chance me?

Colleges & Universities A-Z Stanford University
1

<p>I've done this at the forum of every college I'm applying to except this one so here it goes:</p>

<p>Male / Asian</p>

<p>10th grade - Sem 1.
English: A
Journalism: A-
French: A
Geometry: A
AP Biology: B+
Global Studies: A
Behind the Scenes theatre: A-</p>

<p>10th grade - semester 2
English: A
French: A
Geometry: A
AP Bio: B+ -- scored a 2 on the AP exam
Global Studies: A
Illustration: B+
Health: B+
Zero Hr. Gym: A-</p>

<p>11th Grade - semester 1
Adv. English 11: A
French: A
American Pub. Policy: A
Adv. Algebra: A-
Design: A
Photography: A
AP Psyche: A-</p>

<p>11th grade - semester 2 -- PROJECTED GRADES
Adv. English 11
French: A
American public policy: A
Adv. algebra: A
AP Psych: A
Economics: A
Teachers assistant for art foundations: pass or fail, no letter gradee
Zero hour gym: A
Independent journalism: A</p>

<p>Upward trend of GPAs semester-wise since 9th grade (and counting pre-high school science academy):</p>

<p>3.333 (Sci. Academy) --> 3.571 --> 3.476 (both freshman year) --> 3.810 --> 3.708 (both 10th grade) --> 3.906 (first sem. junior)</p>

<p>Extracurriculars:</p>

<p>National Honor Society
-running for office next year
French Honor Society
-running for office next year
Newspaper
-currently an editor
Yearbook
Writing Center Tutor
Quill and Scroll - Nat. Honor Society for HS Journalists
Mu Alpha Theta - Nat. Honor Society for Math Students
Forensics (participated 9th and 10th grade, will continue next year)
Amnesty International
-running for office next year
Parnassus in Print - Writing group
Student Council
Key Club
Intramural Bowling this spring</p>

<p>-went to a 4 day journalism convention in Chicago during sophomore year, participated in Editorial writing contest
-partipated in regional Scholastic arts awards, received a 2nd in photography but didn't make it to nationals
-volunteered for 7 hr respite care day and volunteered for Junior Diabetes Walk at the zoo for last two years, both through Key Club</p>

<p>Recs: I have great ones lined up from two english teachers and my counselor</p>

<p>My schedule next year (Senior year) is:</p>

<p>AP Lang
AP Art History
AP US History
AP Government
Challenge Seminar (required at my school if we want to graduate with an Honors diploma)
AP French/French 6
Pre-Calc
Independent Journalism</p>

<p>I've yet to take the ACTs or SATs and I'm planning on majoring in Economics with a minor/double major in Poli Sci.</p>

<p>My recalculated GPA counting only 10th and 11th grade academic classes is 3.91 (school does not weight grades), but my rank is (as of end of 1st semester of junior year) 64 of 285 which = 22%.</p>

<p>Also applying to UW-Madison, UMich, U of Chicago, and Northwestern.</p>

<p>Anyone want to lay it on me?</p>

2

<p>That 2 on AP Bio is going to raise flags; either you had a bad day, or your teacher inflates grades. But, math/science doesn't appear to be your focus, so it's less important. Otherwise, I wouldn't put Stanford out of reach.</p>

3

<p>I don't think I properly prepared for the AP exam, it was the first one I ever took and I've always been terrible at science. And I don't think my teacher/school inflates grades, I worked hard for those B+'s.</p>

<p>Do you think my class rank will be suspect?</p>

4

<p>I'm not sure how competitive your high school is, but 3.9 is not out of the range. Your guidance counselor should check the "most rigorous available" box under the academic program section of the recommendation (of course, only if it's true), which would help. 700+'s on the SATs (I and II) will also help ;).</p>

<p>Two more issues I see on a second look of your post.
You specify economics/polysci as your interests, but have recommendations from two english teachers. I would suggest one of them be from a teacher in at least a different subject to give a broader picture of you.</p>

<p>Higher-level economics can be highly math/calculus based from what I've heard. They need to know you're comfortable with higher-level math, which doesn't show in your transcript. I'm not sure how to fix this, but that's what I would be thinking about if I were reading your application.</p>

5

<p>I suppose you're right about the teacher recs. Would I be able to get one of the extra English teacher recs. as supplementary material though?</p>

<p>I would be taking harder math courses if I could, but I'm unable to take AP Calculus due to my not being placed into the Accelerated track as an 8th grader. Who knew things I didn't understand would come back to bite me in the ass?</p>

6

<p>2 on AP exam is a failing grade. Do not report it (you don't have to...).</p>

<p>Your chances aren't great, but a lot will depend on how you present yourself on the application.</p>

7

<p>They accept supplementary recommendations, but don't like them unless they add something specific to your application. I sent in one from a teacher I did independent study work with.</p>

8

<p>I agree with mscnln - I submitted an extra rec but only b/c I had taken a year off. I would only submit an extra if it adds something extra to your app. Like a rec from someone with whom you've you worked outside of school (in my case, a local business program co-ordinator). Otherwise it doesnt help them understand who you are.</p>

<p>And with AP scores.. I believe you dont have to send official results unless you enroll (and are or course admitted) so, jus tlist your good AP scores and not Bio. I think that's how it works at Stanford, but I'm not 100% sure.</p>

9

<p>Yeah, I'm also pretty sure I won't have to submit that score. I'll make sure my extra rec. is from someone relevant.</p>

<p>PS. Are SAT/SAT subject tests essential?</p>

10

<p>what do mean by essential? necessay? Yes, not sure bout the SATII's for some schools. But, SATI's are a requirement and you need to well on them to get into Stanford.</p>

11

<p>I was under the impression it was SAT and/or ACT. Alright</p>

12

<p>yes, plus 2 SAT IIs (one of them being Math II)</p>

13

<p>SAT 2's are not required, just "strongly recommended". Also, you don't have to send in an official AP report so you can just mention your good AP scores on your application.</p>

14

<p>"strongly recommended" means "If you want to have a chance, you better take them".</p>

15

<p>ya definately take SAT II's otherwise it seems as though you're not committed to going there.</p>