So I currently have 3.4 gpa, and I’m a sophomore. I was wondering what extracurricular activities I can do to increase my chances of getting into Yale? I have all advance classes that are offered to sophomores and I can only take IB classes starting next year. I’m a part of the library club, but that’s not really gonna cut it. I was thinking about starting a travel club with my teacher, but I still need more. Any help would be great!
A few.comments:
–Your primary focus now should be on improving your 3.4 GPA.
-In terms of ECs do things you care about and let your commitment and passion shine through.
-As a sophomore it is way too early to be targeting specific colleges.
If your grades and SAT scores aren’t good enough to make the cut, your ECs (unless you’re a recruited athlete) will not increase your chances. I can’t really tell you which ECs to join without knowing your interests, as I’d never recommend that somebody do an activity they hate just to look good for colleges. Also, it’s better to be very involved in a few clubs than be in a lot just for show. Start by actively participating in library club and look for others to do the same in while the school year is still new.
I agree with the previous posters. Although Yale is not as forthcoming as Harvard, according to data from Harvard’s freshman survey’s, the average admitted student had an unweighted GPA of 3.9, with more than half the students reporting a perfect unweighted GPA of 4.0 in high school. I imagine Yale is about the same. Unless you can seriously pull your GPA up, you do not have a chance at Yale no matter what your EC’s (unless you are a recruited athlete).
That said, please read this article about what colleges look for in Extracurricular Activities: https://www.huffingtonpost.com/marjorie-hansen-shaevitz/extra-curricular-activities-college-admission_b_3040217.html
Thank you all for your responses! I am aware I need to raise my GPA, and I’m trying my hardest to get A’s. Wether it’ll be enough I still don’t know but at least I’m trying .o. I was told as long as I take all the classes that are thrown at me and do well, I should have a bigger chance than I do now. But I also heard EC’s are necessary so I wanted to try to fit that on my plate as well !