<p>I'm just your typical student dreaming of stanford.</p>
<p>First off, my test scores aren't absolutely amazing...
Combined SAT 2010: 790 Math, 620 Verbal, 600 Writing
SAT II's: 780 Math IIc, 720 Chem
AP: 4 Calc BC, a whole slew of other tests pending
Rank: 10/200 (approximately)
GPA: 4.0 unweighted
National Merit Scholar
President of Interact Club
Section Leader of Drumline
"Band Award"
Drama Club, Extracurricular chorus groups
No Sports</p>
<p>However, I did graduate 2 years early (I skipped 6th grade and then combined my junior and senior years) and I took every bloody course I could fit in my schedule (no lunch for me!) I took Algebra in 5th grade (three years ahead) and finished Calculus in 10th grade by basically independent study from Stanford.</p>
<p>I have some college credits from Stanford, JHU (engineering program), and the crappy community college around where I live.</p>
<p>However, the thing that I'm hoping will distinguish me is that I am going to Taiwan next year for an exchange program. I will be attending a famous technical and commercial highschool there all in chinese (I don't know chinese though). I hope to prey on the fact that I'm doing this to put me at an advantage with China beginning to take over the world economically.</p>
<p>And... I'm your typical upper middle class white kid</p>
<p>Does anyone believe I have any chances at a place like Stanford?</p>
<p>Well, I certainly can't say for sure, but my son's SAT scores were almost exactly the same as yours. He was a commended scholar and had a ton of great EC's. He was waitlisted at Stanford this year, even though he is a legacy. It is those Verbal and Writing scores that will be likely to keep you out. A Stanford student does a LOT of reading and writing (My older son just graduated from Stanford.), and those scores are going to raise a doubt about whether you can handle it.</p>
<p>If you can work on Verbal skills and retake the SAT, you might have a better chance.</p>
<p>Yeah, I plan to retake them in taiwan but the thing is... I was basically (according to my english teachers) the best writer in my class, my senior thesis was used as an example for their International Baccheloreate (sp?) program. But yeah, it's a real bummer since I know I can do better, but thanks Susantm that's really helpful. Then again... I'm not much of a reader haha</p>
<p>I understand. The same goes for my son who had stats similar to yours. Unfortunately for you (and him) reading is the best path to a high verbal score. The SAT really tests vocabulary more than writing ability. And the new writing section, from what I've heard, is more about writing fast and long, rather than writing well, which usually requires time to think and edit.</p>