I really wanna go there! What else can I do?

Colleges & Universities Yale University
1

<p>As you sensed from the title, I really want to go to Yale. However, I’m worried that I haven’t done well enough to even be considered for acceptance at this school.</p>

<p>I attend a public HS in SoCal. It’s definitely not recognized nationally, except maybe the AVID program. Most of the ppl here have no interest in academics, sadly. Almost nobody here even considers to attempt to apply to the Ivies; it’s either CalStates, UCs, or community college. The staff is very supportive, though; I feel that most teachers will help me with applying to Yale.</p>

<p>4.33 unweighted GPA (I did a lot better this past grading period)
3.66 weighted GPA (a few more A’s than B’s, 2 C’s)
3 AP’s this year
4-5 AP’s next year
Wind Ensemble for 3 1/2 years (I felt like adding it to this list)</p>

<p>Do grades matter more than the rigor of courses?</p>

<p>SAT’s on May 7, plan to retake them in October
SAT II’s on June 4, won’t retake them later
ACT’s maybe, most likely in September</p>

<p>EC’s:
*music is my biggest EC; I’ve done lots of things here, but I won’t name them all (BTW, do many drum majors apply to Yale? Does Yale seek for drum majors or sax players?)
-community service projects
-music tutoring at 2 local jr. highs
-considering English/journalism as possible majors, and will write for the L.A. Youth newspaper as well as for my school’s newspaper
-no clubs, hate 'em (the ones at my school)
-no sports; I’m not built for 'em
(Is it too late to join anything by the time I’m a senior? Does being Assiatant and Head Drum Major count as exceptional leadership positions, or should I have been student body president or something else like that?)
-I never joined NHS b/c I thought it was a scam</p>

<p>I’m definitely going to write an essay about the band activity because it’s what I’m most passionate about.</p>

<p>I have asked 2 teachers for recommendations, and they are more than happy to do it, especially my physics teacher; I feel as if he will be a big help.</p>

<p>Um…no supplementary material.</p>

<p>I will visit and stay overnight next fall. I hope I stick to my choice…</p>

<p>Does desire play an important role in the admissions process? How can I show them that I really want to attend? Honestly, I want to do all that I can do to show them that I want to attend and will attend if accepted.</p>

<p>What else can I do now? Is there anything else I can do now, for that matter?</p>

<p>Sorry about posting all of this info, btw, but I’m unbelievably worried. Please reply. And thanks a lot for reading.</p>

2

<p>you might want to name your music ECs for us to know…
UW gpa is pretty low for Yale. Desire doesn’t matter at all. Yale has like a 70% yield rate, hate to say it, but they can care less if you show tons of interest. There are thousands of other amazingly qualified kids who also REALLY want to go there. As far as I can see, you dont have anything that really stands out. I don’t want to sound mean, but Yale seems to be a pretty far reach for you. Good luck.</p>

3

<p>I agree with irock1ce on most points. For schools like Yale, desire does not matter (unless you’ve already gotten in and considering harvard/princeton etc. and haggling over financial aid). As for your application, we don’t know your SAT or SATII scores (but even if they were very high), your GPA is nothing outstanding (for Yale), and you have limited ECs. Music is not that unusual of an EC for yalies either. However, let me just state that Yale and other similar colleges do some unexpected things. I’ve seen people get in with much lower credentials, even though they were mostly rich legacy or superstar athletes (or underrepresented minority, if that applies). However, some people seem to get in with none of those things. Maybe their essays or recs are extraordinary. So don’t give up hope because you never know. I would apply just for the heck of it but be CONVINCED I wouldn’t get in. That way, no matter what, you don’t get disappointed. For more of an idea of what Yale looks for, go to the RD and EA rosters and see qualifications of ppl and their admission decisions.</p>

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<p>I’m also interested in getting into Yale. I’ve also got music as an EC (solo piano distinction in grade 8 from the Trinity college of London). I’ve got a good GPA. I’m from India and was 6th in my state in the 10th grade board examination(it is an exam held by a central board in class 10 and 12). I’ve also written for newspapers and have been made head boy of my school. I’m giving my SAT in may but don’t expect to get above a 2200-2250. What would be my chances of getting into Yale?</p>

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<p>From Princeton Review:</p>

