<p>My son has 2300 SATs and a 3.8 UW GPA, an eventual 8 APs with 4s and 5s, but feels he has no chance at a Brown/Stanford/Amherst etc becoz he's like 3 or 4 in his class and has what he feels are ordinary ECs. Is he being realistic, or is he just down on himself? He also writes incredible essays and people/adults who meet him love talking to him because he's just so bright and funny and friendly, so I know he'd interview well. What do you all think?</p>
<p>He has no chance if he doesn't apply. His class rank is excellent and his SATs are as well. I felt quite unsure whether I'd get into Stanford SCEA, and got down right pessimistic during the last week, and I got in. I don't think it's being humble, it's just natural to be scared about whether you'll get in. I could constantly point to weaknesses in my app and found it hard to concentrate on my strengths. So, if your son has already applied, just so you know it's only normal and just ignore him lol. If he is a junior, that's even better because now he has time to improve his "ordinary ecs". Good luck!</p>
<p>He's being too harsh on himself.</p>
<p>To be honest, he is being realistic to not take anything for granted, especially Stanford. His chances certainly are not bad, but I saw Stanford reject some really remarkable students last year. It is better to be realistic than to be devastated by bad news that you didn't see coming.</p>
<p>Fred, he's a junior, but I had to plead with him to apply to TASP - He finally did at the last minute and would love to go, but again doesn't feel he has a chance at acceptance. I am suspecting there's a fear of failure issue, but also realize how tough getting into these unis and programs are!</p>
<p>Midmo, thanks - that makes a lot of sense....maybe self-protection is the issue then, and not a fear of failure. I guess what I can do is just be supportive.</p>
<p>Stanford, he's being reasonable and realistic. Brown and Amherst should be good for him though.</p>
<p>As far as acceptance I'm guessing Yale/Princeton are about the same as Stanford and Cornell/UPenn/Dartmouth/Williams/Pomona/Reed/Duke the same as Brown/Amherst?</p>
<p>i think your son is a little bit too afraid of rejection. tell him to man up. :P</p>
<p>he's obviously qualified to get into ANY school but, like everyone else who is qualified, he'll need some luck.</p>
<p>Update?
10Charrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr</p>
<p>He’s being way too harsh on himself.</p>
<p>When you have a hard look at the numbers, he’s being realistically conservative. He does have a real chance but kids with his stats get shut out of all of them too.</p>
<p>Even at the mid tier ivies and top LACs, most kids without hooks are top 2 in their class. For the SATs, it would depend on the breakdown. If he has high 700 M and CR his chances go up, if he has a higher writing score and a weakness in either of the other two sections, they go down.</p>
<p>Next factor in what state you’re from. Chances are considerably higher if it’s an underrepresented one.</p>
<p>Then he will need to show a side of himself that breaks through the clutter of the many kids with these stats. An EC can often do this but other things can too.</p>
<p>So all in all, who knows? But he’s probably on firmer ground than most understanding it’s an uphill battle.</p>