<p>Yale is my first choice. I'm scared because I only sent my ACT and didn't send my SAT (I didn't even take SATII's). </p>
<p>GPA: 4.0 Unweighted; 4.133 Weighted (we don't weight honors)
Classes: Hardest available (6 APs offered at my school)
Class rank: 3/424 (will be 1 after this year if I get all As)
SATS: Not sending (2210 w/ 800 M)
ACT: 36 (35E, 36M, 35R, 36S) Does Yale actually look closely at the writing section? Mine was bad.
Intended Major- Biomedical Engineering.</p>
<p>APs:
AP Calc AB (5)
AP Physics B (5)
AP Macroeconomics (5)
AP Microeconomics (5)</p>
<p>This year:
AP Statistics
AP US Government
AP English Lit
Chemistry II
Biology II
Athletic Training
Lifetime Fitness</p>
<p>ECs:
Cross Country - leadership/varsity
Track
Band - section leader
Wind Ensemble/Brass Choir
Euphonium lessons
JETS - 3rd place in state
Indoor Drumline - 2nd place in midwest (section leader)
National Honor Society
Model UN
Work at quiznos - 20 hrs/week
Other smaller clubs, too many to list.
250 Volunteer Hours at Cleveland Clinic</p>
<p>Summers:
Gifted Camp (on a scholarship) after 9th and 10th grades
Volunteering and Medical camp after 11th grade (250 hours at hospitals)</p>
<p>Essays: My essays weren't amazing. I wasn't going for perfection. I was trying to be honest and display my true self.
Teacher Recs: The teachers that wrote my recommendations really like me, but I didn't read them, so I'm not sure.
Counselor Rec: My counselor knows me (which is better than I can say for most), but she tends to be.. too optimistic?</p>
<p>State or Country: Ohio
School Type: Public, not entirely competitive
Ethnicity: Caucasian
Gender: Female</p>
<p>What can I do now to increase my chances? I haven't gotten called for an alumni interview yet. One of my essays was kind of along the lines of... I'm so much more than a test score. Bad idea?</p>
<p>Should I try to test standby for the January SATIIs? Which ones?</p>
<p>I don't want to make any comments on your application because I'm not fully "experienced" in the whole application procedure (I have yet to apply for university). But I can tell you that your ACT score is incredible!</p>
<p>Yeah. And Yale has IM XC =) You have no idea how entirely happy I am about that!</p>
<p>Does anyone know whether I should take the SAT IIs in 10 days. I'm pretty sure I can study them quickly (probably take math and bio?) and I'm pretty sure I can do well... Should I?</p>
<p>Oh and what are the chances of me getting in standby?</p>
<p>You have a very good shot! I had very similiar stats and got in EA, but you never really know what they're looking for. A lot of it comes to your essays and some circumstantial stuff. I'm rooting for you... you seem like a very qualified applicant! Keep me posted...</p>
<p>Oh gosh, I hope! =) Thanks. But you never really know with Yale. I think I'm going to take the SAT IIs on the 26th and send them just to increase my chances =).</p>
<p>Have they started sending out "nominations" for Presidential Scholar yet? Nevertheless, it won't affect admissions due to timing. Don't take SATII's unless you need them for other schools. Yale doesn't require them and your ACT is way more than adequate. I'm a fellow Ohioan who got in EA with similar stats, but with a slightly more evident passion for science (through rec's, essays, and EC's). While it's going to come down to how they feel about your essays and recs (I'm so much more than a test score. Bad idea? kind of trite), you definitely have above average chances in this abomination of an admissions year.</p>
<p>They sent out the nominations last Thursday and I contacted my admissions counselor and he said he would "sure thing" make a note of it on my application. Here's the list if you are looking for it:</p>
<p>I know Yale doesn't "require" SATII's but after looking at their common data set, 96% of students at Yale submit the SAT meaning that 96%+ submit SATII's. I am a good student and a 36 ACT is good/great, but as noted, my ECs are probably a little lax and I don't think Yale would take me just because I have a good ACT. So, I guess SATII's would probably be helpful?</p>
<p>I really don't know how to describe my essay. It's not trite. It's more of a sarcastic essay about all the trivial and seemingly pointless accomplishments in my life (winning a whistling contest at field day, etc.). I kind of hope to convey a sense of, "Hey, I'm really just a fun-loving girl with a pretty damn good high school record." Gosh, I hope the admissions committee has a sense of humor.</p>
<p>Anyway, thanks for the chances-ness. If I get into Yale, you're invited to my hospital room after the subsequent heart attack =).</p>
<p>A smart kid with a 36 ACT that placed 3rd at state in JETS, runs varsity cross-country, and has a part-time job? I would say you have a very good chance of being admitted. However, with college admissions the way they are now, you just never know. Good luck though!</p>
<p>There is no need to take those SAT IIs. Yale says all you need is the ACT and they mean it. It's a tough call on whether to write in with additional info. Forgetting your most important EC shows a pretty lackadaisical approach to your Yale app, but failing to report it also hurts you, for obvious reasons.</p>