I'll try to keep this short:
Weighted GPA Sophomore year: 4.3
Weighted GPA Junior(current) year: 4.7
Unweighted GPA cumulative: 4.0
PSAT: 1500 out of 1520
SAT: 1520 (plan to retake)
Current schedule: AP Chem, AP U.S. History, AP Stat, Pre-Calc Honors, AP Lit, Choir
AP's I've taken so far: all 5s
Plan to take 4 AP classes and choir senior year
Extracurriculars:
Volunteer at local Kaiser Permanente hostiptal 270 hours, (3 hours per week, shift leader for a year) (9,10,11)
Mentoring 3 hours per week through school year (11)
Vice President of NASA club (a STEM club that organizes student-run experiments weekly) (11)
Vice President of Model United Nations (Several awards at regional level, 3 conferences per year) (9,10,11)
Pianist of 11 years (currently self driven, no competitions)
Guitarist of 3 years, self taught
Concerts held regularly with the choir (paid performances daily during winter season)
Composer of both instrumental and vocal songs privately
I wasn't able to get National Merit or Congressional Medal because of my legal status, but with my volunteer hours and PSAT scores, had a high chance in both.
I know that I lack extracurriculars compared to the stellar applicants to Stanford, but one big thing is that I moved to the United States in the beginning of 9th grade from South Korea, and have no language barriers whatsoever as seen with my AP Lit enrollment. I intend to shape my essays around this theme, how everything in my life was flipped upside down in my early teens and how I still managed to take advantage of all opportunities in my community. I will be considered an international in college applications. I am an excellent writer when it comes to essays, and am confident about my recommendations (already have teachers I've asked & in mind). I am what one would call a jack of all trades, ranging from STEM related subjects and academics to debates about historical and current issues.
If you think I'm not yet fully qualified, what would you recommend regarding extracurriculars and activities seeing as how I still have nearly a year before college applications?
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Do I have what it takes for Stanford early?
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Housing for Stanford's Admit Week 2017
I plan to use airbnb for Stanford's Admit Week in April. Stanford's guest house is charging ~$150 per night for the cheapest room. I am on a tight budget. Can someone offer some advice on what would be the best option for someone on a tight budget? I wish I knew another parent so I can share a room with to split the costs.
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What should I work on the most if I want to improve my chances of getting into Stanford?
Hi everyone,
I know this isn't a chance me type question, but this seemed like the best place to post it.
I have been aiming to go to Stanford for years now, and it is my #1 dream school. I know my odds for getting in are low, but I was wondering if you all could give me some advice on what to work on? I am currently a junior in high school. Also my academics are fine (4.0, 1570 on SAT, lots of AP's, etc), so I'm mainly asking about extracurriculars. Thanks!
Extracurriculars:
Lead trumpet player of my high school's jazz band, which is one of the best in the country. The band has won the national competition 4 times (although not while I have been a part of it), performed at Lincoln Center, and played with the Seattle Symphony
Volunteering ~100 hours, tutoring students in math and on trumpet, as well as doing trail maintenance.
Founder and President of Engineering Club at my school
Member of several other clubs
Leadership position in an outdoors organization at my school.
Cross Country (Varsity, but barely), and Track
Lastly, my father got a PhD from Stanford in 1998, which might help.
Anyways, what do you guys think are the biggest things missing from my application?
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What isn't good about Stanford?
This is similar to the " What's not so great about Harvard?" thread, so I figured I'd start one for Stanford. Post away...
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Chance me for Stanford?
