<p>Hello,
I am an Incoming Freshman. I go to one of most feeded High Schools in Texas and the competition is extremely heavy.</p>
<p>I want to go to Stanford, and I am aware that this is no simple task. It is a goal, and I aim to reach it.</p>
<p>My schedule -
DEBATE 1
Algebra II Honors/Pre AP
HUMANITIES (English 1) Honors/Pre AP
SPANISH 2 Honors/Pre AP
ORCHESTRA 1 Honors/Pre AP
BIOLOGY 1 Honors/Pre AP
HUMAN GEOGRAPHY <em>AP</em> </p>
<p>I'm really interested in a lot of EC's, and I debate with a passion. I love debating. I was a good student I guess in Middle School getting A's. (I know middle school is a joke, lol). </p>
<p>I was also in a lot of EC and I played basketball. I wanted to play bball in HS but it didn't fit in my schedule.</p>
<p>I also do a lot of programming outside of school and I really like CS and that would be the major I'd choose if the deadline was tomorrow. (I know I still have a lot of time)</p>
<p>What can I do to begin preparing now? Books? Vocabulary? Anything?</p>
<p>Thanks for your help!</p>
<p>Where it says MIT, just substitute Stanford.</p>
<p>Thanks! Appreciate it.</p>
<p>Enjoy life and do things that you like. It’s not worth wasting your time worrying 4 years of your life for the next 4 years.</p>
<p>If I could give a word of advice please read the following poem:</p>
<p>[The</a> Road Not Taken by Robert Frost : The Poetry Foundation](<a href=“http://www.poetryfoundation.org/poem/173536]The”>The Road Not Taken by Robert Frost | Poetry Foundation)</p>
<p>The Road Not Taken
BY ROBERT FROST</p>
<p>Two roads diverged in a yellow wood,
And sorry I could not travel both
And be one traveler, long I stood
And looked down one as far as I could
To where it bent in the undergrowth;</p>
<p>Then took the other, as just as fair,
And having perhaps the better claim,
Because it was grassy and wanted wear;
Though as for that the passing there
Had worn them really about the same,</p>
<p>And both that morning equally lay
In leaves no step had trodden black.
Oh, I kept the first for another day!
Yet knowing how way leads on to way,
I doubted if I should ever come back.</p>
<p>I shall be telling this with a sigh
Somewhere ages and ages hence:
Two roads diverged in a wood, and I—
I took the one less traveled by,
And that has made all the difference.</p>
<p>…and, if you understand the TRUE meaning of this poem…then, you will appreciate that any words of advice from strangers will fall shallow…</p>
<p>@gravitas2</p>
<p>That may not be the best poem.
Between the tone of the first lines and the “sigh” when he reflects on his life, taking the road less traveled is a regret in retrospect.</p>
<p>He also admits that at the time, both paths looked the same and it was only in a later reflection that he thinks (rationalizes?) that one was less traveled.</p>
<p>^^true…it may not be the best poem for some…and each person will have a different interpretation depending on one’s path “traveled” thus far…good or bad…but, I wanted the OP to start thinking about all that the world has to offer…the many forks along the way he/she will encounter…in this journey…we call LIFE.</p>
<p>…there is no singular or “best” path that one can be so “certain” to follow…you have to take “chances” along the way…and pick the path YOU want to follow…not necessarily the path trodden by so many before you…but the path YOU feel comfortable with…or the path YOU want to be challenged with…or the path that is not so OBVIOUS…</p>
<p>…it is okay to take risks at times…the path doesn’t always have to feel so “safe”…and yes, you can have regrets…but, more importantly…as Frank Sinatra’s famous song ends with the words…“I did it my way”…</p>
<p>…bottom line…there is no “one” way or the “best” way…but, rather infinite ways to get from where you are standing today to where you want to “be” come April of your senior year…since EACH successful Stanford student followed their own special unique path…MAKE YOUR OWN PATH.</p>
<p>At the end of the day, the decision I make are up to me. Whether I go one way, or another. All I really sought for was advice. I was not looking for a full calendar of my next 4 years that included what I should be doing for each and every minute.</p>
<p>Just get As for now. I guarantee by senior year another college will be your dream.</p>
<p>Kudos to you for setting a stretch goal and figuring out what it takes to achieve it. Assuming in four years you will have good grades and test scores, as a high school freshman, I would continue exploring which extracurriculars grab your interest so that you can go deeper in one or two of them by your junior year. As your classes get more advanced and require more time, it’s difficult to pursue multiple activities and achieve distinction in all of them. For example, if you pursue debate, you could consider participating in regional/state/national competitions or take a leadership/coaching role on school team. If you pursue computer science, you could build a product, submit your work to local science fair, participate in programming competitions. If you pursue music, you could gain recognition by qualifying county/state honor band. It strengthens your application if you’ve gained outside validation of your interest. Don’t try to do it “all” because you will spread yourself too thin and struggle to keep up with your academics. Lastly, get to know the juniors/seniors from your high school that share your interests and ask their advice about best activities to pursue, classes to take, etc. Good luck!</p>
<p>Thanks Coll1TBD, I appreciate the long reply. I really do want to pursue Debate and continue music throughout the next 4 years.</p>
<p>It’s good of you to set a high goal!</p>
<p>I’m one of the incoming transfers, but in HS I was a regular old slacker, so what I say may/may not apply to you.</p>
<p>There was a special session for just transfer students, where the admissions team met some of the 30 who’re transfering in. Here are a few points I gathered from them:</p>
<ol>
<li><p>A majority of those who apply to Stanford will do well, and a rejection letter from Stanford doesn’t spell out failure. There are plenty of successful people who were rejected from Stanford.</p></li>
<li><p>They like to read how you face setbacks/obstacles. As they told us transfers, we were picked because we “bounced back hard” from adversity. </p></li>
<li><p>They like reading how a student has pursued one or several activites for a long time. It shows their dedication. </p></li>
<li><p>While awards and great stats helped, it was the PERSON they accepted into Stanford. So be yourself in your essays, and leave the bragging for the rest of the application/you letter of recs.</p></li>
</ol>