How I *actually* got into Yale as an international Singaporean Student (I read my admissions file)
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- Опубліковано 10 лип 2024
- This will be the LAST of my Yale Admissions related videos, but still hope the insights I got from reading my admissions file will help those of you who are in the process of applying! It was really fun to go behind the scenes and actually read what the admissions officers were thinking when reading my application.
»»---------------- 🌿 TIMESTAMPS ----------------««
0:00 What's an application file? Why is it important?
1:58 Takeaway #1
4:18 Takeaway #2
6:55 Takeaway #3
9:01 Takeaway #4 (something I haven’t mentioned before!)
»»---------------- 🌿 CONNECT ----------------««
╰ Subscribe ua-cam.com/users/VictoriaLim...
╰ Instagram / vic.torialim
(I made one, brand new, just to connect w you guys!)
╰ 💌: victorialimsw@gmail.com
»»---------------- 🌿 LINKS ----------------««
The application essays that got me into Yale: • The Essays that Got Me...
9 tips to get into Yale: • Get into Yale as an In...
I SHARE MY YALE SUPPLEMENT + ANSWER COMMONLY ASKED APPLICATIONS HERE:
docs.google.com/document/d/1O...
Some interesting articles to read about what other Yale students thought after reading their files:
yaledailynews.com/blog/2020/0...
yaledailynews.com/blog/2015/0...
»»---------------- 🌿 ABOUT ----------------««
Hello hello, I’m Vic, a Singaporean at Yale sharing my thoughts with other fellow 20-somethings on growth, wellness, self-love and what it means to live a meaningful life.
»»---------------- 🌿 CREDITS ----------------««
M U S I C
🎵 Matt Quentin - Waves
• Video
Artist info:
→ open.spotify.com/album/5HXY12...
→ / matthewsteinlauf
→ / mattquentinm. . - Фільми й анімація
See my SUPPLEMENT + I answer all the questions I’ve gotten about applying as an international IN THIS VID HERE: ua-cam.com/video/h3FPlCRDxVw/v-deo.html
🌿 TIMESTAMPS
1:58 Takeaway #1
4:18 Takeaway #2
6:55 Takeaway #3
9:01 Takeaway #4 (something I haven’t mentioned before!)
Hey! Thank you so much for making this video! I'm also an international school (from Thailand) and I just feel like Yale is an impossible reach for me... I understand now that there's a lottttt of things outside our control that plays a huge part in our admissions:( But also that there's always hope, and sometimes you might just get lucky:))
Also! I love your content, I honestly take a lot away from it. Can you maybe make a video about motivation? Esp during this time, I'm feeling superrr unmotivated, lazy and unproductive:(
@@goodnoodles1653 Hey Fin, you miss 100% of the shots that you don't take, so I encourage you to apply and try anyway! :) Thank you for the video idea too!
thank you for this video!!!!!
Thanks so much for this video Victoria!
I'm applying to College for Fall '21, and the fourth takeaway was so pleasant to hear.
We usually think that we are not 'good enough' to get into our dream school, but you just have to turn your application in and see what happens Wish you all the best!
All the best!
Eff College admissions...we need your skincare routine 😭😍
😂 wish my skin was good enough for me to be qualified to make a video on that
@@victorialim it's literally glowin😍😍😍😍😍😍😍😍😍😍 ... If I had that skin I would write an essay about it to the college admissions 😂😂😂🤣
Lolol best comment section I’ve come across. XD
You are so sincere and smart😍
Thank you so much for this video!
This is one of the greatest videos I have read about admission essays-- I love your channel for going into detail about what is important and whatnot and being very genuine
You're so sweet and genuine . You're literally precious ❤️
Thank you very much for the advice, and your own experiences, you are a very admirable person. Stay safe!
I'm really excited for your next videos!
Thank you for your support Andrea x Next video coming really soon!
I just wanna say thank u for making this channel and for helping us with this admissions process!
you're welcome! :)
Victoria, thank you very much for this video! ❤️
Thank you so much for this video Vi! I found it very reassuring and honest/transparent. Sending positive vibes to everyone who applied and is awaiting a decision, good luck!✨🍀
No of course, happy to share with you all :) Thanks for watching!
