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Hi! I'm a 15 year old junior from Northern New Jersey and am in the midst of college hunting. I'm really intrigued by Yale as a possible school (EPE is just the type of program I am looking for, I love the residential college system, and the liberal- arts focus really appeals to me). However, the kids I know who have gone to Yale have been brilliant and excessively driven, and I'm not sure I meet that standard.
I love to read, write, and discuss; the reason I opted for my school's extremely rigorous seminar program (english/ history) which was only honors credit rather than ap (the only reason this class isn't ap is that you have to apply for it). I attended JHU- CTY 3 years in a row and will hopefully be either going abroad with AFS or attending NJ Governor's School next summer.
I love to sing and have participated in NJ All State Chorus (hopefully All Eastern this year!), Region I chorus (top score), NJ All State Opera Festival (7th out of 50, I blanked on my words in the audition), Vocal Jazz Ensemble, Chamber Choir, and several recitals.
I also am Student Representative to the Board of Education (first 11th grader ever to hold the position, usually a senior; this requires a lot of work, but I enjoy doing it) and my school district's improvement initiative committee. I am also on Student Congress, in addition to Model UN, Model Congress, and Amnesty International.
I will most likely have a 4.2 weighted gpa by the end of this year, and a 3.8 unweighted. On the current SAT, I scored 790 verbal and 740 math; the new SAT is offered beginning in march. I'm only in my junior year though, and my senior year schedule is all AP's (5.0 credit), which should bring it up.
Is Yale too good for me, and do I even stand a shot of getting in? Thanks for the help!

By Nyclyzz (Nyclyzz) on Monday, September 27, 2004 - 11:05 pm: Edit

Please, anyone?

By Nyclyzz (Nyclyzz) on Monday, September 27, 2004 - 11:05 pm: Edit

Please, anyone?

By Asterix (Asterix) on Tuesday, September 28, 2004 - 12:34 am: Edit

You can look, but don't touch. You break it, you buy it.

By Cleveland (Cleveland) on Tuesday, September 28, 2004 - 09:37 am: Edit

My son had very similar stats and is a Yale freshman. Go for it.

By Helicoptermom (Helicoptermom) on Tuesday, September 28, 2004 - 02:16 pm: Edit

Yes, I would say you have a shot. But you're only starting your junior year; you should keep looking at other colleges, not only because no one can predict but Yale will do, but also because you may find other schools you like as well or better. My daughter's "definite" first-choice school changed three times in the year before it came time to apply.

Also, maybe I shouldn't say this, but I hate the fact that so many kids' senior years are blighted by the college application process, and I'm sorry to see you (along with many other students and parents) start obsessing about it even earlier. My best advice would be to concentrate on getting the most out of your junior year--in academics, ECs, personal life, everything. This is the time to be passionate about real-life interests rather than about getting into college. It will not only spare you a lot of unproductive anxiety, but may ultimately make you a stronger, more interesting candidate for Yale and for all the other good schools that are out there.

By Bulldogswmr (Bulldogswmr) on Sunday, October 03, 2004 - 10:37 pm: Edit

if you get into yale, don't talk to me. I don't like the way you sound.