geologistsrock

Could I get input from my cc-ing bretheren on my chances of getting into Yale/other selective schools such as Stanford? I have seen other people ask questions of this nature, and I know this type of insecurity is irksome, but I've also seen some posters respond with great advice and feedback. Thanks!

I'm going into my Junior year at a public school on the East Coast.
Academics:
GPA - 3.8 (weighted) 4.2 (unweighted)
I'm taking the most rigorous courseload available to me... 3 APs next year (that's the max we're allowed to have junior year) and I'll be taking 4 AP tests at the end of the year...
SAT I:
CR: 730
Math: 550
Essay: 590
I know my SAT I score isn't up to par, but I'm definitely going to prep this summer to bring it into the 2100+ range.
SAT IIs:
Literature - 730
Next year I'm going to take the biology, chemistry, and Math I subject tests as well
ECs:
JV swimming: Fresh, soph year
JV track: Fresh,soph year
V track: Junior, senior year
V XC: Junior, senior year
Student government (representative)
Natural Helpers
Youth rep of my local America's Promise chapter
Elected leader of a student group advocating positive decisions for youth
United Way Young Leader Award
Mayor's Youth Award for Outstanding Service to the Community
Special Olympics Coach (3 hrs/week)
National Latin Exam - Magna Cum Laude
I'm also an intern doing research in one of Yale's labs this summer and I've been invited back for next summer as well (40 hrs/week)
I've also been playing the violin for seven years
etc

AdmissionsAddict

GPA is low unless your school has serious grade deflation and you are ranked at the top of your class. The middle 50% of Yale SAT scores for each section is 710-790. That means 25% score below 710 on any given section and 25% score above 790. Your ECs are VERY impressive relative to normal teenagers but I suspect there's nothing that would jump off the page for a Yale admissions officer.

Since you're going into your junior year, the advice is obviously to get straight As, improve your standardized testing (would you do better on the ACT?), and try to distinguish yourself extracurricularly (beyond the confines of your school whenever possible).

AP930

Thanks for posting in my thread ^^.

I think you have excellent ECs which is definately your strongest point. SATs need to be raised. I would recommend at least a 2200 composite on the SAT.

Since you're going into your junior year you will have a much better chance than I do.

Good luck!

dsultemeier

What was your essay score on the Writing portion of the SAT? I ask because my D improved her SAT W by 120 points by working on the "formulaic" aspects of the essay.

rd31

The essay is very formulaic. I went from a 9 to a 12 on the SAT essay. This is basically the formula:

Fill up all the space available and write with medium-small size lettering.
Write 5 paragraphs: 1 intro, 3 body paragraphs (one point for each paragraph), and a strong 1-paragraph conclusion.
Write clearly and try to use higher level vocabulary.
Avoid grammatical mistakes.
Sound convincing; you don't even have to be factually correct in your evidence.
Make sure that you're actually answering the prompt.

mochamaven

Bring that SAT up, and you'll have a very good shot.

If that doesn't work out, be sure to check out schools that stress ECs over scores...like top LACs (Amherst, Bowdoin, Midd, Oberlin) or UChicago or Reed.

geologistsrock

Thank you all very much!
Once again, great advice from everyone.