Chance a Farm Boy for Sunny Stanford

Colleges and Universities A-Z Stanford University
1

<p>Totally don’t think I have much of a chance. But you never know. </p>

<p>I will highly consider coming here If I get in, but if that’ll happen is the question…</p>

<p>Gahh IDK. What do you guys think?</p>

<p>White Male from Minot, North Dakota
Lives on a Farm. Am fluent in that lifestyle.
HS Class of 2010 (junior)
1st Generation College Student (both my parents failed out [still have jobs today], mother failed out of uw-madison, father failed out of Emory)
Highly Ranked Public High School (well, #3 in N. Dakota, that is, so that’s really not saying much)
GPA (unweighted): 3.898
GPA (weighted): 3.962
ACT: 35 (w/ 10 writing)
I never took the SAT, but I got 226 on the PSAT.
Class Rank: 5/174
Major: Undecided. Possibly arts of some sort.</p>

<p>CLASSES (HP=Honors Placement)
FRESHMAN: Spanish 1, HP Earth Science, HP US History, HP English 9, HP Geometry, Band
SOPHOMORE: HP Spanish 2, AP Biology, APUSH, HP English 10, HP Algebra 2, AP Gov, Band
JUNIOR: HP Spanish 3, AP Chemistry, AP Euro, AP English, HP Pre-Calc, Band, Music Lab
SENIOR: AP Spanish, AP Physics, AP Psychology, AP English, AP Calc AB, Band, AP Music Theory</p>

<p>AP Scores up to date:
APUSH: 4
AP Gov: 3</p>

<p>EC’s:</p>

<li>Band.</li>
<li>Percussionist</li>
<li>4 years of High School Band.</li>
<li>1st Chair since sophomore year</li>
<li>Made the most Elite Audition band in my school 10th-12th grade</li>
<li>3 Music Letters, all from various Band Activities
<strong>Marching Band</strong>
-5 years, 8th-12th grade.</li>
<li>Section Leader for upcoming season</li>
<li>Co-Section Leader last year
<strong>Drum Line</strong></li>
<li>Co-Captaining the Drum-Line</li>
<li>5 years</li>
<li>Our group won 2 state titles
<strong>Pep-Band</strong></li>
<li>Section Leader junior year</li>
<li>Winter and Spring</li>
<li>Composed a “song” that we performed
<strong>Jazz Ensemble</strong></li>
<li>1st Chair Pianist/ doubled up on bass when needed</li>
<li>3 years</li>
<li>Performed in DC
<strong>Solo & Ensemble</strong></li>
<li>Played a Sax Solo sophomore year and received a superior rating</li>
<li><p>Fresh-Junior Year: Played with group and got excellent/superior ratings
<strong>Traveled to Spain last summer with the band to perform in Madrid</strong>
<strong>Accepted into the North Dakota all state High School Honor Band</strong></p></li>
<li><p>Track & Field (Indoor & Outdoor)</p></li>
<li><p>1 mile, 2 mile, 4X400 m. Relay</p></li>
<li><p>Captain Junior Year for Indoor</p></li>
<li><p>Freshman Year-Senior</p></li>
<li><p>National Honor Society</p></li>
<li><p>300 Community Service Hours to this point</p></li>
<li><p>Includes peer tutoring to disabled children in the elementary school</p></li>
<li><p>Habitat for Humanity, summer 2009. I’m not sure what I’ll be doing yet.</p></li>
<li><p>Part Time Job, Target. I Work in Food Avenue.</p></li>
</ol>

<p>-Essays should be good. I’m generally good with that.</p>

<p>-I have 2 recs getting ready to be lined up. One should be good, and one should be absolutely excellent.</p>

<p>…So yeahhh.</p>

2

<p>From everything that I’ve read and heard Stanford looks for standouts. What do you have to offer Stanford that is different from all the other incredibly impressive kids out there? Have you come up with any inventions to help your family on the farm? Have you come up with new farming techniques that have won you awards at the state fair/science fair? You have to make your application "pop’ if you want Stanford. Read up on the Stanford pages here on CC and you should get a better picture of what Stanford looks for.</p>

3

<p>Yeah, I totally never invented anything. And I really don’t see any standouts within myself except for my obvious passion for music, which isn’t much of a standout…</p>

<p>hmm i definitely need to think about that. Haha I never thought I’d be “not exciting enough” for a college.</p>

4

<p>yeah, a big part of the process is getting your admissions officer who reads your app to believe in you and your ability to bring a new perspective or ability to the class or in your ability to create new knowledge. they have to believe in you strongly enough to argue your case in front of the selection committee, so giving them something to work with is key.</p>

5

<p>I don’t give chances, but think being a ND boy who is fluent in farming gives you a perspective that would be a valuable addition to many schools’ freshmen classes. Be sure to let them know how involved you are with working on the farm. With farm work, 300 volunteer hours already and a part-time job you seem like you are probably a very mature high schooler. </p>

<p>Have you taken any SAT subject tests? While Stanford says they are recommended, not required, from everything I’ve read hear I’ve gathered that this policy is to give themselves room to admit students who may not have known to take the subject tests. </p>

<p>From the Stanford website:
"Should I take the SAT Subject test?</p>

<p>We recommend (but do not require) that you submit official results of at least two SAT Subject Tests, as these additional scores often assist us in our evaluation process. You are welcome to submit any and all SAT Subject Tests you have completed. We do not have a preference for the specific SAT Subject Tests you elect to take. However, if you elect to take a math test, we do prefer to see the Math Level 2 test if you feel that your math background has adequately prepared you for this test." </p>

<p>Given your PSAT score you may want to take the SAT in order to qualify for National Merit Finalist. You could wait to take the exam until you have sent your scores to all the schools to which you are applying if you’re concerned the SAT score might not be as high as the ACT. </p>

<p>North Dakota is one of those states which has a very low student population. You are evidently comfortable going far from home. In addition to Stanford I’d recommend applying to other schools with strong programs you’re interested in which are far from your home. Your geographic diversity is a big plus.</p>

6

<p>I think your biggest “hook” is the farm…</p>

7

<p>How badly do you want Stanford? Your “location” thing makes it look like you want to go to IU…</p>

8

<p>your location makes your chances slightly better but your class rank certainly wont help from an uncompetitive school
an SAT update would be helpful</p>