Yale!

<p>Alright, I'll keep this as short and sweet as possible.</p>

<p>GPA: 3.9 uw, 4.8 w, no rank
SAT: ask me in 7 days. Predicted: 800 M / 700 CR / 750 W --> 2250 total
SAT II: Biology - 800, will take Math IIC and Chem, 800s expected
AP's: comp sci A - 5, self studied bio - 5 and enviro - 4</p>

<p>Debate League - Pres (11), VP (10), Varsity team, random awards, biggest EC
Environmental Club - Pres (11), Cofounder (10)
Tutoring Society - VP (11), tutor
Amnesty International - Publicity Officer (11)
Science Club - small award
Model United Nations
National French Honors Society</p>

<p>AP Scholar (10)
National AP Scholar (11, expected)
Governor's School on the Environment (11, nominated by school so far)
NJ Scholars Program (11, one of three nominated by school)
National Merit Semifinalist (11, expected)
National French Exam, 12th place in nation (10)
I'll do USABO, AMC 12, USNCO, USACO, and NJ Envirothon for the first time this year plus NJ Science League again</p>

<p>Are my ECs too spread out? I'm applying as an environmental studies major and I LOVE Yale.</p>

<p>it seems a bit spread out to me for a school as selective as Yale. I'm just a teen but to me nothing seems to blare out as a "special" accomplishment that differentiates you truly from other apps. But those stats are pretty great and if you write great essays and get great teacher recs, you have a decent shot.</p>

<p>35% chance. Work on an EC that makes you look popular.</p>

<p>Oh yeah! I forgot to mention that I took bio honors freshman year, skipped chem, physics honors sophomore year, and I'm taking AP bio and chem junior year. Next year I'll either be taking Bio and/or Chem at Princeton University (through an agreement we have with them*) or an independent study course focusing on environmental studies or ecology.</p>

<p>*I can think of five people who did this. Two of them went to Harvard, two went to Yale, and one went to Princeton, in case that influences your perception of the program.</p>

<p>are u a junior right now?</p>

<p>Looks geeky. Work on social ECs or sports.</p>

<p>Yeah, I'm a junior.</p>

<p>mensa - what are "social ECs"? I gave up soccer last year hehe.</p>

<p>Don't worry. It's never too late to start getting a life.</p>

<p>Like drama club, politcal activism, stuff that looks sort of social.</p>

<p>Ohh ok. You're hate everyone who isn't a jock like you?</p>

<p>It has nothing to do with being a jock.</p>

<p>How are debate, MUN, tutoring, and french nhs (we don't just sit around and speak French. Actually we don't even speak French in the club. We're going to NYC to watch a French play this week) not social?</p>

<p>"We're going to NYC to watch a French play this week) not social?"</p>

<p>You're serious?</p>

<p>Thanks for missing the point of the post completely. Congratulations on attacking one of my examples. Go play catch somewhere else. Does anyone else have something to say?</p>

<p>i think you'll have a good chance of getting in if you centralize your ECs a bit. just out of curiosity, what kind of debate awards have you won? any ones on the national level?</p>

<p>No, our club is very localized. Before I was President, we only had met in the Fall and Spring and only participated in three competitions (two local, one state). I'm trying to get our school into the national circuit, though, with a college tournament around January and I'm trying to get my advisor to let us become a member of the NFL this year!</p>

<p>"and I'm trying to get my advisor to let us become a member of the NFL this year!"</p>

<p>The NFL is exactly the kind of cool EC I advised you to get. Are you a quarterback? Sure beats the French Club.</p>

<p>Your ECs aren't really too spread out. One could argue that debate skills will be useful in any environmental career. French, well, it's an interest, and language skills are a good thing. Yale may not have many applicants who are interested in majoring in environmental sciences, so that may be a plus.</p>

<p>I have almost the same ECs, and I honestly believe you have a good chance, your ECs are most definitely not "spread out," so don't worry about comments of that nature.</p>

<p>
[quote]
The NFL is exactly the kind of cool EC I advised you to get. Are you a quarterback? Sure beats the French Club.

[/quote]

Haha. Oh mensa. You never cease to amuse me.</p>

<p>The NFL is the National Forensics League, aka speech and debate. Sorry, still not a jock.</p>

<p>Anyway, about my ECs being too spread out... I definitely won't drop any of them because I enjoy each one. However, I guess it may be beneficial not to include some things on my application? Like if I'm not an officer in FNHS next year I don't see why I would include it on my application. Or maybe I could just include 3-5 major clubs where they ask for school activities and then list the rest on an attached resume (less important, but still highlighting leadership and awards). Basically it's a battle between leadership v. centralized interest. Would being an officer of a club that isn't at all pertinent to my major help me or hurt me more? Any other opinions on that?</p>