Do I have a chance of getting into Northwestern or Yale? Also seeking other college suggestions

Applying to College
,
61

You’ve been giving lots of great advice on why graduating early due to credits received in junior high is not recommended. I’ll provide one more reason why you shouldn’t do this:

The National Merit Scholar Qualifying Test(NMSQT) is administered during your junior year. If you perform well enough on this test, it will unlock a lot of opportunities for merit money at a number of schools.

I’ll also add that setting your sights on Yale without even having taken a SAT yet is a very premature venture.

4 Likes
62

For one thing, there would be calculus. I couldn’t make out what courses were supposed to have been done when, but (as someone already mentioned) trying to do calculus over summer is a bad idea for a foundational math course - and there’s no reason to do it other than rushing. Do you “need” calculus to apply for an English degree - technically no, but if you are trying to show a college you have the rigorous, broad high school education that top colleges look for then you want it.

And PSAT in junior year, as mentioned above. OP, this has to be taken in junior year to qualify for National Merit competition. Many students go into this with no preparation, but the ones who are seriously aiming for NMF do in fact do a lot of prep. If you want to open more doors for funding, this is the way to go. And then follow up with a strong SAT or ACT score, to maximize both chances of admission and merit.

~~
I also want to maybe point out that we don’t know anything about OP’s school (I think, unless I missed it) and it is possible their counselor is not familiar with what is required at top colleges, and thinks it’s great that OP can graduate early and encouraging them to do so without necessarily realizing all the implications.

6 Likes
63

I only have an English Credit, Math credit and an Art Credit from Middle school.

64

Emerson but not cheap but check out Beloit college. Journalism minor with media studies major. Talent rises to the top. Great merit. Nice small campus. Really friendly diverse student body.

2 Likes
65

I’m going to write a bunch here, but I was a newspaper editor as well (once upon a time), so I know you’re up for it.

I know it’s your first post here, @chicagogirl12, and I know you’ve gotten a lot of pushback on the idea of graduating early, but I want to make sure you know that everyone on this site is rooting for you. The people here all want you to have a successful, vibrant life, with lots of opportunities that you’re able to take full advantage of. Everyone who posts on this site does so out of a desire to help high school students make the most of their education and lives. Many here have decades of advising students.

I say all that because I would encourage you to take a step back and know one thing and notice one thing. The thing to know: people here are on your side. The thing to notice: not one of the 15 people who have posted in this thread has heard the “I’m graduating early” plan — let alone the secondary “and apply to marquee schools” plan (which, to be clear, is an entirely different plan!) — and responded with “that’s a good idea; graduating early is going to help your cause”. In fact, every single one has said either “that seems ill-advised” or, simply, “huh? why?”. And your answers haven’t really amounted to more than “I have credits”, which is not a compelling answer.

An important part of academia, persuasive writing, and life itself is putting forth a hypothesis, being challenged on it, taking in those challenges, and using them to formulate a stronger hypothesis. The feedback you’ve been given is that your thesis isn’t there yet. In fact, it feels like there’s a pretty big gap in what you’ve put forward so far. I’m not sure what it is, but it’s not holding together for me. Is there someone in your life who is impressed by the three-year plan? (I hope you have people in your life who are impressed by you and tell you so! But I hope you know that they’re proud of you for your character and for the good work you’ve put in, and not the accelerated timeline!) Have you gotten counsel from someone that colleges will look favorably on the three-year plan? (If so, consider the many experienced voices in this thread who have argued against that plan.) Is there some other reason why you’re trying to get out of Texas, or away from your family, or …? (If so, there could be some other argument to be made for leaving home, but you haven’t indicated anything of the sort, so it’s not lending power to the argument you’ve put forth so far.) I don’t know what isn’t getting bundled into the narrative, but “I have credits so … early graduation it is!” feels incomplete.

