<p>What did you to get in? What kind of extra curriculars, grades etc did you get?</p>
<p>Spend some time on Yale's admission site. Your best answers are there on what they're looking for. Obvious, having superior academic achievement is the first step. But maybe you should hold off on any more "Chance me, I'll chance you back" replies since you're not firm on what it takes to get in yet yourself. Good luck to you</p>
<p>You can peruse the SCEA results thread at the top of this forum for sample profiles and look for the statistical summary SCEA thread of a couple months back. But it almost goes without saying that excellent GPA's (3.9+ uw) over a rigorous curriculum (multiple AP/IB/post-HS courses, if available) and test scores (2250+/750+/34+) are helpful, but not de facto required.</p>
<p>It is more difficult to summarize non-academic factors. However in reviewing the EC's for SCEA admits, I found they almost always had participated in at least three (more often four) of these five areas. Typically at least one had excellent achievement levels (probably best in school or better) and another good achievement levels (e.g., varsity sports, major acting roles, placing in local competitions). Outstanding achievement (at the state or national level) appears helpful, but diversity of interest with only a little less success might be more so.</p>
<ul>
<li>arts (music, dance, studio, design, drama, writing)</li>
<li>sports</li>
<li>academic competition (e.g., math, science, debate)</li>
<li>activism or community/religious service</li>
<li>employment or entrepreneurship</li>
</ul>
<p>Commitment and focus in one or two areas and interest in a few others (but not so many as to be purposeless) appears to be valued. Naturally demonstrated leadership and initiative contribute to the assessment of achievement in these areas.</p>
<p>It is, of course, possible to have a successful application even if your credentials fall short in one or more of these areas, but I think it is fair to say your chances are improved if you meet these standards.</p>
<p>Sike, you could just be good at one.
Like winning national science competitions or getting writing published.</p>
<p>Descartez - I must say, I am impressed by your accurate yet brief summary. Kudos to you :)</p>