Chances for Stanford! (Yeah I know there's a million of these posts...)

<p>Just wondering what my chances would be for getting into Stanford... It's my senior year so unfortunately I don't really have much time to improve...
My gpa's 4.0 unweighted and 4.8 weighted.. class rank 2 out of about 95
I got a 33 on the ACT, a 780 on Math 2 subject SAT and 730 on Chemistry subject SAT.
As far as extracurriculars I don't have anything "extraordinary," but I've done varsity cross country.. I'm a taekwondo instructor.. band, piano, volunteering at a dental office, ect...
Any feedback would be appreciated!</p>

<h2>Nice thread bro, very informative, wouldreadagain/10</h2>

<p>If you don’t elaborate, nobody can give you any substantial feedback.</p>

<p>Nothing you tell us says Stanford admit.</p>

<p>Are you number 2 at a school that sends dozens to ivies or a few occasionally? The only thing concrete is your ACT which is not high for Stanford. If you have no stand out EC, Stanford is very unlikely.</p>

<p>:( Probably not going to happen, considering everyone applying has high gpa, test scores and some extra curricular. Accomplishments make the difference is my understanding. National taekwondo champion? Master pianist having successfully composed an album? Cross country champion? Where did you excel outside of academics?</p>

<p>Your GPA is stellar and your ACT is pretty impressive! Based on that you might have a chance, but your lack of EC’s might hurt you. Answer mine?</p>

<p>Thanks for the feedback so far.
I’ll elaborate some…</p>

<p>I’m a third degree black belt and I’ve won various local tournaments. I’ve also performed in numerous demonstrations… Next one is planned to be at a Phoenix Sun’s basketball game. I also teach taekwondo as a consistent job (paid).
I have been the first chair percussionist at my high school’s honor band since freshman year.
I’ve been a member of the regional orchestra/band (orchestra first two years, band the third one) every year of high school so far (member by audition).
Member of national honors society.
I shadowed and did volunteer work at a dentist’s office for about two months. I’ve also volunteered at an engineering firm doing IT management work for another two months. (Plus numerous short term volunteer activities)
Captain of Varsity Cross Country team.</p>

<p>So I didn’t exactly mean I have no noteworthy extracurricular activities… I realize it’s not stuff that’s never been done before. But there’s some more info.</p>

<p>Also, I completed every math class offered at my school as a junior (though advanced calc) and I have take to take courses online through a college for this year.
As far as AP courses, I’ve taken/am taking everything offered by my school.
World history, US, and chemistry, and I scored a 5 on all of them. Currently taking gov.</p>

<p>On a separate note, how much of a role can extraordinary life experiences play? Say… You spent a summer working in a poverty stricken farm in another country… Were involved in a political movement abroad… Stuff along those lines. It’s not something that I want to discuss in detail at the moment. In general though, do you know if these experiences can play a significant role?</p>

<p>The stuff in your last paragraph sounds much more interesting than the ECs you list.</p>

<p>Would you say that’s something that could strongly influence admissions?</p>

<p>In most cases no. But some examples…if the country was not one native to you and you raised money and went on your own or with a group that raised the money, accomplished something significant and put a plan in place whereby many go to continue the work, it could impress.</p>

<p>And as for the political movement, if you were a significant leader, the issue was one that resonates, much was accomplished…it could also be impressive.</p>

<p>Top colleges are looking for those who have already had an impact on the world and will continue to. They are looking for kids who have done the exceptional on their own. They are looking for exceptional results.</p>