<p>really? its not your place to make that judgement? check his stats...would he get in if he was white or asian? i think not</p>
<p>Like I said....deserves it more than you.</p>
<p>There are white kids at ivies and other high ranks with low sats (I know a 25 ACT who got into Yale as transfer). Would you be saying he didn't deserve it if he was white or asian? No. You would assume that his essays, recommendations, and overall profile was special and unique enough to warrant his spot there.</p>
<p>Again, if those things were just 'fluff', the adcoms wouldnt waste weeks reading over thousands of essays and letters, contacting advisors, and spending money to establish alumni interviews. They admit smart people who will be a credit to society, not stats.</p>
<p>tennisboy:</p>
<p>At</a> the elite colleges - dim white kids - The Boston Globe</p>
<p>im just saying that stanford has a reputation for being big on affirmative action and had the OP put caucasian or asian down as his ethnicity rather than mexican-american it might have been a different story as to his acceptance.</p>
<p>i dont deny that many rich white kids pay their way into colleges, but affirmative action happens and stanford is known for it. i know a white kid with far better stats, essays, extra curriculars, etc. than another mexican-american kid in her class yet who got in and who got rejected? the mexican american got in and the white girl got rejected.</p>
<p>I know of an Asian boy who by his own merit was a phenominal math/computer science kid,he OOZED his passion if you asked him about it Stanford saw this in him. you know what top schools look for, AA or not, is a true deep passion for something. You show that thru your essays/EC's/teacher recs, you stand out from the crowd. The OP has a passion that he conveyed via his application, they would take him for his potential contribution to the school/community than what a 2300 could give them</p>
<p>First off essays and extracurriculars are part of the holistic approach its very unlikely that ones is simply "better" than the others. Its up to the adcom to decide what the ECs reflect-- true involvement and social growth or resume boosting and application material. You're restricting the entire process to two factors: scores and ethnicity. Which is asinine.</p>
<p>Also, you're judging an entire situation by your own narrowed observations. 'I know a mexican who got in with low scores, therefore all mexican-americans who are at stanford are there despite their low scores'. Logical fallacy. I know a black kid who didn't get into his first choice college, whereas a white kid with lower scores got in. Do you see me screaming institutionalized racism? </p>
<p>And again, you've shown nothing that would lead me to believe that the OP doesn't deserve it more than you.</p>
<p>Well said, CBK. Unfortunately some will never see past their "OH NOES AA!" perception. I had the chance to talk to a (retired) admissions officer and while it does play a somewhat significant role at some colleges, it is far less than the advantage athletes or direct connections get. Apparently, some kids don't even write essays or send in recommendations and get in. Some schools have that 'special' list. Its not a long one (5-10 names from the anecdote i was told) but it exists.</p>
<p>***** about that before stripping an intelligent applicant down to his or her ethnicity.</p>
<p>^ well said. People need to know when to zip their mouths.</p>
<p>Way to go dude. If I knew you Id throw you a party. Anybody who gets into Stanford deserves a congratulations party.</p>
<p>I can see why you were accepted with a 1700, your ECs are amazing.</p>
<p>You have no idea how much I envy you.</p>
<p>I put so much effort into high school and making my college apps look good.</p>
<p>I practiced the SAT so much, and tried to fit in as many extracurriculars as possible.</p>
<p>I can't count the number of drafts I did on my essays.</p>
<p>And I didn't get into stanford. I hate how much college admissions (as well as everything else in life) depends on innate talent. Hard work means almost nothing.</p>
<p>But really, congratulations. Just don't forget about those of us who weren't as fortunate.</p>
<p>If one looks very carefully, the OP's ECs are good, but not that amazing. I know students with similar EC's but much higher stats got rejected. To the guy's credit, from the ways he listed his ECS, you can tell he knows how to present himself. That shows the importance of communication skills. I don't know why people bump up this thread again. I saw several posts (including mine) on CC citing this case as an example of crapshooting in the college admission process.</p>
<p>I just want to say congratulations to the OP, I truly believe you deserve everything you've achieved and that your admission to Stanford will merely be a stepping stone for the potential that you have to truly make a difference in this world.</p>
<p>If one looks very carefully, they might see that the OP's ECs are good, but not that amazing. What's amazing is the OP himself, and the passion and vision he possesses that most people, not just college applicants, lack in this world. He knows how to present himself because he knows who he is, who he wants to be, and how he wants to make a difference. I understand it sucks for those who work hard and sacrifice what seems like everything they have for admission to a place like Stanford, but I don't feel bad for them because ultimately their goal in life is to Get Into Stanford, not to do something bigger, something amazing like the OP has envisioned for his life.
If judging someone on the strength of their character is crapshooting, then I hope every college admin starts to crapshoot. I'd rather be at a college full of passionate, good-hearted people who strive to make the world better and who also happen to get 1700s on the SAT than at a college full of self-interested 2400 scoring valedictorians who would rather give their classmate the wrong notes if they missed a class just so they could get ahead.
Why is Stanford what it is? Because out of tens of thousands of applications they see a kid like the OP with no real impressive stats on his resume but with the most impressive heart and realize how valuable of a soul he really is. For all of those who live out their own bitter frustrations on this thread, instead of being a worthless human being, find something worth living for besides yourself and Stanford might see something in you too.</p>
<p>Wow... once again, although it may sound overrated, thank you all for the thoughtful posts. I honestly, take all your thoughts in to consideration and they often put a smile on my face. Again, I try to stay optimistic and excited about this whole upcoming experience, however, often times it could be intimidating, especially with some of the posts that are included within this thread. For the most part though, I enjoy negative feedback; I find it constructive since it is presented as a challenege to me that I must address in the mere future. </p>
<p>A couple of days ago, I was looking over my application and came across one of my favorite parts: What five words best describe you?</p>
<p>My response was...
PASSIONATE: I’m strongly dedicated and committed to my interests.
EXPRESSIVE: Socializing and discussing with others comes natural.
DRIVEN: Challenges define my true character.
AMBITIOUS: I search for and engage in beneficial opportunities.
INTIMATE: Getting to know individuals more personally is vital.</p>
<p>Hopefully, regardless of what I come across either through this thread or in real life, those characteristics remain.</p>
<p>I for sure I'd have to say revolcgirl your post was very thoughtful and extremely kind. It honestly got to me and I would like to thank you for the kind words.</p>
<p>Well, I got to get going - I'm going to the store with my dad.</p>
<p>See you all later! Take care, peace out!</p>
<p>"For all of those who live out .............. being a worthless human being"
Ya, gman, very thoughtful.</p>
<p>^^^^It wasn't gman who wrote that...lol.</p>
<p>Oh and congrats to you, gman! From your posts it sounds like you really deserve that place at Stanford, regardless of your numbers.</p>
<p>can this thread just DIE already</p>
<p>"For all of those who live out .............. being a worthless human being"</p>
<p>Ya, gman, your friend is extremely kind.</p>
<p>I find it interesting that people assume that the children of professionals should automatically get above 2200 on the SAT, yet it is completely discounted when the OP, a native speaker, gets only 690 on the Spanish SATII. Also, you don't know the OP's background--for all you know, he/she could be the child of professionals.</p>
<p>You guys shouldn't bash these 2300-2400 SAT scorers too much. They aren't all worthless, self-interested human beings as some have said on this thread. Some of them who are rejected just don't know how to jump and down and promote their passion (and themselves)--they are to busy doing things. And besides, likely many of the faculty at Stanford were high scorers, particularly the math, science, and engineering faculty.</p>
<p>OP could you please post your essays?</p>