Please Chance Me! (Stanford/T20) SAT 1460, ACT 32

Chance Me / Match Me!
1

Hi, I’m a rising senior who is planning on applying to colleges this year. Needless to say, I’m really nervous because I feel like my test scores aren’t good enough and I’m not nationally accomplished. Good luck to my fellow seniors applying this year!

Please chance me for Stanford REA, UPenn, and other Top 20 schools !!! :blush:

FYI- Female, College Prep Scholar (low-middle income??), applying to major in film+media studies and marketing in college, submitting arts portfolio for Stanford & other top colleges

Stats:

SAT 1460, ACT 32 (should I even submit these scores??)
GPA: 3.96 unweighted, 4.68 weighted (10+ AP classes including senior year)
Within top 5-10% of class of 700 ish.

Awards:

Telluride Association Summer Program (TASP) Finalist (alternate; didnt get in)
College Prep Scholar
Visual Arts Contest
Presentation to County Executive with the painting ^
Youth Leadership Consortium (YLC) Scholar 2020
AP Scholar with Distinction
Scholastic Art and Writing Awards 2020 (Art: Screen Printing): Honorable Mention
Scholastic Art and Writing Awards 2019 (Art: Drawing): Silver Key Scholastic Art and Writing Awards 2019 (Art: Mixed Media):: Honorable Mention
Scholar Athlete Award x4

Activities:

  1. 2017 - Present/ Founder and Creative Director [Non-Profit Club/business/arts and culture magazine] [Did art related stuff] and donated all profits to various organizations raising $1500+ in total. Created all designs, hand made all items, organized all inventory and finances Currently expanding into an online platform with an arts and culture magazine and a sustainable clothing line
  2. 2018 - Present/ Internship [Human Rights Organizatio;/p>
  3. 2017 - Present/ Director for Middle School Musical
  4. 2020 - Present/ Video Team at [Non-Profit] Non Profit with 100+ team members globally, for educational equity.
  5. 2020 - Present/ Writer for [Magazine] ;/p>
  6. Varsity Lacrosse 4 years
  7. National Art Honor Society (Historian, tbd President), member 4 years
  8. NHS, NEHS, NSHS
  9. Ambassadors Officer and Sources of Strength Peer Leader

Essays:

This is def one of my strongest areas, my essays are a little risky (in that they’re creative lol) and I think overall they will be strong. I’m investing A LOT of time researching (esp. Stanford) and writing. As for topics, I’m talking about how I grew into my identity and art as a medium to raise compassion.

Not hooks but other info ig:

I live in a very diverse area right now, and I’m incorporating that into my Common App Essay.

I think my greatest asset is that I’m self driven and want to use my art to inspire compassion - hopefully that shows through in my essays + extracurriculars.

Also just got into PEEP and PIF for UPenn Fly-ins, not sure how much this means this year.

2

For your circumstances, your extras and gpa are commendable!! It is surprising to see such great positions that you hold considering your background (hardship) (I mean this in a positive way just so you know). I would not submit your SAT scores because they are on the lower end and the schools you are looking into do not require test scores (your ts might pull your application down). You are really good applicant!!

4

As a QuestBridge College Prep Scholar, are you not being given guidance on college apps? Are you applying to colleges through Questbridge, for the scholarship? Are you eligible for Questbridge? That does boost your chances for acceptance to selective schools, you know?

I agree that your test scores are not going to help you. You will likely benefit from being test optional.

What courses have you taken and are taking? What sort of school are you attending? Does it tend to send kids to top colleges? Have you looked at Naviance for your school and your prospective colleges?

It’s fine you are applying to highly selective schools. But also make sure you cover your base with sure thing colleges that will be affordable. Academically, too 5-10% won’t cut it for Stanford, though your art portfolio is a wild card. You say your family is low income but you don’t mention applying through QuestBridge. Stanford is a lottery ticket for most everybody as it it is. But fine to give it a go. But do look for schools that have more realistic acceptance stats where you can find what you want and have a good chance of affording. That is the crux of college search.

5

One thing to note, you are a strong applicant! However, the end had me a bit confused about your essay. Moving is one of the most basic common app essays (not trying to sound rude) , so please be careful with that. Try to be unique as possible!