I am currently finishing up my junior year of high school. I am in the International Baccalaureate Full Diploma Program and have taken 7 AP tests and will eventually take 6 IB tests. My school is not the best because I live in Nevada and our education system is one of the worst in the country. I have had 2 C’s and a few B’s in my high school career, both C’s in my freshman and sophomore years and B’s all three years due to tough teachers, etc. I know colleges usually say as long as you improve over time, they don’t mind a few grades that aren’t A’s. My father went to Stanford, and that makes me a primary legacy. I’ve read that primary legacy status theoretically triples your chances of getting in to Stanford. I got a 30 on my first ACT and I am retaking it to get it up a few more points. I am also taking 4 SAT subject tests (Math 2, Chemistry, World History and U.S. History) in August. I do mock trial, speech & debate, and am joining swim team next year. I also am lucky enough to be able to go on a trip to Europe this summer for 18 days which I took a special class for and can get credit for on my transcript. I also volunteer. I want to know if I have a chance of getting in at all (with excellent essays I hope) and if I have a better chance of getting in early action given my legacy status and if my stats would harm that. Thank you!
I also may not do incredibly well on all my tests (3s on APs and 4s on IBs with a few 5s or 6s.) Will this harm my chances? I know colleges usually say they care more about the grade in the class than the grade on the test, but…
It is hard to say whether or not you will get in. You are below average overall however I am not sure how much your father going there affects your chances. If it can balance out being a little below average than you have a decent chance of getting in, but I wouldn’t bank on it.
In my honest opinion, I don’t think you have much of a shot at Stanford, even with your legacy status. Legacy does not balance out your far-below average stats, and I don’t see any truly impressive, unique ECs. Applying Early Action wouldn’t help in your case, since you’ll be competing against the best of the best in that pool (and they only take people in EA that they are sure they would take in RD).
Stanford is an incredible school, and if you’re set on applying it is fine to throw in a reach app, but focus more on schools that fit your academic profile.