Yale Ivy Scholar

MOMofTWOboyz
Sat, 19 Jan 2013 10:18:05 +0000

Hi Everyone,

I’m new to this site, but joined specifically so I could speak to my son’s experience at Yale Ivy Scholars. (I used the site a couple of years ago when we were deciding whether to send him.)


It’s a cool program.
It is mostly for very rich people.
THEY COMPLETEY INFLATE HOW HARD IT IS TO GET IN!
My son ultimately did it and had a good experience.
PARTICIPATION A.B.S.O.L.U.T.E.L.Y. DOES NOT HELP YOU GET IN TO YALE!!!


So, basically, if you want a fun, interesting college experience on an Ivy League campus - and money is no object - go for it! But do NOT think for a moment that it will help you get into the school. It absolutely does not. I called Admissions and confirmed this before sending my son! Since I have worked in an admissions office before (at a large, State university), I had some good connections and knew what to ask.

Yes, Yale is a great school! But Yale is also verrrry good at selling itself. Because they don’t want to dissuade you from doing Ivy Scholars, but they can’t outright lie about it helping you get into the school, they will say things like “Any experience like this will look great on your application when we are considering you for admission.” True to a degree, but plenty of other things look good, too.

FYI, Ivy Scholars is a big money-maker for the university. IF you can pay, it is very unlikely that they will turn you down as long as you’re a decent student. I know that if you do a web search about how many applicants are accepted, you’ll see the number 20%. However, if you do your research, you will realize that this was originally a posting by a student to whom the number was very vaguely given by someone at Ivy Scholars. It is a myth that Yale is happy to perpetuate, but it bears no resemblance to reality.

Again, I do NOT want to discourage anyone from attending this program. My son truly enjoyed it and made some good friends with whom he remains in regular contact! I just don’t think it’s necessary to spend thousands and thousands of dollars for a cool college experience, and I don’t want anyone to think they are improving their chances of getting into Yale by doing this.

And, yes, my son is in college now. He did not apply to Yale, because he decided it was too small for him. Seven of his friends from Ivy Scholars did apply, and one got in (and is very happy there!).

Good luck to everyone - whatever your summer plans may be!