Should I be encouraged?

Colleges & Universities Yale University
1

<p>OK, so my sister went to Yale ('98). Granted, she was admitted in 1994, but she had a similar background as I do. She had amazing essays (majored in English, got her MBA in creative writing; I plan on majoring in English as well), one B+, a unique, rural background (poor, eccentric family), a 33 on the ACT, manual labor summer jobs and some work at a local library, and virtually no other ECs. </p>

<p>Now, 16 years later, I am applying to Yale. Comparable test scores, although not as good of a GPA: 3.8 (I know – I know), and, a very similar story: poor, rural, eccentric family, South, fantastic essays, great recommendations. </p>

<p>SO. The point of this self-indulgent post is this: should I be encouraged by her acceptance, or have times changed so much that my chances have decreased astronomically? And will the fact that my sister went there and thrived encourage adcoms to admit me?</p>

2

<p>Admissions is a totally different game today than in 1994. The admite rate for the Yale Class of 1998 was 18.9%. Last year’s admit rate was less than half that. Also, Yale has seriously picked up its outreach to low income families in the past 5 years, so the poor/rural angle might have been significantly more unusual in 1994. Thanks to the internet, there are also more ways for a student with initiative to take classes outside his/her high school, etc.</p>

<p>I would think her acceptance is apples to your oranges, but I’d still apply.</p>

3

<p>Forget about being encouraged by her acceptance. There are plenty of more current anecdotes that will make you certain of your imminent acceptance or refusal, depending on which you read. But there’s good news here: you’re a legacy now!</p>