Hello! I just joined this site today and I’ve been scanning around the forums a bit. I’m currently a junior in high school at the moment, but I thought I’d say something on here sense it seems the least intimidating. I was wondering if any of y’all had experience with or know what I should do about my predicatment. I’ve been thinking that I might want to go the Yale route. (Originally I was set on Columbia.) Anyways, I personally don’t have a bunch of experience with extra circulars. So far I’ve been in marching band/colorguard a year, and Deca a year. Because of how my middle school was set up I wasn’t able to join anything before highschool, since I was able to get my school fees paid off. I took Deca sophmore year and wasn’t able to be placed in it again this year due to scheduling difficulties. So I wasn’t sure on what you’d recommend in regards to this. I’ve been planning on join and being involved more, yet I won’t be able to till my senior year. And I was worried about my application looking like I was trying to get a bunch of things in. There are things I’ve wanted to be involved in, but just haven’t been able to. Another thing I’m stressing about would be how to get into National Honors Society. I was able to apply this year, but didn’t sense I hadn’t had any previous volunteer experience. I
^ There is no simple checklist of how many EC’s you need. The best advice anyone can give is to not set your sights on just one school, especially as one as selective as Yale. I think it is fine to set high goals for yourself, but first and foremost is to do the best you can academically at school, getting the best grades and taking a challenging set of courses. Look at Yale’s website about the classes it expects you to take over 4 years of high school https://admissions.yale.edu/advice-selecting-high-school-courses. Start prepping for standardized tests if you have not already done so and understand the scores you need to achieve to be competitive for Yale and any school you are considering. Begin to think of 2 teachers who know you well and can write a good letter of recommendation for you. As far as EC’s are concerned, whatever you choose to participate in, do it with commitment and a view to obtaining results that you can describe/write about. It does not have to be school based. It can be community/charity/church related services. If your family situation requires you to be a homecare provider or work part time, schools will understand and consider that an EC. When it comes to application time next fall, given your grades, test scores and admissions rates for various schools, make sure you apply to a good mix of schools in terms of safeties, matches and reaches that you would be happy to attend.
@a792002 , I realize I’m late in responding but wanted to let you know that indicating those areas in your app doesn’t make it harder to be admitted. My son was accepted SCEA and he indicated Mechanical Engineering, Computer Science and Psychology as his top 3 interests.
Daughter was deferred - perfect GPA in IB program (highest rigor available), 1550 SAT - one sitting jr. year, varsity/club swimmer and team captain, strong essays and LORs., but nothing exceptional in terms of ECs. She took ACT in Dec. (36 composite, 36 in reading, science, writing) 35 in math (missed mostly questions on quantity - should have refreshed on basic math I think!) Numerous AP/IB courses, mostly fives but a few fours - and a 6 on IB chem. (Not sure how that compares to AP.)
I’m wondering if ACT might help as she didn’t take any subject tests due to finances and scheduling conflicts - they weren’t even on her radar until this summer. Since Duke accepts this instead of required subject tests, I’m wondering if Yale might feel this provides any missing info Thoughts?
I’ve also heard that above a certain point, higher scores don’t help, but there has to be a cut-off point I’m hoping the 36 ACT might make a difference and perhaps provide an extra academic index point which could tip the scales. Anyone know how Yale calculates the AI (which I just heard of!)
LOL. I think I’m really just grasping at straws. Like everyone here, she has worked hard for her shot - and I"d love for her to win the lottery.
And to all the students here, you are AMAZING and - if you continue to work hard - you will have great success wherever you land! Good luck everyone!
Hi, @TrendaLeigh ,
I attended an info session in New Haven a few years ago. I remember we were told that for standardized test, it is “like a check box”–as long as the score is high enough, it is good enough. They need to make sure the student could keep up with the work at the University. I don’t think they are looking for students with perfect scores. You child’s ACT score was truly outstanding, and together with the SAT score, they support the view that your child is very outstanding and capable, academically.
If you look at the Yale admissions page on Standardized Testing, you see that (1) subject tests are recommended but not required, also, it sounds like (2) the AP and IB exams perform a similar function as the subject test, i.e., give a more complete picture of areas of strength. So I think this (doing IB and AP instead of subject tests) by itself is not an issue. (However, the specific scores related to her subject or major of interest could matter, I think.)
Quote from the page, “SAT Subject Tests are recommended but not required. Scores from SAT Subject Tests (like AP exams, IB exams, and AICE exams, see below) can help an applicant demonstrate specific areas of academic strength.”
p.s. The only thing I could think of are: (1) if your child has any special achievements/significant awards in ECs (received after submitting the application), or (2) you feel like submitting a meaningful extra recommendation, you could submit an update. 2 references are sufficient. A 3rd reference that basically say the same thing as the first two will not help. (However, a 3rd reference outside of academics at school, e.g., from a coach, a mentor, a summer research supervisor, etc.) who really knows your child and can address other aspects of the candidate, i.e., give more insight, could help.
You have an impressive kid!
I wish your child all the best and hope she’ll land in a school she’ll enjoy for the next 4 years!
