So, Hey guys!!
I wanted to you people for some advice on building my college application for stanford.
I’m an International student, and I find pleasure in doing Math, physics and Chemistry.
As far as I know myself till now, I want to major in EE + Philosophy.
SO,… it would be amazing If you guys would give me some advice on Ec’s, Ap’s and all. Tysm, have a nice day.
Why Stanford?
It is one of the most difficult schools to gain entry.
It is expensive.
It admits internationally “regarded” students. (Malala, Obama’s daughter’s, Olympians, etc.)
What is your budget?
The only ones who know what it takes to get into Stanford, is Stanford.
Again, why Stanford?
From your other thread it seems you may be a freshman. It is way too early to target specific colleges. Right now you just want to take the most challenging courses that your school offers, that you can do well in. Do ECs that you are interested in. Don’t pick ECs for college. If your high school offers AP and you are interested in STEM, you want to take at least one science AP out of Chem, physics, or bio. You should also try to take AP Calc AB or BC. More APs can help but it’s not a race to get the most.
Don’t fixate on one college. Admissions rates for International students at the most selective colleges are in the single digits, and harder if you need financial aid. Just do your best in school without driving yourself crazy. Participate in ECs that you love. In a couple years, see where you are and develop a college list that matches it.
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Stanford, A college. It’s just a University, like the other universities in the world.
What makes it special and what makes me think its a place for me?
Competitive edge.
The thing that most people give their all to be their best. The thing that everyone tries to be better than others or better than themselves.
Ambition
The fact that they don’t wanna meet the end without fixing their name in the history, that’s me, if not others.
Of course I don’t really have to state the facts like the big name, quality education and blahblahblah.
And I DO KNOW that their are other good universities out there
But, I would like to set my sight on the star called “Stanford” and Just see it as a milestone in my life. Cuz the universe doesn’t end on this star.
My dad wanted to attend stanford and he wants at least one of his children to attend it.
And my greatest pleasure is making people happy.
So yeah lol.
And lol Yeah We can afford it.
pov sorry for the grammatical mistakes, they auto corrected and I’m noticing them now, Sorry.
I
From other posts you are a freshman. It is WAY to early to target specific colleges - especially Stanford which is one of the most competitive colleges in the US in terms of admissions. Admission rates are under 5% for US citizens and likely about half that for international students. You would have to be one of the best students in your country to have a chance of admittance at Stanford.
There is no “magic formula” for admittance to Stanford or any other elite college. There is no specific activity, coursework etc. that is sure to get you there. I personally really dislike the idea having one “dream school” - particularly a college that is hyper-competitive in terms of admissions because in my expereince students who focus much of their time and attention on one college are likely to be hurt/disappointed in the admissions process. As you mature over the next number of years I hope you will expand your college horizons/goals.
At this point in your life I suggest you focus your energy on being the best you can be in every aspect of life – as a student, a person involved in your school/community, a leader, etc. and then see where things take you.
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One of my son’s teachers at our local public high school went to Stanford. He is well loved but his name certainly is not fixed in history, as is the case for the vast majority of Stanford grads.
And it’s not very healthy for a parent to live vicariously through their children. Your Dad had his chance to go to Stanford and didn’t. When it’s your turn to go to college you need to think more about what you want and not what he wants.
My advice is to make time to read good books. When I was your age I read “A brief history of time” by Stephen Hawking. I highly recommend it.
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Nope, this is not what students admitted to Stanford look like.
My husband is a Stanford grad.
My son was waitlisted there and then chose another school.
I have former students who attended Stanford and they don’t fit your description as you believe it.
Couldn’t agree more.
So your Dad wants you or a sibling to attend Stanford. What happens if none of you gets in? (Which is, very probable). What happens, then?
Unless you are an international public figure, (Olympian, Peace Activist, Celebrity) your chances are extremely weak.
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With the greatest respect, you really need to read and re-read your post several times. Is this really how you want to spend your high school days? And are you doing this for your father or yourself?
By all means, work hard and do your best. But that’s all you can do. The world is FULL of people who DIDN’T go to Stanford and have had wonderful lives.
Listen to the wisdom of the other posters here who are saying it far better than I can.
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It was enough of a dramatic answer that I didn’t really pay attention to your grammatical mistakes. Was that your philosophical side coming through? It’s helpful that you can afford the full cost of tuition. That is one of the biggest hurdles for international students right there.
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Tysm everyone for paying attention to my post, and I really appreciate it.
But, no one really answered my question and pretty much everyone is saying their own thing.
All I want is some advice lmao
Omg tysm.
I got that there is no magical formula, But what if what I love doing not good enough?
For ex:
I like Chemistry and Physics a lot.
I’m into philosophy as well.
I like to help those who are emotionally unwell.
I don’t play any sport.
I like to write, I’m going to publish my first book till the end of this month.
My greatest passion is helping people who are emotionally not well though.
But, I’ve no idea how am I supposed to build my app.
And I don’t know what Ec’s I should take part in. And like Advice on AP’s and other things.
He couldn’t afford it lmao.
And yesss tysm!!
I read that book in grade 6 lmao. It was the first and last book my mom ever bought for me lol.
And for sure i didn’t understood several things in that book, So I’ll consider re-reading it. TYSM
Yeah lmao.
I’m too much into philosophy.
omg yesss tysm!!!
Find ECs that you are interested in and that you feel you can make a positive contribution to.
Is your book being published by a major house? If so that can be a positive. If it is self-published it just means your family has enough money to print whatever you wrote and it won’t be as meaningful.
Take the most rigorous schedule you can handle without unreasonable stress.
In other words do the things that work for you and your application will create itself.
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Again, there are no formulas to get into a school like Stanford. My suggestion is to look over the Class of 2025 Discussions to see the credentials of the Accepted, Deferred and Rejected applicants to see what is expected of a Stanford student.
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Are you aware of the meaning of “lmao”???
You seem to use it inappropriately.
Anyway, you said you wanted advice about how to get into Stanford we’ve told you that no one really knows. You can’t base getting into Stanford on what YOU think they want, but the minimum standard is:
STRONG GPA
STRONG TEST scores
Strong Passion in an area specific to you
Strong ability to write very well.
They build a class each year. Each year is a different “fit” that they seek and want in each class. If you don’t fit what they’re looking for in that specific class, you won’t be admitted.
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Maybe you can philosophically think about the fact that your dad did not go to Stanford because he couldn’t afford it, yet is now successful enough to pay for you to attend? It’s considerably more expensive than when he would have been applying, even taking into account inflation, so your dad clearly has achieved some financial success in his life without that big-name school. It sounds to me like your dad might deserve a bit more respect than you’re giving him.
Someone usually posts a link to an article called “Applying Sideways,” but since no one has done it yet I’ll do it now: Applying Sideways | MIT Admissions
Good luck.
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You probably want to denote this thread as International Students, rather than Study Abroad, and also tag it as Stanford, and perhaps edit the title to something like, “Chance Int’l Student for Stanford”.
I know that Stanford is “study abroad” for you, but since this forum is largely focused on US students applying to US schools, study abroad usually means US students taking a year to study outside the US or applying to schools outside the US.
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