My situation with Stanford. Chances?

Colleges and Universities A-Z Stanford University
1

<p>How will Stanford consider these things?</p>

<p>(It's a little long, but if you'll read it and give me your opinion, I would be so amazingly grateful!)</p>

<p>My Dad attended Stanford, but committed suicide shortly before going to graduate school. (He got denied from Columbia Law... dumb, I know) My mother was at the time pregnant with me and living with dad near Stanford. Since then she has raised me on her own, without citizenship for many years and no money to do anything. (She was from France, her rich dad abandoned her long ago.) </p>

<p>There are many similarities with what my Dad did at my age. He ran the 800 meters in track, and so do I, (though he broke records). He cared for an autistic child, and so do I. He was valectorian, and so would I have been if it wasn't for a bad sophomore year haha (we were pretty much homeless; otherwise I have straight A's).</p>

<p>(i didnt know about his track success, or his helping an autistic person until recently)</p>

<p>I might also like to apply EA.</p>

<p>Now here's my stuff:</p>

<p>
[QUOTE]

-Male caucasian junior
-top 10-20%, competitive public SoCal high school
-GPA 9-12 projected = 3.66 unweighted; 4.23 weighted
-SAT 2150
-Honor roll several times
-8 AP courses</p>

<p>-Cross Country 3 years, "MVP" as a freshman.
-Track 4 years. 1600m, 800m, long jump.
-Fluent in French. I have Corsican + Persian + American ethnicity
-French club 2 years. (president)
-FBLA club 1 year. (went to state)
-Debate Team 1 year</p>

<p>I had a rough sophomore year because my family (single mom, father committed suicide many years ago) went through a financial crisis and we were basically undeclared homeless for months. We stayed at a family friend's home. Sometimes I did my homework in our car full of newspapers, where I would then sleep. this brings my GPA way down, otherwise I have always been a straight A student...</p>

<p>(My junior and senior years, I carried complete straight A's, so my grades went way up after Sophomore year)</p>

<p>-I educated a 9 year old autistic child, Spencer during all of 10th grade on my own time twice a week. I taught him how to speak correctly, write, think and express himself. Over the year, his family saw improvement, and I am very proud of this. In my essay I want to compare his obsessions with an elaborate train-set he built, to my obsessions of constantly thinking of how I could better teach him during my daily life, and help him "build" himself, and then connect this to my new-found desire to possibly major in cognitive science. </p>

<p>I wrote a great 10 minute speech about this kid for my Debate team. It includes lots of research and I could attach it with my application. It talks about the potential for educating autistic children.</p>

<p>(also, my father cared for an autistic black kid, Archie, at his high school. he would bring him home and clothe him / feed him for years. surprisingly enough, he later apparently showed up to my parent's wedding, finding his way on a bicycle. I didn't know about all this until after 10th grade.)</p>

<p>-I single-handedly made a website (e-commerce!) for someone else's product. you can see it here if you like.</p>

<p>-This summer I plan on going to Ghana and helping for a few weeks over there. I will take pictures with my dSLR and create a portfolio/story and maybe get a photography scholarship.</p>

<p>

[/QUOTE]
</p>

2

<p>I'll be honest: no one here can really tell you what your chances are. You have some flaws as an applicant (GPA, though that should be explained BY YOUR COUNSELOR, and SAT), and you need to make sure not to overstuff your file... send what's relevant, nothing else. Personally, I think you have as good a shot as most.</p>

<p>What I set out in this post to say, though, was that regardless of whether you get into school X or Y, you've done a lot to be proud of in your life, and you'll succeed no matter what. Remember not to judge yourself by what some school thinks of you.</p>

<p>Good luck!</p>

3

<p>thanks man, i'm definitely keeping perspective with this whole college thing. i'm pretty laid back so i wouldn't mind too much about getting rejected.</p>

4

<p>Well quantitatively your application is somewhat sub-par, but you've got a story and have dealt with hardships, which Stanford loves. I wouldn't be suprised if you get in. It's a distinct possibility, especially if your application really showed how strong of a person you were and how you haven't been able to live entirely up to your potential in academics because you were forced to live up to your full potential in life. It will come down to how well your story is related. Recommendations from people who really like you and get you would be a big plus.</p>

5

<p>You'll get in. </p>

<p>I feel that strongly about it.</p>

6

<p>Your story touched me. :) You'll get in (or would, if I had any control over it). In fact, I'd be honored to get rejected if you were admitted. Best of luck!</p>

7

<p>wow. such a story. I would say try to keep up ur academic performance, and i hope to see that you'll get into stanford. i'm very sorry about your father. I'm sure he would have been proud to see the person you are today--and that you had done some of the great things he had done.</p>

8

<p>you guys are very nice, thank you for that encouragement :)</p>

9

<p>Wow you've got an amazing story to tell. I hope for your sake that you get in because you deserve it.</p>

10

<p>You definitely have a chance. All you can do is write great essays, have great recs, and wait for Stanford’s decision because your academic record is great.</p>

11

<p>flyingllama,</p>

<p>Academically, you’re not too special in Stanford’s pool. But I am truly touched by your story, and I’m sure Stanford will be too. You really seem like a person who can overcome adversity.</p>

<p>To tell the truth, I don’t know how Stanford will view your app, but your unfortunate circumstances will definitely add a factor to your app. Like what other posters have said, I too won’t be surprised if you do get in.</p>

<p>Even if Stanford isn’t impressed, you’ve definitely inspired me. :)</p>

12

<p>Thank you!!! :)</p>