Hello,
I am an international student who will be applying to either Stanford or Yale for Restrictive Early Action. My stats are as follows:
GPA: 95,6/100 (only one grade below 90 (which corresponds to a B+) in history, had very high grades in math-physics)
SAT: 1530 (800 math, 730 reading&writing, 12 essay 
)
APs:
Physics C: Mechanics 5
Physics C: E&M 5
Chemistry 5
Calculus BC (AB Subscore): 5(5)
Macroeconomics: 5
Microeconomics: 5
Sat Math II: 800
Sat chemistry subject: 800
Intended major: mathematics
Awards:
Certificate of distinction in euclid math contest
St Johnâs book award
Extracurriculars:
-Selected as the head of the school orchestra (played piano for the orchestra since freshmen)
-Research assistant for a professor and her masterâs degree student for the studentâs thesis research project(in a Turkish University)
-Summer research program in a Turkish University
-Finished the online course on 2x2 differential equation systems by MIT on EdX with a passing grade
-Upon completing the online course âStochastic processesâ on Coursera, joined the course team and wrote new content (exercises) for the course under the supervision of the instructor of the course
-Currently taking an MIT course on statistical mechanics by an Emeritus Professor previously worked in MIT. (He is currently in Turkey)
-Representative of the residential students in the residential life council (2 years)
-150 hours of community service (all of them are math/science-related)
Common app essay: I wrote it on the help mathematics provided in overcoming the vocal tics caused by my Touretteâs.
Additional info: I will submit my composition written for a full symphony orchestra as an arts supplement.
Do I have a realistic chance in Yale or Stanford? If so, which one should I aim for?
Thanks
Im sorry but neither of these schools I think you have a real shot at: 1. you are international student 2. your stats are average 3. your ECâs are generic and I canât really tell what your interest is 4. Stanford loves quirky students and also those who win big awards (ex: semifinalist in regeneron) which you are lacking.
Iâd apply to lower schools like Cornell, emory, wash u cause I think those would be more realistic, yet still highl reaches. I really would not waste your EA/ED on Stanford since they reject most and barely defer
@sanjanagupta1 Thank you so much for your comment.
But I forgot to say that our high school is the hardest one in the country and last year a person with stats slightly lower than me got in princeton. And about my ECs being generic, all of them are on math except for orchestra and residential life council. Itâs actually my mistake since I didnât mention that the two research experiences were on math.
In addition, my only choice is not US (I am mostly applying to UK actually). Thatâs why I want to play risky.
What do you think anout princeton,then?
Princeton is no less selective that Yale or Stanford. I think you are competitive for any of these colleges, but understand the admissions rate for all three are in the single digits, and lower for international students vs domestic. Choose the one that matches your interest the best and go for it.
@BKSquared yes, I know the admissions rate is pretty low. But even if I have the slightest chance of being admitted, I want to take that risk. Princeton is the only university I want to attend in US (I considered Stanford/Yale since I thought princeton was more competitive)
âmy only choice is not US (I am mostly applying to UK actually)â
You have a much, much higher chance of admissions for the UK colleges, assuming you can pay for them. UK colleges like full pay internationals. Nobody can give you a realistic estimate of your chances for the selective US colleges because so much of the admissions process is based on subjective features that canât be understood without reading the entire application plus knowing what the other applications itâs being compared to look like. Your basic stats - GPA and test scores are in the range of what those colleges accept, but as important will be your essays, how you prepare your app and your letters of recommendation.
Stanford and other tippy tops donât base decisions on big contest wins or âquirky.â Your stats and stem activities put you in range to apply. Sure. And you seem to have the drives. Good.
But it will be an issue that your ECs are nearly all math-sci. Are you aware of what these colleges like and look for? Itâs not unilateral. All the tippy tops are trying to build a class of kids who can be involved in more than just their own academic interests. They like that sort of openness and curiosity, in addition to pursuing solid stem experiences. If you have this ârounding,â youâd want to show it, including peer activities. (More than res life and orchestra.)
Plus, Turkey produces many highly qualified applicants. If any tippy top currently has a large number of students from an intl country, they can look to applicants from other area countries.
So be savvy. Go ahead and try. But be aware of the challenges.