I’m assuming, based on this, that Yale didn’t work out EA. Sorry to hear that. Know that it is a crapshoot for absolutely everyone; no person, no matter how deserving they think they are, has the right to expect admission to a school like Yale. Also know that, because of this fact, your Yale decision doesn’t reflect the quality of your application, but rather the sheer amount of competitiveness (which, truth be told, likely attracted you to begin with).
I definitely agree that you need reach schools that are NOT in the <10% range (WashU is currently the only one not in that category).
Some LAC recommendations:
- Middlebury College (~16%). WONDERFUL philosophy program; my brother (former philosophy major at Midd, and recent Harvard law grad) can attest to it. A tippy-top LAC with slightly less selectivity, and quite similar vibe to Bowdoin (which is considerably more selective).
- Wesleyan University (~19%). All-around wonderful school. Has the open curriculum, like Brown and Amherst, which allows more flexibility to deeply pursue additional passions beyond your major, which you certainly seem to have. Very big on social/political activism. They tend to have very strong humanities majors, and I would imagine this would extend to their philosophy department.
- Vassar College (~19%). Quite a similar school to Wesleyan, thus very similar reasons to apply!