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After reading in Newsweek that the legacy admit rate at Harvard was 40%, at Yale nearer 48%, I question how many slots are available for non-URM, non legacy admits?
Given that what are my realistic chances? I'm a junior.
Stats:

SAT I: 800V, 760M (haven't taken SAT II yet)
ACT: 35

Top 10%, unweighted 3.8
National Merit (probably, 230 score from redneck state)
Varsity lacrosse
Features editor on Newspaper, Will be editor in chief nxt yr
Prose editor, literary mag
Youth Leg, newspaper editor next year(state office)
Cum Laude Society, National Honor Society
Model UN

last summer: Stanford's Gifted Youth Program in creative writing. This summer: appling to Brown's summer program

Some community work, not tons

By Incognito (Incognito) on Tuesday, March 04, 2003 - 03:42 pm: Edit

800 Verbal for the SAT I? I always ask ppl this question when I see that they've done very well:
How did you prepare???

By Lhm501 (Lhm501) on Tuesday, March 04, 2003 - 03:50 pm: Edit

Don't hate me! er-r, nothing. I didn't have time to take a prep course and it was the 1st (and only thank god) time to take it. All I can attribute it to is very literary parents, reading and really superb luck! Believe it or not, my guidance counselor thought I should retake it to improve my math!! Get real, I am very happy to leave well enough alone.

By Incognito (Incognito) on Tuesday, March 04, 2003 - 04:16 pm: Edit

As for getting in to Yale...I dont think that it is impossible. Dont take offense to this, but I dont really think that it is VERY likely. It is worth a shot, though. Your grades are good. You still need to take SAT IIs, and your ECs are not too bad (although there is nothing extremely special or unique). Then again, I really know very little about college admisions...so take what I said w/a grain of salt.

BTW, Lhm501...
what type of stuff do you read (like what books and authors) if you dont mind me asking?...

By Momof2 (Momof2) on Tuesday, March 04, 2003 - 04:24 pm: Edit

Just as importantly, what do you like to WRITE?

By Lhm501 (Lhm501) on Tuesday, March 04, 2003 - 04:34 pm: Edit

I read news mags, fiction, like Gold's Carter Beats the Devil, slugging through Faulkner now, I read humorous books like by Al Frankum, newspaper every day. I wish I were a better creative writer but unless I'm inspired (like with 9/11) it is very difficult. I just wrote a long piece for my paper on Judicial appointments. Editing or publishing are my goals, don't think the Great American Novel is in me. I've spent so much energy on writing, working on publications and it is frustrating to hear that they won't set me apart. Well, as Popeye says, " I yam what I yam".

By Momof2 (Momof2) on Tuesday, March 04, 2003 - 05:13 pm: Edit

It's not worth frustration. This is a pretty "rarified" environment, even if everything written is 100% truthful. In real life, very few people, young or old, can write well and meaningfully. I feel the percentage is going down every year, possibly helped along by the speed and efficiency of cellphones, email, AIM, etc.

Anyway, just keep writing! As far as I know, no great writers were great in high school, at least not like Beethoven composing at 9. (mixed metaphor, I know) The more life you've had, the more you'll find inspiring. Besides, I think there's a lot of fluff that should be gotten out of the way and eventually discarded before the good stuff starts flowing. Good luck to you - this world needs more writers of all kind, including editors and publishers.