How can I improve, to get more chances?

<p>I will be a junior in 2013-2014 and will graduate in 2015. Stanford always be my dream University. I have a 3.5 GPA now and have not taken SAT until November this year. I have joined some club and did community services a lot through my Freshman, and Sophomore years. My stepfather is in business career, so I don't know what is his income is. But my mother income is around $12,000 each year.</p>

<p>I don't know if I can get into Stanford University if I'm a ESOL student. I always wanted to get into Stanford Business School. But with my English now, you guys think it is good for write an essay for Stanford University? Please give me advice. Also my family members think I cannot afford Stanford with the income of my mom and stepfather combined. My stepfather won't pay for my college unless I go to college close to our house. But Stanford is my everything. I would do everything to increase my chances getting into Stanford. I will taking AP US History in Junior and planning on taking several AP classes in Senior.</p>

<p>I need advice from everyone, and what I need to do more to getting into Stanford? </p>

<p>Thank You!</p>

<p>Try to raise your GPA by doing well academically in Junior and Senior year. Study hard for the SAT! Other than that, do what you really love and do it well. Don’t do anything JUST to get into Stanford, but actually enjoy what you do. Goodluck!!! :)</p>

<p>If your parents have a low income without large assets, your net cost will most likely be $5k/yr, split up as $0 parent contribution and a student contribution of $5k/yr. This $5k can be earned through an on campus job. You can use the net price calculator for more specific numbers.</p>

<p>Your GPA is the bigger problem. The CDS data mentions that only 2.5% of the freshman class had below a 3.5. It’s not impossible to be admitted with this low a GPA. I was admitted with a HS GPA in the bottom 3% at the time when I applied. However, it’s highly unlikely to be admitted unless you have something else really impressive on your app that makes them overlook the lower GPA, such as unique difficulties that you may have overcome. The good news is Stanford excludes freshman year GPA in their calculation, so if you get top grades in your junior year, it will substantially pull up your average.</p>