What is my chance of being admitted to Yale University? Here are my high school statistics so far, I’m in the second semester of my junior year.
9th Grade Classes
Honors English 9: A
Honors Biology: A
Honors Geometry: A-
Honors Algebra 2: A-
AP World History: B+
Physical Education: A
Spanish I: A
Weighted GPA: 4.24
10th Grade Classes
Honors English 10: A
Honors Chemistry: A
Honors Pre-Calculus: A-
AP US History: A-
Physical Education: A
Spanish II: A
AP Psychology: A
Weighted GPA: 4.41
So Far 11th Grade Classes
AP English Language: A-
AP Biology: A
AP Physics: A-
AP European History: A
AP Calculus BC: A-
College Anatomy: A
Spanish III: A
So Far Weighted GPA: 4.76
ACT: 32
SAT: Will take soon
Class Rank: 3rd of 491
The classes that I will take senior year are…
AP English Literature
AP Chemistry
AP Spanish
AP Computer Science Principles
College Statistics
College Physics
College American Literature
Stats-wise you are competitive, although the 32 ACT puts you closer to the 25th percentile. Remember you will be competing with thousands (probably in the range of 15-20,000) with stellar stats for about 2300 spots. In addition to great stat’s, admitted students have “something” in the LoR’s, essays and EC’s that convinces the AO that this applicant will have something special to offer to Yale and its community.
Your numbers alone will not get you the Golden ticket. What about the rest? Last year, I have literally seen 100% denied rate kids with your numbers and weak ECs. In fact, recent meeting with Yale Admissions confirm this notion that they don’t like to admit stellar, one dimension applicants. Your academic is already fantastic, so your ECs should have non academic deep talent leadership. If your ECs are just as good, then I think you have a good chance at any schools! If not, it is too late to make up the weakness. So you should also have plan B and C. Most state schools normally weigh more heavily on numbers.
Yale has a 5% acceptance rate, which makes your chances lousy After your stats reach a certain point, you get lost in a sea of “smart” and it’s impossible to stand out. At that point, it becomes a game of chance, which is all it is anyway. You have to impress them with your essay.
Plus, just because it’s a selective college, doesn’t mean it’s the right one for you. Shop around and apply to a wide variety of colleges that match your interests, goals, and ambitions. Remember, it’s you selecting the college, not the other way around.
Thank you all for the quick comments. To those of you that are mentioning my extracurriculars, I took the following…
-Quiz Bowl
-Cross Country
-Track
-Basketball
-Tennis
-Volleyball
-Leader of STEM Club
-Leader of Physics Club
-Spanish Club
-History Club
-I also created a club called Future Physicians of America (FPA)
^It’s not the list that is important but the quality of your participation. IMO it is better to be committed and show achievement and/or leadership in a few things than be a “member” of many.
Just got back my results from when I retook the ACT. I got a 36 in English, 36 in Reading, 35 in Math, 34 in Science, and a 35 Composite. I also got back my SAT results and for evidence-based-reading-writing, I earned a 780, in math I earned a 770, and the optional essay which is out of 8 points I earned an 8.
Congrats on the ACT. Your academic stats are strong and I imagine your application will get serious consideration – but understand that Yale, with an acceptance rate hovering around 6%, remains a huge reach for any unhooked applicant. There simply is not enough space to accept all of the well qualified applicants.
I’d recommend that you work to create a solid college list that includes reach, match, and safety schools that appear affordable (find out your parents’ budget and run the net price calculator for each school) and that you would be happy to attend. The people I see who get hurt by the college admission process are the ones who focus on one or two hyper-competitive schools and then don’t get in.
Thank you for the quick response. The other colleges I will be applying to are Harvard, Princeton, Stanford, UW-Eau Claire, UW-La Crosse, University Of Wisconsin - Madison, UNC, UCLA, Penn State, Iowa State, Duke University, and Brown University. I know that it’s a lot and I would definitely rather apply to lots instead of just a couple.
Please reread @happy1 advice about cost. Do you have a solid understanding what each of these schools are likely to cost for your family? i.e. have you run the NPC with accurate numbers and have your parents agreed that it is doable? Which of those schools are you considering your “sure to get in” schools?
Also, do you think that my senior year schedule will be manageable? If not, what are some alternatives? Currently, I find myself buried in about six to eight hours of homework per night meaning that just to get my homework done I am up to about 10 to midnight. Although, I’m actually usually up till at least 2 because of extra-curricular activities and other stuff. I’m super sleep deprived but luckily at my school, April 27th is the last day of college and AP classes but my others are still going on. Can’t wait for that day!
Your test scores and GPA have likely passed the threshold for qualification. However, this does not mean that you have a high chance of acceptance–thousands of qualified applicants apply each year, only to receive rejection letters in April. At this point, I would suggest that you narrow down your passions. Instead of trying to juggle everything, focus on a few activities that you love the most. Your application should ultimately revolve around these interests and ECs, since they best reflect who you are as a student and an individual. I would also suspect that narrowing your interests would trim down your EC list, creating more room for free time. I hope this suggestion helps.
Six to eight hours of homework a night? Hope you still have something left in the tank for college. For both your health and your acceptance chances it seems like it might be time to slow down and focus on one or two ECs (or heaven forbid, personal interests) that you really care about.
After your stats reach a certain point, you get lost in a sea of “smart” and it’s impossible to stand out. At that point, it becomes a game of chance, which is all it is anyway. You have to impress them with your essay.