So last night an admissions officer from Yale called me and told me that she liked my application and that they would be sending me a likely letter in the mail this week - does this pretty much mean that, so long as I keep good grades, etc. throughout my senior year, that I've been accepted?? I'm in shock because Yale is my dream school and I really wasn't expecting to get accepted, and I thought likely letters only went to athletes.
First of all, congrats! That is an incredible accomplishment! Would you mind giving a little more information..like what major you plan to study/statistics or special extra curricular activities that you feel might have earned you the likely letter? I'm just curious as to what kinds of applicants actually get these. Thanks..and again, congrats!
Thanks guys, it's such a relief! Now I just have to hope financial aid works out as well I'm still in shock!
I'm not exactly sure what earned it, I certainly don't feel any more accomplished than your average Yale applicant-
I plan on majoring in Molecular, Cellular and Developmental Bio (pre med),
34 ACT, First place a few times at state math/science competition in biology, class president/quite a few other leadership positions, about 200hrs of community service (mostly at orphanages/children's homes), and I'm from an underrepresented state as well, so maybe that factored into it. I think my essays were what sealed the deal though, especially the Yale supplement essay that basically lets you write about whatever you want - I wrote about the unique circumstances being from a very small public school with no APs put me in and how I managed to find my own academic challenges outside the context of my school.
Congrats and I hope your financial aid award is as generous as my son's was. Our income bracket put us in the fortunate "no parent" contribution situation and we were very impressed with the scholarship offer from Yale. Fortunately, he doesn't have any student loans although he does work 10 hours a week on campus to pay for his personal expenses and books.
My son is a current freshman and also a MCDB major (planning on med school as well) so if you have any questions I'm sure I can get his feedback. He went to a small public high school as well but they did have 6 AP classes. He scored a 35 on his ACT so you have similar stats.
Just a side note, AP classes wouldn't give you any credit toward your graduation requirements but they can allow you to bypass certain pre-req's for some classes so you don't have to take some intro classes.
Congrats, @g30rg3! Maybe we will see each other on campus in August!
I also received a phone call from an admissions officer saying that I would receive a non-athletic likely letter (which came as a great, but very pleasant surprise, considering I had no idea such a thing even existed!)-- any idea when I should actually plan to receive in the mail? It all seems too good to be true until I actually have it in my hands. I'm beyond excited, but still in a state of disbelief. Also, since it's a notice of "unofficial" admittance, does that mean that I will not gain access to the admitted students website until regular decisions are released?
Congrats zeitgeist92! The admissions officer who called me said they would be mailed this week, so I'm hoping mine will arrive by the end of this week or the beginning of next week. I agree, actually having the letter will certainly help alleviate the shock/disbelief
No, you do get access to the admit website. I say this because I also recieved the call and likely letter, and the admissions officer told me that I was in, and that there isnt really any difference between us and early acceptees. She told me I could use the website, and it worked, its actually very useful, and you can register for YESw, and order your class tshirt. The site is admits.yale.edu hope this helps!! (And congrats)
Did you happen to take the Biology M subject matter SAT? If so, and you decide on Yale see the information below:
Students who have scored 710 or higher on the SAT subject matter Biology M test, or who have scored 5 on the Advanced Placement test in biology, may be exempt from taking MCDB 120 and its associated laboratory. Students scoring 5 on the Advanced Placement biology test may also be exempt from E&EB 122 and its associated laboratory, but students are not permitted to place out of E&EB 122 and 123L using the SAT subject matter test M or E.
Both MCDB 120 and E&EB 122 are pre-requisites for the Biology major so if you did and scored high enough ( I assume you would have if you got in to Yale) you can skip 120 and start with 205 (Cell Bio) or another required Biology class.
No, I took Bio E with an 800 but I guess that doesn't count for anything. I did take introductory college biology w/ lab over the summer at a state university though, do you think this will transfer or at least exempt me from introductory biology? If it doesn't it isn't big deal though, because I wouldn't mind taking classes with MCAT material over again (I'm assuming MCDB 120 would be? Or am I incorrect?).
And I guess I could just take the AP exam or SAT Bio M and get a 5/at least a 760 (bio is really my subject). The only thing is, I'm currently relishing being done with standardized tests for my high school career
One final question - I'm definitely going to Bulldog Days (I'm still in shock to have this opportunity!) so how exactly do the arrangements work? From what I understand, you bring a sleeping bag and room with a current student while your parents stay at a local hotel if they come?
No, I took Bio E with an 800 but I guess that doesn't count for anything.
Not for exemption purposes but I am curious as to why you took E instead of M if you are interested in MCDB as opposed to E&EB. My son took AP Biology (one of the few courses at his school) so 120 would have been more review for him. Below is the overview:
This course presents basic principles of molecular, cellular, and developmental biology. It is intended to provide an introduction to the fundamentals of biochemistry and genetics, as well as those of cell biology and developmental biology.
Since you didn't have AP Bio it's probably better that you have to take it although your college biology course might have been very similar. It would have given you another 1.5 credits (including the associated required lab) you could have used elsewhere if you had taken the SAT M exam. Your major will take up 20 of the 36 credits needed for graduation.
Thanks..and again, congrats!
