What are my chances of getting into Yale?

Chance Me / Match Me!
1

<p>Hi I'm a junior in High School (obviously) and I'm from New Haven, CT and my whole life I've been dreaming about going to Yale. I want do ED to Yale but I do not know if I should. Many people believe I do not have a chance but I think I do. I'd appreciate it if you guys could read through and give me your opinions. And PLEASE read through the whole thing; it's definitely worth it.</p>

<p>*I know my test scores are absolutely horrendous, but PLEASE keep reading, you'll understand why I think I may have a chance</p>

<p>Gender: Male</p>

<p>Ethnicity: White (Turkish)</p>

<p>Income: I'm not exactly sure but used to get reduced lunch</p>

<p>Parents' Education: </p>

<p>Father: High School Diploma</p>

<p>Mother: Currently attending College</p>

<p>Location: CT, USA</p>

<p>High School: Small all-boys school, opened in 2002. Currently in the process of getting accredited by the state. </p>

<p>GPA: 4.0 (UW) I do not know my Weighted GPA</p>

<p>Rank: Although we do not have official rankings, I'm certain that I am top 2 (out of 21 on my grade. Small, I know)</p>

<p>ACT: Took it my sophomore year but had a really horrible migraine so I couldn't actually take the test. I just guessed and put my head down.</p>

<p>SAT: First- 1500; Second- 1720; 1760 with superscore;
I have not actually sat down and ever studied yet, and I plan on taking it a couple more times. I read in an article that Yale demands ALL of your SAT scores, could you guys verify if this is still the case this for me? <a href="http://www.yaledailynews.com/news/2009/jan/16/no-choice-on-scores/"&gt;http://www.yaledailynews.com/news/2009/jan/16/no-choice-on-scores/&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p>

<p>SATII: Have not taken any yet.</p>

<p>AP Tests: None</p>

<p>H=Honors</p>

<p>Freshman Year Classes: Computer, Art I, Study Hall, English I-H, Chemistry-H, Geometry-H, World History-H, Gym, Turkish-I, Spanish-I </p>

<p>Sophomore Year Classes: Algebra II-H, English II-H, Biology-H, Study Hall, Art II, Computer II, Accelerated Reading, Gym, AP Government, Spanish II-H</p>

<p>Junior Year Classes: Accelerated Reading, Mixed Media (Art III), AP/ECE U.S History, Precalculus-H, Study Hall, Turkish II, Spanish III-H, AP English Lang and Comp</p>

<p>Throughout all three years I've averaged a 4.0. Averaging a 4.0 this year may be a little difficult, but I will definitely have all A's</p>

<p>Here's a rundown of my resume:</p>

<p>Extracurricular Activities
• Basketball JV (Grade 10-Captain)
• Basketball Varsity (Grade 11)
• Cross Country Varsity (Grade 10)
• Baseball Varsity (Grades 10-11)
• Biking (Grades 9-10 Captain)
• Apple Math Contest (Grade 9)
• Apple Math And Science Days (Grade 9)
• Yale Basketball Camp (Grade 11)
• Junta Leaders Camp (Grade 11)
• Model UN at Yale (Grade 11)
• Student Council Residential Life Rep. (Grade 11)
• Photography (Whole Life)</p>

<p>Clubs
• Yearbook Photographer (Grades 9-10)
• Science Fair Club (Grades 9-11)
• Science Olympiad (Member Grade 10)
• Swimming Club (Grade 9)
• American Library Association (Member Grade 10)
• Recycle Club (Member Grade 10)
• Earth Week (Treasurer Grade 10)
• Art Club (Grade 10)
• School Times (Writer Grade 11)</p>

<p>Awards
• High Honor Roll (Grades 9-11)
• CT Science Fair Medalist & Finalist 2012-2014
• Two gold medals in Apple Computer Contest 2012
• Nominated for Congress of Future Surgeons and Physicians
• Invited to the National Prep School Basketball Tournament (Consists of only 8 schools nationwide)
• Honor Society (Grade 11)</p>

<p>Community Services
• Ringing a bell (Salvation Army) (Grades 9-10)
• Collecting and donating money for earthquakes in Turkey (Grade 9)
• Collecting and donating money for hurricane Sandy (Grade 10)
• Dormitory Help (Grades 9-10)
• 2012 Halloween Parade volunteer
• 2013 Town of ****** Government Day (Roads and Wells)
• Henry Fernandez Election Campaign volunteer (Grade 11)</p>