<p>Academic Criteria - Importance </p>

<p></p><li>Secondary school record Very Important<br>
</li><li>Class rank Very Important<br>
</li><li>Recommendations Very Important<br>
</li><li>Standardized test scores Very Important<br>
</li><li>Essays Very Important <p></p>

<p></p></li><li>Non-Academic Criteria Importance<br>
</li><li>Interview Considered<br>
</li><li>Extracurricular activities Very Important<br>
</li><li>Talent / ability Very Important<br>
</li><li>Character / personal qualities Very Important<br>
</li><li>Alumni/ae relation Considered<br>
</li><li>Geographical residence Considered<br>
</li><li>State residency Considered<br>
</li><li>Religious affiliation/commitment Not Considered<br>
</li><li>Minority status Considered<br>
</li><li>Volunteer work Considered<br>
</li><li>Work experience Considered<p></p>
</li>

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<p>hahah… everything is very important in the Academic Criteria.</p>

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<p>Man, I thought that would have looked better.</p>

8

<p>To the OP, I agree with irock1ce here. I think that Yale is a very big reach for you because your academics seem quite weak. On the FAQ section of their undergraduate website, Yale categorically states that High School performance is the single most imporant criteria for admission to the university. </p>

<p><a href=“http://www.yale.edu/admit/faq/advice.html[/url]”>http://www.yale.edu/admit/faq/advice.html&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt;

9

<p>

I don’t agree with this. If you really want to go to Yale, your desire will be magnified if (1) you are candid about it and (2) you apply EA. As for point 2, it is the natural thing to do if you can’t see yourself anywhere else. My desire came through in my application and in my interviews, and I know it played a role in my acceptance because I was genuine. Admissions officers appreciate that.</p>

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<p>I agree with vivladi87.
In general, I think you have to have desire, but complemented with determination and outstanding personal characteristics. That way, your desire can make wonderful things to your GPA. It is a very good thing if it makes you stretch yourself to the fullest. True that if you have no outstanding personal ability, desire won’t help. But if you have it, and it just somehow doesn’t show in the stats that are posted above - desire can halp you make the best of your ability and get your message across to the AdCom. Good luck! Who knows, maybe your desire will get you to New Haven! Mine did.:)</p>

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<p>I couldn’t agree more with Vivaldi87. Yale generally wants you to be excited about coming. </p>

<p>If Yale is your first choice (as it is mine :D), express it!</p>

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<p>Well, of course excitement is great! Yale wants a passionate, excited person. I was just remarking that pure excitement will not overshadow lack of strength in the application. I know for other schools, desire might play a larger role than for Yale, because, come on, who ISNT excited about Yale? :)</p>

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<p>you have your weighted and unweighted gpa’s messed up. Unweighted can’t be higher than a 4.0, while weighted is the one that’s usually over 4.0. But I don’t think your extracurriculars need to be unusual. Yes it helps if you get in, but people stress a ton of extracurriculars too much. I had basically three extracurricular things I did, and none of them were big. I still got in to seven out of the nine schools I applied to, and some of em were pretty selective schools. I think what’s more important is standing out in your essay, standing out as a person. I think the admissions at ivy leagues and top schools are starting to see kids in every club possible, and are starting to look at other things. In a way, having less clubs and just doing what you really enjoy may be a better thing. As for testing, you don’t need near perfect testing either. My SAT II scores were what CC considers to be below average, while my SAT score was a little bit above. My ap exam scores were below average too, i didn’t even have one 5. But really, i think the thing that got me through in all the schools was my essay. If you can write an essay that is stellar, it can easily make up for any flaws you might have in your application. After a certain point, ec and academic record can only take you so far.</p>

<p>edit: as long as your flaws aren’t gigantic compared to the other applicants (ex. <1300 sat score)</p>

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<p>WhoDatSaxyFella:
Don’t worry about it…You’ll do fine! cob is absolutely right…I have some friends who didn’t have impressive resumes but had great essays, and got accepted into schools as Harvard , Princeton, and Yale. But don’t worry…everything will go fine in the end. I’d recommend just joining some club and maybe some other ec’s …who know’s…you might end up enjoying that specific club or activity!</p>

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<p>I’m sorry, but simply joining club will not suffice. Schools of Yale’s caliber look for people that are leaders or outstanding achievers not just your average participant.</p>