YESS - Should I even bother applying?

Wheatonomics
Wed, 09 Dec 2009 18:40:01 +0000

The time of year has rolled around to start collecting letters of rec and writing essays for summer programs, and I’d just like to know if I’d stand any kind of chance at YESS.

currently a sophomore
Race: Cuban
GPA: 3.6 UW, 4.3 weighted

PSAT:
reading - 720
math - 650 (yeah, I know, I f’d up)
writing - 700

EC’s:
School paper (probably irrelavent)
Academic Challenge team, 3rd in state (effectively quiz bowl for you non-floridians)

Recs:
Excellent (Chem teacher’s a PhD from U chicago)

Essay:
If one is required, I’ll probably attack it from the perspective of being interested in science in a community and high school that’s down right hostile to the maths and sciences (we offer no AP’s in either subject)

I’m also applying to a ton of other summer programs, none of which are nearly as prestegious as YESS.

The biggest issue that I’m foreseeing is that I was unable to take precalculus due to a whole variety of errors, not the least of which was a spiteful Algebra 1 teacher, who failed me twice and prompted me to take it online (I got a 98 in the course)

Aside from that, my grades in maths have been 85+ and 95+ in science (Bio H and chem H)

so, should I even bother?