<p>I realize that people are probably tired of reading other people’s statistics, but I really need to make a decision this week about colleges - especially where to apply early action. </p>
<p>I am currently deciding between applying to Yale or Stanford early action, and I’m really torn about what to do. </p>
<p>I have a 2000+ SAT score, an above 4.0 GPA and whatnot just like everyone else and their mother. I also have many, many extracurriculars including, but nowhere near limited to, 4 years swim team varisty, school president/asb for 2 years, numerous clubs, etc. etc. Ive won many awards and have officer positions in multiple world-wide organizations such as Mu Alpha Theta and CSF. I also have a well-connected teacher writing me recommendations. </p>
<p>Questions:</p>
<li><p>Should I apply early action to Yale or Stanford (I realize this board will be somewhat biased, but I would still appreciate advice at this point)</p></li>
<li><p>What are my chances at the following schools: Harvard, Yale, Stanford, Santa Clara, UCLA, UC Berkeley, UC Davis, Columbia, and Brown?</p></li>
</ol>
<p>I think both Yale and Stanford will be an uphill battle with an SAT of about 2000. You'd be surprised how many students write about being a minority (black guy in a white suburb, etc, etc) so that isn't the hook you think it is.</p>
<p>harvard and yale are definitely reach for you. stanford is even a slight reach. UC's are all matches. I think you have a decent shot at Columbia however. Brown is slight reach</p>
<p>All of the URMs I know who got into HYPS had at least a 2100 plus great ECs, top school, etc. And dimedropper might be a few years behind, Columbia is just as hard as HYPS now.</p>
<p>I didn't say what my specific SAT score was, just that it was above 2000. It could be between 2000-2400. That's not a deciding factor. I have many, many, many more ECs, but I'm not going to list every single thing. I obviously can't write exactly who I am, but I'm sure I have an advantage over other people with minority status. I'm already applying to all of these schools, so nothing will dissuade me. I have plenty of friends who have gotten into Stanford, Columbia, Brown, etc. with much lower SATs and ECs than me. I go to a private Catholic all-girls school which is one of the top schools.</p>
<p>What I want to know, is should I apply to Yale or Stanford early action?</p>
<p>I see this commment about minorities frequently in the posts. The OFFICIAL minorities that make a difference while being looked at during the admission process are: puerto rican ( mainland ), mexican american, native american, african american. You can be from Burundi, Nepal or Albania and it wont make a difference from that standpoint. They will look at your efforts as a recent arrival that has excellled without knowing the culture, language etc and if your credentials are just like those.. ( or very close ) of the white boy from NYC...then it makes a difference... Otherwise, forget where you come from...Eventhough affirmative action is somewaht dead.... the OFFICIAL minorities are the ones that are looked upon a little more favorably.</p>
<p>Afghans may be underrepresented (though underrepresentation really comes if the percentage in college is lower than the percentage of the entire populace. Does that happen?), but writing an essay on the whole "foreign kid in America" essay is usually pretty cliche. Be sure to do it with a creative standpoint if you decide to do it.</p>
<p>Since Yale is scrapping their EA program, I'd apply to Stanford if it's only between two schools. If you are considering other schools, then I'd scrap Stanford, since they don't accept that many minorities overall compared to some of the Ivy league schools.</p>