Uhhhhh! Be my therapist. You're so genuine
All your videos are so helpful
I loved this! Thank you for all the great advice & information. :)
Of course, happy it helped :)
Thank you so much for such quality content!
Hi Victoria!!! Your videos are so useful and I love it:) I used to go to SJII so it's awesome to see an SJII alumna at Yale sharing these admissions info for us
Ahh thank you for watching!! :)
You are such an inspiration, thank you so much.
Thank you for being here Adam!
A very informative video, illustrated with detailed examples and concrete tips. Well done.
LOVEE THE ACCENT💗Thank you so much for the video! It was so informative and different from other videos that talk abt stats or tips:)
Glad it helped ☺️
Hey Vicky! I can't express how grateful I am to know that it's okay to be average and imperfect. I've watched this video everyday since it was posted, and you always inspire me. All the best in your endeavors!
wow thanks Marcus!¡¡¡
Thanks for this video! I'm a Ghanaian planning on applying to Yale so this is very helpful💙
Hey I’m a Ghanaian too and will be applying next year ❤️ my ig is @s.teph_en please contact me
One word to describe this video is "Highly-Inspirational." Thanks :)
Thank you very much for sharing. It's really useful to my application as an international student. Take care
I loved this video. had a lot of trouble grappling with my acceptance recently, but the truth is I'm averagely human like everyone else and I just want to grow, learn, and help others. Thank you!
Did you get into Yale? Congratulations!! You should be proud, but your instinct is also right - Yalies are just average students (okay, maybe a bit more than just average haha) who lucked out in the application process :) it’s important to stay humble and be thankful, but also celebrate your success 😊
Please know that so many students at elite schools go through bouts of imposter syndrome, and do your best not to be one of them! I graduated from Yale in the 1990s, and the time I spent feeling like the token average person Yale decided to admit was completely unproductive. I realize that you cannot necessarily control your emotions, but you can talk back to them, so to speak, and help yourself realize that Yale does not have spots to waste on students who do not deserve to be there. Be proud of what you have accomplished, and take full advantage of everything Yale has to offer. You are not there to compare yourself to anyone else, and so there is no wondering why you are there. Congratulations on your admission to Yale! I have no doubt that the university is lucky to have you!
Thank you so much Victoria! This video saves me from the anxiety of waiting for ED decision!
I'm glad they helped!! All the best :)
Very heart-warming! Thank you :)
Thanks for watching dear x
wow im not gonna lie this video make me cried, you inspired me thanks for that
thanks you so much for making this videos. As you, I feel like YALE has a spot for me . I am so excited to apply and this definitely encourage me :-D. Sending lots of hugs from Mexico .
How did it go?
Your words are really inspiring!
Thanks so much. This was really helpful
Thank you for sharing! Hope that i can get into yale too this year
Hi ! I just wanted to say that your video cheered me up a lot. My stats and ECs quality are pretty similar to yours, and my high school admits the exact same amount into Yale(1 every two years), so this encouraged me a lot since I recently applied Yale REA. Wish me luck and have a good rest of your day!!
all the best!! always remember though that regardless of the outcome, you're capable of great things :)
@@victorialim Thanks so much (:
Oh my God @Victoria Lim thank you so much. I was feeling super low today bcoz of these admission things and your video made me feel so much better.
Thank you so much for the tips
Thank you for this video! I truly feel inspired and I'm ready to embark on the rough college app season
omg i miss the silliman library so much! :'( i have an appt to read my own file next week and this was helpful; thank you!
me too :'( and I won't be able return 😭 ! please enjoy it for me if you get to go sometime soon!
thank you for this ;) also you are so beautifulll
Hi Victoria ur videos are very helpful for students like me whose dream school is yale😀😀
Ur videos are so interesting I always dreamed of yale but you give me give a different view of what I had to. I will apply next year hope meeting you in yale when I am there
All the best! 😊
@Victoria Lim thanks
Hey Vic, any advice on getting off the Yale waitlist? Love your videos and you’ve always been such an inspiration to me!
Don't have personal experience, but there's a ton of videos on this: ua-cam.com/users/results?search_query=how+to+get+off+the+waitlist Hope they help!
