Chances / Does Stanford dislike my HS?

Colleges and Universities A-Z Stanford University
1

<p>Before I post stats, I had a question about Stanford. I believe that every university keeps tracks of high schools so that it has a record of how good it is, and different universities may prize certain schools over others. Historically, my school from Central NJ (pretty competitive area), gets almost no students into Stanford. It'd be okay if there were some apparent reason, but there isn't. We get students into all the other good schools (Harvard, Princeton, etc.), but our history with Stanford is shoddy. Our valedectorian last year got rejected to Stanford (while being accepted to Harvard, Princeton, Caltech, MIT, etc), and the case was the same with many other students who went on to the top ivies. In addition, our school is among the top science schools in NJ: we sent two students to USABO camp and one student to USAChO camp (I don't think any other NJ school did that), ranked first in NJ Merck State Science Day, among the best (if not the best) in nearly every division of the NJ Science League, and state winner of NJ Science Bowl (going on to around top 8 at nationals). We also do very well in Model UN and came first in We The People (prestigious competition dealing with the Constitution). I'm asking this because Stanford is my dream school, but for some reason, other schools (that our school repeatedly beats at such competitions) send students here. If it were once or twice, I'd think that there was something else about those students (maybe they were more "complete" or "unique", as Stanford likes), but again, it's a pattern year after year. I'm concerned because Stanford is my favorite school. Is there anything I can do?</p>

<p>That being vented, here are my stats:
Asian male from Central NJ</p>

<p>GPA: 4.5 W, 3.8 UW</p>

<p>SAT: 1590, will be taking new one in Oct (will Stanford look more at new or old?)</p>

<p>SAT IIs: 800 Math IIC, 800 Chem, 800 Physics, 790 US History.</p>

<p>APs: Last year, got all 5s; I took AP Chem, AP Physics C (both Mech and E&M), AP Calculus BC (both subscores), AP US History, and AP English. This year, I'm taking AP Euro, AP Comp Sci, AP English, AP Statistics, AP Biology, AP Government.</p>

<p>ECs: No sports, no music :-(
Captain of Quizbowl, VP math team, Treasurer Math Honor Society, Webmaster for Debate Team, student leader for delegation in Model UN, three year member of science bowl team (and we've won NJ state each year).</p>

<p>Other:
Taking Modern Physics at Rutgers University (will this matter much?)</p>

<p>Summers:
8-9: CTY- Theory of Computation
9-10: Volunteered at old age home (today, my total hrs volunteering are around 250ish)
10-11: Skipped honors physics successfully
11-12: Volunteered w/ Indian NGO; worked with rural Indian schools.</p>

<p>Recs (expected):
Counselor: Very good.
Physics teacher: Pretty good. He knows I'm not naturally gifted, but that I work hard.
History/Pol Sci/UN teacher: Very good.</p>

<p>Essay:
Pretty good, I hope.</p>

<p>So...anyone know how my chances stand? Any helpful hints?</p>

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<p>Your stats are excellent, EC's are decent, so it really comes down to your essays and recs. As for your school, I know that a number of East Coast schools tend to have connections to the Ivies (lots of alumni, legacies, faculty connections, etc). For example, my NJ high school is a big feeder to Princeton and Penn. Maybe there are a lot of legacies among your peers. This doesn't necessarily give you a better chance at the Ivies, though. Nor does this mean that Stanford "looks down on your school" or anything like that. If Stanford's your first choice, go for it.</p>

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<p>" He knows I'm not naturally gifted, but that I work hard."
I am not sure that is what you want on your recommendation... Hopefully, your teacher will know better then put it this way.</p>

<p>Your stats are great. Write killer-essays and hope for the best. I doubt that Stanford holds a grudge against your school, but even if so, there is nothing you can do about it. Apply SCEA.</p>

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<p>I was actually thinking Stanford SCEA. It's Stanford, Caltech, or Princeton. Stanford is first choice, but I think I probably have a better shot at Caltech or Pton.</p>

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<p>since ur asian, you have a bad chance at all of them...</p>

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<p>The others are ED, so if Stanford is what you want, apply there.</p>

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<p>ummm... stanford is big on essays. so if people at your school suck at writing, that may explain it</p>

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<p>" He knows I'm not naturally gifted, but that I work hard."
Not to put you down, but Stanford def. isn't the school for people who aren't naturally gifted and work hard. For sure.</p>

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<p>Do you go to AAST?</p>

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<p>Ashveer? no. MLHS.</p>

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<p>No, not you Ashveer....I'm talking about cautious..Does he go to AAST?</p>

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<p>No. I'd rather not give exact HS, but it's not AAST. AAST is waaaay better than us at math, but we tend to do better in science (with regards to Bio/Chem/Physics Olympiad, Science Bowl, NJ science league, merck state science day, etc.)</p>