Stanford Class of 2021 REA Results Thread

We are almost there! Questbridge results will be released in 9 days. The rest will be by December 15th, but in previous years it has been earlier. Please don’t post here unless its an actual decision.

Just remove the “a” in the bold, size, and color of your decision.

[aB][asize=4][acolor=#008000]Decision: Accepted[/color][/size]**
[aB][asize=4][acolor=#FFA500]Decision: Deferred[/color][/size]**
[aB][asize=4][acolor=#FF0000]Decision: Rejected[/color][/size]**

Objective:
SAT I (breakdown):
ACT (breakdown):
SAT II:
Unweighted GPA (out of 4.0):
Weighted GPA:
Rank (percentile if rank is unavailable):
AP (place score in parenthesis):
IB (place score in parenthesis):
Senior Year Course Load:
Major Awards (USAMO, Intel etc.):

Subjective:

Extracurriculars (place leadership in parenthesis):
Job/Work Experience:
Volunteer/Community service:
Summer Activities:
Essays (rating 1-10, details):
Recommendations (rating 1-10, details):

Teacher Rec #1:
Teacher Rec #2:
Counselor Rec:
Additional Rec:
Interview:

Other

Applied for Financial Aid?:
Intended Major:
State (if domestic applicant):
Country (if international applicant):
School Type:
Ethnicity:
Gender:
Income Bracket:
Hooks (URM, first generation college, etc.):

Reflection

Strengths:
Weaknesses:
Why you think you were accepted/waitlisted/rejected:
Where else were you accepted/waitlisted/rejected:

General Comments:

Please only post results using the given format so that this thread can serve as a valuable resource for future applicants. There is another thread provided for discussion, congrats, etc. Non-result posts will be deleted.

Bumping for any QB results that came out today… please post your stats here!

Bump for QB! Please post your stats here

Decision: Rejected

Objective:
SAT I (breakdown): 1420; 770 Math; 650 English/Reading
ACT (breakdown): 33 CP; 35 Math; 36 Science; 33 English; 29 Reading
SAT II: 800 Math II; 800 Chemistry
Unweighted GPA (out of 4.0): 4.0
Weighted GPA: 4.75 (10-12)
Rank (percentile if rank is unavailable):N/A
AP (place score in parenthesis): World (5); Chemistry (5); Calculus AB (5); Language and Composition (4); Statistics (5); US History (5)
Senior Year: Biology, Calculus BC, Computer Science A, Environmental Science, Government and Politics
IB (place score in parenthesis): N/A
Senior Year Course Load: As indicated above + Engineering II and English IV
Major Awards (USAMO, Intel etc.): FRC Chairman’s Award; 3rd Place Mathletics - Statistics; Bausch + Lomb Honorary Science Award; AP Scholar w/distinction.

Subjective:

Extracurriculars (place leadership in parenthesis): Robotics (Head of Build); California Scholarship Federation (VP); Wired for Connections/MentorUp (VP); 4 Years Baseball; 2 Years Basketball; 1 Year Cross Country; Founder/President Ultimate Frisbee Club.
Job/Work Experience: Worked at a SkyDive Ranch in New York.
Volunteer/Community service: Intern - Naval Postgraduate School; Church Work; Baseball service; Mentored the elderly with tech (Wired For Connections).
Summer Activities: Took one Math course at a local Community College; Worked at the SkyDive Ranch in New York; Internship at Naval Postgraduate School.
Essays (rating 1-10, details): 9; I really loved 2/3 of my supplements, and the third one was pretty good. The common app was solid also.
Recommendations (rating 1-10, details): 9-10; I have a great connection with my teachers…I am unsure of what they wrote, but I suspect good things.

Teacher Rec #1: 10; One teacher who I had for 3 years in a row and likes me as a student
Teacher Rec #2: 9; robotics mentor, great connection with our award, not sure how well written
Counselor Rec: 7; Medium, I knew him and talked to him when needed, but didn’t talk to him all the time
Additional Rec: 10; Great, pastor at my church…Knew my very well and said great things
Interview: N/A

Other

Applied for Financial Aid?: Yes
Intended Major: Mechanical Engineering
State (if domestic applicant): California
School Type: Public (200 seniors)
Ethnicity: White
Gender: Male
Income Bracket: $250,000+
Hooks (URM, first generation college, etc.): 0 hooks…

Reflection

Strengths: SAT subject tests, grades, Recommenders, theme in application
Weaknesses: ACT Test score is not great, Essays were not out of this world, although they were good,
Where else were you accepted/waitlisted/rejected: Nowhere yet.

General Comments:
Was a solid application, but Stanford is so selective…

Decision: Rejected

Objective:
SAT I (breakdown): 1380: 710 Verbal 670 Math
ACT (breakdown): 32 Composite
SAT II: 710 Biology-E
Unweighted GPA (out of 4.0): 4.0
Weighted GPA: n/a
Rank (percentile if rank is unavailable): 2/60
AP (place score in parenthesis): AP Lang (5), AP World History (5), AP Calculus AB & BC (4), AP Biology (3)
IB (place score in parenthesis): n/a
Senior Year Course Load: AP Physics, AP Computer Science Principles, AP Literature, Linear Algebra (Dual Enrollment), AP Government
Major Awards (USAMO, Intel etc.): AP Scholar with Distinction, Wendy’s High School Heisman State Finalist

Subjective:

Extracurriculars (place leadership in parenthesis):
Golf- 1st Team All-Conference, 4 year letterman, 2 year Team Captain, MVP x3, State Tournament Qualifier
Student Government Association (President)
Jazz and Concert Band (Section Leader)
Destination Imagination- 9 year participant, Team Manager, 1st Place at States
National Honor Society
Tennis- Team Captain, 2nd Team All-Conference

