Questions from an ambitious 8th grader

<p>*This will be my first and last post until my junior/senior year in high school so therefore it is very lengthy. Today I had very little HW so I was able to study my notes for a few hours and then type this long message. I spent 35 minutes typing this so I would really like a “well-thought out” response (basically a response you did not “pull out of your ass”).</p>

<p>Well, I signed up at this site at the spurt of the moment, after stumbling upon it at google, while researching for facts about Yale. I will not be appalled if you judge me based on my age but I do encourage everyone who responds to my questions to answer them with respect as you would to the other members of the C.C community. I believe that you could never be too young to start planning for college, especially considering how difficult it is to get in to the best schools. I will probably not visit this site very often. In fact, I don’t think I will visit this site again until my junior/senior year. I am trying to work towards my goal of becoming a yalie, which of course takes much time and effort so I cannot come here very often on my own initiative (I sold my video games and disconnected the cable box on my television to prepare for Yale without distraction). I have read some of the threads before this post to get a better, more realistic idea about Yale admissions. I would just like to ask a couple of short questions before I leave, in order to get direct responses.</p>

<li>What GPA should I aim for in highschool? Could anyone convert my current 95/100 average (it should rise, this was before I gave up video games and cable) into a GPA so I could see what my “8th grade GPA” would look like?</li>
<li>Will playing the cello help my acceptance into Yale? I started lessons a couple of weeks ago, not because of college admissions but because I wanted to learn how to play a new instrument. I wanted to know if mastering the cello would help in any way.</li>
<li>How much community service should I do? I have about 30 hours so far, am I on the right track?</li>
<li>Is 1200/1600 (700 on the verbal and 500 on the math) on the old SAT (practice test) pretty good for an 8th grader? What score would get me into Yale on the new SAT.</li>
<li>Will being an URM (I am an African American and proud of it!) help me in the college admissions process even though my family makes much more than $60,000 in yearly income?</li>
<li>Do I have to play sports as an extra-curricular activity to be competitive for Yale? I am probably the worst athlete on the planet (not literally “the worst” but I do “suck” at sports and have “sucked” at them ever since I was very young). I am very skinny for my height (5’10 and 118 lbs.) and would not be suitable to participate in any such EC’s. BTW, I tried basketball for a 6 months and only scored 10 baskets in every game we participated (in total, not each individual game). This finally dispels the common myth that every tall individual is good at basketball. If I have to play a sport in order to enter, I will but I would really hate to have to participate in one inorder to get into Yale. I would really rather just join the debate team as an EC (especially because I want to become a defense attorney) and then eventually become captain. I will probably also be active in a writing club, as I enjoy writing for pleasure.</li>
<li>Does the competitiveness of your high school matter in the college admissions process? I was accepted at a prestigious magnet school in New York (Stuyvesant High School) but turned it down to attend the humanities program at my local high school (Francis Lewis High School) because I believed that it would be easier to score in the top one-five percent. Was this the right choice? I really don’t want to take that strenuous test again (to get into Stuyvesant), but I will take the test again if it will help me score a seat at Yale. BTW, does Yale have feeder schools?</li>
<li>Based on the information given do you think I am heading in the right direction? What would you recommend me do or improve on?</li>
<li>Lastly, is it easy to graduate from the Yale Undergraduate program and then go to Columbia Law School (disregard the money needed to attend both of these schools)? The reason I want to attend Columbia law school (or NYU law if I don’t make it to Columbia law) is because I can only practice law in the state in which I was admitted in the bar. I want to practice law in New York (my home state) so therefore I must receive my education in New York.</li>
</ol>

<p>I would love for any of the current Yalies to list the status they had earned to get admitted at Yale</p>

<p>You are kidding right...?</p>

<p>Why would I be kidding? I wouldn't waste 35 minutes of my life "kidding". I really am in 8th grade and I really want to "pave a path to run on" so to speak. I really have an intense desire to go to Yale and I want to be best prepared for the future. Of course my post was lenghthy and convuluted, nothing most people have time to read but I plan far ahead so I can reach my dreams and the most I want back is a serious comment. If you guys won't answer my questions I guess I'll just ask my guidance counselor next year when I go to high school. What's the point of asking here when all you recieve is deragatory comments.</p>

