<p>Would a 36 on the ACT and a 4.0 w/ a challenging course load S1 of senior year be enough to make it worth applying to Yale, given that I had a 3.21 (3.2 FR, 3.0 Soph, 3.3-3.4 Jr) cumulative through Junior year? Basically what happened was I came into high school diagnosed with a non-life-changing but still substantial mental health problem. I somehow made my way through freshman year with a decent GPA of 3.2 at the top selective private school in my state, but obviously not Ivy quality. Sophomore year I got the mental thing under control, but had a lot of trouble adjusting to the more challenging course load and added responsibility of being a full-on high school student. During Junior year, I started to turn the corner, but I still had a lot to learn. I did a lot of work and learned a lot about life (another story) this summer, and came into my senior year really ready to rock. Right now I am on track to get a 4.0, and my recent practice tests for the ACT (I am testing in December and applying RD. I already have a 30) have been in the range of making a 35-36 possible. Obviously that's different than actually getting a 36 on the test, but let's say for the sake of argument that this does happen. My biggest fear is that this will not be enough. I have safety schools that I know I will thrive at, but I just wanted to see if Yale would be worth applying to, since it is probably my #1 dream school at this point. I am an extremely motivated thinker and student, and I really want to take life by storm and make the most out of it. I also love the culture of love of learning that is alive at Yale. So, yes or no? Should I apply?</p>
<p>Your culm GPA would be about 3.3. That would be a stretch regardless of a 36 ACT. That’s my frank assessment.</p>
<p>I’m happy for your growth but the applicant pool is just crazy competitive. Good luck to you</p>
<p>Thanks! Anyone else?</p>
<p>I think your junior year’s academic record was too weak. High performance in just one semester in senior year is not <em>convincing</em> enough. So stats wise, you won’t be competitive in the applicant pool. That said, if you have other credentials of academics in nature such as papers published, awards won outside school etc., I’d give it a try.</p>
<p>It is highly unlikely that you will go from a 30 ACT to a 36.</p>
<p>Like wise, I am happy for your growth, but Yale’s website has a quote which applies to this situation: [What</a> Yale Looks For | Yale College Admissions](<a href=“http://admissions.yale.edu/what-yale-looks-for]What”>http://admissions.yale.edu/what-yale-looks-for)</p>
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<p>There are many schools that have characteristics similar to Yale, but that are not as selective. Look for them–don’t think that your choice is between an ultra-selective school and a safety school.</p>
<p>Personally, I don’t think students should have a “dream” school–I think they should have an application strategy. It can include some difficult reaches, but it needs to be much more comprehensive.</p>
<p>Some of the best advice given to me when my daughter (Yale '15) was applying was DO NOT HAVE A FIRST CHOICE! (if you must, then for goodness sake don’t tell anyone what it is). My daughter applied to a host of schools, of varying selectivity, as well as other characteristics. Once she got her acceptances, she could start thinking about first choices. We are following this guidance for my son, who will be applying this “season”</p>
<p>donnaleighg…that is great advice. Are you basically saying to keep an open mind that you could be happy at a variety of schools? I am trying to keep my D from getting her heart set on any one school, but it’s difficult!</p>