Job/Work Experience: Worked at a Golf Course for 2 years, Private Tutor
Volunteer/Community service: Lots of Tutoring, Destination Imagination Team Manager for Elementary School Team, AP Mentor, Student Representative on County Committees
Summer Activities: Traveling, AP Mentor, NRECA Youth Tour, Golf Tournaments, Work
Essays (rating 1-10, details):
Common App: 9- I spent a lot of time developing and editing; very positive feedback from teachers and it captures my voice well.
Short Answer Questions: 8- Solid answers, but nothing extremely unique or out there.
Intellectual Vitality: 8- Discussed Destination Imagination and the impact it had on my passion for problem-solving.
Roommate Letter: 9- I think it had a really good blend of humor and seriousness.
What Matters: 9- Tied in my geographical location and its uniqueness

Recommendations (rating 1-10, details):

Teacher Rec #1: 10- I’ve had this teacher 4 times (Social Studies) since 7th Grade, and he let me read the letter. Extremely well written and powerful.
Teacher Rec #2: 9- I had her for AP Lang last year and is also a great writer.
Counselor Rec: 7- My counselor and I interact quite often, so she knows me well. However, I’m not sure of how much time she spent on it or how well it was written.
Additional Rec: 8- Highlights my involvement in Destination Imagination well.
Interview: 8- Met with a guy who had grown up very close to the area I am from. I think we connected really well and it lasted a good hour.

Other

Applied for Financial Aid?: Yes
Intended Major: Public Policy
State (if domestic applicant): Rural Maryland
Country (if international applicant): USA
School Type: Public
Ethnicity: White
Gender: Male
Income Bracket: Nothing that would help me
Hooks (URM, first generation college, etc.): None

Reflection

Strengths: GPA, Geographical Location, Essays, Recs
Weaknesses: Test Scores, No hooks or big honors
Why you think you were accepted/waitlisted/rejected: I think that for schools like this one, it’s insanely random and difficult. Everyone is probably qualified, but obviously not all can attend. In terms of me personally, I feel that my test scores were too low to be really competitive.
Where else were you accepted/waitlisted/rejected: Accepted to Purdue so far, waiting to hear back on a few others

General Comments:

Stanford was my reach & dream school; I’ve wanted to go here ever since 7th Grade. I knew how difficult it would be to get acceptance, but I still put my best foot forward and put together an application that I am so proud of.

My advice to future applicants? Don’t be afraid to apply. It takes guts to even submit an application to schools like this; regardless of the result, be proud of yourself and what you’ve done. You’ll do great things no matter where you end up.

Decision: Deferred

Objective:
SAT I (breakdown): 1430 SAT
ACT (breakdown): N/A
SAT II: 710 Spanish
Unweighted GPA (out of 4.0): 3.93 UW
Weighted GPA: N/A
Rank (percentile if rank is unavailable): 2/98
AP (place score in parenthesis): 4 AP World History
IB (place score in parenthesis): Predicted only
Senior Year Course Load: IB Econ HL, IB Physics HL, DE International Relations, AP Calculus BC, IB Spanish B HL
Major Awards (USAMO, Intel etc.):

Subjective:

Extracurriculars (place leadership in parenthesis): United Nations/Peace Corps volunteer, a bunch of community stuff in East Africa. Varsity basketball
Job/Work Experience: Intern at the US Embassy
Volunteer/Community service: 400+ hours in my community
Summer Activities: Not many, just work.
Essays (rating 1-10, details): Common App (8/10), Roommate (7/10), forgot the others.
Recommendations (rating 1-10, details):

Teacher Rec #1: 10/10, read it, amazing.
Teacher Rec #2: 10/10, called me best student of the past 15 years.
Counselor Rec: 8/10, not too personal but still well thought out.
Additional Rec: 9/10, written by my boss. Really talked about how well I got along with my coworkers and the great work we did at the Embassy.
Interview: 9/10, talked about my work at the embassy and he was really interested in my volunteerism at the slums around my city.

Other

Applied for Financial Aid?: Yes
Intended Major: International Relations
State (if domestic applicant): N/A
Country (if international applicant): East Africa
School Type: Private
Ethnicity: White/Hispanic/Black
Gender: Male
Income Bracket: 120-150k
Hooks (URM, first generation college, etc.): URM, low-represented country

Reflection

Strengths: Extracurriculars, Work experience, race, country, recommendations
Weaknesses: Test scores, Essays, 11th grade grades dipped a bit.
Why you think you were accepted/waitlisted/rejected: Test scores not amazing.
Where else were you accepted/waitlisted/rejected: Accepted: UT Austin, Tulane. Waiting on Georgetown and USAFA

General Comments: Well now to wait until April…

Decision: Rejected

Objective:
SAT I (breakdown): 1540 (800 Math, 740 English)
ACT (breakdown): 36 (36,36,34,36)
SAT II: 800 Math II, 800 Chem
Unweighted GPA (out of 4.0): ~96
Weighted GPA: ~99.5
Rank (percentile if rank is unavailable): Top 10% (decile)
AP (place score in parenthesis): APHG (5), AP Chem (5), APUSH (4), AP Calc BC, AP Physics C: Mech, AP MicroEcon, AP Gov
Senior Year Course Load: AP Calc BC, AP Physics C: Mech, AP MicroEcon, AP Gov, Religion, Spanish 4H, Electives
Major Awards (USAMO, Intel etc.): NMSF?, school awards

Subjective:

Extracurriculars (place leadership in parenthesis): Baseball (year-round), Working Out (~7 hrs/wk), Reading (~10 hrs/wk), Science Olympiad (~4 hrs/wk), Lots of Service stuff, Videography
Job/Work Experience: Mowing Lawns, Cleaner, Caddy
Volunteer/Community service: NHS, SVdP, Miracle League, Tutoring (100+ hrs)
Summer Activities: Baseball, Working Out, Reading, Service, Videography
Essays (rating 1-10, details):
Common App: really like this one 9/10
WMM: good, probably 8/10
Intellectual Vitality: 9/10
Extracurricular: Meh 6-7/10
Roommate: Meh 7/10

Recommendations (rating 1-10, details):