<p>I guess I'll say good bye to CC and just continue to work hard in school. I know my post seems a little eccentric for an 8th grader but there are 8th graders out there that are more prepared then I. They probably have won multiple high class awards and logged in hundreds of hours of community service. Great colleges will be much more difficult to enter, maybe even twice as hard to enter as they are right now and the only way to get in is to PREPARE.</p>

<ol>
<li>What GPA should I aim for in highschool? Could anyone convert my current 95/100 average (it should rise, this was before I gave up video games and cable) into a GPA so I could see what my “8th grade GPA” would look like?</li>
</ol>

<p>You should aim for nothing less than straight A's. It seems like you're a pretty motivated and talented guy, and straight A's in high school are definitely doable in any situation.</p>

<ol>
<li>Will playing the cello help my acceptance into Yale? I started lessons a couple of weeks ago, not because of college admissions but because I wanted to learn how to play a new instrument. I wanted to know if mastering the cello would help in any way.</li>
</ol>

<p>What schools are looking for is uniqueness, excellence, character. Fall into these categories, and you'll do fine. In this case, playing the cello would help, but it will only help a lot if you talk about it in your essays.</p>

<ol>
<li>How much community service should I do? I have about 30 hours so far, am I on the right track?</li>
</ol>

<p>I can't answer that question...really, that's something nobody can really tell you. Do a lot. It's not the hours, but it's why you do it.</p>

<ol>
<li>Is 1200/1600 (700 on the verbal and 500 on the math) on the old SAT (practice test) pretty good for an 8th grader? What score would get me into Yale on the new SAT.</li>
</ol>

<p>It is decent. Shoot for a 2200+, preferrably 2300+</p>

<ol>
<li>Will being an URM (I am an African American and proud of it!) help me in the college admissions process even though my family makes much more than $60,000 in yearly income?</li>
</ol>

<p>Yes, it will.</p>

<ol>
<li>Do I have to play sports as an extra-curricular activity to be competitive for Yale? I am probably the worst athlete on the planet (not literally “the worst” but I do “suck” at sports and have “sucked” at them ever since I was very young). I am very skinny for my height (5’10 and 118 lbs.) and would not be suitable to participate in any such EC’s. BTW, I tried basketball for a 6 months and only scored 10 baskets in every game we participated (in total, not each individual game). This finally dispels the common myth that every tall individual is good at basketball. If I have to play a sport in order to enter, I will but I would really hate to have to participate in one inorder to get into Yale. I would really rather just join the debate team as an EC (especially because I want to become a defense attorney) and then eventually become captain. I will probably also be active in a writing club, as I enjoy writing for pleasure.</li>
</ol>

<p>Come on. =) Do what you're good at, and do what you like. Focus on these areas, and work at being the best at them.</p>

<ol>
<li>Does the competitiveness of your high school matter in the college admissions process? I was accepted at a prestigious magnet school in New York (Stuyvesant High School) but turned it down to attend the humanities program at my local high school (Francis Lewis High School) because I believed that it would be easier to score in the top one-five percent. Was this the right choice? I really don’t want to take that strenuous test again (to get into Stuyvesant), but I will take the test again if it will help me score a seat at Yale. BTW, does Yale have feeder schools?</li>
</ol>

<p>Yes, it definitely does. If you are at the top of a prestigious high school, then that's an accomplishment admission officers will be sure to notice. In high school, always go for the tougher school.</p>

<ol>
<li>Based on the information given do you think I am heading in the right direction? What would you recommend me do or improve on?</li>
</ol>

<p>Yep, you're definitely heading in the right direction. Don't let other people say otherwise. Setting goals and knowing what you want to do is a huge advantage.</p>

<ol>
<li>Lastly, is it easy to graduate from the Yale Undergraduate program and then go to Columbia Law School (disregard the money needed to attend both of these schools)? The reason I want to attend Columbia law school (or NYU law if I don’t make it to Columbia law) is because I can only practice law in the state in which I was admitted in the bar. I want to practice law in New York (my home state) so therefore I must receive my education in New York.</li>
</ol>

<p>Didn't know this...! It's not easy to get into any law school, but with the right determination, study habits, and passion, it's going to happen for you.</p>