Hey everyone, a junior here looking to see where he stands in terms of stanford (for ChemE)
Race: White
Gender: Male
I attend the North Carolina School of Science and Math
GPA: 4.0 unweighted/5.5 weighted
Haven't taken the new SAT yet (taking in May), but PSAT 740/750 and ACT 35 composite, 34 E 35 M 36 R 36 S (one sitting), haven't gotten writing back yet
Taking Math IIc, Chem, and Bio M subject tests in June
Courses taken of significance/ rigor/ planning to take:
American Studies (honors level class incorporating US literature and history- taking APUSH and AP Lang exams this spring)
*British Literature (college level)
*Southern Literature (college level)
AP Statistics (4)
Pre-calculus with Advanced Topics (intermediate b/w honors & college level)
*AP Calculus BC with Advanced Topics
*Advanced Probability Models or Differential Equations (college-level)
AP Chemistry with Advanced Topics
AP Biology
*AP Environmental Science
*Physics with Advanced Topics
*Fluids, Thermodynamics, Electromagnetism, and Optics (college-level)
*Biochemistry or Organic Chemistry (college-level)
AP US Government and Politics (3)
AP Human Geography (5)
AP European History (4)
Advanced Spanish (again intermediate honors/college level)
*AP Microeconomics
*AP Macroeconomics
*Web Development (another intermediate)
*planning to take senior year
ECs
-Boy Scouts/ Order of the Arrow: earned Eagle at the age of 13 but continued to serve in positions such as ASPL in my troop and further pursued leadership in the OA- serving as treasurer and VC activities. Participated in several leadership development programs including National Youth Leadership Training. Serving on camp staff. (there's a lot of involvement that i have with the BSA i'm not gonna subject y'all to reading)- my responsibilities as VC activities total to roughly 60 hours a month. Also I have the camping/conservation parts of the National Outdoor Badge that i found out about like a few weeks ago lel
-Swimming: swimming in summer league since the age of 5 and varsity swim at my school sophomore and junior year, almost made regionals this year- coach at least acts like I'm his favorite so i'll probably get captain next year. usually this took up about 12 hours of my time every week
SciOly- participated in middle school, won first place in meteorology 6th and 8th grade, (2nd 7th), placed in several other events, placed at states twice; in high school, placed third in anatphys regionally. Served as my school's captain in 10th grade.
Other clubs/ECs- help lead the school hiking club, leading a WWII history seminar next trimester, most likely serving as a biology TA next year or a residential assistant.
Served as a House Page in the NC General Assembly between sophomore and junior years
Played the piano for the last 10 years
Math Club 10th grade- competitions like TrigStar
took the AMC 12 this year we'll see where that goes
through BSA/ NCSSMs summer service requirement I have several hundred hours of service at or related to a local food pantry
Through my work-service requirement at NCSSM I have like 30 hours of setting up physics labs if that's useful at all
My worry is that coming from NCSSM without research will hurt- i applied to the mentorship program but didn't get in; though kids with worse grades/ academic rigor did which was annoying.
I know stanford is a crapshoot for anyone really but just wanna know if I've got a shot
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Please Chance me for Stanford!
Hi,
I am a junior from a competitive public school in the Bay Area and I am planning on applying to Stanford next year (dream).
I was hoping you guys could chance me with my current profile:
SAT (breakdown):
1580 (M790, R+W790, E23)
Old SAT (breakdown):
2370 (M800, R800, W770, E10)
SAT II:
800 Math II
800 Bio
Unweighted GPA (out of 4.0): 4.0, Weighted: 4.45
Rank (percentile if rank is unavailable): School doesn't rank, but they tell colleges top 10%
AP (place score in parenthesis):
Calculus BC (5), Biology (5), Human Geography (4)
Junior Coursework Load: AP Stats, AP Chem, AP Language & Composition, AP U.S. History
Major Awards (USAMO, Intel etc.):
Siemens semifinalist
National Merit Semifinalist (projected w/ 1500 score on PSAT)
National AP Scholar (projected as I should have 8 AP exams done this year)
California State Science Fair -- 1st place in category in 2015, 2nd place in category in 2016
Extracurriculars (place leadership in parenthesis):
Neuroscience Club (9, 10, 11) -- 11th Secretary
Sports Analytics Club (11) -- 11th Co-founder/prez
Research (9, 10, 11)
9th -- Independent research project
- 1st place in category at regional and state science fairs
- Paper accepted for publication in high school journal
Summer before 10th --- UCSD Research scholars program
10th -- Independent research
- 1st place in category at regional fair, 2nd place in category at state fair
- 2nd place BrainResearch award at State science fair
- Siemens Semifinalist
- Research presented at 2 prestigious conferences
Summer before 11th -- Interned at a local neuro research center
11th -- Internship at a Stanford lab in the Department of Chemistry
Piano (9th, 10th, 11th) -- CM until Level 7
Job/Work Experience:
NA
Volunteer/Community service:
Neighborhood safety leader (11th grade)
- Launched+led an effort with local conciler to start neighborhood safety watch programs in my city due to rising robbery rate
- Currently maintaining these programs & working with the city to devise new safety strategies
Hospital volunteering (9, 10, 11), ~200 hours total
Summer Activities:
Research as detailed above
State (if domestic applicant): CA
School Type: Public
Race: Asian
Gender: Male
Income Bracket: Very high
Hooks (URM, first generation college, etc.): Nope
Reccomendations: Will probably get my teacher recommendations from current Chem + Lit teacher, Supplemental rec from the PI of the lab I work in
What (hopefully) makes me different: Strong focus on research, Also very specific focus on neuroscience (my research has all been in neuroscience, I am an officer in neuroscience club, I am currently starting a foundation to fundraise for Parkinson's disease)
Strength: Stellar grades and test scores, with a very rigorous coursework. Strong research involvement and awards.
