GPA influence on Stanford admission?

Applying to College
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<p>Hi I was wondering how much weight a GPA carries in Stanford decisions. Because I've heard Stanford is unusual and nobody knows how they do their admissions process. My ACT score is a 35 as a sophomore and I'm also currently taking AP Calculus. My ECs are fine with 2 sports and clubs etc but this year as a sophomore I got 2 Bs first semester and I will most likely get 1 second semester. I was just wondering how much that'll influence Stanford decisions</p>

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<p>They are unusual in that they have an infinitesimal admit rate ~5%. Thus they can cherry pick the most interesting from amongst a multitude of super-qualified applicants. Very few schools operate in that strata. Why don’t you go over to the Stanford forum and do some reading. Also, may I suggest this post as well?</p>

<p><a href=“Chance Threads - PLEASE READ BEFORE POSTING ONE - Harvard University - College Confidential Forums”>http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/harvard-university/1420290-chance-threads-please-read-before-posting-one.html&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt;

<p>One or two Bs won’t sink you. A 4.0 isn’t sufficient either.</p>

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<p>

You don’t seem aware of just how strong the national applicant pool at a place like Stanford is. 2 sports and a few clubs does not at all put you at the level of strong applicants, unless one of those sports is something you expect to be recruited for. </p>

<p>The question about impressive EC’s comes up regularly on the forum. There is a thread with several posts by Northstarmom, a Ivy alum interviewer, about what constitutes impressive ECs from the point of view of the most selective colleges. The post is at <a href=“http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/what-my-chances/210497-those-ecs-weak-so-what-s-good.html[/url]”>http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/what-my-chances/210497-those-ecs-weak-so-what-s-good.html&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt;

<p>As you will see from that link, at the most selective colleges they are looking for depth more than just participation. Stanford, for example, says

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<p>Um… 1 or 2 Bs will hurt you. Look at this Stanford admissions counselor analyzing an applicant <a href=“Erinn Andrews, Former Stanford Admissions Officer, Video Case Study #2 - YouTube”>Erinn Andrews, Former Stanford Admissions Officer, Video Case Study #2 - YouTube;

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<p>@mikemac‌ I only said that because I didn’t want to take the time to list out every single extracurricular activity I had. I know that colleges want dedication rather than quantity. I’m in two sports (swimming and water polo), both varsity and I am captain of one and about to be captain for the other. As for my clubs, all the clubs I am in, I have leadership positions in and I have achievements in them that I can actually write about. I know a simple position isn’t enough, I also have to do things. If you want, I can list out the clubs and what I have done in them. I, personally, hate people that build resumes and join like 10+ clubs but do nothing in them. I know saying “My ECs are fine with 2 sports and clubs etc” comes off a bit cocky but I just want you to know that I didn’t mean it that way. This thread was meant to see the influence of a couple of Bs on decision, so I didn’t want to take the time to list out my whole resume.</p>

<p>@KiaraInNYC‌ Thanks for the link, it was really helpful</p>