How to Get Accepted at Yale

esdad697
Wed, 25 Mar 2015 12:38:12 +0000

My advice, which is similar to what I gave my own d a few years back is similar to the other posts: focus less on breadth and more on depth. But I’ll add a few observations. Most of the kids at my daughters school with the best class rank lack EC. It is very hard too be in the top 3 and do much else at her magnet school. It is better to get great SATs and a couple of subject tests than to take everything. So consider what is easiest for you and what you enjoy. They are often the same.

What two subject tests would be easiest for you to score an 800? Say you love history. Take several APs in history and the subject test. You have just completed a subject test and some APs. Hopefully you have done well. Either way you have done something that is meaningful to you. It is a win win.

The same advise applies to EC. It is good to start a school year by considering a bunch of ECs, like going to a couple of meetings at clubs you are curious about. But focus on the ones you like. And be honest. Like my daughter was proud to be elected to student council VP in an early year. At the end of the year, she realized they did next to nothing. It was a popularity contest and running was time consuming (though fun), but ultimately she was interested in other things more. When you start school next year, take the time to both cut and grow your EC. Discuss the clubs with friends and parents. So like with academics, focusing on activities you enjoy is a win win. It allows you to participate in activities you enjoy and is good for admissions.