Teacher Rec #1: math teacher, great 9/10
Teacher Rec #2: chem teacher, loved me 10/10
Counselor Rec: generic probably 3/10
Additional Rec: baseball coach, loves me 8/10
Interview: pretty good 7/10

Other

Applied for Financial Aid?: yes
Intended Major: chem e, ee, or math
State (if domestic applicant): GA
School Type: Private Catholic
Ethnicity: white
Gender: male
Income Bracket: no idea, probably 100k+
Hooks (URM, first generation college, etc.): nada

Reflection

Strengths: grades, test scores, recs
Weaknesses: ec’s seem weak
Why you think you were accepted/waitlisted/rejected: very competitive
Where else were you accepted/waitlisted/rejected: nothing yet

General Comments:
kinda knew I was gonna get denied, so competitive these days. to anyone reading this for next year or whatever, definitely apply, you never know. Congrats to everyone who got in, you deserve it. And to those like me who got denied, life goes on, and I’m sure you will have other great opportunities elsewhere.

Decision: Rejected

Objective:
SAT I (breakdown): 2340 (770 M, 770 W, 800 CR)
ACT (breakdown): N/A
SAT II: Chemistry (800), Physics (780), Math II (800), United States History (790)
Unweighted GPA (out of 4.0): 4.0
Weighted GPA: 4.22 (APs only get a 0.33 bump)
Rank (percentile if rank is unavailable): 1/105
AP (place score in parenthesis): World History 5, US History 5, Spanish Language and Culture 4, Computer Science 5
IB (place score in parenthesis): N/A
Senior Year Course Load: AP Chemistry, AP Physics C, AP BC Calculus, AP English, AP Economics
Major Awards (USAMO, Intel etc.): Nothing major

Subjective:

Extracurriculars (place leadership in parenthesis): Computer Club, Soccer, Football
Job/Work Experience: Assistant at my school’s technology office
Volunteer/Community service: Wonders of the Woodlands Junior Volunteer, Habitat for Humanity
Summer Activities: Listed in above areas more or less
Essays (rating 1-10, details): Intellectual Vitality (8, wrote about my love for math), Roommate (6, about videogames, it was pretty bad), What Matters (9, wrote about humility)

Recommendations (rating 1-10, details):
Teacher Rec #1: Didn’t read it but I’m sure it was 10/10
Teacher Rec #2: Didn’t read it, probably 8/10
Counselor Rec: I have absolutely no idea
Additional Rec: N/A
Interview: Was kinda meh, I’m not very good at explaining myself in person

Other

Applied for Financial Aid?: Nope, I would never have qualified
Intended Major: Computer Science
State (if domestic applicant): Texas
Country (if international applicant): N/A
School Type: Private
Ethnicity: White/Caucasian
Gender: Male
Income Bracket: 300,000+
Hooks (URM, first generation college, etc.): None

Reflection

Strengths: Scores and grades
Weaknesses: Extracurriculars for sure. Maybe essays a bit, especially the roommate one.
Why you think you were accepted/waitlisted/rejected: I’m not interesting enough of a person. I’m kind of lazy outside of school. I’m not good at interviews. I didn’t have that one big, unique extracurricular. My essays were too informal. Other people are more qualified.
Where else were you accepted/waitlisted/rejected: Auto admit to UT. Haven’t heard from anywhere else yet

General Comments: Don’t do what I did. I kicked butt in school, but I rested on my laurels outside of school. The most important thing for Stanford is the unique extracurricular, which I didn’t have. Anybody who doesn’t get in, don’t worry, I’m sure you’ll lead amazing college careers somewhere else. Anyone who has the guts to apply in the first place is a special type of person. Nothing will ever beat you guys down. Also, pretty sure college admissions counselors don’t care about gaming so a.) don’t write about it, and b.) do other things instead.

Decision: Rejected

Objective:
SAT I (breakdown): 1410; 700 M; 710 E
ACT (breakdown):
SAT II: 640 Math 2; totally bombed physics subject test lol
Unweighted GPA (out of 4.0):4.0
Weighted GPA: 5.03
Rank (percentile if rank is unavailable): 1/~750
AP (place score in parenthesis): world history (4), Spanish Lang (4), calculus ab (4), English Lang (4), psychology (4), studio art 2-D (4), U.S history (3), Spanish literature (3), AP physics 2 (2)
Physics teacher was totally foreign to the AP curriculum, we didn’t cover half of the material we were supposed to lol. Surprised I even got a 2.
IB (place score in parenthesis):
Senior Year Course Load: Calc BC AP, AP physics 2, AP statistics, AP U.S. Gov, Student Government, and Peer tutor for calculus AB
Major Awards (USAMO, Intel etc.):
Ap national scholar with distinction…that’s about it

Subjective:

Extracurriculars (place leadership in parenthesis): president of AP club, ASB, Key Club, cross country, track
Job/Work Experience:
Volunteer/Community service: I volunteer with an organization that helps take care of animals and find them a new home.
Summer Activities: cross country, played halo 5 competitively. Took an Academic composition class at a community college
Essays (rating 1-10, details):
Common app- wrote about video gaming and its overall effect on my life (7/10)
What matters- wrote about having a sense of community, and how I had to cope with loneliness in my household and academic life (8/10)
Roommate- I talked about the juxtaposition of having a roommate that was very different from me, but that it could be beautiful because we would learn new things regardless. (9/10)
Intellectual vitality- wrote about art and drawing and how it shaped the way I think about the world around me (8/10)
Extracurricular- wrote about being a calculus tutor
Recommendations (rating 1-10, details):

Teacher Rec #1: one from my AP psych teacher–didn’t read, but I have faith that it turned out alright 8/10
Teacher Rec #2: AP calculus teacher, pretty generic but he talked about how perfect my work was and all that. 6/10
Counselor Rec: 7/10 also generic. He did gas me up though.
Additional Rec:
Interview:

Other

Applied for Financial Aid?: yes
Intended Major: Mathematics
State (if domestic applicant): CA
Country (if international applicant):
School Type: Large public, mainly hispanic and African American
Ethnicity: Hispanic
Gender: female
Income Bracket: ~30,000 (may be lower depending on how many hours my mom gets to work)
Hooks (URM, first generation college, etc.): first generation

Reflection

Strengths: hmm, maybe the unique interests I have
Weaknesses: I’m below average for Stanford in regards to standardized test scores–actually, below average in many aspects
Why you think you were accepted/waitlisted/rejected: test scores probably, my lack of participation in extracurriculars all four years of high school, maybe my essays were trash. plenty of reasons
Where else were you accepted/waitlisted/rejected: no where yet

General Comments: Expected it, pretty bummed but I kind of emotionally prepared myself for it. Congrats to those who got in!

