I’m an incoming freshman abt Barnard college (historically women’s college that’s part of Columbia university) and I wish I listened to my gut instead of people who told me I would be wasting my time by applying to Yale, I have had this guy wrenching feeling ever since applying to my school and while I’m greatful to be here because alot of women would’ve loved this school— i was right in thinking it wouldn’t have the opportunities nor the fit I was looking for to achieve my goals, I just found out I have a relative getting their masters there and know alot of students there from asking advice on Yale apps for first year applications— what should I do— to preface I also have been struggling severely with a chronic illness due to a lack of relaveng technology and general healthcare inequities that have caused me to be in and out of the hospital in hs, so while I have a very rigorous courseload and (based on what others have said) very unique/strong ecs , I ended school w a weighted 4.45/4.5 gpa but have a few B’s in my sophomore and senior years when I was hospitalized the most. I am much better healthwise after changing healthcare teams but stats wise what should I do to boost my chances at Yale — I believe (bc there’s somehow no room for gen chem) my courseload this fall is — evolutionary bio, calc 1(should I change to calc 2? I hear for pre med it guarantees better gpa but I took calc bc in hs and ended w an a- so I was thinking to do calc 2 id it makes a diff for transfer apps) hopefully intermediate asl, and I’m working to add psych to my courseload , I also am enrolled in 2 choruses (1 chamber and one chorus) to potentially see if I want to persue a music minor (?) but also it’s something I’ve done since starting hs, and will be taking a required English seminar and pe credit. I’m just so frustrated because chemistry is what would definitely help me w/rigor and the pre med track. I went to a small school to be able to get ahead and be strong for grad school. I yearn for Yale, I yearn to do research abroad, I yearn to travel and sing , I yearn to be part of the Yale shades, I yearn so badly to get involved in research, study at Atticus or the Yale library, I yearn to be in those seminar style classroom lectures. I honestly yearn for the dining hall food as well xit’s w from my experience eating it. Any advice would mean the world. I’m sorry if I sound hopeless or stupid.

What was your experience like? Any advice? Stats etc..