<p>This is basically a "chances" thread, but with a twist. I really like Stanford a lot, but it's not my first choice. It is the most selective school on my college list. The application is really involved and my parents really don't want me to go, so they don't want me to apply unless I have a decent chance. Stanford is definitely a reach for me, but I want to know if it's a plausible reach, if I have no chance, or if it's one of those "if you have the best essays they've ever read" schools.</p>
<p>Anyway, my stats:
SAT I: 2250 (V760 M690 W800)
SAT II: Lit: 740 US History: 680
US History AP: 4
GPA: 3.85 or so UW, 4.42 W
Class rank: 7/158 (top 5%)
(Freshman year I took 2 non-honors classes, other than that I've taken all honors or APs. I'm now taking 4 APs and 1 honors. My grades have a slight upward trend)</p>
<p>I've taken math, science, foreign language, and English all four years of high school.</p>
<p>ECs:
Lots of community service, all 4 years (quite a few hundred hours)
A few awards from my school (best in subject stuff)
A lot of awards from marketing competitions (all four years)
Very involved in music, in school and out (all four years)
Very involved in drama club (all four years)
Student council 2 years (other than that, not much leadership)
Debated/judged for 3 years
Work full time in the summers, and I just started working part time in September</p>
<p>Thanks in advance for your comments (feel free to be harsh). Also, if you have any advice or suggestions for other schools, I'd appreciate it. Most of the other schools I'm looking at are small LACs across the country, but I do have a few medium to large univerisities.</p>
<p>I should have mentioned that 1 teacher rec will probably be okay but nothing special. The other teacher loved my work but he's really weird. I have no idea about what he'll write. He'll definitely put down one or two negative things.</p>
<p>I'm generally a good writer, but I don't know about my essays. I'm afraid the adcom won't like my style. I know I'm a good writer for my high school, but I don't know how I compare to Stanford applicants.</p>
<p>Staticsoliloquy, you're completely right. However, if I applied to all the schools I'm interested in, I would be applying to several dozen colleges. (I'm already applying to more than 10.) I don't want to put the investment of time and effort (and parental issues) into the application if there's no chance it will pay off. Anyone willing to evaluate my stats?</p>
<p>its a reach, but all the same, you have a chance if you can put the time and effort into a good application thats presents an image of you as someone who would enhance the student body of stanford and wants badly to be there for very concrete reasons.</p>
<p>you have to take the SAT II math to get some consideration
if you dont want to take that test... chances at stanford are bleak. stanford requires the math IIC
not trying to be harsh, your stats are top-notch. just that you need to take that test, if you think about applying without that test... then i wouldn't bother.</p>
<p>For me sat 2 math was much more easier than sat 1 math. For example, on sat 2 you can miss like 6-7 answers and still get 800, whereas on sat 2 you can get 790 by missing just answer. I would take it if i were you.</p>