<p>I’ve read a lot about the criteria one must meet in order to gain admission into an Ivy League; however, what does Yale specifically look for in an applicant?</p>
<p>It would strike me that starting with Yale’s own website would be a logical start…</p>
<p>[Yale</a> University](<a href=“http://www.yale.edu%5DYale”>http://www.yale.edu)</p>
<p>Start by asking yourself the question, “Why am I considering applying to Yale?”</p>
<p>Answers you may say, but Yale doesn’t want:
It’s one of the top ranked colleges!
It’s Yale!
Well… its a good brand!
YAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAALE!
Who doesn’t want to go to Yale?!
I want to impress my parents with my 1337 skills of getting into Yale!
My friends are applying there!
Oh boy, I can’t wait to meet my future wife at Yale!
New Haven is a boss!
I want my mascot to be a bulldog because I love bulldogs!
I’ll be able to gloat to all my friends about Yale!</p>
<p>You should be applying to schools because they have programs or departments that fit your niche and will allow you to maximize your potential. Yale may also be the only university that has, at the heart, the two or three things you look for in a University, such as a great running program, a state-of-the art Orchestral program and a Mathematics program that fits with your goals, aspirations, etc. This group of three things may not be anywhere else. Two may be, but you’re looking for the whole package and only Yale might offer that. </p>
<p>Of course, what I just said is not true in the slightest (in terms of other universities not having those programs), which is why you need to research what would make Yale right for you and you shouldn’t be looking for reasons that’ll make you right for Yale. As great and prestigious as Yale is, there are other universities that may fit you much better.</p>
<p>My main reason for stating all this is because you mentioned looking at what an Ivy League wants and I feel you should be looking at all Universities and not just setting your eyes on the gold that is the Ivy League.</p>
<p>davidlaboza is totally right, but that doesn’t necessarily answer the OP’s question.</p>
<p>I would say what Yale looks for is leadership potential. Of course this is a ridiculously broad criterion, but what can you do. Yale wants to produce people who are leaders in their fields, whatever that field may be. If I were you, I would spend time thinking about what you want to succeed in in life, and how Yale specifically could help you get there. (There are probably a lot of other schools that can help you get there too. But Yale is pretty good.)</p>
<p>But is strong leadership alone enough to be accepted? My friend is student body president and editor-in-chief of the school newspaper…but his SAT is around 2100 and he has gotten some B’s. Everyone is speculating</p>
<p>I agree with david.</p>
<p>Closing old thread.</p>