What should I do???

<p>I believe that Yale is the place for me. I've visited and love it. I love the intellectual curiosity of the students and the academic environment on campus. There is a professor at Yale who published a book on a unique subject that has always interested me. </p>

<p>Here is my dilemma - I am a legacy at another top ranked school that has an early decision application. Last year, the number one student in our school was rejected from this other school, regular decision, so I believe that my legacy status may be the only thing that helps me. I am currently 1/400, taken 10 APs (mostly 5s, some 4s), 32 on ACT (retaking in fall), low 700s or very high 600s on all parts of SAT and SAT IIs, a lot of service work, including international, leadership positions (elected) in several clubs, year-round work experience since sophomore year, minimal sports. No financial aide.</p>

<p>I get it. I'm not that special - but is there any chance I will be admitted to Yale? No one from our high school has ever been a direct admit to HYP, but we've had students go just about everywhere else. Should I give up the slight advantage legacy may give me at the other school in order to risk it at Yale? Is there anything I can do to see if Yale has an interest in me before I take that gamble?</p>

<p>xsammcd25 –</p>

<p>I asked a similar question a couple weeks ago regarding my son and received very insightful comments from several people. See the thread, “Dilemma” from a couple weeks ago. Your situation is a little different, however, since your legacy school has ED.</p>

<p>Thanks WXY. The advice given to you is sound. SCEA at Yale does not seem to give anyone an added boost, whereas at your AM you risk losing the added boost that legacy status will likely provide - particularly because if he is admitted, you can still apply to other schools. My fear is that if I apply ED to my legacy school, and get in, that I will never know what could have happened at Yale. If I risk my legacy status, I will likely end up with neither. I guess I am talking myself into applying ED. I know I would be happy there, if I am lucky enough to be admitted, but it is painful to never know what could have been.</p>