<p>^agreed completely. Just summarized my thoughts</p>
<p><a href="mailto:cgarrett101@aol">cgarrett101@aol</a>.: could you justifiably say the same thing to an Asian--let's say, an Indian--who a) had virtually the same ECs, b) had a better SAT and GPA, c) was more disadvantaged than many URMs who were accepted, and d) was rejected? Stanford struggles more than its peers to "keep the Asian population down" (since it's in California, where much of the nation's Asians are), as evidenced by being 25% Asian (vs. schools like Princeton and Yale with 13% or so Asian). </p>
<p>I don't doubt that the OP is qualified and his acceptance was appropriate, and I do agree with some of the arguments behind AA, but what about the students who are overrepresented yet just as qualified, if not more so, and even disadvantaged?</p>
<p>This young man with his 1700 SAT is what the American Dream is all about and I have seen stories like his on CC before. For those of you who are complaining, colleges do look at your family education, background, etc. A child of two professional parents (JD, PhD, MD) should score a 2200 or better on the SAT and should have top grades. Colleges expect that of you. Consider the National Merit scores. The highest cutoffs are for students from wealthy prep school in New England as it should be. There are many young people who are very bright but do not score well because they have not had the "cultural capital" most of the CC posters have. There is nothing spectacular about a top SAT score/GPA that has been sculpted by educated parents since the child's birth. Our 1700 SAT is a "diamond in the rough"-someone very bright who has succeeded against incredible odds. My guess is that he will have a rough start but will go on to do great work. This is not affirmative action. It is about and making the most of limited resources and incredible desire. Way to go Stanford on wisely choosing this capable young man.</p>
<p>I would like to extend a humble thank you to those who provide thoughtful and kind posts. Throughout the past couple of months I have been blessed with freakin' awesome news. Just yesterday I was named the 2007 Citizen of the Year of our city and attended an awards banquet hosted by the city. Just before they were to annouce my name, they provided the audience with a brief description about myself, and I was really happy with the comments I received from community dignitaries (and even one from the governor!!!). </p>
<p>Also, a couple of weeks ago, my regional admissions officer sent me a letter congratuating me on my admission, and at the end she hand wrote, "PS. What amazing contributions you have made to your highschool & whole community with ACCEPT, AVID, Key Club... By educating your peers, you're not only helping one student at a time but transforming your community. Your essays are some of the best I've ever read & I look forward to seeing you! :)" It felt pretty awesome to read this note....</p>
<p>Finally, I have also been nominated to attend the Governor's Recongition Banquet in Sacramento for the service and scholastic achievements I have exemplified, so that should be exciting to meet Arnold. Plus, my dream is to one day become governor, so I might ask him for advice, lol.</p>
<p>Anyways, the reason I am providing all this information is not to brag about myself, but to make it clear that I am EXTREMELY thankful for those who see beyond my scores. I do come from a community where only about 30 out of 400 students are successfull at a four year university each year. Therefore, I feel it is my humanitarian responsiblity to encourage others and fulfill my passion to provide service. </p>
<p>I do take into consideration that there are thousands of candidates who have demonstrated that they are more qualified than me, however, in context, I have and will continue to leave impacting legacies in my hometown. I may not have an SAT score over 2300, but I do try very hard so that my heart scores an 800, my intentions score an 800, and my character also scores an 800. Hopefully, that overall score adds up to a 2400.</p>
<p>Thank you all once again; I say this a lot, but I am trully humbled and very grateful for all of the kind thoughts.</p>
<p>^^^sounds like Stanford didn't make a mistake in accepting you :p. good job, and good luck!</p>
<p>that was a very well written post, gman</p>
<p>i would like to say that it's good that the op was accepted, but he was probably one of the very, very, very few who could ride that wave into the stanford class of 2012. As for the american dream, it applies to ORMs as well, so I agree with kyledavid as well, i guess that the american dream is meant for certain people</p>
<p>
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I do take into consideration that there are thousands of candidates who have demonstrated that they are more qualified than me, however, in context, I have and will continue to leave impacting legacies in my hometown
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</p>
<p>You seem to be implying that those who are more qualified than you aren't making big impacts in their own communities. I've seen students who started nonprofits in their towns to raise $20k+, students who brought organizations to their communities to help out the poor, students who spend most of their time not studying or captaining the math team or presiding over the student government, but working hard in their communities to better them. These students were rejected (not to mention Asian).</p>
