Is Stanford just a wishful, tangled dream?

Chance Me / Match Me!
1

<p>My situation isn't as straightforward as most of the others on here, but nevertheless, please chance me.</p>

<p>-American citizen, living in India since 8th grade- dual citizenship (10 years in California)
-In 12th grade, doing International A Levels in Pune, India (will actually be graduating within two months)
-16 years old, youngest in my grade due to my skipping the 1st grade in California
-SAT I- 2110/2400 (680 M 700 W 730 CR) first try with 5 days of (semi-intense) preparation
SAT II- Japanese, Biology, Math II in December and November
-Low income family (<$60,000)</p>

<p>Now, since I'm doing the Cambridge International Examinations we don't have a GPA, just grades and percentages. Keep in mind AS is roughly equivalent to AP courses and A2 is higher than that, and that the papers are very different from the American curriculum's.</p>

<p>9th and 10th (IGCSE) - 90% average
AS (11th)- 73% average
A2 (12th) - will be taking in 20 days</p>

<p>IGCSE subjects were: Information and Communications Technology, Environmental Management, English, French, Physics, Biology, Chemistry, and Math.
AS and A2 subjects: English, Math, Physics, Chemistry, Biology</p>

<p>I've always been in the top 3 in my class, across the continents, and test high (>95 percentile) on aptitude tests. However, the last two years, I've absolutely despised studying, hardly touching my textbooks and pretty much sleeping through all classes. It's not just raw laziness, it's a bit more complicated than that, and no that's not an excuse. The only grades that have stayed consistently high are those of my English, because those come naturally to me and I couldn't study for that if i tried. The other factor is Japanese, which I threw myself into since I started it last December.</p>

<p>I've never met anyone who had higher English skills than me, in the U.S. or in India. I've always been the top in my class in that, and I write poetry, vignettes, and short stories to post online. I have several ideas for novels/series that I hope to publish within a few years. My application essays (several already written) will be exemplary and focusing on the impact, trauma, and changed perspectives from moving to a third world country, as well as my pseudo-philosophical and semi-psychological opinions on my life.</p>

<p>I speak 4 other languages to varying levels of proficiency:
French- enough to read intermediate/ slightly advanced texts and (theoretically) navigate around France; learnt in school
Marathi- enough to understand a great deal of movies and navigate efficiently in India; mothertongue
Hindi- enough to enjoy movies and navigate with some difficulty- can only speak at a very basic level; picked it up naturally in India
Japanese- enough to understand 60-90% of Japanese media and speak about a variety of topics; self-taught within the last 9 months without textbooks or standard teaching materials. (For comparison: the SAT II Japanese is a well-thought out joke)</p>

<p>I used to be a competitive swimmer in Cali, and I did swimming for a bit here, competing in interschool meets before i stopped. I've done a few triathlons but don't really compete beyond that. I've been doing rock climbing on and off the past two years.</p>

<p>I have absolutely no idea what I want to do with my life, but I trust it'll all work out after my first or second year of college. Stanford is a dream for me, it's perfect in every way and I'm ready to do the work- but only if i get there. My grades are pretty bad, and my SAT score isn't the best (don't know if it's worth retaking it), and beyond that, well Stanford is Stanford and it only takes the very best and the very eclectic. My counselor recommends applying as a Biology major because it's advantageous to have a focused profile (and I've always liked Bio), but I'm not sure if I shouldn't apply as undecided...</p>

<p>My questions to you: Am I good enough? If not, where would you recommend?</p>

2

<p>I’m not very experienced with college admissions but it’s possible.
Especially if you have excellent proficiency in four languages.
As for your grades and test score, fix them.
Go to tutoring and ask your teacher questions about any concept that confuses you.
Practice SAT questions and go over the ones you don’t understand.
I have good grades but my test score is average.
I’m taking SAT this year since I live in the Midwest and took the ACT.
I decided to take SAT since it might be easier for me.
As for essays, show Stanford your personality and your interests. Don’t try to be like the “gunner” students where they act as “too perfect.” Show that you have flaws but also show how you overcome or deal with these flaws.
I wish you luck!</p>

3

<p>@avix215‌ - I agree with @Caston‌ - take the ACT if you have the chance, or take the SAT again if you feel you can do better. I’m not able to judge how your grades will be perceived, perhaps someone else can help with that.</p>

