what are my chances of getting into yale?

brillant · 10-31-2009, 09:43 AM

firstly i'm an international student. My school does not have a GPA system. I got a 90.3% in my lower secondary examination.
top 10% of my class.
i'm in the most rigorous high school program available

I got a 2010 on my first attempt at the SAT
took it again and got 2210---
critical reading 740
math 700
writing 770

my SAT 2 is in a week. i'm giving it in physics and math level 2, and expect scores in the mid 700s

for EC's
i've been doing western classical music very seriously throughout high school.
I've given grades 2,3 and 4 of the Trinity College of London Solo piano performance and got 87, 80, and 85 out of 100 in them respectively. I'm giving my intermediate exam in a month.
also given grades 2 and 3 in theory of music and got 97, and 90 out of 100, respectively.

i've been going for extremely rigorous advanced courses in math, physics and chemistry for the past 2 years. they are not a part of my schooling.

i was a Prefect in the student council in 9th and 10th grades.

i'm confident about getting great recommendations, and my essays are shaping up really well

Tres Elefantes · 10-31-2009, 11:43 AM

The international pool for Yale is very, very competitive. You have some interesting extracurriculars (the piano looks compelling--are you good enough to submit a supplement?) and your scores are within range, but Y is going to be a reach just like it is for everyone else.

*helen* · 10-31-2009, 07:41 PM

I agree with Tres Elefantes..Also do you have any award??

Your SAT's scores are preety good!!!And your EC's are very interesting!!!
According to brillant I have a question too..
What Yale really wants from international students??
At least,I am sure that the level of international students is high and competative..

Good luck brillant!!!I hope you all the best

brillant · 10-31-2009, 10:36 PM

@Tres Elefantes - do you think i should submit a suppliment? How much will that help? for my intermediate exam i'm going to be playing 5 pieces from different music time-periods. I have got quite at them now... Those are the ones i can play best.
I read on the college website that Yale (and all the other colleges i read about) preffer EC's with substance, over a collection of little things.

@*helen* no. i don't have any award. just a few prizes i've won at school.
and i don't know exactly what Yale wants form international student, except maybe diversity.

Thanks!!

feathers.o'four · 11-01-2009, 01:25 AM

I really wouldn't recommend sending in a piano supplement. Here is a quote from the Yale website:

"Yale College does not conduct musical auditions for applicants. Music faculty members will review selected audio recordings or scores from advanced musicians, whether or not they wish to major in music as undergraduates. Please consider sending musical materials only if your accomplishments are truly outstanding for a high school musician and if your playing or composing is a strong and important part of your application. Submissions that demonstrate an average or merely competent level of ability for a high school musician will not help your application and are discouraged. "

I'm not sure what grade 'intermediate' equates to, but a Grade 4 Trinity is frankly not something I would send to Yale. Mention piano by all means in your ECs, but don't focus too much on your high piano/theory exam marks... I personally don't recommend sending in a recording unless you have around ATCL standard for Trinity or DipABRSM, as there are many applicants already with that high standard and sending in a music supplement just for the sake of it will not make your application stand out positively.

Just my own 2c. Anyway, good luck for your application!