Sorry, but yet another chances thread

Colleges and Universities A-Z Yale University
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<p>Looking at some people's posts in this forum drastically lowered my expectations of getting into Yale, simply because I haven't ever tried to pad my resume, but I just wanted to get a second opinion.</p>

<p>So here are my stats:</p>

<p>GPA (unweighted- school doesn't weigh GPA): 4.0
Class rank: 1/400ish</p>

<p>ACT: 35 (only took it once, same as SAT and SAT IIs... doubt that would make a difference)
English: 35
Reading: 34
Math: 35
Science:36</p>

<p>SAT: 2340 (770 on math, 790 on writing, 780 on reading)</p>

<p>SAT II: 800s on Math II, Physics, Chemistry</p>

<p>APs:
Language & Composition: 5
Physics: E&M: 5
Physics: Mechanics: 5
Chemistry: 5
Calculus BC: 5</p>

<p>Senior year courses:
AP Env. Science
AP Bio
AP English Lit.
Anatomy/Physiology
Pathology (1st sem.)/ Microbiology/Genetics (2nd sem.)
Dual enrollment at a very good local college for Linear Algebra and Differential Equations</p>

<p>I still have a 4.0 so far this year.</p>

<p>Extracurriculars:
Robotics team: Communications Captain: 9th-12th
French Club: Marketing Captain: 9th-12th
Volunteering at the Older Person's Commission since 10th grade
Church Youth Group: 9th-12th</p>

<p>Awards:
Michigan Math Prize finalist
AP Scholar with Distinction
Most likely National Merit Finalist
Several "Student of the year" awards</p>

<p>What I think WOULD set me apart from the other applicants is the fact that I have only lived in the US, or any other English-speaking country, for that matter, for 4.5 years. Before that, I lived in Germany and Romania. I was born in Romania to Romanian parents...</p>

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<p>Oh, and I also work 15-20 hours a week as a server in a restaurant.</p>

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<p>now are u applying early action or regular?</p>

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<p>Only regular decision.</p>

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<p>You're in. You're a val, have outstanding stats and leadership positions in your ec's, an interesting background, and you hold down a job. Good luck.</p>

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<p>Ha, thanks for the response. It really makes me feel a bit better.
I hope you can tell this is a legitimate thread, and not only a "stroke my ego a bit" plea.</p>

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<p>Bump, maybe, hopefully?</p>

<p>Oh, and another piece of information, I suppose.
I plan on majoring in molecular biophysics and biochemistry.</p>

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<p>miops why are you not applying early? any reason?</p>

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<p>You have a very good chance at admission. You will almost certainly be admitted to a very selective school. Make sure you apply to several, as well as a couple of matches and a safety.</p>

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<p>I didn't honestly start considering the Ivies until just about two weeks ago, when I started talking to some teachers and older friends who thought I would have a definite chance of getting in.</p>

<p>I never thought I would have any chances of being accepted, so I just pretty much assumed I would go to UMich. So, basically, time is the main issue here. Our counselors are notorious for taking around 3 weeks to process our apps, and they won't accept any forms until you're done with your own application.</p>

<p>Also, money.</p>

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<p>You are definitely a competitive applicant and should apply.</p>

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<p>I've decided to do SCEA now, so... bump?</p>

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<p>Your ECs are relatively weak for Yale EA, but other than that you're right on track for admission from what I've seen around here. If you're rushing to get your app done before EA, it might behoove you to wait until RD, because I could see your essays being very very important. Nothing to be pessimistic about though; you're an awesome applicant.</p>

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<p>this is off topic, but i had a question for you:</p>

<p>how'd you get your SAT to match your ACT.. i have the same ACT as you, but my SAT is not as high as my ACT (I'd love a 2340 b/c it's a 35 equiv, but i don't see myself getting that b/c i've never been a really big fan of the SAT).. SAT is just not my strongest test.. any advice?</p>

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<p>Peytoncline:
I really REALLY wish I could give you some valuable short-term advice, but I honestly can't.
I didn't prepare at all for any of my tests, but what I think got me my SAT score is a LOT of reading over the years (which helped tremendously with both the vocab and the writing portion). I think the vocab is what drags most people's score down (since it's the major difference between the ACT and the SAT).</p>

<p>Which part of the SAT is your weak point?</p>

<p>I still find it funny that my lowest score was on math.</p>

<p>Milessmiles:
Yeah, my ECs are what I'm worried about.
I honestly did not even realize a) how important they are and b) that high school students do research and such until the end of last year. Right now I'm trying to get some research experience at the local university (I would LOVE to have the opportunity to assist with some research in biophysics), but it seems that without connections it's kind of a lost cause.
I really hate the fact that I haven't applied myself at all in HS, which is why I want to do my best in college. Too bad I only realized how stupid I am now...
The year I was a MMP finalist, I just forgot to show up for the second test because it was too early in the morning. Yeah...... That pretty much describes my attitude so far.</p>

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<p>yep, vocab for me.. i was, at first, having trouble on the comprehension part on the ACT reading, then i nailed that (34 on reading last ACT).. but vocab on SAT reading has the potential to hurt me, depending on what the last 1 or 2 ones in each section are</p>

<p>I have a 2070 right now -- 650 R (34 ACT reading.. doesn't match); 720 M (36 on ACT math... so 720 doesn't exactly correlate to that); 700 W (i missed 4 MC [72 scaled score] and got an 8 on the writing) - again, 36 on ACT english, but only 700 on SAT W... and sat has no science, but 34 on ACT science (36 E, 36 M, 34 R, 34 S --- 35)</p>

<p>for Math, i just fell into some traps.. after a little practice, i've been consistently making 770-800 on math now</p>

<p>for writing, it was some of the really picky stuff (like idoms) that i screwed up on.. worked on those.. been consistently getting 75-78 on MC scaled score (depending on what i get on essay, can be anywhere from 720-ish to 800)</p>

<p>reading is really a toss up.. on the practice tests i've taken, i've gotten as low as a 670 and as high as a 750... so yeah, reading fluctuates for me</p>

<p>another thing --- on a practice test i took at home (under normal timing conditions), i got a 2260 once, which is fine with me (equiv. 34 ACT); but on real thing, 2070....... and, on a practice PSAT at home, i made a 220.. but on the real thing, i got a 204 (which actually did get me semifinalist in arkansas, thank god..)</p>

<p>maybe on test day, i'm really over-thinking my answers b/c at home, i just answer and move on... but on the actual test day, i feel compelled to check over, which can affect my timing and going against my gut instinct... really, the SAT is just for NM for me b/c my ACT covers my standardized testing scores</p>

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<p>I think it's mostly a matter of luck, really.
Especially with the reading.
And within each section, one question may count for 30-ish points (hem, hem, math!), so of course there'll be variation. You might get lucky and get three questions right that'll boost your score 100 points, or you might get unlucky and miss those. It's kinda like Ivy League admissions, really.</p>

<p>Try to go with your gut instinct, unless you're absolutely certain you're wrong. Don't overthink stuff too much. I don't have enough patience to overthink things, so I think that may be an advantage in this situation. Also, I didn't skip a single question. Neither on the SAT, nor on the subject tests, nor on the AP tests. </p>

<p>Oh, and for the essay, I only used one personal example, I think. I just elaborated on it a LOT. I got either an 11 or a 12. Don't remember...</p>

<p>I also have another question: Do international applicants have the same chances as US applicants? I'll have to apply as an international student, so...</p>