<p>I'm not sure if I've got "CC goggles" on or if you really do have to be exceptional for Stanford. I'm not and will never be that 4.0 striver who cured cancer, plays four different instruments with her feet, and has her own organization to provide micro-loans for Sudanese women entrepreneurs in Africa. </p>
<p>I have a 3.9-something UW GPA and I took 4 APs thus far, three of which (Euro, Macro, USH) I really enjoyed and one (Chem) I got pushed into thanks to enrolling late after a move. I haven't participated in many clubs, but I'm really passionate about writing. Publishing isn't a goal right now but I've established rapport with publishing professionals and authors. I've been interviewing them on my teen writers' website since eighth grade. Mix in some writing/French awards and that's all I have.</p>
<p>Honestly, I've never been a fan of volunteering. My parents regardless pushed me to do Alzheimer's research, Relay for Life, and coaching at the local rec center. I might leave these all out of my app.</p>
<p>In your experience, is it that strivers have an overwhelming acceptance rate? Must I be one of "them"? And if so, is it too late, considering it's the spring of junior year?</p>
<p>–What are your SATs like?</p>
<p>–You have a passion, which is great. And it also sounds really interesting I think most schools would rather have that than the kid who has a lot of activities that are all disconnected with one another. </p>
<p>–Maybe you’re not a fan of volunteering because you have been pushed into doing mundane things that you’re not interested in. Do volunteering and relate it to your passion. </p>
<p>Some suggestions: Start a book club that does after school tutoring in English for elementary/middle school kids.</p>
<p>-Do book fundraising projects.</p>
<p>Just a couple. I’m sure you can think of lots more. I mean, come on, you can’t be not passionate about at least something that could be turned into a volunteering project. </p>
<p>Interested in women’s rights? Volunteer at a women’s shelter.
Care about the environment? Do school recycling drives.</p>
<p>The consensus on CC seems to be that if you don’t have at least some volunteering hours, that looks negatively upon you (not sure how accurate that is). </p>
<p>Tons of so called “unexceptional” kids get into Stanford all the time. Just make sure your essays are amazing, which I’m sure they will be since writing is your passion.</p>
<p>I agree with Robot. You sound very promising, but you need to take your passion for writing to the next level and do something with it. Remember Stanford is in Silicon Valley the Start-up mecca of the world. An abundant number of these start-ups are Stanford alum. So Stanford definitely seems to look for kids with a creative mindset. Its not about spending endless hours at a Soup Kitchen, dishing out food, its about taking your passion and creating something with it.</p>
<p>Thanks, guys.
@Roboticsfre4k, I just re-took the SAT on Saturday; whatever score I get, I’m sure it’s a score that’ll earn me at least a fighting chance. I was thinking about your suggestions late at night and I think I have a good lead. Thanks!
@Dungareedoll, thank you for your feedback as well. I’m hoping this “next level” will be enough for Stanford–it’s my dream school.</p>
<p>your welcome. Let us know how things work out. I will keep my fingers crossed. Good luck. And remember this, if not Stanford than some other school will be incredibly lucky to have you and you will do great!</p>
<p>I got into Stanford, so I’ll give you some advice.</p>
<p>I didn’t mention any hours of community service. I never really was too interested in volunteering. Clearly didn’t play a big deal.</p>
<p>Also, after meeting a few hundred other incoming frosh, you definitely do NOT have to be exceptional…you just have to be promising. Make your admissions officer believe s/he isn’t making a mistake by accepting you. You’re good at writing? Me too…and it’s a great tool to have, especially for college essays. Hit these essays out of the park, show your passions, and you have a great shot. Good luck!</p>
<p>just curious, what about Stanford makes it your dream school?</p>
<p>Regarding the exceptionality of students here: one of my favorite aspects of Stanford’s student body is that hardly anyone ever talks about his or her own exceptional accomplishments or talents. Over time you tend to learn these things about your classmates, but usually indirectly, or in some particular, relevant context. The likelihood of learning about these things is very low during Admit Weekend, except to the extent that during the welcoming convocation the President often gives a sampling of the varieties of outstanding talents represented among incoming freshmen (without identifying them by name, of course).</p>
<p>Honestly, let me tell you that SAT scores don’t matter at all. My friend was accepted and is currently attending there. (a little jealous to be honest, because I got rejected…but it’s okay I go to Cal haha BUT still a BIG FAN of Stanford :))</p>
<p>My friend who was accepted had an SAT around 1800!! I know I can’t believe it myself. I had 2200ish and I thought that I had a chance because I volunteered and researched. But I reflected as to why I didn’t get in compared to my friend. My friend had PASSION. He was valedictorian (i guess the SAT didn’t matter too him idk) and was a national champion in hip-hop dancing. He was captain for several years and they practiced and practiced every morning. So what I’'m saying is that you really need to show who YOU are and what you are PASSIONATE about. I honestly didn’t think my common app really showed my passion in something. So if you are passionate about something they want to see if you are actually reaching out your passion…like what my friend did</p>
<p>@ivyandlemonade - Just do what you love, keep up your grades, and give your best on the SAT or ACT. Any printing machine can give me a perfect score, and anyone can join tons of clubs that aren’t related to each other.</p>
<p>Haven’t logged in for a while and I’m happy to see all of these new (encouraging!) replies! 
I got my SAT scores and they turned out to be 2340–so, these definitely won’t keep me out. I’m taking my SAT II’s tomorrow…we’ll see how that goes haha.
@peacegal, I live in NorCal and every since I visited the campus last year, it’s been omnipresent in my mind. I love the creative intellectualism. We visited Cal and Stanford on the same day and Cal’s atmosphere just couldn’t compete–it was a little too granola.</p>