Help! Yale SCEA applicants... how many B's?

wagsthedog
Thu, 28 Oct 2010 18:32:09 +0000

I don’t think its a deal breaker. If you are in the top 2% of your class with three Bs in your transcript that’s going to show the adcom is going to recognize that its a tough school. I also go to a pretty tough school so I understand your dilemma… it can be frustrating seeing all these people posting about 4.0s when you yourself might have less. If you went to a school where it was the norm to have a 4.0 it would be different, but it doesn’t sound like thats the norm, so I wouldn’t be too worried.

Remember that SCEA is super competitive, and that the only people who get in then are usually hooked or pretty stupendous students that they are positive will get RD. While I do not know your ECs, SATs, etc., from the sounds of your rank and such I am betting at the worst you will be deferred. You will probably make it to the 2nd round of reviewing, at which point it comes down to whether there is something on your application that really makes you stand out. It doesn’t have to be some amazing EC (though these always help, of course)- it can often simply be your essays, or a particular interest, or something else that strikes the admission officer’s fancy. If you don’t get in SCEA, I don’t think it will be because of 3 Bs.