<p>Certificates
• Apple Computer Contest (Certificate of Participation)
• American Mathematics Competition (Certificate of Merit)
• Apple Math Contest (Certificate of Participation)
• Salvation Army Volunteer (Certificate of Appreciation)</p>

<p>Internships/Job Experience
• Attended an internship at the New Haven City Hall (Livable City Initiative) in summers of 2012 & 2013
• Worked at family owned restaurant in New Haven as a part time job during summers of ’11-’13 </p>

<p>Weaknesses: Tests. </p>

<p>Strengths: Activities. Very social personality. New Haven background. Connection with teachers. </p>

<p>Letters of recommendation: Yale's Basketball Coach (not certain yet), Former New Haven mayor, Teachers who really like me. Very prominent people in both New Haven and CT</p>

<p>Basketball: Basketball has become a huge part of my life. My freshman year we were required to join a sport, so I chose Basketball. I practiced for two months, only to get cut by the basketball coach, it hurt me A LOT. That whole year (and summer) I worked so hard, and let my failure motivate me. The next year I was JV's captain (we have the teams: 3rds, JV, Varsity). Although I was the captain of JV, that was not enough. That summer, I joined Yale's own Coach Jones' basketball camp. I did so well he invited me to join his elite camp this year. Anyway this year I made varsity and our team was (at one point) ranked 2nd in the whole nation by nextuprecruits.com (NCAA Certified). We were even invited to the national basketball tournament held in New Haven which consists of only 8 schools in all of the United States, a tournament that has had NBA stars like Tyreke Evans, Nerlens Noel, MCW, and Micheal Beasly. Although I did not get much playing time I was still named the captain of the team. We eventually ended up losing in the first round, but it was a great experience regardless. And if I get accepted into Yale I am planning on walking-on to Coach Jones' Basketball team.</p>

<p>The reason I believe I have a strong chance of getting into Yale is because I've lived in New Haven all of my life and worked at my father’s restaurant and because of this I know LOTS of alumni from Yale. I've worked in the City Hall for two summers. My mother works at Yale's hospital and my major weakness is my scores, which I can eventually fix. I know many problems Yale and New Haven have, for example the lack of involvement with the students and the rest of New Haven, and given my background and connections I believe I can help change that.</p>

<p>I would really appreciate it if you guys told me what you thought, and what I can do to increase my chances. Thank you so much :)</p>

<p>If you have any questions please fire away.</p>

<p>Oh, and one last thing, I'm currently learning how to play the guitar also </p>

2

<p>I’m sorry to be pessimistic but in my honest opinion, I think your chances at Yale are nonexistent with those test scores.
Also, you have several clubs, but no leadership roles. Focus on obtaining office positions in those clubs if you want to increase your chances.
Still, they will be slim regardless. (As they are for everyone) </p>

3

<p>You have a good chance if you can improve your SAT score. I can not see why it is so low, considering your 4.0 GPA. </p>

4

<p>If you improve your test scores, you would have a chance. The rest of your stats look great.</p>

5

<p>Honestly, you listed “awards” that were arbitrarily given out (Physicians & Surgeons) and I don’t think that would go well with colleges. GPA is obviously great, and some EC’s are respectable, but you really need to improve that SAT. Good Luck!</p>

6

<p>Your Test scores obviously need a lot of work and I’m a bit wary of your 0 APs as well</p>

7

<p>Some schools, such as mine, do not allow students to take APs without taking the prerequisites, no matter what prior knowledge we have (so most students have to take them only in grade 12). </p>

8

<p>I don’t think I touched upon my leadership skills very well:</p>

<p>• Captain of the 2nd best Basketball team in the nation</p>

<p>• CT Science Fair Medalist and Captain each and every year</p>

<p>• Bike club Founder/Captain</p>

<p>• Residential Life Committee Officer (whenever someone has a problem outside of school, since I stay at a boarding school, they come to me first, then I hand the situation to the administration)</p>

9

<p>And what are your opinions on the fact that I’m close with so many alumni and even the Coach?</p>

10

<p>You are light-years away from Yale or any similary competative school with those test scores. Even recruited athletes and alumni kids need a few HUNDRED points more than that and you’re not them.</p>

<p>Also, your GPA will be looked at in less than a 100% positive light since clearly the academic rigor of your school will be questioned if someone with a 4.0 can’t pull more than a 1760.</p>

<p>Sorry, but you need to move on and focus on where you have a more realistic chance.</p>

11

<p>@soze‌
Test scores are not the only part of the application. He can always improve. The rest of his application is good.</p>

