<p>Is it possible to get into Yale without being in the top ten percent of your class? I had a problem during sophomore year which pulled my rank down a lot, and my guidance counselor will attest to that in her recommendation. Without sophomore year, my UW GPA is close to 4.0 and would definitely put me in the top 10%.</p>
<p>It depends on your school. At elite prep schools, people below the top 10% routinely get into yale. Rank is only significant with context. </p>
<p>If your sophomore year explanation is compelling, i’m sure the admissions office will be sympathetic. But i personally would not count on an excuse to carry me through a very exclusive admissions process.</p>
<p>I think I was right on the border of being in the top 10 percent, although my high school didn’t rank. That said, my school was a very elite private school. I honestly don’t think you have a chance if you aren’t in the top 10 percent at a generic school and aren’t a recruited athlete etc.</p>
<p>Anything’s possible… it is just very unlikely…</p>