EA Hopeful Chances

Colleges and Universities A-Z Stanford University
1

<p>Can you tell me whether my daughter's chances are better than 50-50:</p>

<p>White Female American from Florida-- seems to do best in math and sciences</p>

<p>Private college prep school with a graduating class of 105</p>

<p>4.43 weighted
4.22 unweighted</p>

<p>35 ACT- with great subscores- perfect in math and sciences
11/12 in ACT writing
780 Math 2c
730 Chemistry
710 Lit
680 Biology, but as a freshman (taking AP Bio now)</p>

<p>(All above scores were based upon first and only attempt.)</p>

<p>Class does not rank, but she is either 1 or 2</p>

<p>Captain of her basketball team the last two years. Has played 2 to 3 sports each year.</p>

<p>Got a great Summer paid research internship at large public company researching current nuclear energy topics.</p>

<p>Studied Cryptology at Brown 2007, and was accepted into a 6 person 2008 summer program at FAU in applied math and cryptology, which was taught by the managing editor of the Journal of Cryptology. Determined not to attend so she could accept the paid internship.</p>

<p>2007 Florida State Spanish Team Champions, and individual perfect scores</p>

<p>Representative of her school in 2007 County Youth Leadership Class/Program</p>

<p>Asked to join a board of a private foundation to help handicapped children, particularly deaf children needing to travel for hearing implants. Taught herself sign language in English and Spanish in order to be able to communicate with children. Campaign chair and board member.</p>

<p>Started her own private foundation as a fund raising vehicle to "make sick and underpriviledged children smile."</p>

<p>5 book awards, as best student in class. </p>

<p>Ranking scholar award as highest gpa for the year, 2 of last 3 years.</p>

<p>Yale Book Award</p>

<p>National Merit Scholarship Semifinalist, but won't take SAT to go to finals</p>

<p>9 APs (5 currently-BC Calc, Stats, Biology, Lit, and Econ). Chem and US history scores of 5; US History and US Government scores of 4. Currently has A's or A+s in all but Lit. </p>

<p>Intel Science Contest submission on energy topic</p>

<p>Numerous community service efforts, for which she serves as President or Program Chair. Volunteer Sunday school teacher.</p>

<p>Others, but the above hits the high points. </p>

<p>Thank you--- she is concerned about her SAT IIs and whether she needs to retake them, which leaves little time for EA.</p>

2

<p>4.22 UW? 10 char</p>

3

<p>Not sure what you mean? 4.33 is straight A+s, unweighted.</p>

4

<p>itsthemendy16 is probably surprised because most high schools do 4.0 as highest GPA, your daughter's school uses different GPA scale.</p>

5

<p>thanks for the clarification. under a 4.0 scale, her unweighted would be 4.0-- got a B in second grade. the concern is her SAT 2s and she really wants to go EA.</p>

6

<p>Anybody think she has a good shot or are the SAT 2s too low? Any other concerns that might help this Dad assess the situation??????????</p>

7

<p>OldCard</p>

<p>Welcome to CC!</p>

<p>I don't know if anyone can tell you that your daughter's chances are better than 50-50. I will say that she looks like a wonderful and delightful kid, one that I would want to get to know better.</p>

<p>My son applied early action to Stanford last year. None of us thought he had a real chance of acceptance (high stats but just average ECs). The only reason I encouraged him to apply early action was because it would be easier for us to fill out and submit the Profile. I was simply speechless when he received his acceptance letter on 12/15.</p>

<p>I think the SAT 2s are fine. They aren't looking for perfection...just interesting, passionate kids to fill out their class.</p>

<p>Good luck to your daughter!</p>

8

<p>FresnoMom:</p>

<p>Thank you very much. That is what we were hoping for. We know its tough to tell, but if someone said not a chance unless all SAT 2s are over 750, we would rethink it.</p>

9

<p>Hi OldCard</p>

<p>My son, like your daughter, just took the SAT 1 and SAT 2s once. Everyone says that admissions people don't care how many times you take the SAT/ACT, but I would like to think that a kid that does well on the first try stands out in some way.</p>

<p>My personal opinion is that test scores are used in conjunction with grades to see if the student can do the work. For example, my son attends a school that up until a few years ago, was an underperforming school. It was common for kids to get straight As with a SAT of 1700 - 1800. So, for my son, his high test scores (with the straight As) showed that he could perform in the same arena as kids from tougher schools.</p>

<p>Once your kid's stats (GPA, rigor, test scores) shows that he can do the work, next they look at the kid himself. Is he interesting/passionate? Does he love learning? What do others say about him? They are looking for kids with some self-awareness and kids that show potential.</p>

<p>Stanford seems to like movers and shakers. My son didn't win any national, state or even regional awards in high school (except for NMF), yet when you read his app, you get a sense that if given the right opportunities, this kid was going to soar. </p>

<p>Stanford is truly a wonderful school. We feel so blessed that my son is there and soaking up everything they have to offer.</p>

<p>One suggestion for you: I believe that the readers only spends 10 - 15 minutes on each app so you don't want it too cluttered. Your daughter wants to make it obvious on the app what it is she is trying to highlight about herself.</p>