<p>Why do universities ask the “Why ___”? I mean, even if a student does their very best, its always going to sound pretty generic. And with 100 words–it almost seems like a throwaway essay on Yale’s part. Thoughts?</p>
<p>8 days 7 Hours to the 16th :)</p>
<p>@cutidida I agree. It used to be 500 words, which would have been more useful. They should of kept it 500 words or just tossed it. You can’t really say much in 100</p>
<p>I would have to suspect that it is the rare applicant who manages to significantly differentiate themselves through personal statements and essays to a degree that compels an admissions committee to overlook the core stats in an application file. An exceptional example of the ability to write well could potentially elevate a borderline candidate… and an extremely poor effort at such could derail the same type of candidate. I have read that most application file readers recall less than 5% though that stand-out in a meaningful way. And I am not sure if that is the content of the essay or the writing style which inspires them. Maybe it is a combination of things.</p>
<p>Listening to a variety of admissions officers at different elite schools speak on the topic, they all seem to be seeking that “something different”. It could be that exceptional ability (athletic, artistic, etc.) or that uniquely cultivated passion or maybe just something unpredictable that takes them by surprise. But if your application truly includes such a difference-maker, that will be the likely tipping-point that propels you to admission… versus the “Why ___ ?” statement or an essay on your chosen academic program.</p>
<p>My D is hoping that her performing arts skill set provides that catalyst, elevating her median stats. Realistically, looking at many threads here at CC, the safer bet would be the ability to swing a bat, throw a ball or swim quick laps… lol. Recruited athletes receive Likely Letters and Early Admits at an alarming rate.</p>
<p>Hopefully a # of you will have succeeded in identifying some trait though that would help Yale to mold a well-rounded class of 2018. I would genuinely love to learn that most of you have made it in on Dec 16th. Good luck…</p>
<p>I searched up “Yale class of 2018” on FB and apparently there is a group for yale scea 2018 applicants (or it may be rd also I don’t know). I expected to see the admits group since it’s so close to d-day but I never expected an applicants group of over 150 people. Are any of you guys part of this? They obviously haven’t heard of this forum (which protects your identity if you have questions or concerns).</p>
<p>If it shows any admits, they must be QuestBridge Matches.</p>
<p>Is there a study on admissions rates for applicants who have participated in a varsity sport in HS (non recruit level) versus those who have not? I feel like showing them that you are not only academic but also athletic goes a long way in helping you in the admissions process, but this claim is speculation in its entirety.</p>
<p>@marioandluigi I doubt it for the same reason colleges do not report admission rates by ethicity</p>
<p>If you search for IvyAthlete or Ivy Athlete or anything similar online, you will likely be amazed at the # of companies that specialize in helping varsity athletes get into Ivy League universities. One of their Home Page’s says something very simple related to Yale in particular… At a Yale admissions presentation for prospective freshmen, a parent inquired about the priority given student athlete applicants. The Yale admissions person responded with only three words - “Yale recruits athletes!” It also says that athletes have an acceptance rate at well over twice the rate of other students. </p>
<p>This is the reality of things though. Yale accepted 1,991 students from a record pool of 29,610 for the Class of 2017. And there is very little doubt that 200-300 of those admits were recruited athletes. Every other applicant was competing for the remaining 1691-1791 spots. And that pattern will be repeated this cycle, with most of those recruited athletes being offered spots in 9 days.</p>
<p>@derek
I meant a CC study. It sounds like something Silverturtle would do.</p>
<p>And speaking of silverturtle… I’m not too optimistic for the 16th…</p>
<p>@WWW</p>
<p>Not recruited athletes. I’m talking about kids who participated in a sport in HS on the varsity level. Recruited athletes have an undeniably tremendous advantage.</p>
<p>Marioandluigi: Well… if you played a sport at all, it would likely come down to your coach’s evaluation / assessment of your talents + any other independent assessments, articles, etc. that you may have referenced… which would or could lead to some level of analysis by Yale’s athletic department to determine if your skill set is of significant enough merit to be given extra consideration. They would then likely compare such to their need level, projections from recruited athletes who perform the same roles, etc. If none of that existed, and if you only mentioned that you played a sport too… it could make a marginal difference, as would any EC activity of note, but I doubt that it would serve to sway anyone on the admissions staff. If Yale’s athletic department asks that extra consideration be given… it will be. Without such, it is a noted EC and not likely to influence your chances significantly. That’s my take on it…</p>
<p>@WWW</p>
<p>I think you misunderstood me (I apologize). I’m not trying to carve a hook out of my participation in sports. What I’m saying is this: do adcoms perceive applicants as more accomplished or “well rounded” if they participate in HS sports? Do they subconsciously look for people who are not only extremely passionate in one area, but also accomplished in other areas such as sports, which requires a whole new set of skills than your high school debate team or your orchestra.</p>
<p>Marioandluigi: I instinctively believe so. I would suspect that you must be correct in this, especially since athletics does require so much time and effort - regardless of the perceived talent level. I recall our local Admissions Rep warning applicants not to just look like joiners or resume-padders, emphasizing that Yale is more interested in the quality and depth of your extra activities beyond academics. But I do not see how anyone could equate participation in a varsity sport as a negative under any light. It clearly implies a certain level of athletic ability and time committed to the endeavor and is leaps and bounds more significant in my opinion than joining a few extra clubs, for example.</p>
<p>[Future</a> of athletic recruitment remains uncertain | Yale Daily News](<a href=“http://yaledailynews.com/blog/2013/10/18/future-of-athletic-recruitment-remains-uncertain/]Future”>Future of athletic recruitment remains uncertain - Yale Daily News)
Yale actually only recruits 180 kids a year to sports and all ivies are restricted to 230…</p>
<p>@marioandluigi
I don’t know much about the actual statistics about that but all I can say is that I really hope they do. I play 3 varsity sports and that’s almost my entire life hopefully all that time I’ve spent with inadvertently help me get into Yale</p>
<p>I would generally disagree. It is a common misconception that colleges (especially the elite) want “well rounded” applicants. In reality, they don’t. They want a well rounded class. There’s a HUGE difference. Marioandluigi, find your passion and pursue it with all of your effort. If that passion does not include a sport, so be it. Top tier universities DO NOT want 2,000 admitees who are good at 20 things. They want 2000 kids who are exceptional at one or two.</p>
<p>^exactly. One ad officer said yale likes well rounded applicants and “pointy” applicants that have put a lot of work in one area to build a well rounded class in the end.</p>
<p>180 is slightly less than the 200-300 I was told. But I actually do not begrudge those who are being recruited for any special talent at all. I would hope that they each have some minimum level that adheres to the Yale academic standard (and I suspect that they do), but it is all part of the overall framework and tapestry of college… extending to athletes, musicians, artists, singers, dancers, etc. Who knows how many of last years 1991 accepted in total were perceived to possess some special skill or talents beyond academics.? It could be a few hundred for sure overall…</p>
<p>The sports discussion always makes me bitter because all the colleges I am applying to don’t offer my sport at the varsity level, even though I would be recruited in a heartbeat if they did :-(</p>