You have, in front of you, [waves hands] the years of high school, and then you have, also in front of you, [waves hands a little more but to the side] the years of college. And now, *poof* … a wizard has just dropped an extra year of life in front of you. A year that you can extend high school and use to really get your grades up to where they’re competitive for top schools, or to take more DE classes, or to get a weekend job working with your local newspaper, or to build your online news site, or to be the high school intern with your local NPR / public media station, or to prep for the SAT, or to just hang out with friends, or to get an after school job at the local coffeehouse, or … all of those things together. A year! What a gift! What everyone here is saying, in one way or another, is that using that year to the most is going to give you a richer life — and, coincidentally, is going to make your application that much more interesting to colleges, though that’s not even the real benefit — and that foregoing that year would be a tremendous loss.

Just to circle back to something from the start, remember that everyone here is rooting for you, is on your side. You’ve done a lot already, and worked hard, and have some really great things to show for it. The pushback you’ve heard here is because the folks here want good things for you, and want to see you shine.

17 Likes
66

There can be a big gap between what your high school requires for graduation, and what colleges want to see on your transcripts. My kids were onto Spanish 3 and algebra 2 freshman year, like many students. They could’ve graduated after junior year (like many students) by taking an extra English class along the way (4 years required). For math they had algebra 1, geometry, algebra 2, pre calculus (all of these honors), AP AB calculus, AP BC calculus, AP statistics. Some students end up needing to take DE even higher math because they run out of math senior year. Some students take more than 4 sciences. To be competitive, you don’t want your apply to college with the bare minimum requirements. Also, if you decided to go to CC after graduation, many colleges will consider you a transfer, and there might be less financial aid/merit as most goes to incoming freshmen.

67

Hi, thank you! I’m aware everyone here is trying to help me! I have been considering either taking that year to do internships or maybe I will stay another year to improve my chances of getting into a Ivy league like Yale. To answer your question, Yes, there have been people who have been impressed by my three year plan, and my counselor has not really given me a ton of info whether this would help or hurt me, so I am mostly figuring this out on my own, which is what led me to make this post in the first place. My answers have only been “I have more credits than necessary to graduate”, because that is the basis of my answer, I have more credits than I need, but also, no one I have told my plan has given me any pushback besides the occasional “Why, do you have extra credits?” So, therefore, is what I expected people wanted to hear. As for wanting to leave Texas, I do want to leave, but it’s not what’s pushing my decision.

68

Hi, Thank you for your advice.

I am not trying to purposefully, “Rush my process” just that many people i’ve talked to about graduated early, have supported me in my decision, so I thought, why not go for it?

69

If your goal is to be a journalist, your goal shouldn’t be Yale. Outstanding U of course but your goal should be cost and opportunity.

One needn’t be a journalism major and some schools themselves sort of acknowledge this by forcing a double major although they’ll talk about a worldly view - but you have to read between the lines - because the success rate of grads is low. It sounds like you’re a writer and entrepreneur of sorts - so that’s most important - that you find opportunities to write - which can be anywhere. But Yale doesn’t have a leg up on - if you go there, you have better odds of being a journalist. If you right well, find a niche, sell yourself - whatever it is - it doesn’t matter if you go to Beloit, Boise State, Syracuse or Yale.

If you qualify for Questbridge and find a match - then any school that matches would be wonderful (because it would be free). And most every school will have journalism opportunities. And if it didn’t (and I can’t imagine), I could see you creating something!!

People are talking about National Merit, because as an example, an Alabama would give you 5 years tuition (think Masters), 4 years housing and $4K a year (which you could use for food). But it’s easy to say - chase that - but if you scored low on the PSAT, I wouldn’t put my eggs in that basket.

But you will need - likely a 1500 - for the schools you are talking about. But in QB, the stats are lower. Check out the Questbridge website. It has a lot of great info - but here are the stats (linked below) - and you can see, kids are finding matches with much lower SAT/ACT scores.

