<p>I applied to Stanford mainly because my parents wanted me to. Of course I've always wanted to go there but lately I realized that with my stats that it's pretty much impossible. But you never know you can't until you've tried right? So I applied, hoping for a miracle. What I read somewhere got my hopes up, but I'm not sure if it's true. I remember reading somewhere, can't remember exactly what, about how stanford is more "qualitative" than "'quantitative." That is, they tend to care more about personal qualities than academic qualities. I heard how they wouldn't hesitate to choose a person with a great personality but a lower gpa over someone with a dull personality and a higher gpa/test score. Although that briefly brought my hopes up, I didn't think it'd apply to me anyways. I was wondering though, if Stanford admits students on potential? The only thing bad about me is my horrible gpa, a 3.5uw. I won't lie, I'm not exactly the hardest working student at my school. I don't believe it's worth all the unnessecary stress to get straight A's. However, I do work my ass off in classes I like, which explains the fact that I have A's in all of my ap classes, and I'm taking 5 this year for a total of 10 APs. I've always taken a few college courses. My GPA is so low because of my abysmal gpa my junior year. I had family problems, which I won't mention here, but they were pretty drastic. I didn't explain my situation on my app since I felt that it might be viewed as being "whiny" or desperate. I didn't want to feel like I was making excuses for my bad grades. However, in retrospect, I think I should have because it might have helped me. I think I wrote pretty good essays though, and so I was wondering if Stanford does admit students based on their "potential" and if the fact that I did not explain my situation junior year will hurt me? (my gpa nosedived from 10th grade to 11th grade)</p>
<p>Stanford doesn't have room to do that (admit you based on "potential"). You've probably heard admissions officers say that they could admit several classes' worth of students without having to lower their standards. They don't need to admit you, so they're not going to lower their standards to do so unless there is something exceptional about you that they want.</p>
<p>
[quote]
I remember reading somewhere, can't remember exactly what, about how stanford is more "qualitative" than "'quantitative." That is, they tend to care more about personal qualities than academic qualities.
[/quote]
</p>
<p>I think this statement is a little confused. Stanford may very well value personal qualities highly, but at no school are personal qualities more important than academic qualities. Academic record (GPA and classes taken) is the most important factor in admissions. Admissions officers don't hesitate to tell us this.
Your example of the dull student and the interesting student was somewhat misleading. To be admitted, both students have to meet Stanford's academic standards. Your example would not hold true if the interesting student was really that bad. Stanford could and would reject both of them. The interesting student with lower scores would only be admitted if his/her scores were still acceptable. Eg, if the dull student had a 4.0 and a 2300, and the interesting student had a 3.8 and a 2100. The interesting student was still pretty strong academically (even if he/she was not good in comparison to the dull student). Remember, admissions isn't just you against the other applicants. They don't decide your admission by comparing you to someone else. They hold you to the institutional standards first, independent of other applications, and IF they have to choose between two applicants, they might use personal qualities.</p>
<p>Anyway, the example is irrelevant--Stanford has so many applicants to choose from that it doesn't have to compromise its standards to fill a class. It has its pick of students who are interesting AND high-achieving at the same time, so it doesn't have to choose between the dull high-achiever and the interesting dud.</p>
<p>I see. Well I guess it was worth a shot huh? haha</p>
<p>It is quality over quantity, but not quite in the direction you're taking it. They want to see "intellectual vitality" and "academic curiosity," a truly unique person with a passion, perhaps not the best numbers. And a 3.5 isn't that bad...</p>
<p>Haha a 3.5 may not be that bad but when you consider the fact that so many people applying to stanford have 4.0uw and still get rejected it seems low by comparison.</p>
<p>Yeah, I would really tell them about ur family situation, because if that is the only reason you got a low GPA, and the other things are good (SAT , essays) they will probably forgive you</p>
<p>Well isn't it a bit too late to tell them now..?</p>
<p>yeah... should of explained it in your essay...</p>
<p>Listen, all these schools, including Stanford, accept kids on quality over quantity. There is a small number of students who are accepted based on potential. If you really made your essays make them want to know you, then you have a great shot.</p>
<p>There's always a kid who has low rank, lower scores, etc. over the valedictorian football captain. </p>
<p>Just don't worry until April.</p>
<p>Thanks benitocamela. Yeah I've accepted the fact that it's all going to be over soon so I'm not going to stress out over it. I did mention my situation on the long essay, but I did not go too in depth because I didn't want to risk sounding "desperate." But yeah, I guess I'll just hope for the best.</p>
<p>koolaznpygmy, I am in almost the EXACT situation as you.
GPA nose dive, family issues, ect.
I feel your pain.
lol.
Guess we just have to wait and see, right.</p>
<p>good luck</p>