<p>I would like to ask this question to current (or past Yalies). Okay, so I reviewed my application, and I realized that my weakest section was test scores. I've got great grades, recs were superb, and my ecs, essays, and SA were very good as well. Then I looked at my test scores. Here they are:</p>
<p>APs(take note that APs are only offered junior and senior year at my school:
Bio:5
Lit:4
APUSH:5</p>
<p>SAT: none (Dec 4, too late for SCEA)
SATII: None (Jan, too late for SCEA)</p>
<p>I'm not justifying it, but simply put, I'm bad at standardized testing. I know this is right at the 25% mark for Yalies, but am I basically out for SCEA? I look at everyone else on the forum and when I look at them, I'm very competitive in grades, EC's and the like (In fact better than some), but my test scores aren't nearly "competitive" as it would be said.</p>
<p>ok, I’d say it’s weaker that you have no SAT II’s at all and limited Ap’s than your scores are necessarily too low.
I assume you are international based on the location, that may excuse some things for you. That aside, if everything else is as stellar as you say than you will either be deferred (in which case you have time to take and submit scores, I feel like this is more likely) or you will be accepted (in which case you can jump for joy etc. and no one will ever care what your scores are untill at the Freshmen career fair they suggest you put it on your resume for lack of anything else to fill it with…but that’s another story ) Long story short, I haven’t looked at you other stats because they aren’t here, but if you are competitive in every other dimension, you should be fine. Best of luck.</p>
<p>Yea I agree with the above.
The limited number of APs you have taken is definitely going to stand out along with your underwhelming score on ACT. </p>
<p>You have to remember that thousands of students with 6-10 5’s on AP exams and 2200+ SAT scores are going to be applying. If you don’t have some awards, achievements, or leadership that really sets you apart it’s going to be tough. On top of that your scores are way worse the second time around and that will look bad if they see it.</p>
<p>What if your school doesn’t offer APs? You can pass the lit and composition AP at my school, but there’s no class prep. I know unies say they judge in context, but I still think it’s a big minus. Opinions?</p>
<p>Thanks everyone for the feedback. I have a question for GOPTexas perhaps this may help:</p>
<p>GPA: unweighted (3.98/4), weighted 4.088/4.3. Weighted cumulative (honors and aps count extra) 4.688/no limit (practical limit is 5.0 by end of senior year)
At my school, you may only take 4 Aps junior year (I had band. No dice for fitting in another AP) and 5 senior year. That’s 9.</p>
<p>I’m taking 5 this senior year, so I have a total of 8. So in context, am I solid? </p>
<p>As for any special achievements or leadership, I am NHS President (Currently raising $ for a teacher with cervical cancer), I was lead tenor sax in band (in jazz, marching, and concert band. Section leader in all as well), I’ve competed at DECA international competition, and have done research projects with the Medical College of Wisconsin on the salivary proteome (Additional letter of rec from the head of Proteomics research at MCW). I’ve done a protein modeling research through MSOE and the Medical College of Wisconsin. </p>
<p>Are these the types of things that help people stand out? I’m not a Siemens or USAMO or an author, but do these count as legitimate achievements?</p>
<p>And are my scores really “way worse” the second time around?</p>
<p>You will most likely be deferred. And if you cannot get a 2250+/34+ and two 750+ SAT II’s in the coming months, a rejection letter in April is very likely. Almost everyone who applies are presidents of some club at their school, and a good number has done research projects. Unfortuantely, your achievements aren’t jaw-breaking enough to cover your lackings in academics. So definitely work to bring those scores up!</p>
<p>Thank you iceui2. I wasn’t expecting anybody to say “Yes you’re in”, just “No, you’re not screwed.” Very reassuring, and yet realistic. I appreciate it! :)</p>
<p>No one can tell you what your chances are. We can tell if you stand out good or bad maybe.
We can help you if you want to know if your scores/GPA/rigor of courses taken are in line. </p>
<p>If you are an athletic recruit your chances are significantly increased. If you cured caner or spent the last year deworming orphans in Somalia, your chances are good.
Being class president or secretary of NHS isn’t enough. Remember you’re applying against a thousand other class presidents, 2300 SAT scores, and "URM"s…</p>
<p>The most important thing you can do at this point is writing AMAZING essays. If you can write a GREAT essay that makes admissions laugh, or provokes thought and is memorable, it’s going to be so much better than any SAT score or EC.</p>
<p>Thank you GOP. Luckily, my essays were fantastic (everyone I’ve showed them to said they were incredible, some of the best stuff I’ve written). </p>
<p>So as for rigor of courses, how am I doing with AP gov, ap stat, ap calc, ap lang, ap chem, spanish v (equivalent of ap span at my school) and a marketing applications class (research project)? Throughout HS I’ve taken the most difficult classes I can</p>
<p>so from what I can see, you’ve pretty much done the best you can with what you’ve got erxcept in terms of testing…
what you have is solid and if your essays are as good as you say they are, I think you have a pretty good chance of being deferred, take the SAT’s, make sure you’re prepared and do as well as you can on those, I’d suggest USH as an SAT II if you remember any of it by Jan, that aside, good luck</p>
) Long story short, I haven’t looked at you other stats because they aren’t here, but if you are competitive in every other dimension, you should be fine. Best of luck.</p>