Chance me for Stanford, UMich - I'm seriously flipping out over the former

Chance Me / Match Me!
1

<p>I mean I guess whatever is said on this thread probably won't end up mattering (already submitted REA) but I'm a bit bored and would like to know what everyone else thinks.</p>

<p>I also recognize that Stanford is incredibly unpredictable but it's my first choice so hey, why not?</p>

<p>SAT I: 2360 (800 CR, Math, 760 writing, only a 9 essay)
SAT II: 800 USH, 800 Chem, 800 Math II
ACT: 36 (across the board), only 8 writing
APs: Calc BC, Chem, Bio, Physics C Mech, Physics C E&M, Micro, Macro, APUSH, English Language, Statistics, all 5s
Achievements (the 5 listed on Common App): USAMO qualifier, top 5 Michigan Mathematics Prize Competition, National AP Scholar, National Merit Semifinalist, HSHSP Scholar
GPA: 4.0 unweighted, 4.44 weighted (my school only weights APs, not Honors)
Senior Year Courses: Calc3/LinAlg, AP Euro, Band, AP Environmental, AP Psych, AP English Lit</p>

<p>Extracurriculars:
Science Olympiad (4 years, 1 year VP, 2 years President)
Marching Band (a competitive top flight band, 4 years, 1 year section leader)
Fed Challenge (2 years, State Champions last year, Captain this year)
Chem Club (2 years, President this year)
NHS (2 years... I chaired an event if that helps but I lost the election)
Symphonic Orchestra (3 years... I'm a horn player if that would help but I doubt Stanford cares even if horn players aren't the most common thing out there)
Also had things like Model UN (just this year), Future Problem Solvers (3 years)</p>

<p>Essays: Most of the feedback I got was positive; I felt confident in them. Not sure what else to say...</p>

<p>Recs: I read one of them myself and it was over 800 words; I was impressed. The other comes from my physics teacher and Science Olympiad coach so I'm pretty sure it should be strong. Additional rec was my marching instructor/visual caption head; he's also an English teacher at another school; hopefully it's great.</p>

<p>Unfortunately no work and minimal volunteer experience, that's what I'm scared of really hurting me. Hopefully those 8's and 9's on standardized test writing won't be too much of a bother either?</p>

<p>I'm an Asian male... so I mean I doubt that helps my chances.</p>

<p>Posting this partially to calm my nerves, but also because I really want an opinion as to whether or not the lack of work and volunteer will totally kill my application or not.</p>

<p>(Also applied UMich early, been accepted to MSU so I guess at least I'm going to college haha, also doing Princeton, MIT, possibly Harvard, Caltech, Yale, UPenn, although I assume all of those chances are similar to Stanford ones)</p>

<p>EDIT: I'd also be totally happy to chance you back, but be warned that I probably don't know anything...</p>

<p>Also my second problem seems to be the lack of a "hook"?</p>

2

<p>Your objectives are amazing, however, your extra-curriculars are really weak for Stanford’s standards. However, as always, these prestigious schools are always difficult to predict, but I think you have a decent shot. I wouldn’t say stanford is necessarily a high reach but a reach nonetheless because of your race and lack of ECs. And I don’t think you should worry about the writing portion…</p>

3

<p>Hmm, just curious, what would be “strong” extra-curriculars then? I recognize that things like RSI, TASP, businesses, service organization founding, etc would be such things, but (forgive me if I sound defensive; just genuinely curious) I figured that 4 years of a very competitive band with 2 club presidencies and HSHSP would qualify as about average at least.</p>

4

<p>your ECs are average at best. It’s just that everyone is already in band, NHS, and science olympiad… nothing in your list sets you apart from other high achieving students. But your stats are amazing and you have a great shot at stanford! Don’t sweat it</p>

5

<p>Although I’m just a student, I think your ECs are weak compared to competitive applicant pool. In CC or just around me there are just tons of ppl with same ECs as you do (Lot of bright students like you take similar ECs from the school). Because you have such strong academic accomplishment, You definitely have a decent shot on any of the top schools but your ECs are definitely not impressive. Lot of ppl have a few internships, bands, orchestra, contests, club presidents, unique social service, volunteer hours etc. I saw quiet a few students only with good score and without any ECs get into HYPS last year, so score and essay alone can get you in. For me, I made a charity band in addition to various bands I was in at the school, interned in Korean National Assembly and in media company + other personal ECs. These activities are definitely not ‘amazing’ but I believe they can differentiate from routine ‘school’ activities such as band, clubs, and etc.</p>

6

<p>In my experiencing reading HYPSCM admission result thread over and over, often lot of people who have solid objectives and outstanding ECs are deferred/rejected and some ppl with solid objectives but not impressive ECs are accepted. Since admission process seems like a crap shoot among solid objectives in lot of cases, you will have a great shot among very qualified applicants!</p>