Experts: Chance me?

Colleges and Universities A-Z Stanford University
1

This may be the wrong place to put this, but here it is.

I’m into politics and government, so obviously a name brand school would be my top choice-but I am choosing Stanford for its political science program. I would really appreciate it if y’all would take a look at my qualifications here and see if Stanford is a chance, or other good PolySci schools you think I could get into? Thank you so much.

UC GPA: 4.3
Unweighted GPA: 3.97
Weighted GPA: 4.7

California Resident

Intended Major: Political Science
Intended Minor: Public Policy

ACT: C:31 [E:36 W:33 M:27 S:26 (something like that)]
SAT: 1980 [CR: 640 M: 660 W: 680 (probably won’t send)]
SAT II: USH: 690

AP Scores: US History (5), Psychology (5), US History (3), Lang/Comp (5)

Senior Year course load: AP Lit, AP Gov, AP Span 4, AP Environmental Science, AP Calc AB, Leadership

Few of my most important ECs:

  • Eagle Scout
  • Student Body President
  • Congressional Intern (CA-14)
  • City Hall Administrative Deputy
  • I work for the FBI (SF HQ)
  • Golf Captain (4 years), Basketball (2 years)
  • President of 2 Clubs, Founded 1 club (NHS, and got our school accreditted)
  • School Site Council President
  • Published political writer

Some other significant accomplishments in my field

  • California Boy’s State delegate (Model Congress)
  • Harvard University’s Pre-College Program student (Studied law)
  • Taken political science classes at my local JC every summer all of high school
  • Freshman class president, ASB VP, in several other clubs)
  • Several community service awards/award from mayor
  • 800+ hours of community service with Sheriff’s department (politics related)

Notes:

  • 1st gen American (Middle Eastern)
  • School counselor is a UC Berkeley Admissions reader, and I am writing some strong essays with her as my college counselor (will also have excellent counselor’s letter)

I understand my ACT score is too low-I’m wondering if it’s high enough to be balanced out by GPA, EC, and essays.

2

You can’t not send your SAT score.

http://admission.stanford.edu/application/freshman/testing.html

Why not retake your ACT?

3

I think you already know what most responses will be. Your grades and ECs are more than adequate. Your senior class courses are as good as it gets.

Your test scores are toward the low side of the admissions curve. If you write a really compelling essay, it might be the tipping point. Being from a middle eastern background is a little out of the ordinary so that might help in creating diversity for the 2017 class. I think you are close enough that it is worth the effort to apply.