<p>Basically, like everyone else I’m trying to gain some perspective on my application chances. I would be (knock on wood) the fourth generation of my family to attend yale since just after the civil war. Also, my family has a long tradition of giving towards the university and the patriarch of the family is a Sterling fellow (one of the top donors). However, my academics and extracurriculars also give me an excellent chance. I received a 32 on the ACT, 3.85/4 GPA, 4 on AP US History, and 5 on AP Biology. I have played three varsity sports: Hockey, Soccer, and Baseball. I am greatly interested in underwater photography and marine biology. I am also a vocal performer and love musical theater and composition. I can go on, but the point is does it seem like theres the alignement of the elements between 4th gen legacy, major donor, above average academics, athletics, and arts? Thanks for any help!!</p>
<p>1) You’re going to get in if for no reason other than your family has so much legacy/has donated a lot</p>
<p>2) If that weren’t the case however, I don’t know how confident I would be about your chances. Your academics/ECs seem pretty average for a Yale applicant (which is actually saying something!).</p>
<p>3) Have fun at YALE!</p>
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<p>What kind of marine biology? Just curious.</p>
<p>Well, the excellence in academics/athletics/arts is typical of nearly any Yale applicant, so no, it doesn’t really give you an edge. But, your four-generation legacy totally does. That’s insaaaaane.</p>
<p>benthic marine biology as well as adaptations and ictheyology</p>
<p>Joe–Define Sterling fellow. That’s an academic honor for top professors. For the Yale Alumni Fund’s “ratings” of donations, a Sterling Associate level of donation is $10-15,000 per year. That’s not enough money to be considered a developmental admit, for that you need to be talking many millions. Don’t get me wrong, it’s an amazing donation to be able to make, but it’s not sizable enough to give you a serious admissions boost. Also, plenty of multi-generation legacies are not offered admission. I do think they’ll have to give you a more thorough reading than your typical legacy, but I don’t think your circumstances are quite as unusual/significant as you perceive them to be. </p>
<p>Your chances depend on how good your ECs are (you’ve listed them, but don’t indicate how far you’ve gone with any of them) and what your 3.85 means within the context of your school. Does it put you in the top 5% of your class?</p>
<p>Please, please, please try to keep your family’s expectations in check. This is not the old boy’s network of even your father’s day (unless he was around in the period during the 70s where the admissions office went fully anti-legacy in admissions) and certainly not of your grandfather’s. I have seen plenty of family patriarchs who are apoplectic when their grandchildren aren’t admitted. They just don’t understand how brutal the competition is these days and how admissions criteria have changed. The lack of perspective makes things worse for everyone.</p>
<p>Good luck.</p>
<p>Sterling Fellows</p>
<p>Founded in 2000 to recognize leading donors to the University, the society is named for John Sterling, Class of 1864, whose landmark bequest funded many of Yale’s most prominent buildings. The bequest also established the Sterling Professorships, a substantial financial aid endowment, and permanent funds to maintain the Sterling facilities.</p>
<p>Joe–Thanks for the info. As I said before, I do think your app will get a harder look than most because of the donations, but it really does depend on what YOU have done. You are certainly in the range of admitted applicants.</p>
<p>i didnt mean that post to be rude i was just double checking my sources hahah thanks for ur help…i guess im just trying to get an idea of my chances thats all. thanks!</p>
<p>And I didn’t mean my first post to come across as rude, either. By the way, check your private messages.</p>