<p>I'm interested in applying to Yale for engineering, but I've heard that they only take you seriously if you've done some type of research... which I have none of :/ is this true, or are they just trying to scare me?</p>
<p>Not research but your background has to show that you like engineering. Related ECs and letters of recommendation would help.</p>
<p>I’m into things like Science Olympiad and Computer Society, and I took the most challenging math & science courses (~1 year or 2 ahead of classmates) at my school. I’m just not sure if that counts enough as “interest” compared to others…</p>
<p>Write an amazing engineering essay and you’ll be ok :)</p>
<p>will do, Thanks AnnaTheGreat!</p>
<p>I do have a question for you VictorianLiterature. Why are you choosing Yale’s Engineering program? I keep hearing that Yale’s program is improving, but what specifically stands out to you? It would seem like MIT would be a better suit. I’m just simply curious.</p>
<p>I can think of two reasons to prefer Yale to MIT: residential colleges, and your fellow students will come from all disciplines, not just STEM. And if there is any chance you will decide you want to switch to a major in a subject like history, MIT is not the best place to be.</p>
<p>^It’s mostly what SoCalDad said, I might change my major out of engineering (though I’m fairly certain I won’t but every adult and college student I know has done so in their life).</p>
<p>How did you guys write your engineering essay? My other essays and short responses are eloquent, witty and story tell as many successful essays do but my engineering essay is straightforward and to the point. Unsure about how I did it.</p>
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<p>Is this 100% true for everyone? My background is research and my recs are going to be about my ability as a scientist/think (the supp and the math/sci teacher one). I want to study biomedical engineering because I think the mindset/understanding how the tools are designed are very important - improved tools allow for better research. Some of my research is engineering-ish, in that I’m working on a protocol but it’s like discovery stuff, mostly. </p>
<p>I wonder, then, if I should just apply for regular science… I don’t want to appear like someone trying to game the system. </p>
<p>ECs like FIRST and SciOly aren’t available to me, also - I live in a different country. </p>
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<p>Mine is also straightforward. I don’t know how I can make it into a story without feeling like it’s disingenuous.</p>