<p>Pretty much, my word of advice is that you should NEVER think of what admissions officers will think to your extent. They know the common fallacies of students, and unfortunately, you may be falling into that. Concentrate on what you really like to do...and focus on excelling. It's really a fine line, I know, between doing what you love, and trying too hard to show off to the adcoms, but always stick to the mindset that you're doing it because you want to.</p>

<p>In the end, true passion and true hard work almost always is the most important. I'd say set your goals very high, and then don't think about what colleges will think. Do your best. The best students don't need to worry about college admissions. They follow their dreams, and their dreams lead to success.</p>

<p>Good luck. =)</p>

<p>Don't worry. People have a natural tendency to express feelings of respect toward those who naturally do things, and disdain to people who appear to be "trying too hard." However, there is a certain truth to it. If you continue to show the attitude of a person who thinks too much about getting into college, your reputation will definitely suffer.</p>

<p>Go for the relaxed attitude. Fierce and determined inside, but have a relaxed attitude. =)</p>

<ol>
<li>What GPA should I aim for in highschool? Could anyone convert my current 95/100 average (it should rise, this was before I gave up video games and cable) into a GPA so I could see what my “8th grade GPA” would look like?</li>
</ol>

<p>Relax. Anything in the 3.95-4.0 UW range will be acceptable. Remember that after you pass a certain threshold you are a competitive applicant no matter what and having the best GPA possible will not give you a much greater chance of getting in.</p>

<ol>
<li>Will playing the cello help my acceptance into Yale? I started lessons a couple of weeks ago, not because of college admissions but because I wanted to learn how to play a new instrument. I wanted to know if mastering the cello would help in any way.</li>
</ol>

<p>It's a start. Better than the too many piano and violin players.</p>

<ol>
<li>How much community service should I do? I have about 30 hours so far, am I on the right track?</li>
</ol>

<p>Not really a big deal in admissions anymore. I didn't even put my 300 hours of service on any of my apps and I still got into top tier schools. Volunteer work is to help others, not to get you into college, and I feel enlightened by my experiences in themselves. The rule of thumb is either do the minimum for your school graduation requirement or do alot (400+ hours). Work experience is also good and probably better than volunteer experience.</p>

<ol>
<li>Is 1200/1600 (700 on the verbal and 500 on the math) on the old SAT (practice test) pretty good for an 8th grader? What score would get me into Yale on the new SAT?</li>
</ol>

<p>I got a 1300 in 8th grade and it translated to a 2310 (1540 on old). 700 Verbal is stellar and if you continue to read and write critically about books in English class throughout your high school career this can only get better. Work hard on the math; you should get much better by junior year. I remember when I took it I was still learning the material. I learned slope in class two days after the test and that cost me about 50 points for 4 questions. Since you are a URM, a 2100 will suffice as a baseline for consideration for admission. 2100-2250 still gives you a decent shot. Get 2300+ and you have a deadly competitive advantage.</p>

<ol>
<li><p>Will being an URM (I am an African American and proud of it!) help me in the college admissions process even though my family makes much more than $60,000 in yearly income?
URM definitely helps. Don't bank on it to get you in though, especially considering how 2010 admissions are projected to set records even more extreme than this year's.</p></li>
<li><p>Do I have to play sports as an extra-curricular activity to be competitive for Yale? I am probably the worst athlete on the planet (not literally “the worst” but I do “suck” at sports and have “sucked” at them ever since I was very young). I am very skinny for my height (5’10 and 118 lbs.) and would not be suitable to participate in any such EC’s. BTW, I tried basketball for a 6 months and only scored 10 baskets in every game we participated (in total, not each individual game). This finally dispels the common myth that every tall individual is good at basketball. If I have to play a sport in order to enter, I will but I would really hate to have to participate in one inorder to get into Yale. I would really rather just join the debate team as an EC (especially because I want to become a defense attorney) and then eventually become captain. I will probably also be active in a writing club, as I enjoy writing for pleasure.</p></li>
</ol>

<p>This seems a little fishy. I know zero eighth graders who are this tall. Furthermore, you must REALLY suck at basketball if you are that tall and you are losing to your classmates, who are probably still 5'0". But seriously, do some sports whether it be volleyball, basketball, tennis, track and field, etc. It doesn't have to be at a JV or V level, just go out and play. It is good to stay in shape in high school, college, and beyond. No use being the richest man alive if you have a heart attack at age 45.</p>