Thank you for this
can i just say I love this video
Hehe thank you!!
Hey Vic.
As said before, I love all your videos.
I feel like I'm also an average student like you. Yale decisions come out today and I hope I can get in.
Once again, love what you're doing.
P.S. I also want to pursue Environmental Studies in college.
Hello again Arushi, all the best for today! Remember that no matter the result, you tried your best and worked your hardest, and you should be proud no matter what. Thank you for always being here!
Arushi Arora how’d it go?
Did you get in???
did u get in?
how'd it go?
Hi Vic, thank you so much for making this video! I felt really discouraged by the large amounts of unrealistic stats and EC videos on youtube but your advice really helped me muster up the courage to try my luck. My main concern is actually the tuition fee because I can’t afford it without financial aid or a scholarship. I’m not academically outstanding enough to be qualified for a merit scholarship. Some colleges are not need blind and there are very limited funds for international students. Do you have any advice on the financial side of applying to US schools? Thank you so much ❤️
Hi Xing Lin - you miss 100% of the shots you don’t take so give it a go! Yale is need blind and I’m sure there are many other schools that are too. This means that if you’re accepted, they will pay for whatever your family can not afford to pay, even if that’s 100% of your fees. Many places offer financial aid, and I also recommend you try to search for scholarships from your own country as well! If you ask your university Counselor at your school to help, you might also be able to put in a waiver request (which will take away the need for you to pay the application fee). All the best!
Hi Victoria, thank you so much for making this video. I’m from HK and no one has ever been accepted by an US college in my high school. But you really motivated me to start working so that I can get into a college with people as great as you. I know you’re done with the admissions video, but can you share more of your interview experience? English is my second language and I can’t speak it very fluently. I’m very worried about the interview and how can I be better prepared? Thank you!!!!
Hi Jasmine! I honestly don't have many interview tips except to prepare typical responses to questions like "Tell me about yourself", "Why Yale / -your selected course of study?" (more questions you can Google or find from other UA-cam videos). Prepare questions to ask the interviewer about Yale to show your interest and that you've done you research on Yale. Also, read up on the background of the interviewer beforehand via linkedin so you can see what questions would be applicable to ask them. You can find more tips from other UA-camrs, there are a ton of other videos on this out there - here are some videos that might help: ua-cam.com/users/results?search_query=yale+interview+tips All the best!
Can you make a video on how to fill application form for undergraduate yale and documents and how many essays do we have to write to apply for yale
I'll be there for my MEM next year. Wish me luuuuccckkk
So exciting!!! All the best, congrats and I'm sure you'll have fun :) I have some friends doing the MEM and I've heard it's a very international and friendly space!
how i read the title: How I *ACTUALLY* got into Yale as an INTERNATIONAL sing-
well that explains it
Thanks you ❤️
You are such a nice person
Thank you so much
I love this video ! Did you apply early or regular ?
Early!
Thanks a lot!
This video really helped me, but i do still have questions about living there in Yale University.
I hope you reply soon.
Thanks a lot again
Hey so sorry for the late reply!! DM me on instagram? @vic.torialim
Hello victoria
I'm from india and want to get into yale but my gpa aren't best.. pls help
You’re writing is really good! What classes did you take in high school to help your writing? I’m struggling with writing because I love it but it’s hard to express my words in a creative and an interesting way for readers to enjoy. I’m currently a freshman so I have some time before college but I feel like my time is slowly running out. ☹️
Hey there, I didn't take any special classes to help my writing, I just took IB Standard Level English as part of my compulsory courses. I am not an expert on how to improve on writing, but what helped me was to read a wide variety of texts and styles, and just to practice!
Also - as a freshman, you shouldn't be too worried about this; you have SO much time to develop your writing ability! 4 years is such a long time!! :) Don't even worry about it. I only considered applying to Yale in the middle of my senior year, so you're way further ahead than I was!
what do u think i can do rn (grade 7) cuz obv i cant apply rn but what can i do rn to help me in the future
ıt was a incred video. thank you
Hiii! I have a 3.6 gpa and I have really good ECs, do you think I have a chance?
bless you
Hey I have a really important question. Do you think we should write things down like prestigious or other descriptive word that show the major importance of recognition or just explain word for word. I do not want sound arrogant during the application process.