Weakness: Not many extracurriculars / leadership / community involvement compared to other applicants.
Essays: Hopefully good!
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Does Stanford prefer older students?
I am 25 years old and seeking to transfer to Stanford. Just wondering if Stanford prefers older students to add to their diversity.
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Not reporting AP score/not taking test -- effect on application?
I'm debating on whether I should take one of my AP tests in May knowing pretty well that I'll most likely get a 1 or 2. The only way I'm surviving in AP Physics 1 is by constantly doing re-do's for my teacher. Would it be terrible is I take it and not list it, or just not take it? I'm planning on majoring in English/Philosophy. My EC's are pretty decent and I will be taking 4 AP tests regardless. This situation has got me beyond anxious :/
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Stanford Fall 2017 Transfer
Hi everyone! I am not sure if there is already a transfer thread for Stanford out there; I have looked for one and have yet to find it, so I have decided to make one of my own for those of you who are either interested in applying to Stanford as a transfer student or for those of you who have already applied! Feel free to post your stats, background info, questions, other schools you have applied to/are applying to and any advice you have to offer in this thread. Good luck everybody! Here is some information about me including my stats:
MY STATS:
Female, Caucasian/Latina, middle class, transferring from a private 4 year university
Current School: University of San Diego
Major: Economics
College GPA: 3.85 (would be coming in with 57 credits by next fall--61 credits if we are including AP scores in this)
Extra Curriculars/Extra Stuff:
- On campus tutor for spanish, calculus and economics
- Part time nanny
- Member of Alpha Delta Pi sorority
- Won an award of scholarship within my sorority's chapter for having a 4.00 last semester.
- First generation college student in my family
-Youth ministry leader
-Varsity cheerleader in high school
-NHS in high school
Recommendations: they are required, so I got one from my chemistry professor from last semester and one from my theology professor from freshman year who also happens to be my academic adviser.
Essays: I think my essays were pretty good 9/10; the ones that I believe stand out the most are my activities essay and intellectual vitality essay.
High School GPA: Weighted: 3.78 UW: 3.61
- I didn't do so well my first two years (3.4 and 3.5 GPA, but junior year I was able to get a 3.87 and senior year a 4.5)
APs: I took 4 AP classes because my school didn't let students take AP classes until junior year (unless they chose to take AP Euro sophomore year which was the only AP class you could take as a sophomore and you couldn't take any as a freshman).
SAT: 1800
Other schools that I applied to other than Stanford: UCLA, USC, University of Michigan--Ann Arbor
Accepted: University of Michigan--Ann Arbor
Pending: UCLA, USC and Stanford of course
Comments: Obviously transferring to Stanford is almost impossible, but I figured that you can't get accepted at all unless you try. Atleast I have other options if I don't get in.
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***Stanford Class of 2020 Deferred Thread***
If you were one of the 701 deferred restrictive early action applicants, this is the thread for you.
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Does getting a Stanford interview mean anything?
I recently found a post on Quora in which a Stanford interviewer states that getting an interview means that an applicant is under "serious consideration." I am from a small town in the northeast and was recently contacted for a Stanford interview. Is this a good sign, or am I simply grasping at straws?
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Etchemendy's take on how universities should handle opposing views.
Long, but great read.
Mods: if this, in any way, crosses any lines my apologies and please delete.
http://www.chronicle.com/article/The-Threat-From-Within/239391?key=sp0x03E8c0EpmAD1jKoY1egLLz0ZEec9lsAdMYvFNLaap4HrQXCmhZcAJ-ttWf5RcjRMYW9qSzdhc2RMcUVXSEg2MnFYNlZaM1pPRXBCZmpWbHdxV2VRV1owWQ
“[We] must remind ourselves, our students, and our colleagues that those who hold views contrary to our own are rarely evil or stupid, and may know or understand things that we do not. To genuinely listen requires an intellectual humility that has become increasingly rare in our society, both on campus and off. It is only by regaining that humility that the university can genuinely fulfill its mission,” writes former provost John Etchemendy.