<ol>
<li>Does the competitiveness of your high school matter in the college admissions process? I was accepted at a prestigious magnet school in New York (Stuyvesant High School) but turned it down to attend the humanities program at my local high school (Francis Lewis High School) because I believed that it would be easier to score in the top one-five percent. Was this the right choice? I really don’t want to take that strenuous test again (to get into Stuyvesant), but I will take the test again if it will help me score a seat at Yale. BTW, does Yale have feeder schools?</li>
</ol>

<p>I regret to inform you that this was a terrible decision on your part. Ask how many kids get into Yale from Franny Lew and you will be disappointed; 3-5 kids getting into a lower-tier Ivy is the norm I believe. Stuy would have given you much better chances, although it still isn't impossible to get in from a local school. You should have at least tried for Townsend Harris High School. I would not retake the Specialized High School exam as changes in learning environment are very disruptive and disconcerting. Unless you hate Franny in 9th grade I would stay and build relationships there.</p>

<ol>
<li>Based on the information given do you think I am heading in the right direction? What would you recommend me do or improve on?</li>
</ol>

<p>Relax and find yourself. If you believe getting into Yale is a guarantee for life you will be sorely, sorely disappointed. Yale is a great place and the students are devoted and have great spirit, but just like Harvard, Princeton, etc. they do not empower you to do more than you are already capable of. At most they will allow you to bypass bureacracy with a good name. Your cutthroat aim for Columbia, NYU law is probably not entirely your own thinking--much of it is encouragement and norms instilled by your parents. Find what you really like to do and stick to it--Yale does not take overachievers, Yale takes passionate individuals. Also, very important at a large high school, maintain good relations with your teachers when you get there and make sure they know who you are. Start by talking to them and introducing yourself on the first day.</p>

<ol>
<li>Lastly, is it easy to graduate from the Yale Undergraduate program and then go to Columbia Law School (disregard the money needed to attend both of these schools)? The reason I want to attend Columbia law school (or NYU law if I don’t make it to Columbia law) is because I can only practice law in the state in which I was admitted in the bar. I want to practice law in New York (my home state) so therefore I must receive my education in New York.</li>
</ol>

<p>Again, it depends how far you go in college. If you get into Yale and your grades are terribile in college you will be denied admission to top law schools. But good standing at a school like Yale will give you a good shot.</p>

<p>Expect the unexpected, and expect things to screw up. 95% of success is knowing what to do when things go wrong. And I can't stress this enough, relax, relax, relax. Life is not about filling yourself with accomplishments, money, prestige, etc. Life a journey, not a battle or a rat race, and your attitude towards things will go a long way.</p>

<p>While working hard academically, also have fun and pursue whatever interests you--whatever you'll get the most fulfillment out of. The rest will fall into place (believe it or not.) I think you'll be just fine no matter where you end up going...4 years is a lot of time for growth, you'll definitely change your mind about several things--especially college.</p>

<ol>
<li><p>Forget GPA and cocern yourself with class rank. Take at least one or two APs freshmen year.</p></li>
<li><p>Yes. You can send a tape wish your performance so a good thing to do is to pick a song that you want to send to Yale and perfect it over the years (if you really need to)</p></li>
<li><p>Its not quantity but quality! An extensive amount of hours followed by activities that YOU lead or acitives that you did independently(!!) will look spectacular. How did you change your community? did you do something unprecendented in a club or by yourself?</p></li>
<li><p>Yes. Good verbal! Practice that math and you will score excellent in years to come. take maybe a section every week to stay sharp and practice more during your Junior year. Take SATII subject tests after you complete the respective AP course so it is refreshed and you will score well. NO DO wait until senior year to do this!</p></li>
<li><p>Yes URM wil help. It is in your favor to score high on the SAT and be a URM as well. $60,000 is not high in Yale's eyes. You are middle class and that will not hurt or help you unless you overcame some issue in the past. DO NOT simply settle for being URM. Delve into the richness of you culture and emphasize in your application WHY being african american will add to Yale class. Diversity is not effective unless you project your culture, beliefs, and customs. For the interview, pick a few clubs with at least one culture club that you want to join. Also, send a letter explaining why you want yale and specific clubs / classes you want to do there. </p></li>
<li><p>do not worry about joining sports. Follow you interests. They see right past superficial activities that are meant to simply look good. </p></li>
<li><p>Stuyvesant would definitely look good but do not worry. at your less rigorous school you must stand out CONSIDERABLY!!! You must be at the top of your class (like top 2% at least) and take an unprecedented amount of rigorous courses like AP or IB. put plainly YOUMUST BE A LEGACY AT YOUR SCHOOL!! </p></li>
</ol>

