Chance me for Stanford and Duke

Chance Me / Match Me!
1

Hello! I am looking for honest opinions on my current state. I realize there are many factors to an admission, I am just seeing where I’m at. Also, if you have suggestions on how to improve, do tell!

I am currently in my second semester as a Junior. My cumulative GPA is a 3.94, I had a really rough first semester Sophomore year (3.6something), but I am currently in 4 AP’s and I took 1 last year. My semester GPA for the semester I just finished was a 4.8, so I hope that any college will see that I am not a terrible student. My school has interesting Valedictorian requirements, and after this semester I will (more likely than not) have a 4.04. I will (once again, most likely) graduate as one of the valedictorians (yes plural–there will be a few because of new requirements).

EC wise, I will have been in Student Govt. all four years, also being elected as Sophomore, Junior, and hopefully Student body President. I say hopefully because my running mate and I most likely won’t have any competition because everyone who’s eligible to run is happy with our leadership! Anyways, another friend and I founded Ultimate Frisbee club Sophomore year, and we made it into an actual Varsity sport with a group of other schools. So I am also a player/captain/president of that as well. In addition to those, my friend and I (same one as frisbee) started a business and it’s prospering thus far! I had a nonprofit (of my own design) from the beginning of Sophomore year through this past December, and we raised a large sum of money for various school projects and fundraisers. I say had because I recently had to step down in order to focus on my new venture. I have other hobbies that take up some time, but I wouldn’t really consider listing those on a college application.

Standardized testing wise, I have done alright. I took the ACT during December and got a 31. Various factors were in play then, so I’m expecting a better score in February. I have not taken the SAT yet, I’m waiting for the March administration, but I just got my PSAT score back from this past October and I got a 1380, That’s the lower end of the 99 percentile range.

Another thing worth mentioning, I am attending Stanford’s High School Summer Program this June, and while I know it’s a money grab and won’t necessarily help my chances, I am doing it so that I can take college courses not offered at my high school. All things considered, it’s about the same price as what an undergrad would pay for the summer quarter.

2

Anyone?

3

You need to target much higher ACT than 31. Go for 34+, especially for Stanford.

4

You should try to get your standardized test scores into at least the 50th percentile range, in order to make that a non-issue. Your GPA and curriculum sound fine. What is your long-term interest? Right now your ECs don’t particularly stand out, though your non-profit and business could potentially change that. I’d say that if you get your test scores up you will be competitive, but to be more than that you need to differentiate yourself. Without competitive test scores that will be even more of a challenge.

5

Thank you! Yeah, I am taking the ACT this weekend, and then we are required to take it again in April. I know I should be able to raise it a couple points! For those wondering, I also do volunteer at two organizations. In addition, I am counting on my business to boos my ECs. We’re on track to have a sizable (relative) number for revenue this year, so hopefully the success will carry some wight.

6

weight* Sorry, I am on my iPhone so typos are common.

7

A few questions:

  1. How many ‘valedictorians’ does your school typically graduate?
  2. Is there grade inflation are your school (perceived or otherwise)?
  3. Are you applying to Trinity or Pratt?
  4. What is your intended major?
  5. What is your ethnic background ?
  6. Which region of the country are you applying from?
8

So, even with a 2400 SAT and a 36 on the ACT and a letter from the president, no one here could still tell you definitively you’d get into Stanford, but you already know that. The crushing reality of Stanford is they deny 95% of the nations brightest and best. If you don’t look at your own stats and think “There’s few better” then, unfortunately, chances are slim. HOWEVER, Duke is definitely not an impossibility! If you are a minority, lower income student, or even one with an extenuating circumstance it could make all the difference. Your scores are certainly not completely out of range. I’d maybe try another crack at the ACT, and just continue your upward trend in grades. Best of luck darling.