<p>@AmaranthineD, you are right that Stanford is extremely competitive and that there are a substantial amount of science research winners, math competition winners, and etc. But, first of all, a certain percentage of students are out of the race because not every science or math competition winner has everything such as good scores, good GPA, advanced classes, other extracurriculars, and etc. And as for the rest of the group, not all of the competition winners would want to go to Stanford. They might want to go to other top schools or they might just want to stay in-state and go to a state school. I am not underestimating the competition, because I know Stanford is EXTREMELY competitive. All I am saying is that it is not as impossible as people on this thread are making it to be. If the OP writes good essays and sends in her research abstract, I believe she has a very good CHANCE. I am not saying she will get in for sure, I am just saying that there is a good chance (people on this thread are making it seem as if it is impossible for her to get in). </p>
<p>^For Stanford the OP should not send in the research abstract as the Stanford admissions committee specifically instructs applicants not to do so.
There is never a good chance for Stanford. 5% is 5% is 5% and there’s no getting around that. Well unless you’re a legacy, recruited athlete, or URM. Then its a bit higher. </p>
<p>@texaspg what does that mean? maybe it’s a problem in itself that I don’t know D: </p>
<p>@jr2015br thanks 
i know i shouldn’t obsess but i can’t help it sometimes, haha</p>
<p>okay so what i’m seeing is that i don’t have anything that stands out for top schools- which is true (Q.Q)
lol i should really stop obsessing… but is it IMPOSSIBLE to get into these top level schools? am I a competitor (lilke someone they actually might consider) or not?</p>
<p>How many people got in during 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013?</p>
<p>What are their profiles?</p>
<p>Do you have a similar profile? </p>
<p>What is your competition at your school who are also applying?</p>
<p>This is how you figure out if you have a shot from your school if 4 people are admitted each year. It does not work if the number is highly variable between 0 and 4.</p>
<p>It’s not about standing out, per se, nor uniqueness.<br>
Agree with you texaspg. Would add: or if another school in the area produces quality kids this year and they want to spread some of the wealth.
Kids need to pore over the S website, learn what it is they like, what sorts of current students they tout, what they do and have done. Agree the research is good and the “social awareness” is lacking. Good way to phrase it- as it encompasses several things. </p>
<p>OP…I understand where some of the comments are coming from…but, let me assure you that you MEET the academic criteria to be competitive…</p>
<p>…but Stanford looks beyond the “academic record” to pick and choose who they deem will thrive at Stanford…</p>
<p><a href=“Stanford 2013-2014 stats/info (for those who ask & for the curious) - Stanford University - College Confidential Forums”>Stanford 2013-2014 stats/info (for those who ask & for the curious) - Stanford University - College Confidential Forums;
<p>I would like to quote a recent new CC member @davidofCZ who made the following eloquent observations about successful Stanford applicants in another thread…</p>
<p><a href=“Importance of GPA? - #6 by gravitas2 - Applying to College - College Confidential Forums”>Importance of GPA? - #6 by gravitas2 - Applying to College - College Confidential Forums;
<p>
</p>
<p>Nothing wrong with wanting to attend Stanford…but have a few reaches, some matches, and some safeties to cover your bases. Good luck.</p>
<p>Rare insight. On target. And you notice he’s an adult. Savvy to what really distinguishes. Thank you, gravitas.</p>
<p>@gravitas thank you! As @lookingforward stated, a LOT of great insight. Overall, what I’ve gathered from everyone’s feedback (thank you SO much for it) is that it’s tough to get into stanford for anyone, and that after a certain threshold of academic intelligence, it’s passion/something really special that is required (something I don’t quite show, unfortunately). Is that correct? For now, I’ve decided to stop fretting about it (as that does literally nothing) and i’ll try to show my passion for medicine in my essay. </p>
<p>I realize this isn’t actually the original intent of this thread, but I’d still like to ask (as a lot of you are clearly very well- informed about the college scene)…
What do you believe to be the top 3 schools for studying biology (with less than 15k undergrads and a present but not overly dominating greek life) in this nation?</p>
<p>[i might just start a new thread, haha]</p>
<p>once again, thank you for all your feedback!!!</p>
<p>Just watch the word “passion.” In the phrase, “passion for anything they determine is worth setting their mind to,” the key is in “what” they set their minds to. </p>
<p>The issue of bio comes up a lot- poster opinions run all over the place in how they try to qualify- whether it’s about jobs or med school or internships or grade inflation/deflation, etc. Affordability matters, too. It can also vary depending on which aspect or sub-specialty of bio you may want. And rankings often focus on the grad programs. Do you have a good college guide book- Princeton review or Fiske? At some point, you should look online at the courses offered, the professors’ research interests and professional engagement. And noodle around CC for lots of threads.<br>
Best wishes.</p>
<p>Thank you so much for all of your advice @lookingforward! I’m looking around CC for relevant threads right now! :)</p>