<p>My advice is to look up your admissions officer from NY and see if you can do reearch on him to better identify yourself with him or her. My application inadvertently did that!</p>

<p>Good luck and PM for more info...I have tons of ideas!</p>

<p>And yes...I was admitted to Yale class of 2010! 5.8% acceptance rate baby!</p>

<ol>
<li>Does the competitiveness of your high school matter in the college admissions process? I was accepted at a prestigious magnet school in New York (Stuyvesant High School) but turned it down to attend the humanities program at my local high school (Francis Lewis High School) because I believed that it would be easier to score in the top one-five percent. Was this the right choice? I really don’t want to take that strenuous test again (to get into Stuyvesant), but I will take the test again if it will help me score a seat at Yale. BTW, does Yale have feeder schools?</li>
</ol>

<p>-You drop a school just because you want to have a better rank? I personally find that a little pathetic =/. However, what is done is done, just make sure you have a really good courseload, and get a significantly high rank and GPA. You don't have to be a legacy at your school, but you just need to do things that show commitment and show leadership.</p>

<p>AND I attend Stuyvesant, I could've been your Big Sib. A shame. Well w/e.</p>

<p>I got a 1200/1600 when I took the old SAT in 8th grade and in my junior year I scored a 230/240 PSAT and a 2320/2400 SAT so you seem to be on the right track when it comes to scores.</p>

<ol>
<li>Getting straight A's in the most rigorous classes at your school would be the most ideal. Being ranked the first in your class would help, but probably isn't totally necessary. You should probably try to aim for the top one percent.</li>
<li>I think music is only helpful if you can win state/national level competitions. 8th grade might be a little too late to start the cello - I have been playing piano since the age of 4, and it has taken many, many years of hard work and dedication to finally make it to the state/national level. However, if you are very talented and are willing to practice many hours (3 or 4) per day, it is possible.</li>
</ol>

<p>
[quote]
-You drop a school just because you want to have a better rank? I personally find that a little pathetic =/. However, what is done is done, just make sure you have a really good courseload, and get a significantly high rank and GPA. You don't have to be a legacy at your school, but you just need to do things that show commitment and show leadership.</p>

<p>AND I attend Stuyvesant, I could've been your Big Sib. A shame. Well w/e.

[/quote]
</p>

<p>What's with the attitude? He's an eighth grader, not an adult. His decisions obviously shows that he gave some conception of thought to it. Stuy is far more competitive than most individuals can handle. Could he have handled the shock of realizing that he's not the smartest kid in the neighborhood anymore? </p>

<ul>
<li>One of the orginal articles(before the strength of the forums) was EXACTLY this example. Some Asian Girl (go figure.) wanted to go to Harvard? (One of the leagues) and under the guidance of a few of CC (who still worked in that region) guided her to an easy school, where she would be ranked 1st and not 57th. Long story made short, she got into her top choice. </li>
</ul>

<p>Leaving that topic, your choice of high school may have helped you more into entering Yale than entering Stuy. However, education-wise, you would have learned more at Stuy. However, a 1200 on the SAT (Old) is very admirable. My friend scored near that and later went into a (2350.)</p>

<p>But, one thing that people seem to be forgetting here is your age. No one expects the maturity of an adult from most eight-graders. Know your ambition, why you wish to attend Yale, and just exactly how much you want it. Think long and hard about this. </p>

<p>Join clubs not because only because you HAVE to, but because some part in you WANT to. Try to be a leader, President, etc. If you can't make it work, make it work. Attend leadership class, practice, practice, prepare. Work. Make the right decisions. As a male, this is advice I wish someone had told me before. Never, never, never overlook the power of a female that will impact your grades. Just one broad can take down all the pins that you have set to work on. </p>

<p>As for sports. Does it help? Yes. There was a blunt awful post here about you being not talented at basketball. Ignore that. As an eighth grader, you still have much of puberty to go through. You may come out as an excellent althete in something you are unaware of. If you do wish to try a spot, gravitate toward something you like. Joining a sport you hate will be the hardest commitment of your life.</p>

