<p>Okay so everyone is like 75% of applicants are academically qualified for Stanford blah etc etc, but that's a generalization.</p>
<p>Quantitatively what does academically qualified mean for ivies + Stanford? Is it 3.9+ UW and 2000 SAT+ or 3.5 UW+ and 2000 SAT?</p>
<p>Just curious + for future CCers.</p>
<p>haha. There is no minimum numbers for Stanford. Or so, that is what they say, officially. The reason is because if you are world class anything, they reserve the right to choose you even if your GPA is not quite up to par. </p>
<p>I believe it is also because they know that without “numbers” it keeps everyone’s hopes up and people are willing to spend the big bucks paying for application fees. These fees bring in millions of dollars each year. Great revenue source for the school. The huge amount of apps will guarantee a high yield and that results in higher ranking on the USNWR rankings which result in more money to the university. </p>
<p>It’s a game, folks. All the colleges play it. It’s up to you to decide if you want to part with your money and play the college lottery system.</p>
<p>Not to mention it drives down acceptance rates, which elite colleges are certainly trying to do.</p>
<p>"which elite colleges are certainly trying to do. "</p>
<p>Very cynical view of things. Counter to what MIT & Yale and some others have done recently which is to considerably reduce the number of mailers they send out – specifically to drive down the number of unrealistic applicants.</p>
<p>Sure, MIT and Yale are already near the top of the pecking order – and admit rate tweaking is likely happening at some schools – but it’s not universal.</p>
<p>I think lagunal is correct. Why do I think so? Go to the Common Data Set for Stanford. Take a look at the stats for admitted students. Know that those who are in the bottom of the class statistically, have something exceptional to offer in terms of either achievements or life experiences. If you have neither, and you aren’t in at least top 50% of the pack academically, you are talking about a long shot.</p>
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<p>According to the common data set 3.49 UW gpa or lower represents less than 2% of the class.</p>
<p>3.75+ represents about 95% of the class.</p>
<p>When I was trying to decide whether or not to apply to Stanford early or wait for regular last year, I was still waiting on my SAT scores. I decided that I would apply early if I got at least 700 in each section and at least 2200 total. I also had a 4.0 UW, 4.45 W. I guess I figured that’s what would make me “academically qualified” enough to have a decent shot at acceptance.</p>
<p>I ended up being deferred early and accepted regular, but I chose to go to Yale in the end.</p>
<p>You have to keep in mind that the stats for “academically qualified” vary greatly depending on who you are. Athlete? You don’t need a 2200. Developmental admit? You don’t need a 4.0. Nobel prize winner? No need for a 35 on the ACT. Normal white kid from a decent school in the 'burbs? You’ll probably need all of the above.</p>