Another chances thread

Colleges & Universities A-Z Stanford University
1

<p>Hi, I've been a lurker here for quite a while and acknowledge the fact that there are a plethora of these types of threads, especially on this particular board.</p>

<p>I am currently a new senior as of this fall, so I will likely be applying during the Regular Decision period.</p>

<p>While I would like criticism/analysis of my statistics, I would appreciate positive comments if possible. If that is truly impossible, then feel free to either ignore my request or respond in a "harsh" style, though I will appreciate any feedback given. - Constructive criticism can be harsh, but it's a true motivator for me, so please don't hesitate. However, I would rather receive a full and descriptive answer rather than a one liner saying something along the line of, "you don't have a chance" or "don't even try".</p>

<p>I realize that my GPA (weighted and unweighted) as well as current SAT score is a major drawback for me, and may just prevent me from being given more consideration by the committee that reviews my application.</p>

<p>As for my SAT, I will be taking the reasoning test once again in October to hopefully boost my scores since I feel that my best wasn't demonstrated last March. My SAT II's from this month are still being evaluated, so I don't have those yet scores either. </p>

<p>I am hoping that my extracurriculars will compensate for the above, and also my essays and recommendations.</p>

<p>Thanks again and my apologies for creating yet another chances thread.</p>

<p>


Student:</p>

<p>Gender: M
College Class Year: 2015
High School: Public
High School Type: rarely sends grads to top schools (as in Ivies, though many get accepted to the Universities of California)
Will apply for financial aid: Yes</p>

<p>Academics:</p>

<p>GPA - Unweighted: 3.10
GPA - Weighted: 3.20
Class Rank: top 50%
Class Size: 460</p>

<p>Scores:</p>

<p>520 Reading
430 Math
460 Writing</p>

<p>Extracurriculars:</p>

<p>Significant Extracurriculars: 
-Member of Apple Corporation's iPhone developer program (300+ hours)
-Camp Leader (see below) (300+ hours)
-Elementary school tutor
-Internship at a organization's web department for two summers (unfortunately every other summer due to issues with the organization during the summer in between) (175+ hours)
-Future Business Leaders of America (40+ hours) - Team won 4th place in entire state of California</p>

<p>Leadership positions: -Camp leader for a camp for children 8-13 years for two summers in a row. (300+ hours)
Volunteer/Service Work: Tutor at a library for elementary age children (10+)</p>

<p>Colleges of Interest:</p>

<p>College: California State University, Long Beach, Choice #: 0, ED/EA: No, Athlete: No, Legacy: Yes, Status: Will Apply
College: San Francisco State University, Choice #: 0, ED/EA: No, Athlete: No, Legacy: No, Status: Will Apply
College: Stanford University, Choice #: 1, ED/EA: Yes, Athlete: No, Legacy: No, Status: Will Apply</p>

<p>Desired College Characteristics:</p>

<p>Location type: Small City, Rural
Size: Medium (5,000 - 10,000), Large (10,000 - 18,000)</p>

<p>Area: West Coast
Importance of cost: Very important

</p>

2

<p>Hi Sleeet. My main reaction after reading your post is that there is a glaring disconnect between the good quality of your prose (based, admittedly, on a very small sample) and your very poor grades and test scores. It’s hard to reconcile your CR and W scores with your writing. Do you perhaps freeze up in testing situations, which might also apply to your school exam grades? Might there be some other issue interfering with your performance, or do you think your record reasonably reflects your ability? Absent some kind of major mitigating circumstance, I am afraid your chances at Stanford are close to nil, even with nice ECs and essays, since loads and loads of applicants will present with both excellent academic records and comparable ECs/good essays. Sorry. :(</p>

3

<p>Hey zenkoan. Thanks for the substantial reply. Well, I’ll just casually mention that I’ve had a tough high school experience as a result of my teachers over the past three years. Yes, you’re correct. I am quite the horrid test taker - it’s definitely a weakness. I have a much more patient personality, which conflicts with timed tests - especially essays (thanks a lot AP English Lang exam :frowning: ). I agree that it is definitely part of the reason for my “failure” so to speak along with the teachers issues referred to above. However, those two “excuses” can hardly be elaborated upon in an admissions essay. That’s my struggle. I don’t know how to explain to the Stanford admissions committee without sounding like I’m just making complaints (and wasting an essay prompt in the process :).</p>

