Hi everyone! I know I’m applying to either Yale or Harvard early action and I’d like to hear what you think my chances are. Here’s a brief overview of my app:
ACT: 32
SAT reading: 740
SAT math: 640
SAT essay: 7
Taking SAT subjects soon
GPA: 4.0 unweighted
12 AP classes
Research experience in lab (2 projects)
STEM Club President
Key Club VP (includes volunteer hrs)
National Honor Society
My intended major is biochem & neuroscience
Your stats honestly look like mine and that kind of discourages me! We might just be ANOTHER pretty high SAT/very high GPA/research lab experienced/AP intensive/club presidents applicant set for the waitlist pile…
Hilarious that you point out strong academics while you are applying to Harvard and Yale. Doesn’t everyone have strong academics who apply to those schools? Meanwhile, your test scores are on the low side. The CDS for both those schools tell you that.
Bwaygirl1: “Yale is above all an academic institution. This means academic strength is our first consideration in evaluating any candidate. The single most important document in your application is your high school transcript, which tells us a great deal about your academic drive and performance over time.” – http://admissions.yale.edu/what-yale-looks-for
Yes, GPA is much more important than test scores, but when an institution can fill its seats with perfect 4.0 students, test scores are also heavily considered.
Your SAT/ACT scores are very low for Harvard and Yale and your EC’s are in no way oppressive. High reach if not out of reach.
“Very low” is an extreme way of saying that your ACT is in the 25th percentile for Harvard. However, this means that you’re above 25% of others. Not all hope is lost.
But most of the applicants below the 25th percentile have a strong hook.
your scores are not average for any ivy league. I think you’re a bit overconfident.
And low for biochem and neuro. Both Harvard and Yale are open about what they look for, beyond stats.
Post 3 does not mean stats are all it takes or can swing a kid who otherwise doesn’t have what they look for.
They’ll read you whole app to find evidence of your drives, thinking, choices you made, and more. That includes what you write and how it comes across. Holistic.
@Chicken2222 32 is average for Brown, Dartmouth and UPenn.
i meant in a realistic sense, 32 is not going to get you into any of those schools if you dont have a hook.
@ap012199
No it is not.
@TomSrOfBoston You are mistaken. According to prep scholar and various other sources, the average ACT for these 3 universities is a 32. Why do you believe otherwise and from where did you get erroneous information?
@ap012199 Look at the CDS on each school’s website. Websites like the one’s you tried to reference have outdated stats and in most cases stats that are simply wrong.
You’ve got to understand that most schools report for enrolled students. First, you need to be admitted. And tippy tops are looking at sub-scores, not composite.
Brown does show admit stats (so do just a few others.) A whopping 7% of applicants scoring 29-32 are admitted, (compared with a 50% rate for 33-35.) (And similar low percents for OP’s SAT M.) But, they don’t show how scores fared within that range, nor how that breaks out by major or hooks- or the quality of their whole apps.
Dart and Penn show ACT for enrolled students, no further detail for within a range or by major. No assumptions should be made about a 32. Typical advice is be to be at the very top of the mid-range, at least, and have the right strengths in sub-scores.
There will need to be that something which pushes you over. It may not be a hook, may be your own accomplishments or insight, etc. Research and a few hs clubs may not be that push.
OP, can you answer a “Why Us?” sort of question for H and Y?
@TomSrOfBoston yes, I’ve seen each of these schools’ common data sets. They are in line with an average ACT score of 32. Although none of them state an average or median ACT score, I’m almost sure that each of these schools have an average ACT score of 32. I have found NO information to contradict this. Have you?
@lookingforward makes a very good point. Top schools will look much more at sub scores in concordance with intended major than an overall composite score. And yes, my assumptions are based off of stats for enrolled students. When I toured Brown, my tour guide told me that the average ACT score for admitted students was 32. A friend of mine who goes to UPenn told me the same. As for Dartmouth, I’ve only ever seen their average for enrolled students to be 32. Nothing more or less.
(First, I misspoke. It’s not 50% of 33-35 admitted, that’s % of class.)
Well, I wonder what those kids really know. And averages serve a limited purpose.
Look at the Brown admission facts web page. 56% of the class scored 33+. Again, if you look at the 75th percentile, percent enrolled, (via CDS/2015-16,) it’s 34. In fact, the 25th %ile is 31. That doesn’t seem to put a 32 at the top of the mid-range.
You know the old expression: close only counts in horseshoes.
Thanks for all of the candid input everyone! This will definitely help in making a decision and having more realistic expectations.
I should also add that my ACT is on the lower end because of math & reading unfortunately. My subscores are: math (29), English (29), Reading (35), and Science (34)–I’ll be retaking this. I also do have a few less structured ECs I’ve added to my app such as classical mandolin, D&D dungeon master, and personal strength/cardio training.
What do you guys think about Princeton or Cornell as an option?