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Stanford with few extracurriculars?
I'm a very shy student, so for the first two years of high school, I mostly kept to myself. However, in the last year I forced myself to join a few clubs. The problem is I live in a small town and there isn't much to do at my school. I'm an international student who lives in the US, so I can't get a job without a work permit. I've been trying to get one, but my parents seem stagnant on helping me. I do as much as I can in the few clubs I'm in, but because I'm not popular, nobody ever voted for me to any leadership positions. I did attend Stanford's Advanced Emergency Medicine program over the summer and I fell in love with the school. I would love to go there, but I doubt they would accept me with my unimpressive extracurriculars. My academic work is excellent, so what are the best schools that would accept me?
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(another) chance me for Stanford?
I know there's nothing I can do about my applications at this point but I just wanted some peace of mind!! Applied RD. Nervous and stressed AF!!.
Objective:
SAT I (breakdown): didn't take
ACT (breakdown): Composite 33, English 36, Math 32, Reading 33, Science 32, Writing 25
GPA: 6.5 out of 7.0 (I take the IB)
Rank (percentile if rank is unavailable): school doesn't officially rank but I should be 1st of 36
IB (predicted score in parenthesis): English A L&L HL (7), Chinese A L&L SL (6), Economics HL (7), Chemistry HL (7), Math SL (7), Music HL (6), predicted total 43
Senior Year Course Load: IB Diploma, see above :)
Major Awards (USAMO, Intel etc.): Duke of Edinburgh's International Award Bronze, Silver, Gold (exp.); was the only person selected and fully funded by my school to attend the first Duke Talent Identification Program (TIP) in China; Merit in ABRSM Grade 8 Piano
Subjective:
Extracurriculars (place leadership in parenthesis): School swim team, Piano, Drums, Model United Nations,
Job/Work Experience: /
Volunteer/Community service: Chemistry teaching assistance, Saturday School (teaching English to children of migrant workers in Shanghai)
Summer Activities: Swimming, went to an international exchange convention in Scotland last summer
Essays (rating 1-10, details):
Common App: Reflect on a time you challenged a belief or idea, etc. I wrote about my rejection towards playing the piano during middle school because it was mocked as "so Asian", and how I learned to proudly accept it as part of my identity as I grew. (8/10)
EC short answer: wrote about swimming and how I challenged myself to race my first ever butterfly race. (8/10)
Intellectual Vitality essay: I wrote about my experience of writing my 4000 word IB Extended Essay and how it helped me gained a deeper understanding of Economics. Since I love my experience studying in an international school, I mentioned that I hope to apply my skills in Econ in the field of International Relations. (8/10)
Roomate essay: My letter was written as a bucket list of things I want to complete before graduating uni. I guess that was quite creative~ (7.5/10)
What matters to you and why: I wrote about Model United Nations and used the time where I tripped off the stage and twisted my ankle as a hook. But what really matters is that I am proactive and participate actively when it comes to learning, so that you can gain the most out of it. (7.5/10)
Recommendations (rating 1-10, details):
Teacher Rec #1: English teacher. Never seen it but probably 9/10 since she has taught me for 3 years and knows me very well (we are a small school). She is also our MUN advisor.
Teacher Rec #2: Chemistry. Also probs 9/10, since I perform exceptionally well in Chemistry class.
Counselor Rec: 9/10. I specifically remember him telling me that I crushed all the stereotypes of the typical Asian girl. I hope he included that in his letter :)
Other
Applied for Financial Aid?: No
Intended Major: International Relations
Country (if international applicant): Hong Kong
School Type: Private, International School
Ethnicity: Asiannnnnn
Gender: F
Income Bracket: as middle class at it gets
Hooks (URM, first generation college, etc.): nah
Reflection
Strengths: good grades, very open and quirky personality, ambitious
Weaknesses: I may be perceived as too "well rounded" without a specific focus; also I did not have the opportunity to take part in any university level research projects or Olympiads or anything of the sort. Those seem like activities very popular in the US but not internationally.
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Email of Intent
I plan to email an update to Stanford about some awards I won recently (I applied RD). My college counselor thinks that I should add a sentence saying that I will commit to Stanford if I am accepted because schools are obsessed with yield rates. Do you think this will help, or would it sound desperate and cause more harm than good?
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Admit Weekend—funny article in Stanford Daily
http://www.stanforddaily.com/2017/03/08/getting-the-most-out-of-admit-weekend/
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What made you choose Stanford?