<p>I don't mean to play down your accomplishments; I simply wonder why these other students didn't get in.</p>
<p>gman, Congratulations!!! You deserve every bit of it. That is what we need from our future generations who will contribute to our communities and societies. Thank you for sharing your awesome news on CC.</p>
<p>gman6855 - I am very impressed with your achievements. You set a good example for your community. I am so moved. Congratulations and best wishes!</p>
<p>I had a Mexican friend last year who was accepted at Cal, UCLA, Notre Dame, and GT (full-ride) with 2000+ SATs, 3/350, etc. But he was rejected from Stanfurd. Interesting admissions process, it is a total crapshoot. But congrats OP, and good luck in the future. :)</p>
<p>Well, it depends on what kind of Mexican friend you have. I had a Mexican friend who had maids in his family. I also saw Mexican people exploited by other races too.</p>
<p>Oh well he def doesn't have maids lol. But he won like the National Hispanic Award or whatever it's called, and was All-League in several sports, etc. But he's having a blast at Cal now, so I don't think he really cares anymore lol.</p>
<p>kyledavid-</p>
<p>I feel badly about the Asian issue, because I agree that in general, Asian students work very, very hard. There are, however, a couple things which might explain why so many excellent Asian students are rejected from Stanford:</p>
<p>First, there are a lot of Asian students and many of them list very similar activities and extracurriculars. This may make it more difficult because Stanford is probably looking for diversity in interests among its students. In order to stand out it seems like maybe they need to go outside their "comfort zone" a bit, and get involved in activities outside those Asians traditionally participate in. It sounds unfair, but it is the only way I can explain it.</p>
<p>Second, it seems Stanford does not just look at scores and grades, at which many Asians excel. In fact, it seems some take the SAT two or three times to shoot for a perfect score, and worry about having a B in a class.</p>
<p>Although my D's scores were great (2280 one sitting), and her grades excellent (but with a couple Bs), when I saw all the amazing scores on cc, I doubted she would be admitted. However, at the bottom of my D's letter of acceptance there was a handwritten note which stated that the adcom was really impressed that she had transferred to the school as a junior and by the end of that year had risen to several leadership roles, including president of her senior class. </p>
<p>I think the fact that she went to a different school ("outside her comfort zone") and did exceptionally well there, just as she had at her previous school, meant she would do well anywhere, including at Stanford. That note made me realize how much the adcom really looks at the apps to get to know the person applying.</p>
<p>Obviously I really don't know, but I can't explain it any other way, and I cannot believe the adcom would intentionally discriminate against Asians for any other reason.</p>
<p>Congrats to the OP and to the other posters who've mentioned their own acceptances :)</p>
<p>Among his other accomplishments, it should be noted that the grace and patience which the OP has shown to many posters in this thread is astounding.</p>
<p>I second that!! What a guy. I hope he gets to know my D.</p>
<p>Congrats!!! You are a true inspiration for many people, especially other Latinos. I really want to apply to some top-notch schools and my SAT score...not so great, they are somewhat above average but they're not those killer 2300-2400. You're proof other things beside SAT scores matter. Que te vaya bien en Stanford!</p>
<p>@gman - You deserve this man! :D I am really happy that Stanford accepted you, more than scores, more than all the community service, I am really happy about the humble way in which you even respond to a note of appreciation... Cheers to you!</p>
<p>Gman, you rock! I've read all the pages of this thread, the good, the bad and the ugly. If anyone wants to know why Stanford accpeted you with a 1700 SAT score, just tell them you have passion, grace, composure and character. I could see it from just reading your posts; Stanford obviously saw it in your application and interview. Good luck at Stanford..... I'm sure you will do great things there.</p>
<p>According to Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas, the Court will reconsider the role of the institution of Affirmative Action in our society in twenty-five year's time.</p>
<p>Hopefully, by then, it will no longer be needed.</p>
<p>One thing I don't understand, however:
If AA is used to target those outstanding students who have enormous potential, what exactly does that do for the African American and Hispanic American communities as a whole? Sure, they'll have some great role models and leaders, but will the cycle of poverty really change? Is this really the way to go?</p>
<p>A point I have about the SAT:
It is by no means, a completely and utterly encompassing exam, but in my opinion any reasonably intelligent person should be able to score fairly high on it. It tests eighth grade reading and math skills: read the question, pick the right answer. Is this so difficult, even for someone from an impoverished background?</p>
<p>lol look at all these losers who are upset since even though they've studyed for the SAT since they were 5 they were beat by someone with a fraction of their score. Lol good job OP, ignore all these nerds who study 24-7.</p>