<p>Don't do drugs. Try not to drink. (You'll find the latter one is harder. I know.) Don't smoke. Smoke means no cello, no sports. Play the cello only if you like it. </p>

<p>This has helped me recently. Under huge times of stress, and believe me all Yale-prospects have this, have a burn stage. Where they just don't want to care about anything. Sit down, and just go back to why you want to go this college. </p>

<p>You're early. At this age in time, find your interests and stick with them. I wish you the best of luck. You show maturity with giving up things that are obviously fun for an eight-grader. (Hell, you'd have to pry Counter-Strike from my cold/dead fingers at that age). However, remember most importantly to live through high school. Don't be a robot.</p>

<p>One of my closest friends was incredibly hard-working, dedicated, etc, etc. But at the end of high school, if I should ask him now, what did he really learn about life in high-school, I'd be curious as to what he would say. Don't do that. </p>

<p>Live high school. </p>

<p>I will say this now. You will face a lot of racism. People will doubt you, doubt that an African-American can be as smart, doubt that an African-American will be willing to study as hard in high school. Ignore them, and more importantly use their sterotypes as your fuel to prove them wrong. Make it into Yale.</p>

<p>Hi, I am also in eighth grade, I am not really here to answer questions (I have just as man, if not more, as you...) I just wanted to say that you are lucky there is a great highs chool you can apply to! My high school is regualr, and i would love to go to a great one!</p>

<ol>
<li>a 3.9-4.0 would be best</li>
<li>Unless you become AMAZING and win awards and such, its just another ec</li>
<li>do community service if you like what youre doing</li>
<li>1200 is very good for an 8th grader. you should aim for a 2250+ to be considered for yale...</li>
<li>It will help you a TON</li>
<li>Plenty of people get in without doing sports</li>
<li>Yale does have feeder schools. And yes, the school you attend will be taken into account when you apply to Yale.</li>
<li>Yes</li>
<li>youre LSATs and GPA matter more than the school you go to for undergrad. Going to Yale will help, but you will be far from an auto admit into the law program.</li>
</ol>

<p>young people stop posting</p>

<p>Hey!
So, I guess I should say that it's great that you have high ambitions for high school, college, and life, but I think in your first or second year of high school, you'll learn that sometimes your conceptions of things when you were younger just dont make sense in the scheme of things. When I was in 8th grade, I wanted to go to stanford and be an engineer - I REALLY thought that was what I want to do - but now I've realized that a lot of the goals that I set for myself then were based on expectations from my family and my culture - not things that I shaped for myself. I didn't know I wanted to go to Yale until I visited during my junior year (and still didnt wasn't sure until when I sent in my reply card at the beginning of the week - and it's impossible to know when I'll ever know if I made the right decision?) Anyway, I guess my point is that you're going to set a lot of expectations for yourself as a really successful 8th grader, but you're probably going to wonder what you were thinking once you get a little older.
That said, while GPA, SAT, community service hours, etc matter in the college admissions process, I would say that completely planning your high school career around these things is a mistake. I joined some EC's my freshman year thinking that they would be the road to college admissions for me, and I realized that I was wrong. It really wasn't these activities that got me into some great schools, but the passion I felt for some of the activities I got involved in later. It's not just rank or positions - it's what you DO with them. Who cares if your'e the president of your school if you're a lame duck? To me (and probably to college admissions officers), it'd be much more impressive if you, as a random member of the student body, work with your administration to have the school divest from Sudan - your initiative, your heart, your spirit matters much more than numbers, and you'll figure that out as you go through high school. It sounds a little fluffy, I know, but it's important that you do what you LOVE and do your best. Our school doesnt rank, but I can tell you with a lot of certainty that I wasn't in the top 5 (and probably not in the top 10) of our class, didn't have the highest SAT scores or the highest number of AP classes, but I ended up doing pretty well in the admissions process. I never expected it - and i'll never know what went down in the admissions committee - but my best guess is that it had to with a degree of passion i have in what I do.
anyway, my long and drawn out (and vague) answer to your question, but it's honestly the best advice I can give you. good luck - I'm sure that if you stay driven and do what you love to do that you'll be extremely successful.</p>