<p>Hi.</p>
<p>I’m a senior at a very good public high school in New Jersey and am curious of my chances for Yale EA.</p>
<p>Here are my stats:</p>
<ul>
<li>4.0 GPA (my school doesn’t rank but I am probably in the top 5-10 people out of a class of 350)</li>
<li>2380 SAT (800V, 800W, 780M)</li>
<li>800 and 760 on 2 SAT IIs</li>
</ul>
<p>I have taken the hardest course load at my school (4 APs up until this year - all 5s) and am taking another 3 this year.</p>
<p>I am an all-state trumpet player, editor of the school paper, president of the service club, captain of the quiz bowl team, and have helped found a non-profit that has raised over $11,000.</p>
<p>My mother passed away this summer, and was sick the last three years of my life, so I basically took care of myself while my dad cared for her. She spent the majority of last year in the hospital. So I have overcome adversity, especially compared to others in my relatively upper middle-class neighborhood.</p>
<p>What do you think my chances are? </p>
<p>Thanks,
Randy0167</p>
<p>I’m sorry to hear about your mother, but that doesn’t really put you in the “unusual circumstances” pool. Unusual circumstances would be if you were homeless or an orphan or something similar. However, if you can write a really poignant, effective essay about your mother’s death, that will definitely be a plus. Still, don’t forget that ultimately, these schools don’t REALLY care about your life- they just want to see that you’re qualified.</p>
<p>well ummm if u write an awesome essay about her then yeah i’d say u got a pretty good chance cause u got good scores and nice ECs</p>
<p>Here’s an update with some awards I’ve won:</p>
<p>Main Awards: National Merit Semifinalist, Cum Laude, AP Scholar, Harvard Book Award, Cornell Book Award, AP Scholar with Honor, President’s Volunteer Service Award, Scholastic Writing Award (National Gold Medal)</p>
<p>I mean, I’m not trying to sound like a jerk here, but the way you seem to have put it is that you did your work and your dad cared for your mom. I mean, I’m sorry about your loss (I can’t imagine…) and I’m not accusing you of being some sort of demon, but it kind of comes off as if you don’t care… Please don’t take that the wrong way. If it’s mentioned in an essay or something, just make sure you don’t come off like that. You’re obviously very smart, pending essays and Recs I’d say you have a great shot.</p>