Evaluate me for Stanford, please

Transfer Students
1

<p>I've been working my hardest to get into Stanford since two years ago. I'll just post my stats:</p>

<p>22 Years old, asian, 4th year in college. Technically took 1 year off (my "second" year) to explore opportunities for myself.</p>

<p>Foothill College, Los Altos, California (just a few exits after Stanford)
Graduating in 2006, Spring with the following degrees:
- Computer Science
- Computer Software Development
- Psychology
- Sociology
- Social Science</p>

<p>My GPA is 3.97 with a total of around 110 quarterly units so far. My average unit load is around 16/20 a quarter. I'm also an honors student, dean's list, doing student government as the technology manager.</p>

<p>I've been studying for the SATs like crazy, and my target score is at least a 650 M/V on the SAT I and 650 on SAT II Math 2C and Physics. I don't know my scores yet, but I can guarantee myself I'll achieve them.</p>

<p>I've worked for a few companies as a systems administrator and software engineer. Currently interning at NASA doing software engineering and research psychology. Half my time is consumed by my job.</p>

<p>For EC, I've created many useful programs on the web that connect people together and explore thought patterns on a macro and micro level. One of my programs has been used in a master's thesis at the University of London on architectural collaborative design.</p>

<p>My 'hook' is probably that I wouldn't have made it this far if I never seperated from my girlfriend two years ago, where I found myself alone with no direction in life. Stanford was a childhood past for me, and I decided to chase after it by taking any opportunities that were presented to me, even if it seemed out of character. My connections lead from one to another, from being in a hip-hop group to two software companies, and now NASA.</p>

<p>I'm currently waitlisted for becoming a mentor for girl scouts in the Lego First League, and I have mentored high school interns at NASA during the summer on experimental psychology and web design.</p>

<p>I have two professors that I work closely with (one is in English another in Sociology), and will be using my NASA supervisor for my optional reference as she's been assisting me in my connective work and understands my passion for my jobs, career paths and the research opportunities I'd like to take advantage of at Stanford.</p>

<p>I have a passion for learning (as you can see in my majors), particularly in the area of computer science and psychology/sociology.</p>

<p>I can provide more information if needed. Also, recommend me some colleges I should apply to. I only have Stanford as my main and San Jose State as my backup. I like my schools local, but I guess I should apply to others as well.</p>

2

<p>Santa Clara's local and in between SJS and Stanford.</p>

3

<p>I actually transfered out of SCU 3 years ago. Didn't like the place, so SCU is out. I appreciate your reply though.</p>

4

<p>Are you against living in southern california?</p>

5

<p>Is retaking the SAT's necessary? Otherwise, I'd say you'd look really competitive to schools like Berkeley, UCLA for example. I don't know how difficult transfer admission is at Stanford compared to Berkeley. Good luck.</p>

6

<p>SATs are necessary for Stanford transfers. I have confidence that I would make it into Berkely without much trouble, but I don't like that particular environment. I've heard my friends tell me UCLA or USC... I'm strongly against anything outside the bay area (Santa Cruz is out as well), but it doesn't hurt to at least apply to outside schools to expand my options.</p>

<p>Thanks for the input so far. I was hoping that someone would know more about my chances at Stanford though.</p>

7

<p>berkeley is a wasteland, dirty dirty city, if you like open pastures and green meadows, go to la, or stanford, or anywhere but berkeley</p>

8

<p>Hiroki,</p>

<p>I strongly encourage you to apply to Carnegie Mellon Univ. and MIT.</p>

<p>They have fabulous CS / other integrated programs that someone with your interests, ambitions, and background would be very well suited for.</p>

9

<p>If your not willing to look outside of a certain area, then you need to accept that there are only a small handful of decent schools in the area.</p>

10

<p>Haha, yes I understand. I'll still apply, as perhaps the future, I could change my mind. Thank you.</p>