<p>You might have a chance at Stanford…it’s tough to tell. Odds are you will not be accepted, so plan accordingly. If you are serious about studying in the USA, you need to put together a full college list now. Depending on which schools you chose, you might have an advantage applying SCEA to a single school, or EA to multiple schools. Stanford is SCEA (as are Harvard, Princeton, and Yale). I would not recommend applying ED as you will need aid, and this will limit your options. If you can’t get strong applications ready by the EA deadline (normally Nov 1), you are better off applying RD. If you are applying anywhere EA, you need to request transcripts and teacher recommendations NOW. Visit the college website(s) and find out exactly what they need, when and how.</p>

<p>As a dual national, you will be evaluated as an American, and will receive aid as an American, so you have lots of options. A good strategy might be to apply to Stanford, 3-4 other selective colleges (Ivies, UChicago, Northwestern, Duke, Rice, and top LACs are options), some match schools, and at least one backup school. Because you are a relatively unique applicant, it’s difficult to judge how your applications will be perceived, so err on the side of caution.</p>

<p>(ED = Early Decision (binding), EA = Early Action (non-binding), SCEA = Single Choice Early Action (non-binding))</p>

4

<p>Thank you guys so much, I’ll work on all you said! :slight_smile:
Do you have any idea about undecided vs. major-declared applications?</p>

5

<p>You have a chance at Stanford - just take the SAT or the ACT and make sure to score high! Your academics are great and the fact that you can speak 4 languages might impress admissions officers :)</p>

6

<p>No it’s a pipe dream, bad GPA and so so SAT, ORM.</p>

7

<p>Thank you both for your honesty :P</p>

8

<p>It might not be what you want to hear but if you develop a proper college list it’s better in the long run. Last year similar kid from my daughter’s school had much higher stats than yours, very similar profile. She applied to Stanford, Harvard, Caltech, Slo and were rejected from all schools. She ended up attending a CSU and I’ve heard she was not happy with the college decision.</p>

9

<p>Yes, for most people HPYMSC are just wishful dreams. Look at the reject %s. But some people do get accepted to these school. One thing for certain, your chance is zero if you don’t apply.</p>

10

<p>

I’m sure the 95% rejects had that kind of logic.</p>

11

<p>^^ @DrGoogle‌ I second that statement. Im gonna have to agree with Dr.Google on this one, your chances dont look good. sorry, but I feel that is honest. however, there is no damage in applying. you can apply just for the sake of applying, but I wouldn’t keep me hopes up high.</p>

12

<p>Nothing wrong with following a dream. If you can easily pay application fee, just go ahead and send it, but make sure you also apply to more realistic schools. </p>

13

<p>I think that the OP’s being multilingual might help them out in this case. Most people only know one or two languages. </p>

14

<p>My daughter’s friend was also multilingual. Love poetry, great at writing and also girl’s applying to engineering major, same ethnic.</p>

15

<p>Unfortunately Stanford does not care if it is boy or girl applying to engineering major.</p>

16

<p>I know Stanford doesn’t but what about the other 3 schools. Even SLO, not high on the CC list but she was rejected.</p>

17

<p>Even in your sadness, you seem to try make your situation as good as possible. I am not sure about the difficulty, but AS levels aren’t equivalents of AP classes, at least they are recognized as equals by American colleges.
If you are serious about studying in America, I’d start making a serious shortlist. Stanford is a reach for everyone, and if you are a student with bad grades, mediocre (in IVY standards) SAT and mediocre ECS, even more so.
I am sorry for being so harsh. If you really want to, you could even consider taking a gap year to improve your grades by finally studying again, but it is definitely not recommended</p>

18

<p>First of all, thanks to everyone for their honesty, especially @DrGoogle. I didn’t want false hopes and I didn’t get them, so thanks for opening my eyes a bit.
@Chrislee1111‌ , I’m definitely not taking a gap year, that’s not an option; I was planning to spend a year in Japan but I think I would rather start with college instead. Also, I didn’t mean ‘equivalent’ in that sense but it’s a moot point, I agree with what you said.
And yes @seal16‌ , I’ll be applying to other schools- mainly mid 30’s and 40’s, with a few UC’s and safety schools. Should be fine.</p>

<p>Am taking SAT II BioE, MathII and Japanese in two weeks and my SAT I in December- these combined with my A Levels mean a total of over 20 hours of exams in the next month and a half, so I have my work cut out for me. Nothing left to do but keep building and apply- at the very least I’ll amuse an admission officer.</p>

19

<p>This is a bit off-topic but how did you self-teach yourself Japanese? I’m impressed lol.</p>

20

<p>You get bonus point for bravery, mine didn’t even applying for them. Not even on the list. Somehow she knew it was a very popular choice for many California kids. But good luck.</p>