Also, I think the program mentioned above by @aquapt (College Prep Scholars) in post #50 is probably a great one to see if you can be a part of to help you fine tune your overall strategy.

One final suggestion and I don’t know that they would do this for you but you can ask - you might see if you can make an appointment with an admin officer at NU and Yale, get organized (have lists of your schoolwork by year), and ask them about the advantages / disadvantages in admission for someone in your position.

Going to Yale (which you mention) and going to CC (which you also mention) - that’d two very different paths - and I’d want to narrow down on one.

Now, some go to CC for cost and that includes the ability to stay home. But there are other low cost schools - but that’s why discussion a budget with your parents is so important.

If you can afford $5K a year, then options are limited to likely your in state (which you don’t want) or community college. If you can afford $40K a year, then it’s more wide open. $100K a year - then everything is on the table, etc.

Good luck.

Finalist Profile | QuestBridge

2 Likes
70

I am aware of the liabilities, as I have been doing research for months on things like these, but again I do not have much support on this topic from the people around me, therefore leading me to make this post. I am also considering taking the extra year to do things like internships and things as you mentioned. Everything considered, thank you for the advice.

71

I can’t emphasize this enough!!!

I know sometimes we can seem harsh and that we are piling on, but everyone does so because we want you to succeed!!!

You sound like such a smart and accomplished young person and we don’t want you to inadvertently sabotage yourself by graduating early.

Lots and lots of high achieving students take way way more classes than what is required for graduation. Top schools expect to see high rigor on HS transcripts. Having access to dual credit classes while still in high school allows you to show that rigor and maintain your status for financial aid as a freshman.

Schools like NU and Yale are very generous with financial aid for low income students. If you get your grades up, do well on your standardized tests, and have high rigor, you have a chance at these schools. They should cover your costs for your 4 years.

If you want your dual credit classes to transfer, your best bet is going to be staying in state. I know that you said that isn’t your preference, but you have amazing options in Texas, it will be more affordable, and those DC classes will likely transfer.

***

I’m going to give you my personal example of my D. She also took HS classes in middle school - English, Science, Math and Spanish. Those credits did count on her HS transcript and put her into more advanced classes in HS.

English: H 9, H 10, AP Language, Lit

Math: H Geometry, H Algebra 2, H trig/precalc, AP Stats, AP Calc, Computer Science (CS fell under the math department at her school)

Science: H Bio, H chem, H physics, AP chem, AP Physics C (1 semester of E&M, 1 semester of Mechanics), Organic Chemistry

Social studies: World, AP Euro, APUSH, DC Gov (1 semester), Econ (4 years)

Foreign language: Only up to DC Spanish III because of a scheduling conflict (she wanted to take 4 years and her guidance counselor noted the conflict on her LOR).

4 years of required theology

Electives: Engineering I, II and III; 2 years of orchestra; Health; PE

This was the maximum number of AP classes allowed in her HS. She scored in the 98th percentile on all her standardize tests.

The only summer class she took was PE. She used her summer for volunteer work, her sports and music, and then paid work once she turned 16.

She was primarily looking at large public flagships, not the NU’s and Yales of the world.

I share this to show you what the “average excellent” student does in HS. At the school’s you are targeting, you are going to need to show above average excellence. You won’t be able to do that graduating early.

4 Likes
72

Hi!

For Yale, I am considering it to Major English, as they don’t have a Journalism Major, rather they have a student led paper which is what I am considering since they can provide me with great experience, connections and other benefits. Yale, however is definitely not my only option. It is just my top/dream school. I know my chances of actually getting into Yale are low, but for that reason I have safeties and community college as a backup. All of which are options I believe are viable, and would be happy about regardless. (I’m 99.9 sure I qualify for Questbridge) I am also aware I will need a 1500 SAT for a chance at any of the colleges I’m thinking of given my age. I think the contributing factors to my low PSAT score where, one, I did not prepare anything, and was the only freshman taking it. Two, I was doing math material I had never seen before, and that is the part I mostly scored low on. ( I scored high on my english portion)

73

OP- adding to the other posts- we are ALL rooting for you. You are ambitious and have energy and grit- all great qualities!

