For tomorrow you guys should listen to “Instruction for a Bad Day” by Shane Koyczan
It’s a spoken word piece that’s truly amazing and powerful and pushes me all through my long, long, LONG, days
Dear Future Self,
Look, it doesn’t matter if you get(got) in or not. If you are not in, don’t consider it a reflection of yourself and your potential. You are going to go somewhere that is meant for you. Yale me be a dream for you, but remember–it was a “dream” and not all dreams become your future.
If you got in, be thankful that things worked out. Appreciate what you have and always be honest!
And even if you don’t get into Yale, remember––– Light & Truth!
Love,
Yourself from Monday
I wonder why Yale’s applicant pool for early admission dropped this year while all its competitors greatly increased.
Dear Future Self,
If you’re reading this, I’m assuming you were deferred or rejected. Ouch. Know that it’s okay to cry and be sad and feel emotions. It’s not okay to allow your sadness to consume yourself. You’ve prepared an extremely strong application, and if Yale didn’t want you then it’s nothing that you could control. There are many fabulous schools. Yes, completing eleven more applications will be stressful, but you’ve got a good start already and you’ve never shied away from a challenge. Remember the feeling of pride you had after Monday night’s performance and live in that moment. And when you feel sad remember that you are in good company. Yale rejects far more successful people than they accept.
If you got good news, remember to be sensitive to the people who got bad news. If you got bad news, understand that others will want to celebrate and don’t burst their bubbles too harshly. Whether you got good news or bad news, know that this too shall pass. You are still your fabulous self. You don’t need Yale to tell you that you’re awesome. Like everything else in your high school career, do things for yourself, not to please anyone else. And stay true to yourself. Now go eat some ice cream.
Love,
Me, 18 hours ago
Hey guys don’t be so obsessed by writing “dear future self”
You all do your best. If you won’t get into Yale, “your best” may not be enough or not suitable for Yale. I try to think positively despite expecting a straightforward rejection.
If we won’t get in to Yale, see u guys at Yale law or Yale med
Come on you are amazing!!!
Dear Future Self,
Alas, decision day has come, and while this is not your only top choice, you know that with an acceptance always comes some form of validation. What you wouldn’t give to see words of congratulations to prove to your father that yes, you can succeed, and yes, your writing ability has pulled you through. I know that in many ways an acceptance will grant you respect and approval from certain people you have so long craved.
But do not despair; we have expected the worst all along. Was it not you but a few months ago who tipped back and forth between applying and not applying, thinking you could not compare? Know that I am proud of you for taking the risk of rejection and failure, for not playing it safe. The path you have chosen regardless of which college you intend is not an easy one, and this rejection will prep you for the inevitable disappointments to come. After all, while your life has so far been a comfortable one, remember that good news will not always come your away. This is reality, and it can be cruel. Luxuriate in your disappointment while you can, allow yourself to bask in the momentary despair. Familiarize those feelings and accept them. Flirt with sadness if you’d like. It is okay.
You like to bottle things up, I know, but let it out. Take a little time to expunge your bitterness and frustration. But do not linger in that miasma. You have work to do, places to go, people to meet. You will be all right for the journey is not over yet. Regular decisions and graduate school and many other opportunities await you.
Firm up that resolve and composure pal,
Your past self which currently hangs in a limbo state of anxiety and anticipation
Dear Future Self,
Look at where you’ve risen from in the last four years. It’s a blessing that you even had the audacity to apply to Yale.
JlivsVisionCantDie
Dear Future Self,
Wow man, look at you! You’re a senior. In less than a year you’ll be in college studying up and aiming for med school, and then a career, and the rest of life. Sure, you’d like to end up at Yale for the next four years. You want the honor, the opportunities, the prestige. It’s all in the equation.
If you’re accepted, count your lucky stars because the amount of doubt you have right now is through the roof. There are some things you know you could’ve done better. Honestly, though, they’re minor, and if Yale can’t see the shining light in your application and the potential you have, then that’s not your fault. You did what you could and presented yourself in the best possible way. No words and no lists can sufficiently describe what you’ve been involved in in the past four years. You really worked very hard. Thinking back to 6 years ago, and even further, no one would’ve thought you’d one day be applying to Yale, with even a slight chance.
You’ve come a long way, and you will succeed and have an amazing college experience no matter where you go.
If you’re rejected, who cares? Move on. You know you can. You’ll always think about what could’ve been. But you know you truly believe that everything happens for the best–even if it may seem like Yale is so right, it may not be right for you.
No matter what happens, you’re going to be your ordinary self, because that is more than enough.
Best,
Present Self
How many are there in the early applicant pool this year?
@NSLCstudent somewhere around 4600 I believe.
EDIT : 4662, to be exact.
Well, the positive side to having a horrible cough is that I have a legitimate excuse to take NyQuil and actually get some sleep tonight. And with that, this Yale hopeful is saying goodnight to you all for the last time before we know our fates.
Sweet dreams, ladies and gentlemen. It’s been a hell of a ride with you these last months. :x
Guys I’m actually tearing up reading these letters. I feel like we’re about to go off into battle. Less than 17 hours… Good luck to you all, we’re so, so close. Eeee!
@APScholar18 Yale’s dean of undergraduate admissions said that they wanted to increase quality of the applicants, not the quantity, and thus targeted their campaign only to those who they thought could possibly get accepted.
http://yaledailynews.com/blog/2015/12/11/early-apps-increase-at-peer-schools/
Also, I think since Yale has the lowest early acceptance rate out of all the ivies, applicants who value prestige over what the individual institutions have to offer would rather apply early to Harvard or Princeton for their higher acceptance rates.
@mjstewart1224 Good night! It’s been great getting to know you! Best of luck tomorrow 
TODAY IS THE DAY! (Well, in ET haha) Super excited/nervous. Checked the admissions site and they already have the notification up of when the decisions will be released. “Admissions decisions for Early Action applicants will be released in the evening on Tuesday, December 15. Applicants may access their decisions by logging into the Yale Admissions Status Portal. An email will alert applicants when decisions are available via the portal.” is what it exactly says!
IT’S FINALLY TUESDAY! The day we’ve all been waiting for! I just want to say that you’re an incredibly accomplished and supportive group of people and I really hope we can all meet at Yale! I’m proud of us all for giving our best, and I know we can become successful anywhere. Sleep tight tonight because a huge decision awaits us at 5PM! 
Ahh, about 15 hours before results and I finally decided to join the thread! I’ve been following and liking and freaking out with you guys and you guys are all so supportive and ugh I’d love to be in a class with y’all. But whatever happens, you guys are all talented, compassionate individuals who’ll thrive in any college (although Yale would be nice, eh?) Praying that we all get the decisions we want tomorrow evening! <3
Goodnight you wonderful peeps. 5pm EST will arrive before we know it. You are an amazing bunch of people and your future self letters were so heartfelt. Sleep well and may the odds be ever in your favor. xD.
@endependep @freenfly Thank you! I’m hoping we all receive good news tonight!
Goodnight everyone! I’m anxious to simply know what my next 4 years could look like, and tomorrow could be the day we get a clearer picture. However, I think it’s ok to be braced for rejection/deferral (I know I am). That way, you can only be pleasantly surprised