12

<p>

Yes it is</p>

<p><a href=“http://admissions.yale.edu/standardized-testing”>http://admissions.yale.edu/standardized-testing&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt;

13

<p>Is he going to improve by 500 points?
That’s what he’ll need.
Sorry, but it’s not going to happen for him. </p>

<p>And yes the SAT is only one part but there is such a massive gap between his SAT and GPA and that coupled
with the fact that he’s at a new, unaccredited school will lead them to belive that the rigor of his HS is not that high.</p>

<p>Other than basketball, his ECs are nothing special.</p>

<p>If he can get 300 or 400 more SAT points AND the Yale basketball team wants him then <em>maybe</em> there is a chance but those are some massive hurdles to leap.</p>

14

<p>If he can achieve 2000-2100, they may overlook that bad score. Also, he says he will prepare more and retake it, so there should be some improvement. </p>

15

<p>Even a 2100 is still WAY below-the-line for an unhooked acceptance. There are many 2400s that they will be rejecting and there needs to be a compelling case why he should be accepted while they were rejected. That case is just not there.</p>

16

<p>Does your school offer AP’s before Junior year or without pre-requisites? And along with the other posters, you will need to actually study for the SAT and increase your score to be at LEAST 2100.</p>

17

<p>You aren’t related to an alum, so you “connections” aren’t really going to do much and neither is being from New Haven. I’m saying this in the least rude way possible, but you’re treating these like hooks and they’re not, they’re not even close. Yale is a reach for even those with the GPA, test scores, and ECs to get in and you barely have two let alone all three. You seriously need to raise your scores if you want even a chance.</p>

18

<p>I do not know why everyone is being so pessimistic. I am sure he knows that his test scores are sub par, and he will attempt to improve it. But no one is commenting on how good (or giving any opinion on) the rest of his application is. </p>

19

<p>Obviously your basketball experience makes for a compelling story and essay. My advice (speaking from my personal experience talking with my college counselor, college admissions officers, etc.) is to work very hard on creating an excellent essay that highlights your strengths and shows how you stand out despite some of your weaknesses. If you improve your SAT by a few hundred points, you could have a very good chance at getting recruited (a classmate of mine who is a mediocre student got recruited to Stanford for swimming). </p>

<p>HOWEVER, if you get into an elite school like Yale, make sure that you can handle the academic rigor. If you get in just because of your EC’s, but lack the academic ability to perform well under pressure (e.g. standardized tests), then you may end up having a very rough college experience. College admissions officers will try to help you in this regard: if they don’t think you’re strong enough academically, they’ll reject you despite your other accomplishments. </p>

<p>As an ambitious junior, I can certainly relate to the OP, in that I’m mostly (if not completely) worried about just GETTING IN to the best school that I can - I haven’t even thought about whether or not I’ll have a positive experience once I get accepted. </p>

<p>That being said, I’d caution the OP about striving to get into a prestigious school without calculating the amount of academic rigor that may be required, which may be sampled (though certainly not fully represented) by a standardized test like the SAT. On the other hand, from my perspective, the OP’s story of hard work and rapid improvement is compelling enough to make admissions officers take notice. First make sure Yale is your top choice, and if so, improve your SAT score and take a few SAT II’s, then write a brilliant essay and hope for the best. </p>

<p>Best of luck</p>

20

<p>I know my test scores are terrible, thank you guys for reaffirming it. But, I’ve never focused on standardized tests like the AP and SAT. I’m planning on doing so this summer, for example I got invited to the national college admissions conference at Princeton and I was also nominated for a free SAT or ACT online test prep course (via Quest Bridge). I know Yale accepts students based on what they can do outside of the classroom (even if they have a 2400) and that’s what I’m going for. I have confidence I’ll get 2000+ on the SAT. This summer I was also planning on interning at U.S senator Blumenthal’s office, furthering my connections with prominent individuals. I know I’m repeating myself but, how is getting recommendation letters from the mayor of New Haven, Yale Alum and CEO of Chairigami, Head of the Livable City Initiative of New Haven “not hooks”? Sure my test scores are bad, but look at how far I’ve gotten outside of the classroom, and how much I’ve accomplished. Is that not what admission officers want to see? Or would they rather a 4.0 2400 SAT Violin player who has no social skills whatsoever? I feel like I have a lot of advantages, seeing the ins and outs of New Haven, Yale, and the neighboring communities. Is the fact that I feel like I can do something, being a socially active New Haven-er, an advantage, or
am I deceiving myself?</p>