[aB][asize=4][acolor=#FF0000]Decision: Rejected[/color][/size]**

Objective: Rejected
SAT I (breakdown):None
ACT (breakdown):32 (33 SS)
SAT II: None
Unweighted GPA (out of 4.0): 4.0
Weighted GPA: None
Rank (percentile if rank is unavailable): 1/160
AP (place score in parenthesis): 4 Bio, Lang
IB (place score in parenthesis):
Senior Year Course Load:Hardest at school (only offers a total of 4 AP)
Major Awards (USAMO, Intel etc.):None

Subjective:

Extracurriculars (place leadership in parenthesis): NHS, Science Olympiad (Captain), School District Leadership Club (Captain), Ultimate Frisbee School Club (founder), Perfect Game Select Baseball Team, Ultimate Frisbee Club (Ranked top 25 in Nation, practice with Iowa College team), High School Baseball,
Job/Work Experience:Manager at local pumpkin patch since sophomore year, Lawn Care.
Volunteer/Community service:Research Assistant at Bio Lab, Hospital Volunteer, Medical Missions Trips in Hait, Summer Camp Counselor, Tutoring. Well over 1000hrs.
Summer Activities: Volunteered over 300+ hours at summer camp, Internship at Biology Lab, Traveling
Essays (rating 1-10, details):
Common App: Wrote about my heart disorder and how it has encouraged me to be a cardiologist. Had many people read it and they said is was perfect.
Supp 1: 10/10 Wrote about being homeschooled and how my vitality developed from this and continues to thrive.
Supp 2: 8/10 About my leadership and importance of family.
Supp 3:9/10 About my religion, very genuine
Recommendations (rating 1-10, details): 10/10

Teacher Rec #1:7/10 Kinda Generic
Teacher Rec #2:9/10 Teacher loved me
Counselor Rec:9/10 Had my principle write it and he knew me very well
Additional Rec:10/10 Written by my cardiologist who is a graduate of Stanford. Brought me to tears
Interview:10/10 The interviewer said he saw himself in me and said I would be a great fit

Other

Applied for Financial Aid?: Yes
Intended Major: Pre-Med
State (if domestic applicant): Rural Iowa
Country (if international applicant):
School Type: Small Public
Ethnicity: White
Gender: Male
Income Bracket: >60,000
Hooks (URM, first generation college, etc.): Low Income, Heart Disease Survivor (had three open heart surgeries which inspired me to be a cardiologist myself), References from My World Renown Cardiologist.

Reflection

Strengths: References, Essays, Volunteering
Weaknesses: Course Load, But I took advantage of everything my school had to offer
Why you think you were accepted/waitlisted/rejected: Honestly no idea
Where else were you accepted/waitlisted/rejected:

Decision: Rejected

Objective:
SAT I (breakdown): 1490 total, 690 EBRW, 800 Math
SAT II: 800 Math 2, 800 Physics
Unweighted GPA (out of 4.0): ~3.9
Weighted GPA:4.8
Rank (percentile if rank is unavailable): Unranked
AP (place score in parenthesis): Calculus AB (5)
IB (place score in parenthesis): Chinese B SL (7)
Senior Year Course Load: IB English Lang&Lit SL, IB Math HL, IB Physics HL, IB Chemistry HL, IB Economics HL
Major Awards (USAMO, Intel etc.): nothing major

Subjective:

Extracurriculars (place leadership in parenthesis): cross country, track and field, photography, music (saxophone & clarinet), National Honor Society
Job/Work Experience: none
Volunteer/Community service: National Honor Society project (refugee outreach)
Summer Activities: nothing to note
Essays (rating 1-10, details): 8.5, I am pretty satisfied with them, and I think they show who I am.
Recommendations (rating 1-10, details): did not read them, but they should be pretty good.

Other

Applied for Financial Aid?: no
Intended Major: Mechanical Engineering
Country (if international applicant): applied from Greece, Chinese citizenship
School Type: International
Ethnicity: Chinese
Gender: male
Income Bracket: $60k
Hooks (URM, first generation college, etc.): none

Reflection

Strengths: decent scores, GPA, courses
Weaknesses: no significant awards, no work experience, ECs are a bit weak
Why you think you were accepted/waitlisted/rejected: every applicant is incredible
Where else were you accepted/waitlisted/rejected: nowhere yet

General Comments:
Congratulations to all who succeeded. Don’t dwell on the fact that you got rejected if you are in the same camp as I am. Time to move on.