Hmm I think you can write words like “most competitive” instead of prestigious, that might sound a bit more objective than arrogant. Also if you use these words, be sure to justify WHY you think it’s so special! Is it because a very small percentage of people are accepted per round? Etc.
❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️
this is an amazing video, it really helped me.
but now I’m kind of scared of not standing out from the people in my high school. like our extracurriculars are very similar but they are the ones who started the activities I’m taking part in. Being in my senior year, I feel helpless
Everyone has a unique story and perspective! Is there anything you’re doing outside of your school activities? Any experiences you have outside of school can help to boost your application as well :)
Hi! I was reading your comment about being nervous for college, so I wanted to let you know about a company my friends and I made called Collegae that provides inexpensive college counseling from students who got in (we have students from UCLA, Princeton, UC Berkeley, Duke, and more). Our website is collegae.weebly.com. Basically, during each mentor session, you can ask the mentors anything, including their stats, what extracurriculars they did, or how they managed their time well enough in high school to get in! Hope this helps :)
Hey Victoria I am also an international student and I recently got rejected from Yale. With that being said I wanted to know if it would make sense for me to reapply as a transfer student next year or should I give up?
Hi Rickia, unfortunately I really can’t answer that question because I don’t know anything about your application or why you got rejected. I’m not sure if there’s very much you would be able to do or change that much in one year for you to get accepted next year... especially since transfer student acceptance rates are even lower and I know very competent individuals who applied and didn’t get in. I would suggest for you to think very carefully about whether it’s worth it, and perhaps it’d be better if you just focus on doing well wherever else you decide to go! :) please don’t see it as giving up - you 100% do not need to be at Yale to craft a life that you love. Hope this helps!
❤❤❤❤❤
heyy!! i also go to yale!! how’d you request this? thts so interesting!!
you just need to email Dani Gentile who works in undergraduate admissions to request for a timeslot to go down and take a look!
Hi Victoria I'm an indian who's 13 years old and Yale has been my dream school for almost a year now. I get good grades but I'm aware that academics are'nt enough. Extracurriculars are definitely a major factor but my school does not have any clubs you can participate in or anything you can do. I recently met with a cornell alumni who was overall just givivng me advice about the system and things I can do. I'm doing as much as I can..... but I would love some tips from you (you are a huge inspiration). PS: I'm interested in psychology. Hope you see this and answer.
ILY AND STAY SAFE
Hi! You can find all the tips I have in this video here:
ua-cam.com/video/e4mDWzx2f_g/v-deo.html
That accent is amazing
I have a question, and this is something that's been on my mind for sooo long: So I am a sophomore in high school, and I am an international student. Everyone at my high school and everyone around me is always doing tons of impressive things, have tons of leadership positions, and are just involved in lots of things that often get people admitted to top institutions. If I am going to be compared on a national scale with people like this, what is the best way I can differentiate myself through the activities that I do when everyone is doing everything?
Hi Armita - I think it's very easy to compare and see what other people are working on, but I think you should really try to focus on yourself. Instead of looking outside at how other people are better, find ways that YOU can become better, and become one of these people who is also doing impressive things. Everyone started from somewhere. There was some point when they themselves also weren't doing anything, but they worked themselves up to where they are today too. If they can do it, so can you!
Some people say that they don't have the same opportunities as other students who are more privileged than them. Even though that is true to a certain extent, having that mindset will only prevent you from succeeding in life, because you will always be looking at what you DON'T have rather than what you do.
Like for me, I moved to a different high school halfway through, meaning I didn't have the same amount of time as my peers to build up my involvement in extracurriculars. I wasn't on student council, never did any academic competitions, etc. But I didn't complain but rather initiated my own projects, and carved opportunities for myself outside and inside school. That's how I got to where I am today. So create opportunities for yourself and work on yourself because that's really the only thing you can control. You still are only a sophomore, so you have so much time to do this! I hope this doesn't sound too harsh, but I thought I'd just give you my thoughts frankly and honestly.
