Helpful Thread for Those Contemplating SCEA

[applicannot]

No problem. Like I said... statistical analysis is like Chinese to me. I can't make heads or tails of data unless someone explains it to me.

[RFK68]

Hmmm interesting. I'd like some input: would I be better off going for SCEA or waiting for regular decision? I'm a white female, 4.0 UW, 2290.

[silverturtle]

I'd have to know some of the subjective elements of your application to give an informed response.

Your stats aren't completely out of the range of those accepted SCEA, but the vast majority had a higher SAT score than that. If your ECs are amazing, then I'd say apply early. If they aren't great, then it depends on whether there are any other schools you want to apply early to.

If Yale is the only school you want to attend that offers early admission, there's no reason not to apply SCEA. However, if this isn't the case and you aren't a truly exceptional applicant, you may want to apply early to the other schools you're interested in that offer such programs.

If you're hoping to get a slight advantage in terms of ease of admission by applying SCEA, you won't. Unlike some early decision programs, Yale does not seem to give any admission advantage to those applying early. In contrast, the applicants accepted early are, overall, of a markedly higher (numerical) quality than those accepted RD.

[RFK68]

Yeah, I think I'm going to go for it just because it's my favorite school and there's no reason not to, though I'm fully expecting to be rejected.

As far as subjective components go, I'm editor-in-chief of the paper, 4 year varsity soccer, political work, involved in some clubs at school, assorted community service...so decent but definitely not outstanding. I know I'll have an amazing teacher recommendation (she's only writing one for my whole year!) and probably decent essays. But I'm pretty sure I'm going for it. There's nowhere I'm comfortably applying ED to and no schools I really want to apply EA to.

[percyshelley]

^^^ I've got very similar stats (3.9 UW GPA, 2300 SAT) and very similar subjective elements (Editor-in-chief of the paper, varsity baseball Head of Political Action Club, etc. etc.) so...

Even though a thread like this are somewhat of a deterrent, if you're going to go for it, I am

I'm also biracial (half black), so, as abhorrent as it is to say this, that might help.

[silverturtle]

"I'm also biracial (half black), so, as abhorrent as it is to say this, that might help."

It will certainly help you out. I'd say you have around a 60 percent chance of getting accepted SCEA and about 35 percent chance of deferral based off of what you provided.

[silverturtle]

"Yeah, I think I'm going to go for it just because it's my favorite school and there's no reason not to, though I'm fully expecting to be rejected."

Rejections were relatively rare SCEA. Unlike Stanford, Yale defers the majority of its applicants SCEA. Stanford rejects a very healthy share.

You'll see the data for the white applicants rejected SCEA on post 694 on this page: "Race" in College Admissions FAQ & Discussion 3

The average SAT of those rejected was 2174, and the average Subject Test total was 2184. Only one of the eight white applicants who was rejected had a SAT score above 2260.

Deferral seems likely for you based off of what you've provided. Good luck, though!

[playa678]

My freshman year was pretty much a B average, but the following two years I got straight A's (hardest course load). Im Hispanic with a 2290 and excellent EC's. Will my freshman scores keep me out?

[silverturtle]

Not necessarily, especially since schools like upward trends.

What's your overall unweighted GPA and class rank?

[dstfan]

How about me

SAT: 2160 (Will retake)
ACT: 34
SAT 2: Math2 780, US History 800, will take Bio and Chem soon
GPA: 4.0 unweighted
Rank: 1/about 40
AP: 5 US History, (Chem Bio CalcAB and Physics C Mechanics taken this year)

School newspaper editor/writer 4 years, co-editor in chief, High Student Council Positions all 4 years, NMSF most likely, AP Scholar with distinction most likely, ISAC Scholar, WYSE awards at State, Extensive volunteering with Local Mosques and Muslim organizations(helped organizae many Mosque events and worked with many conventions for ICNA and MAS as well as AMP see below), Varsity Basketball (not recruited) for 4 years including next(captain next year), played traveling soccer for 3 years and was captain for all 3 years, co-head of Peer Tutoring program at school, Yearbook editor for 2 years and Lit club for 1 year, trying to start school's first baseball team(in the works).
Most Important EC is my work for AMP, which stands for American Muslims for Palestine and was founded by Hatem Bazian(professor at UC Berkeley). Have made mini documentaries, helped organize large scale events and fund raising dinners as well as conventions mostly for Gaza and for informing the Public around us of Palestine.

[silverturtle]

Your SAT is a little low, but the ACT is perfectly fine if you want to just send that. If you want to get accepted SCEA, however, a 35 on the ACT or 2300+ on the SAT proved to be a near-requirement.

Your ECs look great. I, too, am involved in WYSE.

Good luck.

[chair2]

what about me? my GPA sort of kicks me into the defer/reject piles especially because i'm an ORM, but i'm hoping my art background and supplement will "hook" me into the accepted pile, miraculously of course.

SAT: 2240; ACT: 35
SATIIs: three 800's, a 790, and a 740.
GPA: 3.82 (I had adjustment issues... i have about 11 trimester B+'s which translate into 7 semester B+'s)
Recs: probably top 5% to top 1%

ECs: art 9-12 (seven years of private instruction; x2 international awards; x2 publications in nationally/internationally circulating magazines; x2 school’s professional gallery installment; x1 installment in a professional juried show; designed work for school function's; city artists' guild member)
varsity swim (co-captain, x10 state qualifier, x3 scholar-athlete)
science research (research assistant, 600+ hours, might submit abstract)
culture clubs (president of one, officer of another)
charity club (president)
volunteering (50+ hours, i serve on a school committee board as well.)

Supplemental art portfolio will be extremely strong, and i'm considering to send in a supplemental art teacher rec which will be amazing. my intended major if art, and if i can list a dual major i'd do dual major in art and science.

[RFK68]

percyshelley: oh good! we can commiserate!

[percyshelley]

RFK68: Hopefully we can celebrate together instead!


Oh, and sorry that this thread devolved into a "chance thread"; I said my stats with no intention of that happening.

[silverturtle]

chair2, everything looks very good except the GPA. It's very rare for an ORM to get accepted early with that GPA, but it's always possible. Your ECs may make up for it.

I can't imagine you getting rejected early, though.