Just give it to me straight...

Colleges and Universities A-Z Stanford University
1

<p>Yeah....this is another chance thread. I'd really appreciate the opinions of either current Stanford students or alumni (Ivies are ok too). Yes, I understand it' a dream school for me, but I want input on whether it's worth applying or not.</p>

<p>GPA: 4.0 UW (Small private school does not weight classes (and see AP section), but I have taken all the hardest courses available.</p>

<p>Rank: Val, but only out of a class of 40 ^</p>

<p>SAT I: 2220 (750CR, 710M, 760W)</p>

<p>SAT IIs: finding out July 11 (super late b/c I tested standby) lol! I'll edit later</p>

<p>APs: Here's the bad part: my school doesn't provide "AP" classes. My courseload is very rigorous and college-prep worthy, but they're not designated "AP." Anyway, I took the AP Lit test this spring independently (that score comes in sometime this month). Next Spring, I plan on taking AP Language Comp and AP Calc independently as well.</p>

<p>Academic Awards:
none hook-worthy like Intel/Siemens , but:
National Merit (I'm on the border of CS and SF, we'll see.....)
Furman Scholar
Wofford Scholar
Sewanee Book Award for Promising Writers
various schoolwide class awards...summa cum laude...etc.</p>

<p>ECs:
-Speech and Debate (NFL) is my big one b/c I have awards on the regional, state, and national levels
-Varsity basketball for 2 years
-Theatre (lead roles in every production)
-Mock Trial for 2 years (Lead Attorney)</p>

<p>Comm. Service:
-volunteer counselor at summer camp for underprivileged minority kids for 3 summers
-volunteer tutor for above kids ^</p>

<p>basic work experience:
Chick-fil-A for my freshman summer LOL
Basic sit-down restaurant for 2 summers
(30 hrs-a-week at both)</p>

<p>also, I write a lot. I feel that this reflected in my SAT scores, with my CR and Writing sections in the higher range. I'm still deciding whether I should actually send in any of my work as supplemental material, or just mention it as a passion of mine.
I'm confident that this will lead to great essays (if Star* or any of the other CCers who read my EC short answer are around, they saw my work)</p>

<p>ANYway, do you guys think I should apply? Do I have at least a shot?</p>

<p>Thanks!</p>

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<p>You definitely have a shot. The fact that your school doesn't offer AP's shouldn't matter. That you are taking the most rigorous courseload availible is all that counts. I think your EC's are average, especially when considering the applicant pool you will be competing against. Regardless, if you have great essays, good recs, and emphasize your passion in writing well enough, you will have a good shot. Are you applying SCEA?</p>

3

<p>I haven't decided yet between Yale and Stanford for EA :/</p>

<p>I LOVE the supplement by the way. It's absolutely perfect.</p>

4

<p>I agree, you have a good shot at it. Focus on all the positive and emphasize your passions in your app. You'll do fine</p>