Hi there, I’m in a rut. I know that I am going to apply to Stanford early no matter what, but I’m debating applying through the Questbridge National College Match (I am a QB College Prep Scholar) or through Stanford Early Action. I know that EA has a higher acceptance rate than the NCM, but I am kinda afraid of being rejected EA.
I come from a very poor background (below poverty level), have a single disabled mother, and have been homeless. I got a full ride to the Stanford Summer Humanities Institute for a history course, and Stanford is my top school. I live in Southern California. Also, I am a history major with unique extracurriculars(I won’t say more for privacy), but definitely the kind of activity that shows my interest and maturity in my field (history).
Academic Stats: 35 ACT, 1550 new SAT, 800 SAT US history, 800 SAT World History, 770 Math 2
rank 1 in competitive public school, 4.0 UW GPA, 4.8 W GPA
Any advice? Thank you!!!
@pekerino12 Thank you! I appreciate your encouragement, I really need it in this incredibly stressful time 
Wow, you have very good stats for being homeless for a period of time. I don’t know how you maintained your GPA. Good job. Your unique extracurriculars could be the key to success if you put together a good essay about it. Your SAT score is way better than mine was and I got accepted although ten years ago the admit rate was twice what it is now.
You don’t choose a major until after starting classes so I don’t believe there is any place on the application to mark history as your intended major although you could put it in your essay. I don’t know enough about Questbridge to know if it gives you an advantage with admissions. I would probably apply Early Action as it shows your commitment to Stanford but who knows what the admission officer will be thinking at the time they review applications.
@googledrone Thank you so much! I will definitely keep those things in mind.