Chances and What Can I Improve on?

Chance Me / Match Me!
1

<p>So, I going to become a Junior this year (2013-2014) and I really really really want to go to Stanford. So just going to list what I have done. Can you guys give me some advice to improve my chances and tell me what my chances are?</p>

<p>Freshman Year(Both Semesters): 4.0 GPA
Classes:
Geometry Honors
Algebra 2 Honors (I took a test which let me skip Geometry Honors but my parents wanted me to stay in the class to learn "more stuff" -.-)
Biology
English 9 Honors
PE
Journalism (Writer)
Spanish 1
(During the Summer, I tutored kids from 9am-3pm, then went to local community college for Precalc/Trig Class 6am-9pm.)</p>

<p>Sophomore Year(Both Semesters): Overall 4.1071
English 10 Honors: A
Journalism: A
AP Calculus AB: A
AP European History: A
Chem Honors: A
Spanish 2: A
PE: A</p>

<p>Junior Year Classes:
AP Physics C
AP Calculus BC
AP Computer Science A
AP Language
AP US History
Spanish 3
Journalism</p>

<p>So I know that I will become Editor in Chief for my School's newspaper. Also, I used to play chess competitively a lot. I have more than 20 trophies and even more medals. In 4th grade, I got 3rd/tied for 2nd for my grade level( in Northern California), and in 5th grade I got 7th in Northern California. Also I was invited, to an invitational tournament only: East Bay vs South Bay, which recognized me as one of the top players for my rating/grade. I volunteer at the Tech Museum and I am on my local Library's Teen Council. Also, this year I participated in Synopsys Science Fair and won a special award from NASA. Finally, I won District Science Fair twice. I have attended every Stanford SPLASH since 7th grade and I have been recognized from my math and Journalistic abilities from my school. I plan on getting a 2200+ on the SAT. Also I am going to be part of NSHSS.
Can you please tell me chances of getting in Stanford and what I can do to improve?</p>

2

<p>First of all, drop any references to what you did in grade school. These awards are based on potential as opposed to actual accomplishment - no one cares. Similarly, attending paid, non-competitive summer programs like SPLASH means nothing and in fact can be a negative - it is an indication that your family has resources to provide opportunities not available to other students.</p>

<p>It would be good if you had taken the SAT already to become familiar with it and have some indication of where you will need to study harder. Try taking it this fall, as well as the ACT. Students tend to do better on one or the other, so it can be good to try both.</p>

<p>Finally, I would suggest that you change your screen name. Strangers don’t know the meaning behind “Hades” but it generally has a negative connotation in our culture.</p>

3

<p>Okay Thanks! I just used my League name :stuck_out_tongue: but I will change it. By the way, how do you change usernames? What about my chess awards? I went to offical USCF tournaments, so I’m positive sure that they were based on my chess skill. Anyways, do you have any other suggestions on EC and other related things? Because I’m one of those really paranoid people about school and grades. Thank you very much for replying!</p>