Hi, I'm not insanely impressive like the rest of you. RD chances, please?

Colleges and Universities A-Z Stanford University
1

<p>I applied to Duke ED, and I'm debating whether or not I should apply to Stanford if I'm deferred/rejected. It was my dream school a few years ago, before I realized how amazing most Stanford applicants are, but I don't want to waste the $75 + time writing new essays if I don't have very good chances. Any advice/comments/criticism would be appreciated...hit me with your best shot </p>

<p>-female, Asian
-prospective Bio major (pre-med track)
-Rank: 3/ about 250
-GPA (UW): 3.93
-SATs: 2290 (750 CR, 740 M, 800 W)
-SAT IIs: Math (both levels), Bio (tests were rescheduled b/c of a crazy snowstorm...I should be getting my scores soon)
-APs: Euro (4), U.S. (4), Language and Comp. (3), Bio (5), Physics C, Calc AB, Psych, Literature</p>

<p>ECs:
-Research Assistant (summer '06), world-renowned cancer research/treatment center
-independent research (jr. year) on the effect of compounds found in household chemicals upon the development of Danio rerio (zebrafish) embryos
-Job @ public lib. (since May '06, 10 hrs/week)
-300+ hrs. science/health related community service
-Interact Club (community service-based school org.), President
-Cheerleading: JV (1 year, captain), Varsity (3 years, captain this year), UCA All-star
-Violin: Seven years in nationally recognized school orch. (stopped sophomore yr. b/c of scheduling conflicts), Area All-State Orch. member, Auditioned for All-State, private lessons since 5th grade (still continuing)
-Student Council Class Rep. (all 4 yrs.)
-NHS</p>

<p>Awards/Other:
-Youth Ambassador for town Chamber of Commerce ($750 scholarship, quite selective)
-AP Scholar with Honor
-Certificate for Achieving High Academic Honors (NY State Senate)
-Rotary/PTSA Student of the Month
-all the standard academic ones (National Honor Roll, Who's Who, blah blah blah)
-various academic awards in my school (ex. Academic Pin, Medal, and Letter in 9, 10, 11 for making high honor roll...just little things like that)
-completed a Mini-Medical School program at a local state university</p>

2

<p>There are no guarantees of course, but I can't imagine why you think you have no chance. Your stats are fine, it will all depend on how you come off in essays and recommendations. All the intangibles. :)</p>

3

<p>Your test scores and GPA would put you in the top 50% or so of admitted students, so that's certainly not something to worry about. Your ECs are actually really interesting, having done research doesn't hurt (although is a bit more common than you might think it is, but I think still helps, maybe even a lot) and the research + cheerleader combo is something I think is really interesting/surprising. Plus you have a job, have done a lot of community service, are a talented violinist... so your ECs seem pretty strong too. I don't know what your recs/essays will look like, but provided you can find a couple of teachers to write you really strong recs it seems like you should have a pretty good chance of getting in. If you'd really like to go to Stanford then I would take the time/money to apply, if you're not that interested then don't apply. You might very well get into Duke ED though so perhaps this won't be an issue.</p>

4

<p>You will probably get into Duke ED, so there is a good chance that your $75 app fee and your time spent on Stanford essays will go to waste. But other then that you should have a reasonable chance, so there's no reason not to apply...</p>

5

<p>stanford rejects lots of apps w/ your stats...good luck!</p>

6

<p>You're getting into Duke, thankfully :D</p>

7

<p>nngmm and b$nnd20, I hope so (crosses fingers)! Not like I wouldn't die of happiness if I got into Stanford, but Duke is a little more attainable for me, and it fits me well. </p>

<p>Thanks for the opinions thus far, any more takers? I'd love some advice in terms of what to highlight in my application.</p>

8

<p>I'm impressed by the variety as well as commitment in your ECs. As for what to highlight, write about whatever you're passionate about, whatever you've learned from or contributed to.</p>

9

<p>Thanks, celestial605. My common app./Duke supplement essays were about research, cheerleading, and my relationship with my mother. I'm trying to twist these topics so they fit Stanford's prompts... </p>

<p>P.S. I just got my SAT II scores back...740 Math II, 730 Bio. Will this help, hurt, or not affect my application?</p>

10

<p>The scores are good. They certainly won't hurt, and the fact that you have them will help.</p>

11

<p>you are average for standford. all depends on essays and recs i suppose</p>

12

<p>YOU ARE INSANELY IMPRESSIVE, we're<em>going</em>down_swinging.</p>

13

<p>You don't seem average to me! Seriously, you have a lot going for you and a really nice range of activities. Good luck!!!</p>

14

<p>^^ awww, you guys are too nice. :) Thanks for the encouragement, but I'm def. not getting my hopes up. My Duke results are coming in 4 days, though (<em>eek</em>)!</p>