Yale has many student publications- just like many other colleges. And many fine journalists have come out of Yale (majoring in history, political science– it’s not just English) just like many other colleges.

So I think the goal of finding an affordable (for you) college where there will be tons of intellectual stimulation and outlets to write for (daily newspaper, weekly newspaper, local paper in town that gives college students a byline, etc.) is a terrific goal.

I don’t think graduating early and spending the year on an internship is the right move for you, to be absolutely candid. You are counting on classes you took in middle school to “count” and I would encourage you to rethink that plan. A rigorous and stimulating HS experience is what prepares you for college– not accelerating in middle school and then racking up enough credits to get out and get on with it.

Figure out what your senior year could look like if you stayed in HS. Being as literate and well rounded as you can be is the goal for a future journalist. You end up covering Veteran’s Affairs/the Pentagon for a publication? You will be grateful for those history classes. You are assigned to write a story about Bird Flu? You’ll be grateful you made time for an advanced statistics class. You get moved to cover the opening of a new exhibit at a major museum? That art history class is coming in really handy.

You get my point. Rushing through HS just because you can graduate and fulfill your state’s requirement is a very low bar!

If your guidance counselor hasn’t been helpful- well now you’ve got a bunch of grownups who are rooting for you. If your math is weak- you’ve got plenty of time to figure out where there are holes in your knowledge and fill those holes.

Good luck!

7 Likes
74

I know as you said that - that’s not exclusive to Yale is the point.

When are you planning to take the SAT??

When are you planning to graduate - 2027? 2028 would be the 4 year timeline if you didn’t graduate early?

75

(Just to be clear, in case my wizard scenario was muddled, I intended for the internship-at-public-radio-or-other-news-outlet idea to be a “while in high school” internship. As with everyone else here, I think graduating in three years would close some doors to you that would otherwise be open.)

1 Like
76

I am planning on taking the SAT either late this year or next. I would graduate 2027.

77

Ah, that makes it much clearer. I was thinking of doing internships or doing travel if I did not apply to college right away. I also was planning on getting a job to support the costs of college. I am only in the early stages of planning my college plans ready, which is why I made this post.

78

I also want to add, I was only allowed to take 1 AP class my freshman year. I was not allowed to take any this year because of conflicts in the beginning of the school year which I had no control over. So, I would be graduating with 3, 4 or at most 5 AP classes.

79

OK - good luck - let us know when you get the score back.

That will add a lot of context to your chances.

You seem to be entrepreneurial.

You might look at U Houston or even Babson - both strong in entrepreneurship .

Babson has The Free Press student publication - and a Literary and Visual Arts major - also a tough admit (and not cheap but has need aid).

U Houston is also high rated in entrepreneurship - #1 per Princeton Review - and has a strong journalism program.

As I noted earlier, you seem very entrepreneurial. I don’t know if that’s a long term interest - but on paper at least, this is very impressive. These type of things are not normal for a 15 year old or even a 45 year old - and yet, boom yet did it…which is why I offer up the entrepreneurship thing as a supplement to an English/Journalism major.

80

I am still trying to piece together what your high school transcript is going to look like, from all the hints you gave. It would be MUCH easier to understand if you would list the classes you took in each grade. :slight_smile:

For example:

8th grade: English, Math, Art.
9th grade: English, Math, Science, Social Science, Spanish, +?
10th grade: English, Math, Science, Social Science, Spanish, +?
11th grade (PLANNED): English, Math (Precalculus), Science, Social Science, Spanish, +?

Because this still doesn’t add up to all the years of instruction that you listed, I’m wondering where you doubled up on the various subjects?

How does this work if you don’t have language credit from middle school? Did you take language in the summer? Or is it a credit by exam grade?

4 Likes