I was curious as to why you all chose Stanford and what attracted you to it as opposed to other schools. I'm a rising junior interested in engineering and computer science and I know that the charm of Stanford to me is the entrepreneurial culture with silicon valley in the backyard. How about you?
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Stanford University Class/Applicants of '21: Myers-Briggs Type Indicator Results
Salutations to everyone on this website from a long-time reader but first-time poster. I stumbled upon an older thread created by a Yale applicant who discussed his Myers-Briggs Type Indicator (MBTI) result. My question for you all is: what is your personality type? ENTP? ISFJ? Maybe it is the seven-year-old in me, but I think this activity is super cute. What is a better way to get to know your fellow classmates/applicants than knowing their true personalities?
Here's the test: https://www.16personalities.com/free-personality-test. I'm psyched for the results!
[Disclaimer: My MBTI results concluded I identify as an INFJ (aka the least common in the world. Stanford craves diversity, right? go figure, lol) which led me to question how many people identify with the same personality type as I and what are the personality types of others.]
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Chance me for Stanford and other similar schools!
Wondering if anyone on here will take a look at my odds to get into Stanford, MIT, or Ivy League schools.
Willing to do early action application for a school if that increases odds of acceptance.
Current junior in high school, white male
Planning on biochemistry major
ACT composite: 33 - retaking, should get 34 (first time: 35 reading, 34 writing, 32 math, 31 science)
Taking subject tests soon, expecting 790 on math and 780 on biology
Class rank: top 6% out of class of 850
Unweighted GPA (4.0 scale): 3.90
*unweighted 4.0 GPA in all science and math courses
Weighted GPA: 4.93
Did UC GPA calculator online and I have a 4.38, not sure if this matters or what it means
AP taken so far: Spanish (4), World History (5)
AP currently: Biology (expecting 4), English Lang. (expecting 5), Physics (expecting 4)
AP senior year: Macroeconomics, Government, English Lit., Environmental Science, Calculus AB
Total of 10 AP classes by the time I graduate, all with passing scores
1420 on PSAT, 99th percentile nationally, index score of 213, should get National Merit Commended Scholar
Work Experience:
-2014: started fence refurbishing business (power washed and stained). Marked to homeowners directly, obtained about a dozen customers over the summer, average project grossed $850.
-2016: tutored 5 weekly clients in the fall, grades 6-9. Tutored in math, biology, and Spanish. Made $10-$20 per hour.
Baseball:
-Started on varsity team since freshman year at Texas 6A school (largest class of schools)
-Awarded all-district honors as a freshman
-Planning 1st team All-District award this year
-Helped lead team to district champions as a sophomore, made deep run in the UIL state playoffs
-Competitive baseball since age of 8 (started playing at age 4), have played on a top 10 team in the nation for its respective age group
-Interest from D1 schools but I do not plan on playing in college
Clubs:
-National Honor Society (NHS)
-Science National Honor Society
-Spanish National Honor Society
-GT club
-Fellowship of Christian Athletes (FCA)
-Philosophy Club
-A Career Experience
-USA Biology Olympiad Club - participant, took USABO test last month
*Founder and current President of Future Professionals Club. Hands on learning for attendees in the fields of medicine, law, and engineering. I mainly oversee the medical aspects of the club and assigned leaders/officers to run engineering and law. Students in medicine primarily learn how to suture (on skin pads and fruit) and take vitals. Beginning group of 50 with 30-35 regular attendees. Club fees to pay for equipment, teacher sponsor, registered with school.
Other:
-Nominated for and attending Boys State this upcoming summer. Leadership, citizenship, and political program held at UT Austin for a week sponsored and paid for by The American Legion.
-8th grade Spelling Bee Area Champion and Regional competitor
-Volunteering for organizations such as Operation Kindness this summer (50+ hours)
-Looking for summer internship in medicine
-Planning on running a website this summer, either to open up a business or create a running feed for something such as a teen news website (very interested in and knowledgeable about politics)
Essays should be 10/10. Having a dad that is an author always helps.
Rec letters will be 9/10. From AP Spanish teacher, baseball coach, and one other AP teacher.
Thank you!
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Class rank
How much does Stanford care about clsss rank? I'm just outside the top 10% and I know nothing "automatically disqualifies" you but I also realize some things severely limit your chances. I got into MIT EA, so I'm super not worried if I get in or not, but it'd be nice to get in, especially for financial aid reasons
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