I’m doing this bc I have a lower SAT score (for Stanford) but I’m wondering if my strengths in just about every other area could balance it out. I’m applying to other schools as well, of course. Here are my stats:
SAT: 1400/1600
GPA: 4.588
Class rank: 3/458
Taken 11 ap’s
Could only take the ap test for two: 5,4
Taking AP: govt, Spanish, calc BC, and possibly bio since only Bio II Dual is offered at my school but I think I can study for the AP bio test.
Honors:
HOBY Alumni big program in my state)
Girls State Alumni
Media Honor Roll for my school newspaper
4.0+ GPA every quarter
Outstanding Citizenship Citation from the American Legion
National Honor Society
National Spanish Honor Society
Science Fair
CNU Math Comp. contender
EC’s
VIMS volunteer (also centering my year-long research project on VIMS and an ichthyologist from 1970 and writing a paper on him that will hopefully be published in some scholarly science journal)
NHS Pres
School-wide SCA pres
Initiated a “Student of the Month” program at my school
On the Student Leadership Council
Spanish club member
Managing Editor for my school newspaper
Editor for VIMS’s newsletter
Competitive equestrian (on a year-long show circuit with my barn)
Gifted Program
YouTube Channel
Essays:
Honestly, I think they’re all really good. Asked for a couple teachers to look at them and they elicited nothing but good feedback
Letters of Rec are outstanding from two teachers who know me quite well.
Personal: White female. OOS but born in CA.
Intended major is either English or Biology. Want to be a lawyer but I may change over to some sphere of biology.
I think that’s it. Thanks!
The “Taking AP” part is referring to what AP tests I plan on taking.
Bump
Will the paper definitely be published? Any way to hurry that along (if they’re asking for revisions, get those done and resubmitted immediately)? Also any state or even national equestrian events that you’ve won?
Your stats look great and I wouldn’t let a lower test score deter you from applying, but as everyone else here says, unless you ARE the Siemans science fair winner or have something on that level, it’s going to be difficult to get into Stanford, because of all the other kids doing similar things. Work hard on your essays to tell a cohesive picture of who you are and what you will add to the class. What drives you? Are you the supergenius? The next editor of their paper? The leader of the protest? The environmentalist? Yes, it’s labeling, but better that than being so unfocused that they can’t get a sense of who you are, and there aren’t that many words in all the essays combined, to get your point across.
Best of luck to you!!
Thank you for your positivity! I really didn’t think I stood a chance… The paper will most likely be published; however, it will not be until the end of this year as the research I’m doing for it is a part of my year-long senior independent research study (SIRS). I’m on a state-wide show circuit, but have not won any awards thus far as I had to take a break due to financial setbacks… maybe my essays will be good enough. Who knows? Anyway, thanks again for commenting!
Your SAT score is higher than mine was. I was admitted so there is some hope. To be honest your ECs are in the average range from what I can tell with the exception of the potential publishing of a paper.
I assume you are a junior and are applying next year. If there was some way to get a commitment to publish your paper in a nationally known science journal, IMO it would make a big difference. Possibly create an abstract and send it to potential publishers??? Even if it is not published in time for the college applications, a commitment from a major publisher may be a difference maker.
Thanks for your feedback! The SAT part gives me some hope lol. It seems like I’m scattered in a lot of clubs, but I’m really involved in all of them, which I addressed in my app. Already sent in my app, so I can’t talk about the paper and I can’t start on it until I’m done with my ichthyology identification… I am a senior. I think my essays are pretty unique and really good so maybe that will help me. It’s all good haha not the end of the world if I’m not admitted. Curious though- I also applied to UCB, Vanderbilt, Princeton (big reach, I know), UChicago, Northwestern, UVA, and W&M. Would you mind chancing me for those? Thanks!
Also, I talked about how I paint a lot and have set up a sort-of business… people request paintings and offer money but I do them for free. I didn’t submit a portfolio because I give all of my paintings away. Idk if that adds anything
Are you an URM?
Here are some statistics: http://admission.stanford.edu/basics/selection/profile.html
35% of UChicago freshman had 2300+. Source: https://www.chicagomaroon.com/article/2016/9/14/class-2020-survey/
UCB-CA resident-very likely; Out of state- ok. On a note, UCB asks for “random letters of recommendation.” If you are asked for one, make sure your teacher writes you an amazing letter. If not, don’t worry about it.
Vanderbilt- vandy is known to be “test heavy.” Their mid 50 is a 32-35 act. Considering that your 1400 is around a 29/30 on the ACT, your chances are low unless you are a URM.
Princeton- very low DUE to their acceptance rate. URM- ok.
Stanford- very low DUE to their acceptance rate. URM- likely. (Stanford is more forgiving of test scores.)
UChicago- “test heavy.”-unlikely DUE to their acceptance rate. URM-ok.
Northwestern- ok. URM- likely.
UVA- VA resident- very likely; Out of state- unlikely since UVA accepts only a few students out of state.
W&M- likely.
Unless you won significant art awards, I don’t think the painting will make a difference. HOWEVER, the thing that shows your intellectual vitality is publishing your paper, which would significantly increase your chances at Stanford, etc. It would help SIGNIFICANTLY if your research was published in a legitimate, distinguished paper.
bubblepop, I think you might be overplaying the URM topic a little too much. I admit that I don’t know what is in the minds of the Stanford admissions officers. I do know Stanford feels strongly about a diversified student population and in one ranking they came out as #1 in the country based on that ranking’s metrics. However there seems to be so many other factors that are considered: first generation college student, challenges faced growing up, unique backgrounds other than race, etc. I don’t think it is accurate or fair to continually point to URM as the only way of a reasonable chance to be accepted for certain GPAs or test scores.
googledrone bubble is 100% correct. The key admission to the most selective schools is having a hook. This dramatically increases the applicants chance for admission. However simply being a URM with a 1400 in no way assures admission to HYPS. But a URM with a 1400 has a much much higher chance for admission than a non hooked applicant with the same credentials. Being a first generation college student also is a big help but that very frequently overlaps with being a URM. The best hook is being a recruited athlete but being a URM isn’t far behind.
I have an account where I post my paintings and people buy them. I’d like to sell them in galleries this summer, but I already submitted by app to Stanford, so they’d have no way of knowing if I did or if I won any awards. I wrote about painting for my extra curricular bc I thought it was a unique approach to the question. My others essays were well written and unique as well, so that could always help me.
Also, I’m not a URM. But I have experienced unusual circumstances, which I expounded on in my essay (parent being incarcerated; other parent attempting suicude, living in poverty… etc. not trying to use pathos on you guys lol just explaining).
I’m in-state for UVA and W&M.
Interviewed with Northwestern-said he’d write a great rec. Same with Vandy. Interviewing with Princeton soon.
Oh, and I’m planning on writing the paper this summer. But again, already submitted my app so the schools won’t know.
And to bubble, my teachers wrote awesome recs for UCB as I was requested to send 2.