Decision: Rejected

Objective:
SAT I (breakdown): 750 CR + 800 M + 800 W = 2350
SAT II: 800 Math II, 790 Physics
Unweighted GPA (out of 4.0): 3.97
Weighted GPA: 4.36
Rank (percentile if rank is unavailable): Top 10%
AP (place score in parenthesis): 5’s: Mechanics, BC, Psych | 4’s: CS, Macro, APES
Senior Year Course Load: Multivar (online), AP Stats, AP Chem, AP Lit, AP Econ, Web Design, P.E.
Major Awards (USAMO, Intel etc.): National Merit Semifinalist, DECA State Awards, AP Scholar w/ Distinction

Subjective:

Extracurriculars (place leadership in parenthesis):
-Boy Scouts (Senior Patrol Leader, Guide, Webmaster, Junior Assistant Scoutmaster)
-Rubik’s Cube (started club at school to teach it)
-DECA (Director, VP)
-Math Club (Secretary, President)
Job/Work Experience:
-Instructor at Udemy. I created an online business course that has 3,800+ students from 110 countries.
-Research Intern @ NASA Ames
-Software Intern for 2 local startups
-Summer Intern @ the Institute for Women in Trades, Technology, and Science (IWITTS)
Volunteer/Community service:
-Web Developer (unpaid) for 2 nonprofits.
-Senior Staff at a local leadership camp, spent 1,000+ hours volunteering here.
-Project Leader for the construction of a 6’x12’x7’ Native American Structure for a federally protected site at a local wildlife park.
-Environmental Intern for Math Science Nucleus, did some Zika Virus research.
Summer Activities:
-2015: Interned for a startup, started working on self-paced online business course, volunteered for NYLT camp.
-2016: Interned at IWITTS, began work on a mobile app to teach business, volunteered at NYLT camp.
Essays (rating 1-10, details): Average score- 8. Don’t want to say more.
Recommendations (rating 1-10, details):
Teacher Rec #1: 10/10 Physics Teacher, helped me self-study Physics C, let me read the letter before sending.
Teacher Rec #2: 7/10 Psych teacher, not really sure what she wrote.
Counselor Rec: 7/10 Generic
Additional Rec: 8/10 Course Director for the camp I organize.
Interview: N/A

Other

Applied for Financial Aid?: Yes
Intended Major: Symbolic Systems
State (if domestic applicant): CA
Country (if international applicant): USA
School Type: public, class size = 500
Ethnicity: Asian Indian
Gender: Male
Income Bracket: ~150K
Hooks (URM, first generation college, etc.): 1st-Gen Immigrant

Reflection

Strengths: Academics, Lots of Work Experience
Weaknesses: Asian, AP Scores, Recs
Why you think you were accepted/waitlisted/rejected: Weaknesses, Asian, not a good fit.
Where else were you accepted/waitlisted/rejected: nowhere yet, applying to MIT, CMU, HMC.
Waiting on UC’s, SJSU, USC.

Decision: Deferred

Objective:
SAT I (breakdown): Old SAT 1990 - don’t remember my subscores.
ACT (breakdown): 33 (36 english, 35 reading, 33 science, 30 math)
SAT II: 790 Literature, 650 Math II, 600 US History
Unweighted GPA (out of 4.0): 4.0
Weighted GPA: n/a
Rank (percentile if rank is unavailable): Top 10%
AP (place score in parenthesis): Took AP Comparative (3) and US Gov (3). Did not take the class but took the test for US History (4) and Lang (5). My school does not offer a lot of AP’s but this year I am taking APUSH, AP Calc AB, and AP Psych.
IB (place score in parenthesis): n/a
Senior Year Course Load: Speech and Debate, AP Psych, APUSH, AP Calc AB, College Composition, Entrepreneurship and Business Management
Major Awards (USAMO, Intel etc.): double octafinalist in extemp at NCFL ?

Subjective:

Extracurriculars (place leadership in parenthesis): Speech and Debate (Team Captain), Interact Club (President), 10 years of playing piano and winning various regional competitions, Girls State and Girls Nation
Job/Work Experience: Server at a local restaurant
Volunteer/Community service: Russian teacher at my church
Summer Activities: Interned for a candidate for governor, organized a rally, attended Girls State and Girls Nation
Essays (rating 1-10, details):
Common App Essay: 6/10, Interesting story but kind of a generic lesson from it
Intellectual Vitality 8/10, deeply personal story about my parents religion and how I used books as an escape
Roommate 8/10, quirky and funny but thoughtful at the same time.
What Matters: wrote about organizing a BLM rally and using my voice to create change

Recommendations (rating 1-10, details):

Teacher Rec #1: English Teacher, 6, she loved me but don’t think enough to write a super heartfelt one.
Teacher Rec #2: History Teacher, 7, great guy, love his classes.
Counselor Rec: Probably like a 7.
Additional Rec: My debate coach, a 10. He wrote about my achievements in debate and what I struggled with as far as my home life
Interview: It went really well.

Other

Applied for Financial Aid?: yes of course
Intended Major: Political Science
State (if domestic applicant): Missouri
Country (if international applicant):
School Type: Public
Ethnicity: White (parents are from Russia)
Gender: Female
Income Bracket: <75,000 for ten people
Hooks (URM, first generation college, etc.): First gen college

Reflection

Strengths: Essays
Weaknesses: Grades (my quarter grades were awful), recs, SAT 2 tests, volunteering
Why you think you were accepted/waitlisted/rejected: I think I was so close but just not to the Stanford level.
Where else were you accepted/waitlisted/rejected: So far accepted to Alabama. Waiting to hear from Georgetown, Vanderbilt, Tulane, USC, Yale, University of Virginia, Rice, Pepperdine, Cornell.

General Comments:
Kinda wish I was given a flat-out answer, but I’m grateful for another chance. I am expecting ultimate rejection but I am going to try my hardest.

DECISION: REJECTED

Objective:
SAT I (breakdown): N/A
ACT (breakdown): 33 (31 Science, 32 Math, 33 English, 35 Reading)
SAT II: N/A
Unweighted GPA (out of 4.0): 3.93 UW
Weighted GPA: 4.46
Rank (percentile if rank is unavailable): 10/250
AP (place score in parenthesis): English Language & Composition (5), European History (5), U.S. History (5)
IB (place score in parenthesis): Predicted only
Senior Year Course Load: Model United Nations, Journalism, AP Biology, AP English Literature, AP Spanish Language, AP Macroeconomics, AP Government, AP Calculus AB, Technical Theatre
Major Awards (USAMO, Intel etc.): Junior Citizen of the Year, AYSO Youth Referee of the Year, President’s Award and Bronze Award (Girl Scouts)

Subjective:

