<p>Hi guys,
I go to school in Ontario,
My average is currently around 92% which is not that great... but that includes 7 AP courses (my school is not semestered). Would I still be competitive for Stanford? I scored 2290 on my SATs and am writing the SAT IIs this Saturday. I have good ECs (but not national level), recs, and essay.</p>
<p>Dang it.</p>
<p>Stop. </p>
<p>Yes. That’s more than good enough. That’s highly competitive for Stanford. Thinking that’s bad is ridiculous.</p>
<p>You will get a close look from Stanford but still a long shot (10 - 20%) w/o val/sal status and/or very strong ECs. Applicants like yourself will get a close look, but usually need something in addition to a high SAT score to push them over the top. Sad to say, but Stanford, like its brethren in the HYPS fraternity, get many applicants with similar test scores some of whom with much higher class rank than you (assume you are top 10%, but not top 1% or even top 5%) and a more challenging curriculum (assume 7 APs total; lots of students apply to Stanford with a dozen or more or more APs and most will have taken more than 7 APs).</p>
<p>My school only offers 7 AP courses. My ECs include several entrepreneurial and technological items, and i am inspired by Steve jobs, which I will write about the essay, and teachers get along well with me because I am hardworking in school yet also helpful, social and diligent outside of class such as during ECs.</p>
<p>personjerry, while your stats aren’t “highly” competitive for Stanford, they are sufficient in the context of what your school offers to clear the initial hurdle to get you a closer look. As you know, the recommendations and essays can make a big difference at that point. If I were you, I would think about maybe taking a somewhat more unique direction with your main essay, because I think the admissions office has probably already read more than enough essays about the inspirational attributes of Steve Jobs. That’s not to say that you shouldn’t refer to him, but maybe that can be more peripheral rather than central to your essay. Remember that admissions people are looking for ways that each applicant will add to the community here; maybe you can discuss specific ways that you would contribute. Good luck.</p>
<p>Thank you, that is very helpful! And boosts my confidence, though not to an artificial high :)</p>