@TrendaLeigh --Agree with above post about scores. I can tell that my student was admitted SCEA without subject test scores, with a slightly lower ACT, and her AP scores submitted. I am by no means a Yale expert but looking at the kids interacting on the admitted students groups one thing seems to be a constant: they are all exceptional and passionate about something. It can literally be anything but they all seem to have something they do at a high level or ECs that stand out for their uniqueness or depth of involvement. That’s my bird’s eye Mom view. I 'm sure your daughter is exceptional too and I sure hope she gets the portal announcement she is looking for! Fingers crossed…
@par271828nt, thanks for the information - and the kind words! Her friend who also has a perfect ACT also got deferred. While her grades are not quite perfect, her ECs are amazing It really did help me understand how many outstanding kids apply.
I’m glad to hear that the lack of subject tests probably isn’t likely a factor in their decision. My daughter knows she’s done everything she could, and there’s something to be said for not having any “what ifs.”
I think that everyone who applies to Yale (or HPMS or any highly selective school) should be proud of themselves for taking the risk, knowing they are very likely to face rejection. As they say, you miss all the shots you don’t take!
@ohdeanor, congrats to your daughter! How exciting!! In all honesty, my daughter’s that proverbial well-rounded kid, but I can see her application might be missing that deep passion interest or focus. She knows that too, and actually touched on it - in a hopefully positive, funny way - in her essay.
Anyone got an interview?
Could someone chance me for Yale? I applied RD to School of Engineering and Applied Sciences.
Stats:
International student fromn India
SAT: 1530 (800 Math, 730 English)
12th Grade Predicted Finals: 95+/100
GPA (11th): 93/100
Rank: Not reported by my school
Strong essays
Major: Mechanical Engineering
An extensive list of extracurriculars, with scientific research pursued at the Indian Institute of Technology, my own patent, and much more stuff like debates, Model UNs, student council, NASA Ames Space Settlement Design Competition, etc.
Pete Conrad Scholar
Intel ISEF finalist from India, represented the country.
World Scholar’s Cup Champion, went to the final round at Yale as well
EXTREMELY strong recommendations from 11th and 12th grade Physics and Math teachers, along with the counselor recommendation from the principal.
@LyricalLeader You’re a strong candidate but again whether or not we tell you you’re a good fit won’t mean anything. At the end of the day we’re not the AO’s and we don’t know what they’re looking for. So don’t be too reliant on our answers.
Hi @LyricalLeader, sounds impressive.
A few things you have not told us (if you feel comfortable in sharing):
your AP/IB/A-level/SAT Sub Test results; your community service work(if any).
If you have submitted a research paper, I assume it will be read by a faculty member.
Also, if your supervisor at IIT is familiar with your work (and you think he/she will write a very good reference for you), it could be helpful.
I wish you the best of luck!
p.s. This is just for my own curiosity. What is your area of research interest (e.g., robotics, material science, etc.), explained in a language to someone who has no mechan eng training?
@Lunarlitgend yes, of course!!
@par271828nt I did take 2 SAT Subject Tests, did not score great, so have not sent them/reported them to Yale. In the Indian Central Education Board, we have something known as ‘leaving exams’, not A-levels or IB’s. I have a predicted 95+ out of 100 on them. For the one I took in 10th grade, I have 94/100.
My community service includes volunteering and fundraising for a food distribution service every alternate Saturday. I also wrote 4 leaving exams for a dyslexic child, who couldn’t.
I did submit a research paper.
Unfortunately, the rules at IIT are such that they don’t allow professors to write rec letters for non-students 
Ah, the trouble with Indian Bureaucracy.
My research interests lie in Engine Mechanics, the study of automotives, and specifically how we can reduce pollution emissions from vehicles.
Hi @LyricalLeader , Thanks for responding. I’m not familiar with the ICEB you mentioned, but I’m sure the admissions staff are.
What you said makes sense. Hope they like your research paper.
As @Lunarlitgend said, you seem like a strong candidate, but, not being an AO or able to see everything in your application, I just wish you the best of luck!
I am glad you have visited New Haven. There are some nice places on campus to enjoy, relax, or just hang out with friends. A few engineering labs are on two sides of Hillhouse Avenue which is quite beautiful during Spring and Summer. Good luck!
How do you get a interview with Yale?
^They are assigned by the AO once applications are in. It is not by applicant request aside from situations where the student requests an on-campus interview during certain windows in the year. https://admissions.yale.edu/interviews
For alumni interviews, the AO assigns applicants to be interviewed to regional alumni interview directors who then assign interviews to the available volunteers in that region. The volunteers are not affiliated with the local Yale clubs, but are alumni who have affirmatively volunteered to be interviewers.
There are not enough volunteers to interview every applicant. Only about 18,000 interviews (among about 6,000 volunteers) are completed annually. Whether or not an applicant gets an interview is a function of how many volunteers there are relative to the number of applicants in that region and some amount of luck when applicants exceed volunteers.
Thank you so much @par271828nt . It’s the Central Board of Secondary Education, actually. I hope so too, let’s pray for the best! haha
New Haven is amazing. And the campus was gorgeous. One of my top reasons for applying to Yale.
Is it too late to send a letter of continued interest? And to whom do I send it? Or should i submit it on my portal?
Still waiting for interview invite???