Chance me please?

Colleges and Universities A-Z Stanford University
1

<p>I'm wrapping up my RD application to Stanford, and I would like to get some feedback on my chances. It's Stanford, so I don't expect to get in, but it's always worth a shot.</p>

<p>Stats:
50/50 Japanese-White male from California (...), really low income.
SAT: 2290 first attempt (750 CR, 770 M, 770W)
SAT II: 800 Math 2, 770 Physics
ACT: N/A
GPA: 4.0 UW 4.0 W
Rank: 1/118
Other Tests (AMC, AP, IB): N/A, explained later.
National Merit: Commended Student -_-</p>

<p>Extracurriculars:
* Worked multiple jobs since 8th grade -- Extra in Film industry, Web Design/SEO, Florist's assistant, along with smaller short-term jobs.
* Volunteered at library.
* Peer tutoring.
* Secretary of NHS.
* Organized charity dance.
* Rubik's Cube (It's actually important enough for me to consider an EC).
* Guitar.</p>

<p>Nothing listed above is "bad" enough to disqualify me, but my real hook lies in my background. In 7th/8th grade, layoffs and my parents' divorce resulted in a really bad financial situation. I started working in 8th grade, and to allow for a full work schedule, I opted for an independent study high school. It allowed for a busy work schedule, but it really impacted my education. The school's only science class is biology, and they offer no honors/AP classes. Working also forced me to drop most of my ECs going into high school.</p>

<p>In my personal essay, I wrote about how working full time and attending such a school caused me to reach for educational opportunities wherever I could. I took community college courses when I could, and I self studied a lot of material. I actually started studying group theory using one of Daniel Bump's (Math Professor at Stanford) online papers about the theory of Rubik's Cubes. Right now, I'm working with my principal and science teacher on designing a physics course to add to our curriculum. </p>

<p>I'm not a Nobel prize winner, but I hope my background will help me stand out from the rest. A low income background is nothing special, but I'm not sure how many started working multiple jobs to support their family. I know Stanford's admissions largely depend on ECs and essays. With a personal essay that illustrates this, would I have a chance at Stanford?</p>

2

<p>Well, to start off, good luck. I was just accepted EA, and my stats are shockingly similar to yours.</p>

<p>-I am also half-Asian, half-Caucasian
-2320 SAT (750CR, 770M, 800W)
-800Math2, 790Physics, 720 Lit
-3.97 UW and 4.4something W
-We don’t rank, but I’m somewhere 2-5 out of 400 by GPA
-National Merit Semifinalist
-AP: 5s on Calc BC and AB subscore, WH, English Lang., 4s on Chem and USH</p>

<p>ECs/Work (The major ones)
-A very significant independent engineering/leadership project which I shall leave unnamed. Suffice to say it is completely unique among the applicant pool.
-Four years for the basketball team
-FBLA National qualifier
-Worked as USSF soccer referee since seventh grade
-Volunteer four hours every weekend at hospital
-9 years violin (section leader at one point) and 4+ years guitar</p>

<p>In short, aside from a few differences in educational method, I would think you have a relatively similar shot at acceptance. Just make sure you write strong essays that show MEMORABLE personality traits. That seems to be the important aspect of the whole process. They want characters just as much as they want students, so make yourself stand out. If they remember your application, your chances will shoot up. Write about your most unique activities, but make sure you are telling the officers something about you as an individual rather than simply narrating the story. That is the purpose of the essays, and they seem to play an enormous role in the admissions process.</p>

3

<p>Wow, those stats are surprisingly close, though a bit better than mine XD. Then again, I agree that stats don’t get you into Stanford, they just qualify you. I assume that that engineering/leadership project was the hook that got you in. </p>

<p>Thank you for your opinion – I’m glad that you think my chances are reasonable. Stanford repeatedly emphasizes the importance of intellectual vitality, and my essay essentially talks about that trait. Hopefully my story can also serve as a strong hook.</p>

4

<p>I believe you are correct, though, about the stats simply qualifying you. Another kid from my school applied to Stanford EA. His grades and scores were a bit better than mine, but I have the writing and ECs over him. Do consider, however, that RD has lower acceptance than EA, but I think you do have a nice shot at it.</p>

5

<p>I seem to have forgotten to mention he was rejected.</p>