<p>As for grades, I can usually obtain roughly two A’s (it’s been much better before) per semester and 2-3 B’s and a possible C or two. It really depends. Unfortunately, in every class that I’ve had a subpar teacher, I’ve gotten a grade lower than a B - so it drags me down.</p>

4

<p>You’re right, Sleeet–elaborating on the shortcomings of teachers won’t make for a winning essay, even when you have objectively lousy teachers. I think your only very faint hope with a school of Stanford’s caliber and selectivity would lie with radically (and I do mean <em>radically</em>) improving your standardized test scores, through intensive preparation, switching to the ACT, or perhaps both, and then making all A’s during your first term of senior year. Even then, your GPA would be a problem, but at least you would demonstrate potential. You’d also need utterly amazing recommendations, breathtaking essays, and maybe a little divine intervention. ; ) Probably the best plan would be to seek admission to another college and, if you assemble an outstanding academic record there, consider applying as a transfer applicant later. At that point, your high school record would carry less significance. I hope you find a good fit.</p>

5

<p>I’m hoping that this coming semester, I’ll be able to improve my work habits and decrease the dependency that I have on teachers (which is pretty large as I prefer someone teaching me). I should technically have “simple” classes this senior year as well since I’ll only be taking AP Literature (one AP). I decided that I needed to just make sure that I have enough time to do well in the somewhat basic classes that I’m sure to struggle in due to subpar teachers. Pretty much just a precautionary measure (though not having more APs will weaken my application as well). As for my testing scores, I’ll just have to see. I’ll likely be taking the Reasoning SAT only once more (in October) in order for me to have a slot with which to retake the subjects, though it’s always a possibility to just take it twice more. If I am to be rejected from Stanford, then so be it. I’m fortunate enough to understand that there are definitely more stellar students than I. Of course I’ll be heartbroken if/when it happens, but oh well. I’ll be applying to roughly 6-8 other universities, though Stanford is the only one at such a high caliber. So my intent is to avoid transferring at all costs; if I get accepted anywhere, then I’ll likely stick it out or not enroll at all (I’ll only be applying to schools that I’m attracted to).</p>

<p>Thank you for the advice zenkoan. I greatly appreciate it.</p>

6

<p>If you are bad at test-taking, although Stanford offers extended time, it’s still tough. You will also get bad teachers, depending on your definition (they are generally all pretty nice people though). </p>

<p>I would imagine there are a lot better fits college wise for your learning style. Like others are saying, you seem pretty articulate and intelligent (like logical/rational wise). Have you looked into any alternative types of college experiences? Like a place like Colorado College (one class at a time) or LACs (small classes, that’s about all I know).</p>

7

<p>I definitely realize that it will be tough. From what I’ve heard about Stanford, nothing about it is anything less than tough. </p>

<p>When I say bad teachers, I mean people who read from a book, copy the typed examples directly to a board and read the instructions that are printed. Yeah, that’s the somewhat standard teacher at my school. Out of the majority that are like that, there are few that are actually willing to stay after school in order to compensate for the time lost during class (or unwillingness to teach the class his or herself). </p>

<p>As I currently reside in California, I have no plans to attend school out of state. I’d rather not enroll at a small school or CC if I can help it. My plan is to apply to at least a few UC’s and CSU’s (like I said in an earlier post, Stanford is the only “impossible” college on my list).</p>

<p>My plan is to apply anyway. I’d rather not live with regret. Besides, I have such a strong attraction to the university that giving up before even trying to get in would defy the philosophy that I have (never give up, etc etc).</p>

<p>Thanks for the compliments though. Off topic, but I’m actually thinking about trying to write for the Scholastic writing contest this year. (too bad it comes after admissions, otherwise I could use it in my application… oh well)</p>