<p>Earlier today, I was asked by an anxious sophomore HS student about the all too treacherous path that is Stanford's admissions. Being the altruistic fellow that I am (:)) I'd love to shed some light on the matter by offering my take. Please, Stanford admits, feel free to weigh in by providing your own perspectives and imparting a bit of your wisdom. It's an open forum to argue against or corroborate anyone's assertions.</p>
<p>In my opinion, obviously you want to be in Stanford's range of academic excellence. This usually is indicated by 2200+ on the reasoning (preferably 700+ on all sub sections), top 2% of your class (give or take some depending on the competition in your school), and 730+ on your SAT subjects. Now, understand that numbers are not the sole factor on which admissions offices base their decision. Stanford--and this needs to be underscored--is not numbers-driven. For your peace of mind, I've known plenty of kids with scores on the lackluster end of the scale. For every near perfect SAT-score kid in Stanford's hall (and I wager there are a few), there's probably a sub-2000 kid to balance him or her out and centralize the mean. Don't worry TOO MUCH on scores, but don't underestimate it as well. Having stellar ones do provide some confidence and eases some qualms, but this can often be an illusioned sense of pride. Wait for the admissions decision; high scores don't equate to acceptance.</p>
<p>This goes to my second point:standing out. Probably every applicant and their mother have similar scores as you, at face value. When you apply to top-tier schools, this often is the case. The SAT score can only go so high before it hits that 800 ceiling, a place in which many applicants dwell in. The key is to stand out. There are many ways of doing so. Often, CC refers to these factors as "hooks." Not wanting to go too much into the racial aspect of admissions, I will say that colleges want diversity. Diversity can be interpreted in terms of racial, socio economical, etc. Being a URM (Underrepresented Minority) does help, as evinced in the numerous statistical figures released regarding the makeup of a school and their scores. Having disadvantaged backgrounds do help as well--you are considered in context and your ingenuity in capitalizing on the available resources. This often brings up the debate of whether it is more prudent to go to an easy public school than a competitive private. Diversity is beneficial to schools as it provides a wealth of different perspectives and effectively mirrors the diverse world we live in. I, however, don't think that this goal of enriching diversity in colleges should come at the compromise of the admissions integrity. I'm also not a fan of legacy, but I do understand that it is essential to the college.</p>
<p>So your skin tone is pale or yellow (I'm Asian, btw) and your family is not exactly below the poverty line. Should you worry? While being a URM, legacy or modest in wealth might help, that's not to say that an average Joe cannot come out of the race with a red packet. These students, however, have other merits. Usually they have a myriad of Extracurricular accomplishments, such as winner of such competition, mvp of this sport, and president of yada yada. However, it is my personal belief that one should not dabble too much on too many. Choose a passion and focus on it. Your EC list should not resemble that of a laundry list, but rather each should show a high level of commitment. Colleges want a well-rounded person, not a studyholic who gets in solely by virtue of high test scores--ask around, these people get rejected. In my opinion, your EC is your selling point. Scores can only tell so much. It's your EC's that animate you as an individual and breathes life to your application. </p>
<p>The essays should be mentioned as well, but I cannot give prudent advice as I finished mine the night before it was due. (I guess I'll fit in with Stanford's laid-back approach.) :)</p>
<p>I think I've said all I can about the process. I've just gone through it and already I am sick of it, relieved it is a thing of the past. As a final closing, good luck to future classes. May you be where you want to be. But understand that often kids that go to their safeties are still happy. If not, there's always transfer, but I wouldn't count on Stanford's transfer, or Harvard's--my condolences to this years hopefuls :(.</p>
<p>Again, It'd be great if others contribute.</p>