Victoria Lim thank you so much for your response it’s actually so helpful...I’m currently experiencing the same thing because I was in another country for a few years and I’ve moved back to Canada this semester, and currently don’t have anything besides academics. But I also know that there is still time for me to pursue things, which I’m so grateful for. I was kind of worried that what ever I do, others have done more and for longer, but seeing as you were able to make it with your own circumstances is definitely inspiring, and goes to show that how I approach my extracurricular from now is what matters. Once again, thank youu
@@armitahosseini8683 Don't worry about what you can't change, just focus on what you can! A few more notes:
- your experience going abroad can actually be an advantage, so think about how you can use that to channel into your extracurriculars and how it has shaped your life!
- try not to see what others are doing around you as competition, but rather, inspiration. lift others up and celebrate their successes, because after all, it is important to be kind (and not all of them are probably applying to Yale anyway!)
Victoria Lim Yes, being abroad has definitely changed me as a person and changed my perspectives, so for that reason, I want to include it in my application. And, seeing what others do always serves as motivation for me to do better and work harder in my own way, so it definitely inspiring, and mind-opening. Also, my dream school is actually Stanford, and you’re so right in that not everyone is looking to apply to where I want to apply to so I should definitely try to keep that in mind more often😅
Damn! I am from RI and I am really interested in applying to the US this year! Thanks for the video! One question tho. Schools in the US often emphasise on individuality and How they do not compare each applicants to others from the same region or the same school. Yet Yale seem to be comparing, saying they want to see what else they get from SJI. That sounds very...vain.
They do emphasize individuality, but they obviously want to pick the most competitive applicant from the region/school and therefore will need to compare, right? :)
How did it go? :))
Hey, can you please link your essay in a pdf form or something like that ?
ua-cam.com/video/_y9tnQgymTI/v-deo.html I did a video on it!
Applying to Yale REA from China!!! The decision will come in 2 weeks but I'm soooooooooo anxious :(((((((
All the best!!
@@victorialim Thx Victoria! But I got deferred... :((((((
What did you do after the deferral to get Yale to admit you in the RD round? Thxxx a lot!
Can you please make a video about the convo you had with the interviewer so that we can picture how it looked like?
It was nothing fancy! We just met over Skype, he asked me about why Yale, why environmental studies, and about some environmental issues specific to Singapore (probably to test the depth of my knowledge). He then asked me if I had any questions for him, and we chatted about his Yale experience! The interview is very different for everyone depending on the interviewer and interviewer so there’s no cookie cut answer on how to act or prepare. However if you’re still worried, you can watch UA-cam videos on how to prepare for the interview!
@@victorialim that's so nice of you to give me the details. Thank you so much, hope you make it through this pandemic ạnd finish your last year at Yale
Hi,😊can you share the link of Yale application form, bcoz I wasn't able to find the application portal.(the website where application form for international student is available??)
Hey the application is on the common app, it's the same application for everyone just make sure to read the international guidelines.
hey Victoria, i would like to ask if you have any ideas how i can get get testimonials when i have been a bad student in poly y1 and y2 so far? haha i just woke up from that and i am really trying to better myself as a student
Hi Natalie, the best you can do is 1) meet your professors and ask them about how to improve, then keep going to office hours to build a relationship with them :) maybe over time you can get to know them better and they’ll start to ask about the other things you’re doing 2) of course take their advice and work hard so you can do well in subsequent years! Then your Teachers will be able to see how much you improved :) just be sure to do (1) so they know you’re trying and working hard 💪🏻
@@victorialim Hi Victoria! Just saw this, thank you so much for your advice i will do so? :)
Hey do you have a stats video?
Here ! ua-cam.com/video/h3FPlCRDxVw/v-deo.html
Can I get a 100% scholarship at Yale if I qualify? What should I do if I could get one?
admissions.yale.edu/affordability-basics maybe this will help? I'm not familiar with the process so I'd suggest to research the website yourself :)
Hi Victoria as an International student did you take ACT tests to get into Yale, did your GPA matter or did you just wrote the essays and sent them to Yale. I'm also an international student and I'm thinking about maybe applying (I'm really not sure yet) but I don't know the procedure. As a Greek student it would be really hard for me to take ACT tests. Your reply will help me a lot❤️
Hi Natalia, all the information you need can be found online with a quick Google (admissions.yale.edu/applying-yale-international-student). It is compulsory to take a standardised test (either ACT or SAT) and send in your GPA as well.
