| Tips for Getting In | |
- Be sincere and genuine in your application and interview. You don't have to put on a front. You DO need to express yourself as you.
- Be yourself in your application, in your essays, in your interview, during your visit. Because, after all, Yale is looking for about 1,200 individuals, not a pre-made mold.
- Consider recruitment if you're good at a sport. It's a great way to find your niche at Yale and have a built-in social and support system.
- Cover the basics: get good grades, take AP/IB/honors classes, do well on standardized tests, volunteer your time, be in extracurriculars. Do your best at these things and you can consider a whole range of college options.
- Distinguish yourself. Whether in arts, sports, volunteer work, or your job, do it all the way and let yourself stand out.
- If you excell in fine or performing arts, consider sending a supplement to your application to show the admissions committee exactly what it is you do. Record a CD or photocopy a painting.
- In your essay, whatever you do, don't talk about academics! After a certain caliber of excellence, your academics cease to matter in the admissions process.
- Let the admissions committee know why you are particularly interested in Yale. Why do you really want to attend? A certain major? Resources? The atmosphere? Why Yale instead of another school?
- Obtain recommendations from teachers who are not necessarily your favorite "cute and fuzzy" kind. Sometimes, the teacher whose class you've struggled in can say the best and most true things about you. Don't be afraid!
- Visit campus before you apply (if possible) to see if you really love the way Yale feels. Just because you like Handsome Dan (our mascot) and look great in Bulldog Blue, doesn't mean you want to apply/attend sight-unseen.
- Whatever activities you do—rock climbing, belly dancing, synthesizer-playing—do it passionately and excellently. Then tell Yale all about it!
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