<p>Completely objective, now. I'll lay down stats without personal commentary--except when irresistible. Thank you for reading!</p>
<p>NUMBERS:
2280 SAT I (710 math, 800 verbal, 770 writing)
35 ACT (all 36 except math)
4.0 GPA, ranked #1, hardest courseload in history of school (school = 99% go to college, ACT 3ish points above state average)
SAT II-700 biology M, 700 math IIC, 730 US History
AP-5 US History, 5 Biology, 5 US Government and Politics</p>
<p>AWARDS:
National Junior Science and Humanities Symposium Finalist
Intel International Science and Engineering Fair Finalist
President of NHS
National Merit Semi-Finalist
Quill & Scroll International First Place Award
Siemens-Westinghouse Semi-Finalist</p>
<p>ACTIVITIES:
Worked steadily throughout high school. Currently 20ish hrs/wk.
Science research (10, 11, 12)
dance (9-12)
saxophone (11, 12)
school newspaper (10-12) copy editor, editor-in-chief
exec of 2 clubs
mentor (9-12)</p>
<p>That's all. Oh, and very strong recommendations, as good as they can get. Hook nonexistent, except I wrote some really strange essays, and people tell me I'm a nice kid.</p>
<p>You're probably 75% in, but I'll add something:</p>
<ol>
<li>Quill and scroll is really a joke of a high school journalism award, means nothing but sounds extremely important. </li>
<li>I find it incredible that someone with your math/science proficiency as shown by SAT 1 math and SAT 2 math and biology, as well as your 3 APs (Which is really not that many) can still get ISEF finalist, Siemens Semi, and JSHS finalist. Makes me think you didn't do your research and some professor did the brunt of the work, or your father's coworker, or something.</li>
</ol>
<p>That being said, those are still excellent credentials and I tihnk you'll get in.</p>
<p>Superwizard, I agree, I have low SAT 2. I don?t really have anything else to say except that I missed about three weeks of school that quarter, and I concentrated mostly on AP exams and classes instead of SAT 2. Maybe this was a bad idea.</p>
<p>Staticsoliloquy, I work at McDonalds.</p>
<p>Knightmair, your comments are extremely helpful! I never knew Quill & Scroll was a joke award, so thank you for making me more informed (although it's kind of unfortunate I already included it in my app). My school caps the number of APs that can be taken. I freely admit I am (comparatively) bad at math, and, although I love science, I'm not by any means exceptionally gifted. I'm really an English person. The awards were a result of grueling work, genuine enthusiasm, an articulate presentation...and pure luck. Your point is really insightful, and you are correct about the inconsistencies. </p>
<p>I wouldn't worry about how prestigious or not Q&S award is. It's still an award and it shows that you are multi-talented. I have no idea what your chances are. Stanford does not take the top students from our school. Your quirky essays may well end up being a plus.</p>
<p>You have a decent chance (ISEF finalist, wow) but you may still be rejected, it's not that implausible...you will probably get into one of the top schools though so don't worry about it much</p>
<p>I'll note here that I was being pretty biased when I said Quill and Scroll was a joke award... it looks great on the masthead on a paper (even if the paper isn't very good, as I've seen numerous times) </p>
<p>But like I said, to adcoms, it looks great ;)so good luck with your application, and oh -- adcoms will know that your high school caps the number of APs you take, so no worries there. As long as, within your own single context, you've taken the maximum number, or close to it, you should stand a very good chance.</p>
<p>Okay...this is my first chance. I refrained from chancing until I actually got in.</p>
<p>You have awesome awards. Can you elaborate on your science research? Or is that just what you did in terms of your project?</p>
<p>You definitely have a good chance, but it depends on your region and how many students your school sends each year. Your essays/recs are also extremely important, and sometimes (I heartily believe) they can make/break an application. Good luck!</p>
<p>Wow, I'm really surprised people are not ignoring yet another chances thread! This is so nice. Thanks for all your input, encouragement, and perspective.</p>
<p>Devaaki, I'm from the Midwest. I don't know if this will impact the app.</p>
<p>Pyleela, I did research on the role of adhesion molecules in inflammation. Really fun, fascinating stuff. My school has never, ever, ever sent anyone to Stanford ever. My recs are good probably, and my essays are...weird.</p>
<p>Also, for the midyear, what is considered slacking off? </p>
<p>And does anyone know anything about the resources offered to aspiring journalists at Stanford? I know they don't offer a specific journalism undergraduate major, but it's hard to find other information. Is Stanford really primarily a tech school as they say?</p>