Recent Interest in Yale, Unfounded?

Colleges & Universities Yale University
1

<p>I’ve recently experienced a strong surge in interest in Yale. Don’t know exactly why, but I decided it wouldn’t hurt to apply. I am applying early to UPenn/Wharton, but if I get rejected or deferred, I would love to take a crack at Yale. Maybe something will stick. So I have two questions: do I have a good chance and would I fit in at Yale? (I know the second question is more difficult to answer).</p>

<p>Interests: Economics, History, Politics & Public Policy
Future Plans: Law (probably working for the Government) and possibly Politics
State: IL
Gender: Male
Race/Ethnicity: Black
School: Large, Competitive Public</p>

<p>ACT: 34
SAT II - US History: 790
SAT II - Math IIC: 760
SAT II - Literature: 710
SAT - December 3rd
GPA (u): 3.84
GPA (w): 4.50
Class Rank: 8/1,007 (Top 1%)
Recommendations: Really good. One from an English Teacher, the other from a History Teacher (the different styles mesh together well)
Essays: Solid</p>

<p>APs: European History - 5, US History - 5, English Language - 5, Spanish Language - 3</p>

<p>Senior Year Semester 1 Couseload:
AP Physics C
AP Macroeconomics
AP English Literature & Composition
AP Calculus BC
AP Government & Politics
Spanish 2251 (Community College Class)
Physical Education</p>

<p>ECs:
Youth & Government (10-12)
Illinois Youth Secretary of State, Candidate for Governor, School Chapter President, Voted Most Effective Lobbyist Sophomore Year</p>

<p>Business Professionals of America (10-12)
4th in State in Advanced Accounting (qualified for nationals), 1st in Regionals in Financial Analyst Team, Fundamental Accounting, Word Processing (qualified for state every year)</p>

<p>Face-to-Face (11-12)
I am a Senior mentor and tutor for the program. The program is dedicated to closing the achievement gap between black and hispanic students and other racial groups. Program started my Junior year.</p>

<p>Student Council (9-12)
Elected Class Representative every year; awards for leadership & dedication</p>

<p>Spanish Honors Society (11-12)
Inducted last year; tutor</p>

<p>Junior Statesman of America Summer School - Georgetown 2006
(also trying to start a chapter with other students at my school)</p>

<p>Volunteering: Tutor, Hessed House for transitional families, Adopt-A-Family Christmas Fund (total accumulation: ~200 hours).</p>

<p>Awards: National Merit Commended, National Achievement Semi-Finalist, High Honor Roll every semester, Indian Prairie Scholar (my district’s version of NHS)</p>

<ul>
<li>Some ECs have fewer years due to restrictions placed on the freshman class. The school is just too big.</li>
</ul>

2

<p>I’d be shocked if you didn’t get into Penn, so I’m not sure your questions about Yale matter.</p>

3

<p>If you’re not accepted into any college you apply to, someone needs fired.</p>

4

<p>"Interests: Economics, History, Politics & Public Policy
Future Plans: Law (probably working for the Government) and possibly Politics "</p>

<p>Aren’t you better suited for Penn’s Arts&Sciences program rather than their business school?</p>

5

<p>It would certainly seem their Arts & Sciences program would be a better fit, but there were particular areas of study that interested me at Wharton. Business & Public Policy is what I want to study there (with American History at their CAS school). Reason why is that it combines pieces of all my interests together. I’d also say learning how our government’s policies (economic and otherwise) are connected to private enterprise would serve me well in the public sector. I have been involved in Business courses all through high school so deciding to go for Wharton was not a huge deal for me.</p>

6

<p>Though no one can say for sure, I feel confident enough to say that I’d bet a significant amount of money that you would get in. And your interests fit in spectacularly with Yale, which has good departments in those areas (not to mention possibly the best History department in the world). We also have incredible extracurriculars in those areas, with the YPU and other more activist groups for political things and student investment clubs and the Yale Entrepreneurial Society that can get you hands on experience in Econ, handing hundreds of thousands of dollars in investments (some groups even help handle Yale’s humongous endowment).</p>

7

<p>Drop Wharton, Go Yale Look at the Economics,Ehics, Poli Sci program</p>

8

<p>I think he means, “EP&E” as it is called on campus, or Ethics, Politics, and Economics. Do keep in mind that the EP&E major involves a competitive application during sophomore year. However, you can also take all the EP&E classes (which are dual-listed in other departments like Poli Sci or Econ) and that it is very possible to complete a double major in Econ and Poli Sci.</p>

9

<p>Penn has a similar program in it’s CAS called PPE (Philosophy, Politics, and Economics).</p>

10

<p>I’ve looked into the PPE program at Penn. Aside from history, that seems to be a good prospect for a dual-degree there (if I got in). The international relations program is also interesting.</p>

<p>At Yale, if I ended up there, I would most likely pursue a double-major: Economics and American History or Economics and Political Science</p>

<p>What I’m really trying to do with my undergrad education is prepare myself for what I want to do in government. My current plans include a JD and MPP (very interested in Harvard because of the Kennedy School, and I know Yale Law is top dog). Really far ahead, and I know I need to get the grades in college to be able to go to either of those places, but I feel this is my calling and I’ve got to do everything I can to get myself there.</p>