<p>I stumbled upon all this stuff yesterday and I'm freaking out as to how unprepared I am. Basically, I'm gonna be giving my exams next month and I need to know what more should I do in the next year to have a fighting chance.</p>
<p>I'm expecting straight 8 A's/A<em>s(straight) for my O'Levels. My subjects comprise of English, Urdu-B, Maths, Physics, Chemistry, Computer and Pak St(A</em>) and Islamiat(A).</p>
<p>For my EC's, I was a permanent member of my school's debating team, have attended a couple local big MUN's. I was also a correspondent for the school website and was involved in the management of various events at my school which included a national event. I've never participated in any science event due to my debating schedule so my list looks pretty focused. Plus I was also on the school basketball team for two years.</p>
<p>Outside of that, I've been learning a foreign language and computer programming by my own. I haven't published any programs yet but I aim to do so in the next few years. One isolated thing I must mention is that one of articles was published on the web and got around 650,000+ views but that was way back in 2011, in 9th grade so I'm not sure if that helps.</p>
<p>That is about it. I've got no internships or community work or other experience to talk about. No major awards of any kind.</p>
<p>Basically, what I want to ask is, would the stuff mentioned above hold any weight for an admissions committee? Going to Stanford is a dream of mine and I'm ready to do unspeakable things for that. I know that SATs and all that stuff matters as well. I'm confident I can do well in those but I'm severely lacking in EC's and Recs. Just need some guidance as to how I should approach the coming years. Would love some personal experience stories too.</p>
<p>Dude, your application seems to be going well even in 11th grade. 8A/A* is really good! Just keep up what you’re doing and do it well. In my opinion, you should intersperse your debates with at least one science/math competition or theatre or something of the like to show that you are someone who is willing to try different things and isn’t ‘too focused and unexciting’. Also, do social work this summer and in the upcoming summer to boost up your application. Though social work is not necessary, it is highly encouraged. A-1 mid terms and finals are going to be the most important exams of your life (MUCH more important than the O-level) so do not lose focus on your studies. A-2 mids matter a lot too. Also, have a decent workload in the A-level. Universities love kids who challenge themselves. Try to have 5 or more subjects and drop to 4 (during A-1) only if you think that you are sacrificing your grades in the quest to hold a fifth subject. But do give the tough workload a try. Try to get into the student council if possible because leadership positions help. Try to do some activities that look awesome ON PAPER like the article you mentioned above. Things like volunteering for big events like the LLF, blogging, traveling, help a lot here to make your application look great on paper. And now I come to the standardized tests. Are they tough? Yes! The SAT more so than the ACT but there is more instruction material available for the SAT in the market. Focus on getting a great SAT/ACT score and try your level best to be done with it in A-1 so that you can devote the start of A-2 to the college applications and SAT II (which is MUCH easier than the SAT I). Aim for 2150+ on the SAT I and the higher the better. Recs? You have to get them in A-2 so do not worry too much about them but keep building a healthy relationship with your teachers and counselor so that they write well about you. Nice to see that you are already worried about colleges and Stanford is a great choice. Apply to it Early Action if it is that important to you. Stanford is FAMOUS for putting extra weight on the essay. They want a very interesting batch and are willing to overlook minor flaws in applications if the essay is great. When you start focusing on your essay in the summer before A-2, be sure to ask for help from your seniors (or even from people like me who are finished with the apps). Also, which school are you from? School reputation holds weight. To conclude, seeing that you are interested in this stuff so early, I suspect that you’re going to do well in the near future but the college admissions process is a very unpredictable one and one should expect heartbreaks. However, one should also not doubt one’s ability and also not be solely focused on just one college (as is the case with you and Stanford). Do consider applying to the other top 20 schools <a href=“http://colleges.usnews.rankingsandreviews.com/best-colleges/rankings/national-universities”>http://colleges.usnews.rankingsandreviews.com/best-colleges/rankings/national-universities</a> and pay particular attention to HYPSMD. Take a look at the liberal arts colleges as well, maybe they will turn to be your true calling! Have a balanced list with some middle tier and back up universities as well to be on the safe side. You’re getting a head start so make it count. Good luck!</p>
<p>Thank you so much for the long and informative reply. I’ve been studying at a Beaconhouse school but I plan to do my A-Levels from LGS-JT, since they seem to have a great track record for getting students accepted to foreign universities. I’ve heard a couple of guys got accepted to Stanford so I’m hoping to do that.</p>
<p>Also, what do you suggest my subjects be? I’m planning Maths, Computing, Physics, World History and I’ve yet to decide on the fifth, maybe Thinking Skills or something like that. </p>
<p>Also, I’ve heard that Early Action is not advisable for those seeking financial aid. Do you have an idea about that?</p>
<p>Lastly, how do these guys verify that you have done these activities or not? For example, if I do social work or extra curricular school work, would these guys ask for certificates or something? I’d like to know so I don’t lose that stuff, plus a couple of my certificates have my name misspelled and I’d want to rectify all that.</p>
<p>Applying Early Decision is not advised if you require significant financial aid because the offer is binding. Stanford, however, does not use Early Decision; they offer Single Choice Early Action, which is not binding. If Stanford is your first choice, you should apply SCEA.</p>
<p>Colleges will not ask for documentation for your EC’s, although if you claim something prestigious, rest assured they will investigate further.</p>
<p>I can confirm that Stanford will put a lot of weight on he essays, so do put a lot of effort there.</p>
<p>LGS-JT?! Dude, hit me up on facebook <a href=“Altamash Rafiq”>https://www.facebook.com/altamash.rafiq</a> I’m a current JTite (A2 going to Duke in the fall). Definitely come to JT, it is the best school in Pakistan right now in terms of academics and college admissions! And I know the two guys who got into Stanford really well They’re great people and I’m sure they’ll be happy to share their views with you when college applications season sets in. Oh and our counselor is awesome too! Now to your questions :-
Thinking skills is fine but take Further Math if you can (DO NOT TAKE IT IF YOU ARE NOT AN A STUDENT IN ADD MATH). Be sure to take 5 or more subjects because it shows a tough work load. Take GP + Thinking skills if you are not taking Further Math. GP is basically no work at all; it is an essay writing test that is half credit but it still counts as an extra subject.
Early decision is binding as in you cannot go back on your decision while Early Action is not so the financial aid package will not be an issue. In any case, Stanford is VERY generous and money is generally not a problem. Even if it is, they are willing to negotiate it. All the top tiers are like this!
They can’t verify our activities; they have to go on our word (so exaggerate everything!). Everyone exaggerates and the colleges expect it so it is not wrong to do so. They do not ask for your certificates but as skieurope mentioned before, they might call your school to check if you really have done this stuff (this is rare but it happens). The counselor just says: yeah, the kid is awesome and that matter is settled.
I hope this answers your questions. I repeat: COME TO JT It is awesome and the mere fact that there is almost an unbelievable amount of competition (everyone is really smart) means that you will push yourself to excel. Good luck!</p>
<p>Thanks for the great replies guys. I’m a bit more positive now about this whole process! I had no idea about Early Action but it seems promising.</p>
<p>Sent you a request Alto. And I wish you the best of luck for Duke!</p>
They’re great people and I’m sure they’ll be happy to share their views with you when college applications season sets in. Oh and our counselor is awesome too! Now to your questions :-
It is awesome and the mere fact that there is almost an unbelievable amount of competition (everyone is really smart) means that you will push yourself to excel. Good luck!</p>