Should my kid be persuaded?

Chance Me / Match Me!
1

<p>Hi all - wondering what you think of my son's chances for a few schools. He's pretty accomplished but may be limiting himself out of fear of the stats. Please take a second and let me know what you think his chances are for:</p>

<p>Berkeley
UCSD
Vanderbilt
Cornell
Brown and lastly, should we encourage him to apply to his dream school that he's convinced is impossible,</p>

<p>STANFORD</p>

<p>Thanks so much for looking!</p>

<p>He's got some hopefuls/likelies that he's applying to as well (Michigan, Case Western, BU and Tufts) and is focusing on engineering.</p>

<p>Stats:
SAT Total: 2330 M: 770, CR: 800, WR:750
ACT: N/A
SAT Subject Tests: Molecular BIO: 800, M2: 760
GPA-UW/W: 3.73/4.11 (out of 5)
Rank: probably 9
AP/IB classes: Sophmore: Bio (4), CalcAB (5) Junior: Chem (4) EngLitComp (4), AP Calc BC (5), AP Music Theory (5), APUSH (4) Senior: AP Stat (prob 5), AP Physics (prob 5)
Taking Multivariable Calculus this year</p>

<p>Subjective:</p>

<p>Teacher Recs: Both should be very good
Counselor Rec: Should be very good</p>

<p>EC highlights:</p>

<p>Water polo four years, captain this year
Swim team two years
Track and field, two years
Athletic Council on Leadership
Principal Cellist school orchestra
Six years Local Philharmonic youth orchestra
DJ for local events, school dances, etc.
Camp counselor four years running as summer paid position
Lifeguard
School Musicals - Stage Manager 2 years/Assistant Director 1 year
Math Club
Tutor at local public school
Lots of music community service: playing at churches, events, hospitals</p>

<p>Awards
National Merit Semifinalist
AP Scholar with distinction
California Scholarship Federation Silver level
Sophomore Performing Arts Award</p>

<p>State or Country: CA, USA
School Type: Private
Ethnicity: White
Gender: Male</p>

2

<p>Everything looks great except the GPA. He would need a near perfect 4.0 for those schools to be accepted and a bare minimum of 3.8 UW GPA to even be considered from those schools especially Brown, Cornell, and Stanford. Best of luck to your son though! I bet he will get into at least 2 or 3 of those schools with impressive stats like that! </p>

3

<p>Thank you LonelyBanana - He’s worked so hard - I bet he’ll get that 3.8! </p>

4

<p>I am confused about his GPA. Is it a 3.73 on a 4.0 scale? If that is the case, I disagree that his GPA would keep him out of Brown or Cornell. He has great test scores and a very solid set of EC, although they are fairly conventional. Stanford would be a challenge with a 3.7 and not out-of-the-ordinary ECs, but it isn’t out of the question. But… maybe it isn’t his dream? My kid with similar stats visited Stanford and came away unimpressed. She preferred schools like U of Chicago, Swarthmore, and Harvey Mudd. </p>

<p>But if his GPA isn’t out of 4.0 but is out of 5.0, then every school on his list may be questionable, and Stanford likely is out of reach. What is his UC/CSU GPA? That is important in figuring out his chances at Cal and UCSD.</p>

5

<p>Thanks intparent, and sorry - it’s a 4.0 scale. He did see Stanford and really loved it but you may be right that it’s not as much his dream now as it seemed last summer! He’s extremely pragmatic and I think he’s talked himself out of it. Thanks so much for taking the time to read and comment - I appreciate it!</p>

6

<p>Some high schools are tougher than others. If his rank puts him in the top 5-10%, his guidance counselor can put his GPA into context, and then it might not be a problem.</p>

7

<p>He’s a renaissance man…academic, athletic, and musically inclined. With anonymity in mind, let me say this…my Dd was very similar in stats, athletic and musical talents (GPA a bit higher) and graduated from Stanford. You just never know…has he talked to Vargas? Is it likely he would be a blue chipped recruit? A little late to start, but if he’s had any contact at all, it could still work in his favor. Good luck…</p>

8

<p>Ahhh, shellz, you went right to my heart! He’s played well, but not recruited. I forgot to mention he received the WP “Most Improved” award last year :wink: Plays with a ton of enthusiasm but not the team killer. Thanks so much, I’ll hope he comes around. And cheers to your talented daughter!</p>

9

<p>He should apply for Stanford if he applies to Brown, I don’t see them as vastly different, and you can’t assume everyone applying has stats as high as him.</p>

<p>I hope he gets into Stanford - my son is like him (and @shellz’s daughter) in that he does sports, music, and academic clubs, much lower GPA but targeting lower schools. </p>

<p>You won’t know about the potential for being an athletic recruit unless he reaches out to a few coaches and sees their interest level. Could seal the deal if someone wants him.</p>

<p><a href=“Men's Water Polo - Stanford University Athletics”>Men's Water Polo - Stanford University Athletics;

10

<p>@Rosebudrc‌ I will be crossing my fingers for your son. I admire those who embrace the incredible challenge of water polo, and work hard at being a support/role player. The glory goes to those offensive players, while the defensive players (and support personnel) really create the opportunities for the stud muffins! In our family we have one of each, and the stud offensive player gets the glory, while the defender quietly makes opportunities for everyone else. I’m glad your son got some kudos!! Really fun to see that happen. </p>

<p>Even if he isn’t a recruit, I still think he’s got a shot. Stanford really likes those kids who have life long passions Iin the arts, as well as athletics. I can’t tell you how many athlete-musicians my daughter played with, or knew about!</p>

11

<p>Thanks so much, rhandco and shellz … he’ll go somewhere wonderful in the end. I just don’t want him to look back and wish he had tried! </p>

12

<p>and @shellz - wow, you said it! He scores often, but more often makes opportunities and openings for others. Very insightful - his team loves him, though, and he’s very happy to play that role. How fun for you to have two players - it’s an exciting and challenging sport!</p>

13

<p>For what it is worth, my doctor was telling me about her son. He went to our state school after being accepted to several Ivies, and she was really upset - he said “doesn’t matter where I go to college, I’ll go to the easiest one”. Ended up changing his mind, and transferring to Columbia, and is graduating at age 25 with a BS.</p>

<p>We made a tough decision with my son, not to apply as a legacy to an Ivy. Circumstances led him to that decision, and circumstances may lead him back to the school in the long run, but in the short run he has some excellent choices that are great (top ten engineering college) for him.</p>