Extracurriculars (place leadership in parenthesis): Model United Nations (Secretary-General), Student newspaper (Editor-in-Chief), Track & Field, Soccer, Musical Theatre, Girl Scouts
Job/Work Experience: work on a ranch (unique story written about in essays)
Volunteer/Community service: 1200+ hours in my community
Summer Activities: Volunteer at UC Irvine Medical Center, camp counselor
Essays (rating 1-10, details): Common App (10/10), Roommate (9/10), Intellectual Vitality (7.5/10), Matters (6.5/10)
Recommendations (rating 1-10, details):
Teacher Rec #1: 10/10, from my MUN teacher who really likes me, I have been involved in the class for a long time, and have been a leader
Teacher Rec #2: 8/10, from my AP Lang teacher who really liked me.
Counselor Rec: 10/10, very personal and glowing!!!
Additional Rec: 10/10, written by the Girl Scout director for my region who I have known since I was six. I read it and it was very heartfelt and backed with facts. Very good.
Interview: N/A

Other

Applied for Financial Aid?: Yes
Intended Major: International Relations
State (if domestic applicant): CA
Country (if international applicant): U.S.
School Type: Public
Ethnicity: White
Gender: Female
Income Bracket: 75-100k
Hooks (URM, first generation college, etc.): N/A

Reflection

Strengths: Extracurriculars, leadership, grades, recommendations, Common App essay
Weaknesses: Forgot to self-report AP scores and not sure if my official report reached the admissions office in time. Did not submit SAT subject tests.
Why you think you were accepted/waitlisted/rejected: Could have refined essays if I had more time. Perhaps AP report affected chances?
Where else were you accepted/waitlisted/rejected: N/A

General Comments: Everyone on here has amazing credentials. Who does get accepted?! Whatever; it’ll work out for everyone. Their loss!

My daughter’s best friend was just accepted. She is number one in a very competitive class at a top private school, double legacy at Stanford, strong ECs and near perfect scores. Don’t beat yourselves up - the odds are just so slim and even with hooks it’s not a given!

Decision: Rejected

Objective:
SAT I (breakdown): 1380 (790 M, 590 CR-W)
Weighted GPA: 4.11/4.3
Rank: 10%
AP: Calculus AB (5), Computer Science (4), Statistic (3)
Senior Year Course Load: AP Physics C, AP Calculus BC, AP Human Geography, Honors Seniors English, Honors Spanish III, Honors Chemistry, Digital Photography and Photoshop
Major Awards (USAMO, Intel etc.): Vietnam’s Intel Science and Engineering Fair

Subjective:
Extracurriculars: Game Studio (Founder, Programmer, 3D Artist), Robotics Team (Leader, Programmer), Media Team (Video/Photo Editor), Game Development Club (Founder, Programmer)
Job/Work Experience: Game Studio
Volunteer/Community service: Trolley Museum, Interact Club
Summer Activities: Game Studio
Sport(s): Soccer
Essays: Roommate (9/10), Intellectual Vitality (8/10), What Matters (7/10)

Recommendations:
Teacher Rec #1: 10/10, Math, he shapes the way I think when I confront with a problem
Teacher Rec #2: 9/10, Graphic Design, he helps me put one step closer to my creativity
Counselor Rec: 7/10, he knows me through my grades, not my personalities
Interview: 8/10, the interviewer was really nice

Other:
Applied for Financial Aid?: Yes
Intended Major: Computer Science
Country: Vietnam
School Type: Public (9th grade), Boarding in U.S. (10-12th)
Ethnicity: Asian Nation
Gender: Male
Hooks: I ain’t pirate

Reflection:
Strengths: Extracurriculars, Essays (?), Recommendation (?)
Weaknesses: SAT, Classes
Why you think you were accepted/waitlisted/rejected: It’s Stanford.

General Comments: Follow your passion. Don’t be afraid to apply. Best of luck to y’all.

Decision: Deferred

Objective:
SAT I (breakdown): 2160 (680 M, 720 R, 760 W)
ACT (breakdown):
SAT II:
Unweighted GPA (out of 4.0): 93/100
Weighted GPA:
Rank (percentile if rank is unavailable):
AP (place score in parenthesis):
IB (place score in parenthesis): Math SL 6, French SL 7
Senior Year Course Load: Economics HL, English Literature HL, Chemistry HL, Physics SL
Major Awards (USAMO, Intel etc.):

Subjective:

Extracurriculars (place leadership in parenthesis): Model UN, International Affairs Club (Undersecretary General of HR), Junior Economic Club (Ambassador), Federation of Canadian Secondary Students (Ambassador), World Forum for Democracy (Vice President), Student Senate (Treasurer), Multiculturalism Club,
Job/Work Experience:
Volunteer/Community service: volunteered facilitating museum activities for kids,
Summer Activities:
Essays (rating 1-10, details): Common App essay was a 10, very personal wrote about how seemingly small events in my childhood helped shape my world view, talked a lot about where I came from. The short essays were fun to write! I talked about little odd things about me in the note to my roommate but stayed as genuine as I could without sounding like I was trying too hard to sound unique. Talked about learning how to appreciate my education more as a learning experience rather than a pursuit of good grades through a little summer activity I did with a friend. In the what matters to me essay, I made an analogy to a road trip I took through California over the summer.
Recommendations (rating 1-10, details):

Teacher Rec #1: 10/10, my Economics teacher is a great guy and knows me as a person very well too. My absolute favourite teacher and knows my ECs well too. Predicted me highly in his IB course.
Teacher Rec #2: 9/10, my French teacher, also knows me pretty well.
Counselor Rec: 8/10, was my IB Coordinator. Doesn’t know me as well as my teachers, but did have a very good idea of my ECs and how much I contributed to them as she regularly checks my CAS worksheet.
Additional Rec:
Interview:

Other

Applied for Financial Aid?: Yes
Intended Major: Political Science
State (if domestic applicant):
Country (if international applicant): Canada
School Type: Public
Ethnicity: Chinese
Gender: F
Income Bracket: ~$100,000
Hooks (URM, first generation college, etc.): first generation college

Reflection

Strengths: Definitely my essays. I got to work on them as soon as the Common App opened for 2017-2018 applications and I tried to make my personality come through and not try to create someone I wasn’t.
Weaknesses: GPA, SAT
Why you think you were accepted/waitlisted/rejected: I’m just happy I got deferred; my essays definitely saved me from automatic rejection.
Where else were you accepted/waitlisted/rejected: N/A, but will applied to UC Berkeley, UCLA, and will apply to Columbia, USC, UChicago, University of Toronto, McGill

General Comments: CONGRATS TO EVERYONE WHO GOT ACCEPTED! It’s going to be lots of work for me for the next few months and I can’t be slacking now!

