26 average for a public HS is very good. Most have about 22. On the other hand, you’d be better off if you had your 26 from a school where the average is 18. In other words, I really dont see it cutting it but ey if you’re done with the other apps, why not?
(You ARE done with the other applications?)
What’s your final list?
Ignore the numbers, and Georgetown is included! Plus 8 safeties and my local CC
Low reach
12. University of Michigan EA PPE
13.University of North Carolina health care policy EA (applied!!!)
Reach:
14. .Yale university REA ethics politics and economics deferred rea
.Harvard university (RD) government
17.University of Pennsylvania (RD) health and societies
18.Columbia university (RD) political science
19.Princeton university (RD) SPIA (school of international affairs)
20.Brown university (RD) public policy/health
21.Cornell university (RD) public policy analysis and management
Stanford University (public policy) RD
Johns Hopkins
Emory
University of Chicago (RD) public policy analysis
Duke university (RD) public policy (maybe if time)
Wellesley RD
Vanderbilt RD Public Policy
Northwestern university (RD) social policy
USC (RD) public policy first choice
I’ve applied everywhere besides macalester and usc, still finalizing supplements for those.
With several affordable (*) safeties in your pocket already, you’re right to be going big.
(*if I’m not mistaken, you have 2 affordable choixes already, don’t you?)
Only two rn are affordable, correct 
unfortunately. The UMN is going to be super expensive but I’m waiting on fafsa. I received notification that I got 31k a year in merit scholarships from another safety but it’s still extremely unaffordable unfortunately. I used all of the school specific applications for my safeties and matches and used the common app for all reaches! I’m perfectly fine with going to my safety and am actually looking forward to it sm!
Hi! Question to you guys. Should I even write a letter of continued interest for Yale? They don’t like excessive application updates and my updates aren’t extremely compelling. I was going to mention that I’m an Elks Quarterfinalist, Won a scholarship from my elks lodge recently, am being promoted at my job to work in the pharmacy when I turn 18 coming up, help my parent with deliveries, and the bill that I am working on drafting will be presented in my state’s legislature… Additionally, should I state in the letter that I would attend if admitted/they’re still my top choice? And should I talk about why yale interests me?
I’d personally say no. Their yield runs near 70%. They know most they admit will attend. They don’t want a letter (IMHO)
From Yale - in their own words - below - so you should be proud of your result:
Here’s the deal. A deferral from Yale means one thing and one thing only: We need more time to consider your application. It’s important to understand this. You were not deferred because there is something wrong with your application. In fact, it’s quite the opposite: if you were deferred it means your application is strong enough to continue to be seriously considered by the admissions committee.
So what can you do now? Not all that much, it turns out. First, take a few days to not think about Yale. Think about all of those other great colleges you’re applying to in Regular Decision - Yale is a hard place to get into no matter who you are, so I certainly hope we’re not the only college you’re excited about applying to. We do not recommend that you send the admissions office piles of updates after a deferral. You should not try to re-do any parts of your application. You should not inundate your admissions officer with weekly emails and cards. More often than not it is the required pieces of the applications, like the essays and teacher recommendations that we already have, that make a student stand out for us. For the most part, we have what we need. We’ll get your mid-year grades from your school counselor to see how you’re doing in your senior year classes, and if you want you can send us one letter of update to let us know what you’ve been up to since November 1st.
The bottom line is that “deferral” does not mean “we need more information” or “something wasn’t good enough.” It means we see a lot of great potential in you and we just need a little more time to sit in that committee room and mull things over.
Letters of Continued Interest are basically a way for you to update your application when deferred. If you know what date the bill you worked on would be presented in the state legislature, do add it (specific date/pl1ce) to your list. Your 1st semester grades must have been submitted as well as GC update so your side ought to be sent within 10 days. “Yale is still my top choice and I will attend if I’m honored enough/lucky enough (etc your pick) to be admitted.”
Hey everyone-updates:
got into the university of michigan and unc (unc with honors, unc scholars and a full ride) im so shocked thank you for your help!
Wow that’s so great. We’ve really been pulling for you!
Wow, congratulations ! 
What a mind blowing:exploding_head: “safety” to have now!!! 
Should I withdraw my Robertson scholars application? I did apply to Duke too but I am not sure if I will be considered due to UNC’s scholarship
I assume you mean Robertson (you corrected) and no don’t pull your application. The Robertson offers other advantages and opportunities beyond the financial scholarship. Wait and see. FYI it is incredibly competitive so it is great that you don’t need it. Congratulations on the other great wins.
Did you confirm the financial offer from UNC? I’m surprised they could already offer a full ride before the FAFSA has been processed. But did you apply via a particular program that fast-tracks financial offers?
Since UNC uses CSS Profile, they should be able to create financial packages without FAFSA. Obviously they will use FAFSA when students can submit it, so UNC can get the federal $.
Nope. It was UNC Scholars, and I think the Carolina scholarship? It don’t specify but it said the scholarship covered tuition, housing, room and board, and I’m an instate resident for the purpose of tuition. They don’t get fafsa until late January. I didn’t check my financial aid letter because the portal is confusing but it’s a merit scholarship.
Doesn’t talk about the tuition or housing gifts but it sounds like an endowed scholarship with lots of enrichment. Congrats to you. Sounds like you’ll be given one of the ‘endowed’ ones. Fantastic get.
Don’t withdraw the Robertson application because it’s nationally known with many more benefits - rooting for you 
Ah ha, I did not realize UNC was a CSS school. That makes a big difference! I also didn’t realize that @BumbleBee2 was considered an NC resident for tuition, as she attends high school in Minnesota. But I also realize there are different ways to determine residency.
No, I am definitely an out of state resident. They just said I am considered an in state resident for the purposes of the scholarship