I’m approaching my senior year and I’ve decided to apply to Yale University on regular decision.
I know that I’m mostly likely not the ideal candidate for the Ivies but I’d like to get more of an idea of just how far of a stretch this is. My theory is, there’s no harm in trying…
-I’m Canadian.
-I’m particularly skilled in English language arts and writing, and plan to study English.
-My high school average has been mid-to-high 80’s so far. But I know that my full potential can land me in the mid-90’s and I plan to do so this coming year. Does anyone know how much this will affect my chances?
-I’m taking SATs in November. The SAT subject tests I will take are English Literature and French (with listening).
-I have a wide range of extra curriculars which most of which I’ve been dedicated to for multiple years:
*Varsity ice hockey (4 years, assistant captain, anticipating captain in upcoming season, ranked 3rd at provincials in 2006)
*Teens Against Drinking and Driving (4 years, attended 2 provincial conferences and 2 national conferences, one of which I was selected as one of eight to represent my school on the other side of the country, one of which was hosted here.)
*Student Council Representative (2 years)
*Musical Theater (3 years, chorus member.)
*Choir (3 years, received marks of high 90’s each year at the municipal music festival)
*Duke of Edinburgh Young Canadians’ Challenge (3 years, attained both bronze and silver award working towards gold. This is a very prestigious award that incorporates athletics, a personal skill, and community service)
*Varsity Softball (2 years.)
*Provincial Youth Apprenticeship Program (2 years. A program that requires the participant to be employed and attend two weekend workshops about employability skills.)
*Making Waves (2 years. Creating awareness concerning dating violence.)
-My work experience includes a summer working as a cashier at a local grocery store and a week doing filing and data input at a law firm.
-I was chosen as one of 24 students in my province to attend a 4-day fine arts program at a university that renowned for having one of the top fine arts programs in the country.
-I studied French in Quebec City, Quebec this summer for five weeks. It was an intensive French immersion program by one of the city’s private high schools, where we stayed in residence at the biggest French university in Canada. I got a 90 as a final mark.
-I plan to write the most amazing essay ever for my application. My English teachers in the past have always commented on my strong writing voice so I’m pretty confident that I can produce an interesting &convincing essay. If anyone has any tips or pointers for this they are most welcome.
That’s all I can think of that’s worth mentioning, for now. So, assuming I get marks in the mid-to-high 90’s this coming term and study my butt off for the SATs, do you think I *might possibly* be a contender for the Yale class of 2013?
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I think it’s often hard for Canadians to understand how hard getting into Yale is as there’s nothing like it in Canada.
The majority of kids who have had perfect grades throughout high school, have perfect SATs and outstanding, national level activities will be rejected. Getting high grades in senior year isn’t even in the realm of what’s important at a top ivy unfortunately, nor is a paid for summer class.
With an 8% acceptance rate they are looking for the very top students in each country. They take the winners of international science competitions, musicians who play in big city symphonies, Olympic athletes and artists with an international following.
There are many great US colleges where kids who are just at the top of their class at a normal high school with high SATs and bronze awards have a great shot, but Yale isn’t one of them.
If you didn’t fulfill your potential for three of the 4 years in high school, you have zero chance at Yale. Honestly, there’s nothing in your profile that says Yale. Yale students are great academics who have taken a single passion and accomplished things far beyond the ordinary. You read like a good but not great student. With a 2300 plus you can look at the lower ivies as long as you’re at the very top of your class but I’m seeing more of a Middlebury, Oberlin, Kenyon, NYU level of school here.
Wow- you seem like a very dedicated student. Congratulations on your awards! Like you said, there is no harm in trying. I have a feeling that you are a very good candidate. I have actually read somewhere that many Ivies like to have students from around the existing areas, along with far away States/Provinces. Of course your tuition fee will be higher than others, but it is still worth a shot. Just do well on your SAT’s, and of course the essay. All I would recommend is for your to *maybe* join another club/extracurricular, one with a subject that you are passionate about, maybe journalism or something similar. (You said you are into English and Literature…) You may also want to try to fit in some hours of community service, because you never know…
I have hope in you!
Best of luck!
Hey if you can get in that’s wonderful but in reality, I would say it’s not really worth it. You’d have to pay international student fees which would be A LOT. The school’s tuition and stuff is a lot already and then out of state and then international. And to be honest nobody really cares where you go for undergraduate because it’s all more or less the same (well a decent closer school is what I’m getting at) Do really well in a decent or good university closer to home for undergraduate school and then apply for Yale for graduate school where it really matters.