What are my chances at a top tier school?

Chance Me / Match Me!
1

<p>I am an older student...26. I am applying through programs specifically for non-traditional students in most cases...</p>

<p>I dropped out of high school because my father was ill. I recently went back to school and I am receiving a high school diploma (note a real diploma from a local high school) in dec. I will be awarded 2 Associate's in May, was accepted to my school's Scholars Program for exceptional students, and have become a member of PTK. I spent the 6 years prior to readmittance working and travelling through Europe. I have come back with a vengence. My GPA is 4.0, and I have taken on a course load of 31 credit hours this semester...and at mid-term I have straight A's. </p>

<p>My ACT tests in early Sept were English 26, Math 25, Reading 35, and Science 29 witha composite of 29 and a writing score of 8....</p>

<p>Realisticly speaking does anyone know what chances I stand at the Eli Whitney Program for Non-Traditional students at YALE... or any other non-traditional top tier program?</p>

<p>Student:</p>

<p>User Name: vpappas83
Gender: F
Location: Chicago, IL
College Class Year: 2012
High School Type: rarely sends grads to top schools
Will apply for financial aid: Yes</p>

<p>Academics:</p>

<p>GPA - Weighted: 0.00
Class Rank: top 25%</p>

<p>Scores:</p>

<p>ACT: 29</p>

<p>Extracurriculars:</p>

<p>Significant Extracurriculars: Phi Theta Kappa - Community College Honor Society
Leadership positions: Phi Theta Kappa- Vice President
Volunteer/Service Work: Community Work through Phi Theta Kappa (Helping homeless, cancer awareness campaign), PADS Homeless Shelter
Honors and Awards: Presidents Honors List Student, Possible Summa Cum Laude Associate's Graduate w/ 2 Associate's, Scholars Program</p>

<p>This semester course load 31 credit hours</p>

<p>Colleges of Interest:</p>

<p>College: Yale University, Choice #: 1, ED/EA: No, Athlete: No, Legacy: No, Status: Will Apply
College: Dartmouth College, Choice #: 2, ED/EA: No, Athlete: No, Legacy: No, Status: Will Apply
College: Amherst College, Choice #: 3, ED/EA: No, Athlete: No, Legacy: No, Status: Will Apply
College: University of Chicago, Choice #: 4, ED/EA: No, Athlete: No, Legacy: No, Status: Will Apply
College: Mount Holyoke College, Choice #: 5, ED/EA: No, Athlete: No, Legacy: No, Status: Will Apply
College: Johns Hopkins University, Choice #: 6, ED/EA: No, Athlete: No, Legacy: No, Status: Will Apply</p>

<p>Desired College Characteristics:</p>

<p>Location type:
Size: </p>

<p>Area:</p>

2

<p>I think Holyoke looks the most likely of these given scores. Those I’ve seen get into Whitney in particular had very high, typical Yale scores.</p>

<p>Having kids at both, I also wonder how much a 26 year old would enjoy Dartmouth or Amherst. Do you want to be in the woods with beer guzzling 18 year olds or at a tiny college where, again, the kids are mostly of similar (young) age?</p>

3

<p>If you’re looking at Mt Holyoke, you should definitely look at Smith- they have a fantastic program for non traditional students</p>

4

<p>I think it’s obvious that with my current courseload of 31 credit hours I’m not interested in anything other than the research opportunities available at these schools…</p>

5

<p>Smith! Got to Smith! They have a wonderful program for you there. It was written up a few years in the NYT. sorry, don’t have the site, but check it out.</p>

6

<p>I’d say with those numbers you have a very good shot at Yale, and are almost guaranteed a spot at Holyoke. Smith does have the Ada Comstock Program for adults, which is excellent, but it looks like you are wired more for research universities. </p>

<p>Having had personal exchanges with the President of Dartmouth over his recruitment of non-traditional students, I can definitely say that Hanover is quite committed to adult students. You should definitely look into Dartmouth. </p>

<p>In order to get into Yale’s EWSP, you need to make sure that you demonstrate leadership ability. Your CV says you were a VP of PTK which is helpful and you had to take care of your father which is very commendable. Speaking of which, your ‘compelling’ reason for wanting to study at Yale at this point in your life will be the real deal breaker. Focus long and hard on that personal statement; its the clincher!</p>

7

<p>update~ I won the Coca Cola Gold Scholarship placing me in the top 50 community college students in the nation!!! </p>

<p>Also, I received a hsd through a hs completion program in DEC… I am officially graduating with high honors… and I am now a Rotary member!!!</p>

8

<p>Congratulations! I think you have a great shot at top colleges.</p>

9

<p>Thx… so far I was accepted at one…</p>

10

<p>where did you get in if you don’t mind? congrats either way! All the schools you applied to are amazing!!</p>

11

<p>I got in a MHC… still waiting for “the call” from EWSP</p>