Do I have a shot?

Colleges and Universities A-Z Stanford University
1

<p>Thanks in advance!</p>

<p>Stats:
Male, Midwest, Caucasian, No hooks, rising senior</p>

<p>Academia:
GPA: 3.995 Unweighted
Rank: 6/557
SAT: 2250 Single Sitting (Only time I took it) (750M, 740 CR, 760 W, 11 Essay)
SAT II: 800 US History, 740 Chem, 800 Math 2
AP Tests: APUSH (5), Euro (5), Calc BC (5), Lang/Comp (5), Stats (5)
Senior Year Courseload: Multivariable Calc., AP Econ, AP Comp Sci, AP Lit., CIS Comp, CIS Spanish 5, AP Physics, AP Chem.
Major Awards: National Forensic League Degree of Honor, Degree of Excellencex2, ExCEL Nominee, 2 time Tri-Athlete Award, AP Scholar w/ Distinction, National Merit Commended </p>

<p>I go to one of the top ranked schools in the nation if that affects anything.</p>

<p>Extracurriculars:
Cross Country (4 years): Varsity Captain, state qualifier, section champs while captain, conference champs, all state academic, all conference, Academic State Gold, Academic State Silver, 2 time Scholar Athlete of the Year, 3 time section qualifier, three varsity letters, Nike Footlocker Regionals/National qualifying meet</p>

<p>Swimming (4 years): Varsity Captain, 2 time Academic State Silver, 3 varsity letters, most improved award, 2 time section qualifier, True team section runners up, 2 time true team section qualifier, True team State Qualifier, </p>

<p>Track and Field (4 Years): Varsity Captain, Individual All State Academic Award, 3 Time True Team Sectional Qualifier, 2 Time Sectional Qualifier, Most Improved, Scholar Athlete of the Year, 2 Time Varsity Letter Award Winner, Honor Roll Time in 2 Mile-9:53 and 1 mile - 4:33, Sectional Medalist, two time Sectional runner ups (in the hardest one in the state I may add),</p>

<p>Girls Swim Team Manager for 1 year.</p>

<p>Debate (3 Years): 2 Time State Qualifier, Novice Classic Debate State Quarter Finalist, National Forensic League Member, NFL Degree of Honor, Degree of Excellence, Letter Award Winner </p>

<p>Student Council (3 Years): Officer, Organized various things, including running a school wide Community Cup that includes a $1000 prize and a choice of charity, and also ran initiative for healthier district school lunches, 2 letter awards</p>

<p>National Spanish Honor Society (2 Years)</p>

<p>National Honor Society (2 Years): , Service Committee, Dialogues committee, Dodgeball Committee (ran a local dodgeball tourney where all proceeds go to JDRF, lots of money raised)</p>

<p>LINC: LINC 101 - Leadership Class, get school credit on my transcript
LINC Leadership, Leadership, do large scale leadership with Freshmen and newbies at school
LINC 301: Captains training
Other misc. Leadership conferences</p>

<p>Summer Activities:</p>

<p>Volunteer Work: 200+ total - Help run a space camp for kids</p>

<p>Running Camp: (3 years) (400 Mile Club) </p>

<p>Swimming Camp: (4 years)</p>

<p>Star Wars Collectable Card Game Club: I played competitive star wars collectable card game. I went to states and regionals (3 years)</p>

<p>Triathlons: I independently train and compete in triathlons. </p>

<p>Some other info: I probably plan to retake the SAT again this fall. I screwed up on the math and want to improve on that (I think I can snag an 800). Also, I sucked at the multiple choice on the writing section, so I can improve there. Additionally, I am going to study vocab for reading. Hopefully I can get past the 2300 threshold. I don't know if I want to take the SAT II Chem test again, but I know I could improve drastically as I haven't taken AP Chem yet. I am also planning to take various courses on the internet, for things like egineering and genetics, and they're run by Stanford (so it's legit). Does that count as a legitimate summer activity? My times are not good enough for recruitment. Thanks for reading through this far and for your time!</p>

2

<p>Your credentials far surpass mine. It makes me sad to think about who I’m going up against in college admissions…</p>

<p>I think you have a great shot… but then again it’s Stanford.</p>

3

<p>It probably won’t make a difference if you retake any tests… unless it makes you feel better. Spend time working on your essays. Good luck. Your stats are excellent!</p>

4

<p>Athletics is a huge hook at Stanford.</p>

5

<p>Track and Swimming during the same season!! Good for you!</p>

6

<p>Wow! If you can write a killer essay, I’m sure you could get admission into Stanford. As a rising Junior in high school, my opinion isn’t as relevant as those in college, but if I were a betting man, I’d say that you could do it. The only thing that may help, is if you do some charity service, incorporating your favorite academic subjects (a girl from my old school had a 2.0 GPA but got into Yale because she built libraries in Darfur as she loved reading), e.g. you should try organizing some space camps, like what you ran earlier, for underprivledged kids.
Regarding your question about the SAT, I suggest you retake it, because I’m currently in an SAT prep course and my teacher advised me to take the test twice, and then send in a cocktail of my best scores.
For the SAT II, I’m going to take the Chem test, as I am taking AP Chem next year (like you), but I don’t know if the test is worth taking as a senior, unless you’re confident enough in your abilities in Chem by this Fall or just before Winter.
If I may ask, if you consulted any resource material to study for your Math Level 2 SAT subject test, because I got my score today (740), and I want to improve it to an 800 and I am electing to take it again this fall.</p>

7

<p>No, athletics per se are not a “huge hook” at Stanford. <em>Recruitable</em> athletics, yes; other very good athletics are nice to have, something of a plus, but nothing more. OP, you look very capable and academically solid, so you’ll likely make it through the initial sort. Think about whether you have something that demonstrates particular focus and perseverance to highlight in your essays. Even better, how would you bring that “something” to Stanford and improve the community? That’s the best bet for an unhooked applicant to make it to the admit pile. Best of luck.</p>

8

<p>Honestly, besides your star wars ish, you look like every other kids applying. Better hope your essays stand out.</p>

9

<p>^ Typical applicant, you need to stand out in essays. Maybe try and get in contact with Swim/Track coaches at Stanford… wouldn’t hurt.</p>

10

<p>Debtttsctmist</p>