Should I even bother? (SCEA Yale)

Colleges & Universities A-Z Yale University
1

I am well aware that the admission rates are low, I just want to know if I should even give it a shot or just save myself the money. Here is my info:

State: NY
High School- lower level, about 1000 kids, 230~ in my class- bound to be more drop outs
6 AP classes, few competitive extracurriculars

Stats: 103.9… weighted GPA, 98.7… unweighted
Two APs taken- AP Bio, 5; and APUSH, 5 (We can only start taking APs junior year)
Currently taking AP Calc, AP Lit, and AP Environmental (not taking Music Theory, which is the only other AP)
Currently 2nd in my class (out of 237)
1500 PSAT
ACT: 35 (first try)
SAT Subject Tests:
Bio M: 800
Math 2: 780
Senior Year Schedule:

AP Calc AB
AP Environmental
AP Lit
Regents Physics
Dual Enrollment Gov/ Economics
Health

Also taking Chemistry course at a local community college

-National Hispanic Scholar
-National Merit Semifinalist (hopefully Finalist or Scholar)
-Qualified to participate in NY State Math League tournament, only kid from my school in years
-NHS member

Extracurriculars
Varsity Cross Country- 2 years, 1 year captain, 2017 Girl’s MVP, 2017 All League
Varsity Winter Track- 2 years
Varsity Spring Track- 2016 All League- Three years
Math Team- frequent high scorer
NHS
Community Band- not every semester
Mock Trial
Battle of the Books 4x Champion
Middle School BOB coach
Volunteering for Peer Tutoring Program for Science and Math

Work two jobs- one as a library page for 3 years, the other as a market assistant (off in winters)
Also occasional babysitter/ dog walker in my neighborhood

Personal
Eldest of 3 soon to be 4
Definitely applying for Financial Aid
Intended Major- Biology (but if accepted, very interested in their Global Health Program and 5 year MPH program)
State: NY
School Type: Smaller city public school
Ethnicity: Latina
Race: Um half Afro-Latina half mestiza
Gender: F

Hooks: URM- Latina
Immigrant parent? is that a hook?
I’m not a first gen college student, but my parents both continued their education during my childhood (mom graduated college when I was 8)
Single Parent household for parts of my life, now I have a “blended family” I guess
Woman in STEM

2

If Yale is your first choice, no reason not to take a shot. Your stats are great and URM status will help. Also, are you taking any foreign language? I think Yale prefers to see four years.

3

yeah, took four years of Spanish- only foreign language my school offers

4

I say you go for it as well! Latina, women in STEM, strong GPA, sports, good ECs - you’ve got a lot going on. Ace the standardized tests and write some strong essays and you’ve got as good a shot as anyone IMHO. What’s your event in track and are you interested in running at the college level?

5

Tbh I’m not that good at track- I’m more into XC. But probably just intramural in college

6

You should apply.

7

@emailaddress - I agree with @hgrad2010 and all the other posters above who are encouraging you to apply. As long as your high school transcript, standardized testing scores and letters of recommendation are strong and your essays/short answers are well-written and convey a clear understanding of why you want to attend Yale and what you have to offer its community, you shouldn’t be afraid to apply. Ignore the naysayers! Follow your own convictions! Best of luck!

8

If it’s your dream to get into Yale, you definitely should apply. If you don’t apply, you will never know if you can get in or not, so create your chances.