<p>I have a friend whose family is rumored to have connections at Yale (her dad is friends with a professor or something). I do not have such connections.</p>
<p>My grades are much higher (though hers are not shabby either), and I'd say our extracurriculars might be equal (though I think mine might be more unique) - we both do some pretty outstanding things. We've actually been friends for a while, though not so close these days. Both great writers, but different style (I'm a bit more wry and sarcastic)</p>
<p>If we both apply early to Yale, will these so-called "connections" make it very difficult for me? Should I use my SCEA somewhere else? </p>
<p>This is for next year, btw. I know it's early, but meetings are starting soon and we're expected to have an idea. Cheers & happy new year everyone</p>
<p>I wouldn’t base my decision to apply or not apply based on her, especially since you say your grades are much higher. A connection may or may not help your friend. Yale is a reach for pretty much everyone. If Yale is your 1st choice, then I would go for it.</p>
<p>What about if the professor wrote a recommendation or “put in a good word”? My grades are higher, but not by a huge amount (4.0 vs. 3.85 or something).</p>
<p>I probably sound petty, but it’s bothering me, so again thanks.</p>
<p>Like the others said, you shouldn’t make a decision of applying early or not depending on your friend’s connection. You should realize that there are tons of applicants applying early with legacies, connections, etc. Your friend isn’t the only one. So you are competing with all of the thousands of other applicants as well. If you really want to go to Yale and have a strong application (which it sounds like you do) then just apply and see what happens.</p>
<p>The only connection that matters is whether her parents attended or donated a huge chunk of money. Professors don’t have much sway in admissions and in many cases can’t get their own children an admission in the school.</p>
<p>On the other hand, grades don’t matter a lot either. Kids are always thinking that they are ranked 1 with a 4.00 GPA and 2350 score, the other person is ranked 10 with a 3.97 GPA and a 2320 score and so it is a given they will be picked ahead of the other person. It never happens in real life at such competitive schools since the schools see hardly any difference between the two for academics and don’t consider 1 vs 10, 4.0 vs 3.97 and 2350 vs 2320 as trumping factors. In reality, based on those attributes alone, a top 20 school will consider both as peers. They are looking at many other attributes to go with the academic ones and that is the part that gets people into a school.</p>
<p>As others said, your application to a school should never depend on another girl. If the school admits only one from your high school, it is possible neither of you gets in and a third kid is admitted. You will never know whether you have a shot or not without applying though.</p>