Decision: Deferred

Objective:

SAT I (breakdown): 2330 - M: 780, CR: 760, W: 790
ACT (breakdown): n/a
SAT II: 800 Math II, 760 Math I, 700 Bio E (lol)
Unweighted GPA (out of 4.0): 4.0
Weighted GPA: n/a
Rank (percentile if rank is unavailable): n/a
AP (place score in parenthesis): Micro Econ (5), Macro Econ (4)
IB (place score in parenthesis): n/a
Senior Year Course Load: AP Calculus AB (only one offered by the school)
Major Awards (USAMO, Intel etc.): World Scholar’s Cup ?? (lol no very major awards but I join a lot of local math competitions and quiz bees)

Subjective:

Extracurriculars (place leadership in parenthesis): Math Honor Society (officer grades 10-12), Student council (Batch representative in grade 10 and Public Relations officer in grade 12), Marketing committee (Head in grades 10 and 12), Class officer (Class president in grade 11), ACSC (Ambassador for my school), Tennis team in grade 11, Cheerleading team in grade 9, participant in numerous math quiz bees, academic competitions, and leadership conferences.
Job/Work Experience: Did agricultural work in a rural area of the Philippines
Volunteer/Community service: Frequent volunteer at a street children’s center, taught math and assisted in the feeding program.
Summer Activities: Traveling mostly, studying for SATs and AP tests, hanging out with friends, volunteering, and working in the farm
Essays (rating 1-10, details):
Recommendations (rating 1-10, details): never read them but I’m assuming…

Teacher Rec #1: 8, AP Economics teacher
Teacher Rec #2: 8, Student council moderator
Counselor Rec: 7, Pretty generic I guess
Additional Rec: 8, AP Calculus teacher
Interview:

Other

Applied for Financial Aid?: No
Intended Major: Economics
State (if domestic applicant): n/a
Country (if international applicant): Philippines
School Type: Catholic Private
Ethnicity: Asian (Filipino)
Gender: Female
Income Bracket: High
Hooks (URM, first generation college, etc.): Legacy

Reflection

Strengths: SAT I, Math II score, first from my school to get a 5 in an AP test, maximum number of AP classes in my school, lots of leadership roles, joined a lot of competitions (local though), cheerleading (one of the top teams in the country)
Weaknesses: Essays (probably) cause I suck at writing, SAT II scores, not a lot of AP classes, no international competitions, recommendation letters could be better
Why you think you were accepted/waitlisted/rejected: More qualified applicants out there, not enough academic achievements.
Where else were you accepted/waitlisted/rejected: No results from other colleges yet. Planning to apply to Caltech, Columbia, Harvard, Johns Hopkins, Princeton, UPenn, and Yale.

General Comments: i feel like i’m in purgatory.

[asize=4][acolor=#FF0000]Decision: Rejected[/color][/size]

Objective:
SAT I (breakdown): 1430 total, 730 Math, 700 English, Essay 15/24
ACT (breakdown): 35 composite, 36 English, 35 Math, 36 Reading, 31 Science, Writing 8/12
SAT II: Physics 800, Math 2 800 on second try (first try got 750), Chemistry 760
Unweighted GPA (out of 4.0): 4.0? I have a 97-98% average right now
Weighted GPA:n/a
Rank (percentile if rank is unavailable): 1/ 383
AP (place score in parenthesis):
IB (place score in parenthesis): IB chemistry SL 7
Senior Year Course Load:

IB Full Diploma

Physics HL
Economics HL
English HL
Math SL
French SL
Theory of Knowledge

Plus Advanced math/ intro to calculus

Major Awards (USAMO, Intel etc.):

Participant of the International
Summer School for Young
Physicists (ISSYP) 2016
(acceptance rate below 10%)

Reach for the Top National
Finalist (2016)/ Provincial Team
Champion (2014-2016)
-----(Canadian equivalent of quizbowl basically)

2nd in Canadian Chemistry
Contest in
Manitoba/Saskatchewan/Nunavut

Provincial Team Champion in
Canadian Senior Mathematics
Contest

Top 6 in Manitoba in the
Canadian Open Mathematics
Challenge for grade 11s

Subjective:

Extracurriculars (place leadership in parenthesis):

Reach for the Top - 2nd chair Senior Team
Trivia based competition on a variety of subjects. National finalist (2016),
Provincial Champion (2014-2016)

Contest participant
Canadian Senior Math Contest- Provincial Team winner;Canadian Chemistry
Contest- 2nd in MB/SK/NU;Canadian Open Math Challenge-Top 6 in MB Grade
11

Badminton, Varsity player
Have played boys singles, and boys doubles; Qualified for city finals tournament

Job/Work Experience:

Shell Canada Employee
Worked primarily as a cashier, as well as maintaining the site.

Also does paid tutoring

Volunteer/Community service:

Tutor
During lunch, I assist my physics teacher by helping her students at lunch. I also
help my peers in the morning and during class

Summer Activities:

Participant of ISSYP 2016
Attended lectures on theoretical physics. Discussed interesting questions with
working physicists and graduate students.

