chances/considering stanford...

Colleges & Universities A-Z Stanford University
1

<p>I'm a rising senior right now, and not until recently have I really been considering Stanford. I want to study film (as I would like to work in the industry), but (this is gonna sound really corny) I really love academics and I want a strong education, (especially in writing/history/cultural studies). After all, I might know how to write a screenplay or use a camera, but what's the use if I have nothing significant to film or write about?</p>

<p>Anyways, since Stanford is a top university and also located in California (which practically IS the film industry) I figured I should give it a look.</p>

<p>If anyone could give tell me more about the school and especially if they have specific information about film/theatre in the area, I would really appreciate it.</p>

<p>Also, I listed my stats below. I know I'm not the best, be honest with me. Any advice to improve would really be REALLY wonderful.</p>

<p>GPA: 4.75 w, 3.9 uw
SAT I: 740 cr, 680 m, 700 w (2120 total, obviously not my forte...)
SAT II: 760 math iic, 660 ush (blasphemy! - RETAKING), taking Lit in Oct.
RANK: approximately 9/480-490
APs: USH, Physics B, AB Calc, US Govt (Junior year); Chem, Stats, Lit, Art History, Euro, Economics (Senior)</p>

<p>*I take all the hardest classes I can, and if they aren't offered I take them independent study and (as with my senior year) split time during the day between high schools</p>

<p>ECs:
Drama Club - Historian (11), Officer (12)
-200+ thespian points (for ITS, basically a theatre honor society)
-Best Stage Manager award (11)
-Head of Sound (11)
-Student Director of school play (12)
-TA for theatre class (11)</p>

<p>Student Film Society - Founder & President (12)
-volunteer for local film events and festivals
-took outside film classes at an art center
-production assistant for local feature films
-screenwriter (hopefully will be able to get some acknowledgement on this, as I have recently entered a script in some competitions)</p>

<p>-NHS (11-12); Spanish NHS (10); National Beta Club (10-12); FBLA (9-12), hope to be President next year (12); Junior Marshal (11)</p>

<p>***Athletics:
-Figure Skating - competitive skater, soloist in annual ice show, certified Judge, volunteer/counselor at local "Learn to Skate" camps
-Rowing for HS team - club VP (11), varsity captain (12); (rowed Varsity level since frosh year, but only my senior year is my school making it an official sport...)</p>

<p>***Work Experience:
-intern at Harvard-Radcliffe Theatre (2004)
-intern for the business dept. at The Crimson (newspaper) (2004)
-owner/graphic designer/store manager for HC Gaming Network (2000-2005)
-hopefully I will get a job this August, either at a local book store or my local ice rink</p>

<p>***Summer:
2003 - US Navy Rowing camp
2004 - Harvard SSP (received full grant to attend), A's in both classes
2005 - USC Summer Seminars (received scholarship), will take Film Study class</p>

<p>Also (if this matters), I am white/female, live in Virginia, from a VERY low income fam. on social security...</p>

<p>Any help would be appreciated, and (sorry for this lengthy post!)</p>

2

<p>I think you are pretty much the most unique person I've seen post here. I think you have a pretty good shot. Where in Virginia are you from? I'm from Northern VA. I'm also very interested in film. All I know is that starting next year they will be offering a film studies program for undergraduates. This is a new program so I'm not sure how it will be. I'm sure other people on this board know more about it. Good luck.</p>

3

<p>thanks bade9!
NoVA = the only place our HS rowing team gets to compete, lol (we are the only HS team in our area). i'm from the suburbs of Richmond.
I had no idea about the new film studies program, but that makes me even more interested!</p>

4

<p>Your academics are weak but your ECs are excellent. Its tought to tell but if you apply SCEA, I think you will have a good shot. You will definitely get into other Californian schools with reputed film programs such as UCLA or USC.</p>

5

<p>You should apply to UCLA, USC, or NYU as your first choice. All three have good departments other than film, and they blow stanford out of the water at film.</p>

6

<p>yeah tokonyo, i am applying to all of those schools. (USC is my first choice school at the moment).
i am just considering the idea of focusing on academics more than film in college...</p>

7

<p>Then you should pick Yale. Yale has an excellent and renowned film department as well as the academic strengths that you are looking for in a university like Stanford.</p>

8

<p>I havent considered Yale yet, thanks for that.</p>

<p>do you think Stanford's location is better for maybe getting to work in the industry while studying?</p>

9

<p>there was a post that has similar concerns about getting work in the industry while studying in Palo Alto on the USC forum.
Anyways, Stanford's name does bring in credibility. Maybe you can study at Stanford and look for opportunities for more exposure in the industry elsewhere in the summer.</p>

<p>BTW, I have to agree that your stats are unique and impressive.
I would say that if you plan to study film @ USC, you have a great shot of getting a Trustee/ full tuition scholarship.</p>

10

<p>Tawny,</p>

<p>Though you have an excellent background I would have to disagree with TonyLTH12. Your SAT average is a little low for the trustee/presidential scholarships at USC. Getting in to the film school is not a lock either because the acceptance rate is around 5%.</p>

<p>A student from my son's HS last year was rejected by the USC film school with high board scores a top 10 class rank. He is going to NYU on a partial scholarship, I think it is called a Tisch Scholarship. With that all said, I do think you would have a very good chance to get in to USC if you apply, just that it is not a 'lock'.</p>

11

<p>ok, you are right about the SAT score, I think it does bear alot of weight on the trustee/presidential scholarships... but who knows? Really Qualify applicants have been turn down for good applicants... it's still worth a shot.</p>

12

<p>TonyLTH12,</p>

<p>Agreed, I just did not want Tawny to think it was a shoo-in. It is definately worth a shot.</p>

13

<p>thanks everyone for your input!
yeah thought my SAT was a bit low, but I'll try my best :)</p>