Yale SCEA Chances?

Colleges and Universities A-Z Yale University
1

<p>Hey CC,</p>

<p>I've browsed these forums for a year or so now, and I feel now's as good a time as ever to post a thread like this. Now, I usually hate chances threads, so instead, I'd appreciate any comments on what areas I could improve during these last few months, rather than a general "probably" or "you wish".</p>

<p>General:</p>

<p>State: GA
Race: White as white can be
Gender: Male
Prospective Major at Yale: Double Major in MB&B and Political Science</p>

<p>Academics:</p>

<p>GPA: 4.0/4.82 (Unweighted/Weighted)
SAT: 760 Math, 760 CR, 720 Writing (plan to retake in October)
SAT II: 770 Math II, 760 French, 730 US History
Courses: Most rigorous available; allowed by school to study advanced biomechanics independently during one class period this year.
Class Rank: 1/176
School: High-ranking Private (2nd in state, usually get one or two into most Ivies every year)
APs completed: AP Calculus BC (5), AP French Language (5), AP US History (5), AP European History (4)</p>

<p>Extracurriculars:</p>

<p>Vocal Music:
-Choral President (12), I work alongside the choral director at both my school and Georgia Tech to plan my school choir's rehearsals and performances
-Bass Section Leader (10,11), ran private rehearsals for the bass section
-All-State Chorus (9-12), as Baritone
-Spivey Hall Honor Chorus (10,12), as Baritone
-District 5 Honor Chorus (9,10), as Baritone
-Northwest Georgia Choral Festival (9-11), sang alongside Shorter University chorale, as Tenor 2
-President/Co-Founder of All-Male A Capella Group (12)
-Organized a concert highlighting Ecuadorian customs and spreading awareness of issues facing Ecuador related to child labor and worker exploitation (12)</p>

<p>Theater:
-Male Lead in school musicals (winter) (9-12): Cinderella, Oklahoma, Music Man, My Fair Lady
-Male Lead in school plays (fall/spring) (10-12), including--but not limited to--Romeo and Juliet, Our Town, The Crucible, and a sketch comedy show written by students
-Chosen to study directly under Hollywood acting coach, Ted Brunetti, last summer
-Selected to perform as male lead in Crimes of the Heart, directed by a professional, guest director(12)
-Warm-Up Leader (12), chosen as the symbolic head of the theater department, whose duties are most present in leading pre-show warm ups</p>

<p>Relay For Life:
-President/Co-Founder of school's only Relay For Life team (11-12)
-Raised over $10,000 through school and local fundraisers</p>

<p>Origami Club:
-Head member of school's Origami Club (9-12)
-Raised roughly $3,000 a year to various charities through the sale of festive locker decorations, most recently in support of a local program whose goal is to educate and empower underprivileged children.</p>

<p>Again, I apologize for perpetuating the chance thread phenomenon, as well as typing what seems like a wall of text. If anyone could offer advice as to what areas need improvement, that would be greatly appreciated! Again, thanks for any time you're able to give, and I look forward to being a more active member in this forum as that registration deadline gets closer!</p>

<p>Of course, I'll be happy to offer advice to anyone who would like it as well! :D</p>

2

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<p>Why retake? Y does not have score choice, so they will see all of your sittings. Why would someone with a 1520 CR+M spend the time and money to retake rather than doing something else more interesting and constructive? See this:</p>

<p>[No</a> choice on scores | Yale Daily News](<a href=“http://www.yaledailynews.com/news/2009/jan/16/no-choice-on-scores/]No”>http://www.yaledailynews.com/news/2009/jan/16/no-choice-on-scores/)</p>

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3

<p>The few people I’ve asked for advice stressed that I might be able to get an 800 in Math given another opportunity, and, despite the fact that Yale would see all scores, thought it would give me a bit of an edge. Would you suggest I instead focus on SAT IIs, or not worry about testing at all?</p>

<p>Thanks for the input by the way! :D</p>

4

<p>IMO you’re over the 750 threshold (SAT & SAT 2s) where factors other than a few SAT points will make or break your application. </p>

<p>All of your stats demonstrate that you are academically capable to succeed and flourish at Y. Instead of testing you could spend the time on your essays, making sure they reflect who you are and what you’ll add to Y.</p>

5

<p>I think your chances are excellent! I’m also a big theatre buff/All-Stater so I really hope all the best for you. To be honest, I think after you reach a certain number on the SATs, they become pretty much irrelevant in making an admissions decision (I’ve heard AdCons spend 30 seconds to one minute out of twenty minutes on the application on grades/SATs) and you definitely have that number. Stick to your love of theatre/music and I’m very confident that you’ll end up somewhere great next fall.</p>

6

<p>I disagree with the other posters that you don’t need to retake the SATs. I don’t think it’s strictly necessary, but Yale is so ridiculously selective they’ll basically be looking for reasons not to accept you. Basically it can’t hurt.</p>

<p>I think you should try to get involved in some activities that are more related to your future major (what does MB&B stand for?)</p>

7

<p>mmmgirl, my counselor tended to agree with you, and I ended up taking the SAT yesterday because of it. I’m fairly sure I raised my math and writing scores, although my performance on the crit reading section may not have been as good. </p>

<p>As for the majors, the one I’m listing on the app is MB&B, or Molecular Biophysics and Biochemistry. I’ve got the same concern as you about not having many activities surrounding it, though I have taken a few measures. Let me know if you think they’re enough:</p>

<p>1) I’m currently researching spinal cord biomechanics at the Shepherd Center. It’s not strictly related to the major, but makes sense with #2.</p>

<p>2) I wrote my Why Yale essay on why the interface between scientific fields was what I really enjoyed studying; Yale’s MB&B major is the only major that lets me covers this in its entirety.</p>

<p>3) One of my teacher recs is from a biophysics professor at my school.</p>