Should I apply SCEA?

Colleges & Universities Yale University
1

<p>I attend a religious private school that boasts a rigorous dual curriculum, meaning I enroll in five secular courses and four religious courses each year. </p>

<p>I have seized the opportunity to take the most challenging courses each year. Accordingly, I took all honors courses in 9th grade, 2 AP courses and the rest honors in 10th grade, 3 AP courses and the rest honors in 11th grade, and 1 AP course and the rest honors in 12th grade (fewer AP options in senior year). In those, I have received a B+, an A-, and the rest A’s each year (very consistent). </p>

<p>SAT: 2300
ACT: 33
AP Scores: English Language (4); English Literature (4); US History (5)
SAT II: US History 720</p>

<p>Throughout high school, I have committed myself to several academic extracurricular activities (debate, model UN, etc.) and am now the president of several activities.</p>

<p>I visited Yale and truly loved it - now I must decide whether or not to apply SCEA! While it is my number one school, I don’t want to make the wrong decision by applying if I don’t have a solid chance of getting in.</p>

<p>Thoughts?</p>

2

<p>Your test scores indicate that you are a competitive applicant. Beyond that, no one can say if you have a “solid chance” of getting in, as so much of the applications process depends on how an Admissions Director ‘feels’ after reading your teacher recommendations, essays and transcript and compares them to all the other applicants. </p>

<p>There really isn’t a wrong decision to be made. If you really want Yale more than any other school, and you feel confident in your essays, then apply SCEA. If Yale wants you, you will be accepted. If they feel strongly about you, but want to compare you to a broader range of applicants, they will defer you to the RD round. If they are not interested in you, you will be rejected. In any case, you will receive a decision by mid-December. Just remember to also apply to a broad range of ‘target’ and ‘safety’ schools in the RD round. Best of luck to you.</p>