<p>With all the chance threads and of course, Stanford's extremely low acceptance rate and prestigiousness, it seems as if they only accept people with perfect SATS, 500 hours of volunteering, national awards, athletic skill, leadership, etc.</p>
<p>What about someone who works hard, but doesn't have all these contributing factors? Someone with good SAT scores, a good class rank, good essays, some good extracurriculars, a good transcript, good teacher recommendations, etc...?</p>
<p>It seems like Stanford would want some of these kids at their school too...anyone have any thoughts?</p>
<p>Well, I don’t know if this will help you, but I have a personal anecdote (which means basically nothing when compared to Stanford’s general statistics)! My cousin was accepted last year (REA’d, deferred, accepted) and he received a 2040 on the SAT–which is good, but not impressive in comparison to everyone else on CC, as you can tell. He took Calculus AB as a sophomore (which was impressive because no one does that at my school–most people don’t even pass algebra!) and founded our school’s Chess Club. Besides the chess club, he had NO extracurricular activities (he refused to join Key Club even though I was the president; clearly he’s not so great of a cousin). He had good recommendations, was top ten in rank, all that. So, really, he had no particular “spike” about him, he was just a good student with a good head on his shoulders.</p>
<p>The only thing I can think of in particular, actually, is that we live in a very low income/low performance area. The school has an undeserved reputation for violence and gangs, so that does show that he overcame adversity in order to become who he is now. (Both of our parents are immigrants from another country, came on a boat.) Also, the average SAT score at our school is 1200, so his SAT score was impressive in comparison.</p>
<p>So basically, he wasn’t a spectacular student, but he tried hard and did face adversity. I’m not exactly sure how much of an effect our home/community/school situation had on his application, but I do know that Stanford is one of the most diverse private universities out there, so they probably put a lot of emphasis on this kind of stuff. Sorry if this information wasn’t of any help to you! Just remember–no one is going to broadcast stories about their “totally average” classmate who got into Stanford. You’ll always hear about the brilliant perfect flawless students because they’re the ones that stick out in peoples’ minds. Don’t take personal anecdotes and bragging on some college forum (where crazy college-obsessed kids go to brag to other crazy college-obsessed kids) as a representative sample of all of Stanford!</p>
<p>^ Stanford is one of those schools (among others MIT, Harvard…) that pays close attention to context and can be often seen accepting applicants with lowers stats who came from less fortunate background. I like ur name btw: oxytocin :)</p>
<p>thanks! honestly I’m glad they take personal situations into consideration because I’m in the same situation as my cousin. I hope they take more interest in my application now!</p>
<p>No, I’m not going to play the URM/Legacy/Athlete card, and claim that those with unremarkable stats are less qualified for admissions. They got in for a reason!</p>
<p>I think Stanford would admit a few “average” applicants. They might seem ordinary to our standards, but I am certain the admission folks saw some exceptional promise in these students (which might have been indicated by unusual circumstances explained by writing or otherwise). Then again, CCers seem to underestimate ourselves and downplay our the greatness of our achievements, or unfortunately, the reverse, to think too highly of ourselves.</p>
<p>That being said, Stanford might admit a few ordinary people, but the majority won’t be. Would Stanford still be Stanford if they did?</p>
<p>No, you’re screwed. Didn’t you hear, you have to invent the cure for cancer or start a million dollar non-profit to have a chance at HYPSM?</p>
<p>Sarcasm aside, I’m sure plenty of people that you described get into Stanford. Someone with good test scores, GPAs, extracurriculars, etc. are definitely not your average student. Plenty of well-qualified people get rejected just because of the sheer numbers that apply, but that doesn’t mean that some didn’t get in. If Stanford rejected every applicant that wasn’t amazing, they wouldn’t have more than 300 kids in their class.</p>
<p>The median “smarts” of Stanford students are quite high (akin to Williams, Columbia, Dartmouth, etc.). “Smarts”, however, are not enough (nor is legacy). Nationally-ranked athletes, scions (major donor potential), celebrity-status (or spawn of celebrities), possibly obscure talent that the University needs (e.g. the orchestra lost the first oboist) are more of a sure thing. But…y’a never know.</p>
<p>That’s funny. I am none of these things and I got in. I am, however, a first generation college student from a low income family. It’s possible that my personal circumstances played a role in my admissions since Stanford looks carefully at whether or how each applicant faces adversity and makes the best of his or her situation. </p>
<p>What I do know is that had I not been accepted to Stanford, my parents would not be hanging out at this forum (passive-aggressively) making snarky comments and lame excuses for why I did not get in. (Not that they could anyway because they don’t speak any English or even know how to use the internet.) Your repeated posts (on this and the Brown board) reveal a level of insecurity and immaturity that belies your age and parental status.</p>
<p>To attribute your kid’s rejection from Stanford (and Brown) to lack of wealth, athletic talent and/or celebrity status is misleading and self-serving. What extraordinary obstacles did your kid have to overcome? Did s/he grow up in the “ghetto” and have a family that lived on $30,000 a year? Was s/he accepted to an elite NE prep school on academic scholarship and graduate near the top of the class ahead of kids with trust funds and summer vacation homes abroad? </p>
<p>I am so sick and tired of your smugness and sense of entitlement. Nobody, including your kid, deserves a place at Stanford. Your kid isn’t owed anything just because s/he has high grades, SAT scores and fancy extra-curriculars. All you’re doing is trying to diminish the accomplishments of students who rightfully earned their Stanford acceptances. I, for one, won’t stand for that.</p>
<p>To clarify (in case there’s any confusion), the prep school “scholarship” in question was technically need-based FA. But academics definitely played a role because the demonstrated need of the students applying exceeds the amount of aid available. At least that was what I was told.</p>
<p>P.S. I love how Dad2 (not so subtly) puts “smarts” in quotes. I also love how he posts more here and on the Brown board than on the forum for Williams (where his kid goes).</p>
<p>i’m just gona ignore all the responses for the purposes of discussing the OP’s topic for a minute (sorry if i repeat things already said). i just want chime in with my opinion. </p>
<p>In response to the title of the thread: my answer: NO.
No average students get into Stanford. It’s just not a school for average people. All the students who are here are great, not average. It just depends what they are great at. All are at least good students, some are excellent. Some are amazing athletes. Others are great leaders, speakers, debaters, dancers, musicians, community servants or several of the above. So, in response to the ideas behind your question: Yes. All of the admits stand out among the applicants, but it may not always be apparent to people outside of the Admissions office.</p>
honestly I’m glad they take personal situations into consideration because I’m in the same situation as my cousin. I hope they take more interest in my application now!</p>