked applicant would be about 10%.

But you are hooked, your SAT is just about exactly the average among Yale admits, and your GPA is above average. We don’t know how the adcoms would view the qualitative aspects of your app, but your stats are strong and you’ll likely receive a bump (the degree is unknowable…) for URM status. So – you’re a statistically competive applicant, with a hook (but not “recruited athlete”), applying in a round with a 17% admit rate.

To me this makes Yale SCEA a low reach for you. My low reach range is 15-25%. You may get in, but prepare yourself such that an acceptance would be a pleasant surprise. And make sure you add additional schools (with at least one safety) to your app list. Every school to which you apply should fit you well (environmentally, academically, socially) and be affordable.