<p>Hey guys I have a couple of questions for the Stanford admission.</p>
<p>What is a general good amount of AP classes to take? I am planned to take every AP class my school has to offer 6-7. But I was wondering if I would need to try and get more AP classes in our school? </p>
<p>What are some things that most students lack on when applying? EC's, awards or anything else?</p>
<p>I have been vigorously reading these forums for information on how to make your application look at lot better, but any other information would be great! Thank you(:</p>
<p>I am currently a Sophomore so I still have the time/opportunity to get things done and handled!</p>
<p>I’ve heard that one thing universities do when reviewing your application is look at the school you went to. If it only offered a few AP’s but you did extremely well in all of them, they will consider that. However, getting your school to add more AP’s is something that shows your passion (if you really do want to challenge yourself), and thats great as well!</p>
<p>Whatever you do, love it, work for it, have the passion :)</p>
<p>I’ve learned this from their website, talks given by admission officers (youtube), I’m an underclassman too</p>
<p>I will be at Stanford next year. I’m no expert, but I can tell you how my app was and what I learned. </p>
<p>I only took 3 APs (my school offers only about 10 though). Only one AP was junior year so I only sent APUSH scores. What admissions told me when I asked was that they check what APs your schools offers. If your school only offers a few, then they won’t expect you to have taken a bunch. </p>
<p>Stanford’s notorious at my school for rejecting people with perfect gpas and test scores (last year two 2400 valedictorians got rejected). Every single person whose been accepted to Stanford from my school in recent years has been involved in music. I’m pretty involved in ECs, and I’ve talked to about 20 people admitted to Stanford this past year. Pretty much all of them have incredible ECs. I would say decent academics and great ECs are what most people should focus more on. I certainly didn’t ace any standardized tests, but I did acceptable. </p>
<p>While academics are important (aim for a 2250+ SAT and 3.8+ UW gpa) I think ECs are more important than they get credit for. There was a reception for recent Stanford admits. We went around and shared what we do. No one talked about academics. There was a national rock climbing champion, three people who started their own charity organizations, two competitive musicians, and many other unique people.</p>
<p>I know Stanford and other such schools say that academics/grades are their main focus in the selection process, would you say that this isn’t the truth then?</p>
<p>@globaldolphin- I don’t think Stanford says that academics are their main focus. Everyone there I’ve talked to says that they focus more on holistic admissions. </p>
<p>Example? While perfect test scorers got rejected last year from Stanford, my school did have others get in. One person had a 3.7 gpa. No hooks, not a URM, not an athlete. Just excellent ECs. </p>
<p>I don’t have a 4.0. I didn’t get a 2400. I only took one AP test. If academics were all that mattered, I wouldn’t have gotten in. </p>
<p>Top tier schools have so many outstanding academically qualified applicants that they can’t make a choice based solely on academics. Yes, you need good grades to be eligible. But, in my opinion, they want solid academics and great ECs. But that’s just what I’ve inferred.</p>
<p>Academics are absolutely the main focus, Lagging. However, Stanford is looking for people who also bring something else to the student body. Stanford gets so many applicants with superlative stats that they don’t tend to accept everyone who applies with perfect stats, and neither do Stanford’s peer schools. They are looking for people who can definitely flourish here academically, while also making contributions in other areas. All the 4.0+, 2400 people I’ve met here all have lots of other interesting things about them. They didn’t spend all their time grinding away for those grades and scores in high school.</p>
<p>one of my S dormmate at stanford came fr a ultra small public sch (graduating class size=20) fr a very small (remote?) town. no AP class offered at all. (not sure if they even have calculus). stanford looks at how well you did based on the opportunities presented to you. she may not be at par (yet) with those who have dozens of AP’s, but my S said that she works very hard, is doing well and is getting there. i remember what was said the stanford orientation that stanford makes no mistake in their acceptance:)</p>
<p>Z3nith - Oh okay that makes sense! I’m really glad they look at that. That helps a lot. I did add a AP comuter Science class, but how would I be able to tell them that I did that?
Lagging - Congratz! I hope to someday reach your position(: OH that’s awesome, your school and mine are a lot alike then. I’m involved in Percussion and singing. Which one would they be more likely to accept me for? I pretty decent in both. Choir I just started, but I will probably be more profficient at. I’m glad EC’s are wayy important. I do have a 4.0 and taking the ACT test soon as a sophmore, but my EC’s are definitely the best.
Zenkoan - Thanks for that information, that’s really good to.
Hillary21 - That is great to hear! I’m glad she made it! You must be proud! Thank you for that info. How do they check which classes are offered?</p>
<p>Your guidence counselor indicates the level of academic rigor of your transcript relative to what was available at the school in their letter of rec. For any top school, you want to be in the ‘most rigorous’ category.</p>
<p>@Pichblack- I have no idea which one they need more. You could call and ask or do supplements on both if you think you’re equally talented. Whatever you decide, you should do a supplement on at least one.</p>
<p>Z3nith - Should I be adding a Resume? I wasn’t sure about that in the first place. Would the addmision officers just think its too much and be tired of reading all the letters and stuff? Or would they like it? I really could add a lot more on a resume on extra activites I have done. An intellectual essay would probably tie in great with that and my computer programming.</p>
<p>Lagging - I should see which one they need more. Thank you for that! If I get the courage to do one on both I will call and ask to see if I can! Thank you. How much do you think a good supplement for music talent helps? </p>
<p>M’s mom - Well if I have tooken the most rigourous schedule anyone at my school has tooken, should I have her add that? I have added 2 AP’s classes already, and I am taking all of them. No one else has ever done that, should I have her mention that?</p>