How can I improve my chances?

Colleges and Universities A-Z Stanford University
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<p>Stanford is seriously my dream school. I live around 20 minutes away and I am so in love. I would love to stay in California and near my family for college and I simply adore the Bay Area - no place I'd rather be. Plus, Stanford is so awesome! Love the culture, the opportunities, everything. I couldn't imagine anything as fulfilling as getting my acceptance letter! (a little obsessed, I know!)
However, I don't know exactly where to start in order to improve my chances of getting in.
I'm a sophomore at a good private Catholic school in CA. Indian, female. No hooks.
I took the SAT as an 8th grader and got a 2080 on it.. I'll take it again as a junior. I'm about to take the PSAT. I took 3 honors classes as a freshman (the most offered by my school) - my cumulative weighted GPA was a 4.41 and my unweighted was a 3.9 I think (I had one A- first semester). I got a 770 on both the bio (E) and math I SATs. I'm currently taking 2 honors and 2 APs and I'll take the chem and math 2 sats this june.
I have been doing classical Indian dance for almost 10 years, and I've been a violinist for almost 5. I've passed with distinction in 3 levels of violin exams and have participating in countless programs for dance. I'm an editor for my school newspaper, and I'm on the board of my schools future medical students club. I'm also part of the international club, human rights club, research club, etc - not important because they're not leadership roles. I have ~45 volunteer hours so far in the year, hopefully more by the end of the year. Currently working on setting up a toy drive for underprivileged kids at my school. Will be a part of CSF second semester.
I really want to get started on some kind of lab research but I have NO idea where to begin (any tips would be greatly appreciated!!).</p>

<p>How can I improve my chances over the next two years? Also what are some good summer programs?
I know, there's no one way, but I'd at least like to get some advice on where to improve!
Thank you!
(previously posted something similar on another forum)</p>

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<p>bump!</p>

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<p>bump</p>

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<p>bump…</p>

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<p>You are on the right path towards bring competitive academically. Now you need to think about becoming a compelling candidate. Just because you aren’t a leader in an EC does not mean it’s not worthwhile particularly dunce you are a sophomore one would not expect you to lead yet. Two very specific suggestions buy a book on Amazon called “Elite a College Admissions” by an author called Erinn Andrews. Read her book but at the end she posts links to four or five video reviews of exactly how stanford reviews admissions files. Erinn was a stanford admissions officer for several years. Second bit of advice - spend time now planning what research or academic work you are going to do this summer. The most successful students plan summers very carefully. Create your opportunity by asking to volunteer or take part in research. Clean test tubes or empty bedpans but do something directly related to what you think your future career might be. What is the theme or impression or theme you want an admissions officer to have of you?</p>

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<p>@Wje9164be‌ thank you so much! In general, how can I improve my extracurriculars to make them more “stanford worthy?” I feel like nearly every applicant (indians from the bay area, at least) is like extremely special - intel semifinalists, people who run companies, etc. How can I come up with an idea that makes me stand out? </p>