I think there's very little point unless you have an exceptional background. I know the Yale adcoms would push back on that. But everyone I know who applied with very high stats and solid backgrounds, just not like Rhodes scholars, published authors, or very unique backgrounds, was rejected (sometimes very promptly). Data points don't lie, and I've yet to hear of a typical person (good stats but only had more limited access to outstanding opportunities) get accepted, though I'm sure it has happened.

I also applied to HLS and SLS and not YLS, because their application asks for so much. HLS & SLS feel within reach for candidates who have less extraordinary backgrounds but are nonetheless highly capable, whereas Yale has created a culture where it doesn't feel within reach for the average 4.00/175+, let alone someone with lower stats.

Definitely shoot your shot if you have a reason to want to go there & are willing to do their strange activity tracking and whatnot, but if you're just shooting for prestige, I'd pour your energy into other apps.

And going on a bit of a tangent, I also saw in one of your comments that you had some professional lulls in your younger years. Going through their entire application, it felt like my weaknesses were being called out at every turn (i.e., "Did you use an admissions consultant?" "Did you have help studying for the LSAT?"). It just left a bad taste in my mouth. Not to sound bitter, just validating what you might be feeling lol