help a rising junior get into Yale?

gibby
Sat, 16 Jul 2011 08:29:49 +0000

Both kids were “high achieving all-arounders.” Academically, they had averages of 96 and 97, scored 2230 and 2270 respectively on their SAT’s, had 6 AP’s each (all 5’s) and 4 SAT II’s each (740 or higher). Each played sports in high school, but not at a Division I level, and each participated in many co-curricular activities for all 4 years. Why did they get in? I truly believe their essays made the difference. Each worked for about 3 to 4 months on their personal statement – about three times as long as they prepped for the SAT. And it payed off; both received acceptance letters with hand written notes from Admissions Directors saying how much they enjoyed their essay’s.