Please Chance Me: A Simp for Stanford Public Policy

Chance Me / Match Me!
1

Hi everyone! I’ve started the college admissions grind and wanted to get some advice before I really dive deep into getting apps and stuff figured out. I genuinely would appreciate any advice/comments that people can give! Thank you so much!

Basic Info:

Upper middle class chinese female at a very large and competitive public high school

No hooks, except legacy at northwestern

Stats:

SAT Subject Tests: Math II (800)

ACT: 35, 35M 35W 36R 35S

GPA: Unweighted 4.0, Weighted probably around a 4.8/5.00

No class rank

APs (this includes ones I am taking this year so I don’t have scores yet): Euro (5), Bio (4), APUSH (5), Lang (4), Chem(4), Chinese(5), Calc BC (5), Stats, Calc 3, Macro, Gov, Psych, Lit, Physics 1

National Merit Semifinalist

National AP Scholar

Extracurriculars:

Model UN: Currently holding an executive board position. I have won numerous best and outstanding awards at the local and state level and won outstanding delegate at an international model UN conference two years in a row. Also head of planning multiple statewide MUN conference with around 300 ish people attending.

Nonprofit I founded: taught public speaking in both debate and presentation settings to middle school students. Through the past 2 years, I have worked with over 200 students directly to mentor them through year long programs. This summer, I created a summer intensive program that focused on providing the service to low-income neighborhoods and in the fall, I will be working with a local school to provide class to first generation students and adults who will be able to further their understanding of english through public speaking

Internship at my state congressman’s office this summer: Focusing on creating a project analyzing the impacts of education inequality and how to increase civic engagement with young people.

Congressional Debate: Captain, and in the past I’ve earned multiple team and individual awards at the state level for congressional debate and have broken to semifinal rounds at some national tournaments.

Mental Health Forum: Last year I planned this mental health forum at our school that had a lot of community engagement and over 200 people attended, with a presentation from a local nonprofit.

Fencing: Ranked 1st in my region (in my age division)

I have a couple more state-level awards from other clubs like FBLA and HOSA but I haven’t really been engaged as a leader or member in those clubs and mainly did it for the competitive aspect

In terms of common app, I don’t think I have a mindblowing essay. It’s original but not amazing, but my goal is just to come off as a really thoughtful and real person :slight_smile: I’d rate it like a 7/10

Safties: University of Illinois, Purdue, Pitt
Targets: Umich, George Washington U
Reach: Northwestern, Georgetown, Duke
Dream: Stanford! :slight_smile:

2

i wanted to keep everything as anonymous as possible for the sake of privacy reasons

3

First, congrats on your many accomplishments.

Now, regarding your list - what is your proposed major? If you are looking at engineering/CS, UIUC and Purdue may not be safeties.

Second, as a NMSF who is almost certain to be at least a Finalist - why are you not looking at colleges at which this will provide some merit funding among your safeties, at least? I would suggest UMN at least, and, as a reach, you could add U Southern California (half tuition for NMFs who are accepted).

Your reaches are, of course reaches, but you are competitive for them all. If you apply to NWU ED, your chances will be better that the other reaches, of course (as a legacy).

U Michigan is only a match if you are a resident of Michigan, and you are not looking to be accepted to engineering/CS. Otherwise. it’s a reach. On the other hand, GWO is a low match.

4

You’ve presented all this like a job resume and it’s not that sort of app. Be sure you understand how they look to build a community of kids who show openness to new experiences outside their own interest zones. Kid who can interact with and grow from peers. Drives are good, but not everything.

That said, the summer internship is good. Many PP or poli sci kids just don’t do that. But overall, it’s not about creating this or that, going for non-profit status or managing something. So while you have time, check your strategy. Let the real-kid aspects come through, as well. Try to understand what those are.

5

Thank you so much for all the feedback! My intended major would be something related to either political science or public policy. I am definetely looking into schools that are generous with NMF scholarships like USC, and will probably end up applying there as well, so thanks so much for the suggestion! I just had an additional question, in terms of applying for political science, may I ask what your opinions of me as an applicant would be? I realize that many people who apply to prestigious schools like selective LACS/Ivy’s have a lot of writing or politics experience, so do you think that I am at a disadvatage in that aspect? Thank you!

6

Hi there lookingforward, thank you so much for your response! I truly appreciate your insight about how Stanford looks at applicants who build communities and are actively interacting with others. I was just wondering if you had any advice on how I can try and strive towards that realness and what ways I can change my approach to the college process as a whole. Thanks so much!

7

No, a lot don’t have your experience with the congressman that you have. And not during Covid. OTOH, lots of kids think there’s zing in founding a non-profit, when just the work/the activity matters more. (Or when smaller, less formal/less shiny efforts can add up.) Or they come on too strong in touting their resume. There’s a fine line to be walked here and I’m suggesting you get comfortable with it. Try to understand what S, NW, G, and D value and look for, beyond spikes.