Essays (rating 1-10, details):

My essays in general were comprehensible but perhaps not very deep or touching. Maybe a 6-7/ 10? Not sure.
Recommendations (rating 1-10, details):

Teacher Rec #1:Physics teacher adores me, 10/10
Teacher Rec #2: English/history teacher, we are pretty chill, 8/10
Counselor Rec: IB Coordinator/math teacher, loves me, 10/10
Additional Rec:Reach for the top coach, is fond of me 7/10
Interview:
I didn’t blow my interviewer away but I don’t think I scared them off either? I did not really answer satisfactorily when she asked what I could bring to Stanford though, so that might be against me. Perhaps a 6/10

Other

Applied for Financial Aid?: Yes, probably need a lot
Intended Major: Math and Physics
State (if domestic applicant):
Country (if international applicant): Canada
School Type: Large public
Ethnicity: Black
Gender: Male
Income Bracket: ~110 000 CDN (83 000 US)
Hooks (URM, first generation college, etc.): URM? i don’t think this counts since I am international though.

Reflection

Was sort of expecting this the whole time. Not really a surprise since Stanford is so selective. I would’ve been happy to get accepted but I do have some great safety and match schools in mind anyway.

Strengths:
Test scores, grades, recommendations, ISSYP, Reach for the Top National finals, Contest performance, URM maybe?

Weaknesses:
Lack of demonstrated leadership, narrowly focused extracurriculars, international applicant asking for a lot of financial aid. Also essays and interview were probably too lackluster.

Why you think you were /rejected:
Where else were you accepted/waitlisted/rejected:

General Comments:

I am still applying to other school such as Caltech and MIT (duh from my username) as well as safeties and matches in Canada, and I won’t let this rejection drag me down. This rejection is just further proof of how selective these elite schools are becoming, rather than a reflection of who I am as a person/student. I wish that I were at least deferred but alas, such is life. I also would like to thank everyone on CC past and present for helping me through this application process. I am mostly a lurker and rarely sign in but I have read so many posts on here. Thank you for everything and congratulations to all those who are accepted!

Decision: Rejected

Objective:
SAT I (breakdown): 2010 (I submitted the four I took in sophomore year, they were pretty bad, but I thought it was better to be honest about all the scores I had).
ACT (breakdown): 35 (Math 35 Reading 35 English 35 Science 35 Writing 10/12)
SAT II: none
Unweighted GPA (out of 4.0): 4.37
Weighted GPA: 3.76
Rank (percentile if rank is unavailable): Top 5-10% out of 600 students
AP (place score in parenthesis): (didn’t submit) AP Chem (3) AP World History (4) AP Lang (4)
IB (place score in parenthesis):
Senior Year Course Load: Calculus AB AP, Macroeconomics AP, Multi-cultural Studies Honors, Physics C Mechanics AP, LIterature and Comp AP, Physics C E and M AP, Government and Politics AP, Independent Research Honors, World Religions Honors

Major Awards (USAMO, Intel etc.): Just a few Varsity Awards, nothing special

Subjective:
Extracurriculars (place leadership in parenthesis): Mu Alpha Theta (Math Honor society), Beta Club, Esports Club, Environmental Club, National Arts Society, Friends of St. Francis Club (animals), Varsity Cheerleading (2 years) Varsity Track and Field (4 years, 2 of which were in middle school though).
Job/Work Experience: Year long internship at FIU Astronomy, Year long internship at UM Physics Department (Condensed matter physics)
Volunteer/Community service: Mostly at a local national park (Birch State Park), Victoria Park Animal Hospital, a lot of work with shelters, and a lot of volunteer work with cheerleading.
Summer Activities: Internships, Pre Vet Med Program, Mostly just painted, Cheerleading/Track practice, and studying.
Essays (rating 1-10, details): Common App Essay, 7, I’m a decent writer and I wrote (what I thought was interesting) story about rescuing a grasshopper on a train. I tied the idea back to living in Jakarta, Indonesia, and my escapades with my father’s friend in the forest (he collects insects). I concluded with how it’s affected my philosophical views and inspired my interest in Buddhism.
Recommendations (rating 1-10, details): 7.5 Be honest. Nothing matters if you are not honest. Be genuine, and try to use these essays as a way to find out who you are. If you have a hard time writing the essays it might just be that the school doesn’t suite your lifestyle or wishes.

Teacher Rec #1: AP Lit and AP Lang Teacher, we’re very close and exchange books and movies. We’re like the stereotypical english teacher and student who stay in during lunch and talk about “Who’s afraid of Virginia Woolf and watch Saturday night live skits”
Teacher Rec #2: AP Chem Teacher, probably thought I was weird because of my ocd tendencies and meticulousness in science. I came from a chemistry regulars class and ended up doing a lot better than the previously honors students. Hoping he writes about overcoming adversity but who knows how far they stray from generic.
Counselor Rec: Didn’t see it.
Interview: It went well I think. He wouldn’t let me get past the idea that I’ve moved around like a billion times so it kind of made me seem a little pretentious about my travels but I guess it’s good he wouldn’t stop asking questions. He asked to see my art though and was (thankfully) very impressed. When asked why veterinary medicine, I may have accidently said it was because dogs were altruistic (which sounds dumb, but I get a bit childish when talking about my passions).

Other
Applied for Financial Aid?: Yes
Intended Major: Physics
State (if domestic applicant): Florida
Country (if international applicant):
School Type: Private (Catholic), and Private nondenominational for 9th and 10th.
Ethnicity: El Salvadoran
Gender: Female
Income Bracket: >50k
Hooks (URM, first generation college, etc.): I’ve lived in 6 countries and moved to 9 different schools in my travels (my father works for counter terrorism).

Reflection

Strengths: Act Scores, content of my essays
Weaknesses: I transferred schools at the end of sophomore so I did not have the opportunity to specialize or refine my extracurricular interests. Lack of Leadership, SAT scores, GPA, (Realized I used the wrong form of “affect” the second after I submitted).
Why you think you were accepted/waitlisted/rejected:
Where else were you accepted/waitlisted/rejected: haven’t heard back from any yet.

General Comments: I’m kind of just bummed out. I have been through so much and this rejection isn’t helping. But I guess there’s nothing to do but move on.