I am a senior in high school and all my life I have aspired to attend the great Stanford University. I just sent in my application last week and I am very nervous about the decision that awaits. I know there’s no such thing as a “good” chance at Stanford, but I feel I may have a decent shot because of some of my credentials:
1.) An ACT of 30, a weighted GPA of 4.3, and ranked 10th in my class of 200
2.) I am Mexican (15/16) and Native American (1/16), but was raised more connected to my Mexican roots
3.) I speak English and Spanish
4.) I have an aunt and an uncle who both went to Stanford and worked there
5.) I am involved in extracurriculars like varsity baseball, club baseball, marching band, Latinos Unidos, and 3 more clubs
6.) I have done things that have really helped me discover my call in life. In the summer of 2014, my grandmothers hometown in Mexico was under threat of being flooded by a government project that intended to build a dam and flood the valley where the town is situated. I took action by cooperating with the leader of the opposition and we ended up helping attract politicians and humanitarians from 16 countries around the globe to join the cause. The construction of the dam was halted so the government and courts could resolve the conflict. Later in the summer of 2015, I began making a documentary about the bracero program of the mid 1900s to document the struggles faced by these braceros. I wanted to do it because it is a very overlooked piece of history that my grandfather participated in and it opened the door for Latin American immigrants to begin coming into the United States. Despite our large growth, we like many other minority groups, remain underrepresented in American politics. I look to study political science and international relations to bring more minority representation to American politics and bring aid to the oppressed in foreign countries like those in my hometown of Mexico.
I know my numbers are slightly subpar but I feel like I look like a better candidate than most on a holistic scale. Are my credentials Stanford worthy?
I think you are competitive as other applicants but Stanford admissions are wildly unpredictable (Test scores are low, aunt/uncle’s attendances have no boost for you) . You have a great chance at getting into at least one top 20 school imo.
Your ACT score is too low, not just for Stanford but for all top schools. However, your extracurricular activities are amazing, and that might make up a bit for your low score(?). Had your ACT score been great, you would have a great chance at Stanford, imo. Which other schools have you applied to? Honestly, I think that you have a low chance of getting into Stanford(but it’s not impossible). Like someone else said, you have a good chance of getting into a top 20/25 school, if not Stanford.
Chance me back? http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/what-my-chances/1850266-chance-me-for-mit-cornell-cmu-and-ill-chance-back.html#latest
@PureMathIsFun I definitely agree if I could enhance one thing on my app it would be my test scores but it’s out of my control now sadly. I applied to a few Ivies but I’d like to stay on the west coast and go to if not Stanford, then UCLA, USC, or UCSD. I think my chances at those schools are fairly good
With URM status I think you will still move past the initial standardized score check, although like PureMath said the scores will hurt a bit
ACT Score is definitely on the low side. But your GPA is stellar. That along with being an URM, you might have a chance. But then again, you never know how college decisions can turn out. Make sure you have something special that can make you stand out from the rest of the applicants. Best of luck!!
Chance me back please if you have time?
http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/what-my-chances/1849167-cornell-class-of-2020-regular-decision-chances.html#latest
In reference to your Post #3, I hope you did also apply to real matches as well, as for all those schools, you needed better stats. UCs do not consider race in their evaluation and your score is low for all those schools. A 4.3 weighted GPA may not be impressive either, depending on your actual UC GPA and UW GPA and other stats which you did not provide us in your post.
@uclaparent9 my UW GPA is 3.9 and UC GPA is 4.2. My scores are average at most of the UCs but I wouldn’t say their low
Your credentials are generally worthy, particularly given your URM status. Your GPA and class rank are fine. There will be a big question because of your ACT of 30, and the adcom will probably want to make sure that you are able to handle the work. You didn’t really address the issue of curricular work in the OP - how hard is your school, and how rigorous has your curriculum been? I could see this being a potential issue. On the other hand, your ECs show some distinctiveness and a flair that Stanford should appreciate.
No one can predict what the adcom will do, but I would say you are in decent shape, with the major potential flaw being your ACT score. It would have been nice if you had other test scores (SAT, SAT II’s or APs) to offset that.
@renaissancedad haha I wish i did too. Sadly I feel my scores on the SATs and SAT 2’s were also very subpar and I did best on the ACT. When I graduate I will have completed 13/15 of my schools Honors/AP courses. In regard to my curriculum is 13/15 honors/AP courses gonna be enough?
No ones knows. It sounds like you gave it your best shot. The academics will be the big question mark, but URM status and your ECs and vitality will give you a chance. Keep an open mind about other options in case things don’t work out, and good luck!