<p>Okay, so I am pretty sure that I have a snowball's chance in hell of being admitted to yale, and I am unsure if I should apply.
Whenever I tell people I want to apply to Yale, and then tell them my stats, they say I shouldn't apply...</p>
<p>stats (in a nutshell)
GPA: 3.8uw 4.15w
SAT: 2200, 700V 730M 770W
ECs: fencing for 4 yrs, Aikido (martial art) 8yrs, latin + german state awards + NHS + some small stuff
essay and reccomendations expected to be very good</p>
<p>I want to study: computer science, creative writing/english + linguistics</p>
<p>On the one hand I figure that not applying means I have NO chance, whereas applying means I have at least some chance, but then... I don't know if it is worth my time or money... I really feel like I need a good safety school...</p>
<p>If I apply, I will probably apply SCEA, because I will have a slightly better chance</p>
<p>No chance...? You have ECs that you're passionate about, 700+ in all areas of the SAT, good (enough) GPA... Definitely apply!</p>
<p>SCEA will not significantly tweak your chances, though.</p>
<p>oh... the problem is that I'm just barely in the top 10% at my school... which is definately on the bottom of the applicant pool at yale</p>
<p>SCEA will significantly 'tweak; your chances so to speak. You have almost a threefold advantage applying early than regular decision. If you are sure about applying to yale, apply early to increase your chances.</p>
<p>Do yourself two favors while you're going through this process.</p>
<p>1) Don't tell people where you're applying, othere than parents and best friend. People say all kinds of unhelpful things without meaning to be discouraging. Don't listen to anyone but yourself (and your parents).</p>
<p>2) Don't give up on a school you really want because you think you won't get in. Apply. My daughter is going to be a senior at Yale this year - she came very close to not applying. It was her last app, and she thought it was pretty futile, and she was tired. Who wants to get a skinny rejection letter - isn't it easier just to not apply?? NO! I encouraged her because I knew she had really loved the place and she had already filled out the common app, so there wasn't much work involved. She almost let her distaste for rejection deter her. Don't make that mistake. </p>
<p>jmo/ You have as good a chance as most. If you're female, better, as Yale always looks carefully at females in the sciences. Fencing? Awesome. Your passions of compsci and humanities are perfect for Yale. They love breadth. </p>
<p>p.s. EVERYONE needs a good safety school they also like. Look into the LACs.</p>
<p>thanks you guys, you are very encouraging...</p>
<p>A.S.A.P. i was thinking of U of Rochester as a safety... I don't really know if they are a safety, but maybe... And I might apply to UT, but I don't like the school much (I do love the city)</p>
<p>Check out your safeties carefully - go visit. Don't appy to UT if you don't like the school much. You want to really be fond of your safeties. Also, take great care with their apps - no one wants to be someone's safety, so you need to let them know why their school would be a great fit for you (they don't need to know you hope it doesn't need to be).</p>
<p>Compare your SATs and gpa with the colleges you're considering as safeties in a good college guide. If they accept fewer than 30%, and if your scores are not significantly higher than their averages, they're not a safety but probably a match.</p>
<p>I live in Austin, so if I went to UT it would not be the end of the world: I would live at home and keep up my job and consider it a continuation of high school... I like the atmosphere of the school but it is HUGE... </p>
<p>by averages do you mean true average (U Rochester = 1352) or middle 50% (= 610-710 in both sections) And how much higher would my sat / gpa need to be for them to be considered a safety?</p>