@@victorialim Thank you very much
Happy to advise on the SAT/ACT. I'm a Princeton grad who has been helping students ace these exams for over 10 years now.
Hi i was wondering if they would care if you failed subjects in high school but got straight A in the final year anyways. Also did you take higher mother tongue? Lastly, if O level scorces matter how much did you get? Thank you
Hi - unfortunately I'm not an admissions officer so I can't tell you for sure :/ I didn't take higher MT and I got 6 (before -2 for CCA)!
@@victorialim Do you think taking HMT will give an advantage? Also how is the workload in yale? I've watched videos saying it was too much to handle. Thank you for your reply!
@@victorialim also what were your expectations packing up and leaving for university in another country? Did you visit Yale beforehand?
Hi there,
I hve one request...
Can u pls make a detailed video on RSI application process for international students....
Its a little bit confusing as there are two options on their application portal-(Rsi and rsi international)
Which one do i have to apply for, as an indian student, for the one held at MIT??
There r almost no videos on the rsi application ... Pls pls 🙏🏻🙏🏻
Hi I’m so sorry but I don’t know what the RSI is so I don’t think I’ll be able to help you :(
@@victorialim ok... 😔
can u get in if your in an local school in sg
Yup! Most singaporeans who get in are from local schools
Is it possible to see why you didn’t get in? Im curious as to why I didn’t
unfortunately not :(
Is there any person from nepal at Yale undergrad?
Yes! www.zip06.com/news/20190529/for-a-student-from-nepal-a-yale-acceptance-makes-sacrifices-worthwhile
I think there’ve been others too!
I have a question. As an international student, did you applied for financial aid? If so, what percentage of tuition did the aid cover?
I got a scholarship so no but many people (internationals too) I know got aid! The amount they give you depends on how much your family is able to pay for / your family’s economic background. You have to fill in a form, submit your parent’s tax record (you can check out the full process on their website) and they’ll let you know how much aid you qualify for!
@@victorialim Thank you!!
Hey Victoria
I wanna know do you get any aid at yale plz.. Answer
Nope! I got a scholarship from elsewhere.
@@victorialim sorry to bother you again but why didn't yale provide you financial aid when they said that 64% of undergraduate get aid and is affordable to everyone.. Same happen with aaahish feranado an youtuber.. I did asked him about the aid and he too deny... I'm worried what if I didn't get aid my I won't be able to afford it.. How would I plz help😨
Hey victoria, can I ask, how did you cover your school fees?
I got a scholarship from my country! You can also get financial aid from Yale, they're very generous!
Victoria Lim nice! I’m also from sg, what scholarship did u get? Good to know that Yale gives financial aid too
Did your application get deferred REA, or did u get accepted rea?
i’m sooo nervous, decisions come out in a few days.
Accepted! I know it’s nerve wracking but try your best to put it out of your mind till the results come out :)
Did you apply early to Yale?
Yes!
Lol is it too late to build up my extra curricular portfolio if im already in jc
nope! that's what I did too!
What language is she speaking?
Do you get help with Education US or some other org during your application? Hope you respond!
:C
nope! I did it all on my own :)
@@victorialim That's amazing! I want to apply this year. I am from Peru and I was thinking if I need some help with some organization or just doing it by myself... Thanks so much for answering, gives me hopes! ❤️
@@twicetannie3519 buena suerte! all the best x
Hi were you a former student of ACS(I)?
Nope, SJI International!
just really really curious did u acquire the american accent after you came back from yale? HAHAHAH
No lmaooo
Did you get super good grades haha (I know grades are the most determining factor)
I mean to say they are NOT the most determining factor
I did get good grades, but as you said they only matter up to a point as you said, because everyone else applying also has good grades!
actually 1 is the highest and 4 is the lowest so you were not average
You were far from an average applicant, you were average by Yale's standards. Those two things are incredibly different
not related but have you lost your singaporean accent?
Haha most definitely not!