So it’s coming up to early action time for seniors like me and Stanford is at the top of my list and I’m super nervous about applying because 5 FREAKING PERCENT, like what the heck Stanford. I want some honest advice about my chances so go crazy and tell me what’s wrong with me or tell me how awesome I am, I would love all of it. Oh and I’m applying REA.
So basic info here:
Female
Asian-American (first gen here)
California resident
Pretty low annual income (under 100k)
School Stats:
Unweighted GPA: 4.0 (on a 4.0 scale)
Weighted GPA: 4.63
SAT: 2260 (first and only try)
SAT IIs: Physics (740) and Math 2 (790) again first tries only
Awards: National Honors Society, National Merit Scholar Commended, CSF, some award for having the highest grade in AP Physics 1 last year?
Intended Major: Either Mechanical or Electrical Engineering with maybe a minor in International Relations or Entrepreneurship (yes, I know, weird mix but I love all of them and am the most indecisive person ever)
ECs:
-Team Leader of the Robotics Team (it’s first year this year, so no wins. Yet)
-Dance: 4 years
-VP of the Peacemakers Club, 2 years
-Chair and Undersecretary of Tech for Model United Nations: 4 years, many awards
-Member of the book club at my school: we read books and then write blogs on them it’s very official (sarcasm) but it’s fun
A ton of Church Volunteer work:
Vacation Bible School Leader: 5 years and counting, games station and music and drama, helped with the traditional car wash fundraiser during
Confirmation leader: 2 years
Local Library Volunteer Work: ran the summer reading program and did the usual library volunteer stuff like clean and shelve books
Essays: 9/10 overall (I’M SO DONE WITH THESE OMIGOSH THEY TOOK SO LONG BUT I LOVE THEM)
Overall, yes I know Stanford is pretty much a crap-shoot for anyone but just based on all this stuff, what do you honestly think my chances at getting in are? I know it’s a lot of stuff to read through but I would really appreciate any help I can get!! I will chance back, btw wink wink.
Oh, and if you could, could you pretty please also chance me for USC? 
SAT is just average, but you are definitely competitive. Maybe I missed it but you didn’t mention course rigor?
And you definitely have an above average chance at USC, shouldn’t worry TOO much about that.
Whoops, I did forget course rigor. I’ve consistently had 4 honors or AP classes each year since freshman year
Got a 5 last year on AP English Comp and a 4 on AP Physics 1! Thanks for the feedback <3
S/O for entrepreneurship! Your application seems competitive for Stanford. To be honest, there isn’t much difference than any other competitive applicant (this is a compliment). However, I don’t get the sense of what you’re really passionate about; your EC’s are scrambled around. Try to revolve your EC’s toward a central passion/interest that you would love to pursue, or just even like doing.
Chance back?
http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/what-my-chances/1818642-stanford-rea-rd-cornell-brown-dartmouth-ucb-ucla-etc-p1.html
I agree with @emilyskates. Your EC’s are busy, but not Wow factor. USC may not like that SAT score.
Stanford is very picky about who they choose in their freshman class.
I feel you all. Thanks to everyone who’s responded. I realize my ECs aren’t super special but I think I did a good job of weaving them together and into something interesting in my essays. I also believe that my SAT is at the top of USC’s average SAT @“aunt bea” sorry if I sound uptight. But really, thanks for the feedback, everyone! Keep 'em coming!
For USC, you could definitely get in as you have an amazing gpa, sat, and a good list of extracurriculars. The fact that you balanced a lot of extracurriculars (I could see your dedication to dance and church activities) while having a top GPA will impress admissions officers. For Stanford, you stand a pretty good chance! It’s hard to tell completely due to the extremely low acceptance rate, but I wouldn’t be surprised if you got accepted. Good luck!
I think you would get into USC, but you never know with Stanford. You’ll definitely have a chance, but it’s all luck.
Do you have a hook for Stanford? You say “first gen here”. I believe first gen applies to if you are the first to go to college in your family. Do your parents have college degrees from an international university? If so, you would not be considered first generation. If you don’t have a hook, the chances to get into Stanford go down to 1%, and you’re competing with 1000’s of 4.0/high test score/interesting EC type of kids. So I would say: sure, apply REA – why not you, but definitely consider other schools (targets, safetys). For USC, you must demonstrate genuine interest, and that it is not a back-up school. Good luck.
I think you have a pretty good chance! You have a good GPA, and really good extracurriculars. Hopefully your essay is good, too!
Also please chance me for Georgia Tech!
Also please chance me for Georgia Tech!
Whoops sorry I was unclear. I’m first gen American. My parents were born international but both got college degrees.
You seem like a competitive applicant. Don’t worry about your SAT (a 2260 is really good!).
Do not underestimate USC!
It is in fierce competition with UCLA/Berkeley and it may unpleasantly surprise you.
I think you can get into USC and Georgia Tech…stanford like you said is a crapshoot for anyone