<p>Since my dream school is Stanford and I have heard so much about their purported bias against accepting Indians into their school I was wondering what the average Indian applicant that applied to Stanford was like. I mean, I would like to think that I stand out, not grade wise really, but in certain extra curriculars...</p>
<p>GPA UW - 3.8
SAT 2260 (800M, 730W/CR)</p>
<p>I have played tabla (indian hand drum) for 5 years
and i recently started sitar (1 year)
i was on varsity soccer for 3 years (4 years total in HS)
i was on varsity tennis for 2 years (4 years total in HS)
i tutor students at my academy 3 hrs a week.
and i am on the brink of getting into a very unique summer program in africa.</p>
<p>i do independant research on campus with MCF7 cancer cells and the effect of dichloroacetate on them.</p>
<p>so my scores arent the highest btu id like to think im different....</p>
<p>what do you think
chances for stanford plox</p>
<p>Your ECs seem similar to what many Indians would have. You've pursued sports and musical interests that attract many Indians.</p>
<p>If you were a punk rocker or longtime steel band performer who was state ranked on the football team and was volunteering teaching Spanish to migrants because of an interest in pursuing Latin American studies in college, you'd be very different than is the average Indian applicant.</p>
<p>"If you were a punk rocker or longtime steel band performer who was state ranked on the football team and was volunteering teaching Spanish to migrants because of an interest in pursuing Latin American studies in college, you'd be very different than is the average Indian applicant."</p>
<p>Reading this made me feel so much better. o_o I'm a rocker (not punk, but prog), traveling to Mexico (and of course India later) on a volunteer trip, and I plan on eventually studying psych/econ/international relations and then going into business.</p>
<p>Anyway back to you- I'm in a very similar situation. You're going to need to rely HEAVILY on your ECs to get you in because practically every Indian/Asian has a 4.0/2370. Your ECs sadly...don't seem to cut it for me. Sitar/Tabla is pretty unique, I must add, but are you passionate? Do you play in an ensemble, band, etc? Do you have recordings? Do you teach this type of music? Tell me more about your trip to Africa, maybe that'll help.</p>
<p>Otherwise, tennis/soccer/tutoring are all very common things for Indians. It's great that you did them, but I'm afraid that they won't help out that much. Now if you played football/basketball/baseball, that would've such a big difference, ya know? You don't see too many good Indian point guards or quarterbacks out there.</p>
<p>Your research is great too, but sadly, I don't feel that it sets you apart either. Lots of people do cancer research. What makes you different? Is it an internship? Was it published? Won awards? Intel/Siemens/Your state fair? (btw if you're from NJ then that's gonna make things even worse)</p>
<p>All in all, your ECs seem to be a little scattered. Everything you have shows great diversity and that is a key factor that colleges look for, but also bear in mind that passion is needed as well. Show that you LOVE playing music and send in a recording or something. Unfortunately its too late now, but I would have recommended doing science research in the field of music (you have NO idea how big that field is), so good luck man.</p>
<p>The africa trip is related to the One Laptop Per Child organization. I would be going there to make observations on the learning process of the kids using the XO laptops as well as help them adjust and create programs to help alleviate any problems they are having.</p>
<p>Also, I am going to start recording music soon now that I can play sitar and tabla.</p>
<p>Also, I am still a junior so I have one more year to go.</p>
<p>I am probably a NMSF/NMF
I am applying to Siemens in the team division
I am applying to some summer programs.</p>
<p>What can I do to stand out. I am very in love with the music I play, but teaching is kinda out of my realm since most teachers have passed there 8 year exams and are declared teachers for tabla and sitar teachers usually have played 10+ years.</p>
<p>i would say you are pretty unique. i don't think that there are many varsity soccer playing indians applying to stanford. i'd also say that the summer experience will be pretty unique if you get it, but i could see how someone could say it was sort of random. are you in amnesty international or any kind of club like that?</p>
<p>
[quote]
so my scores arent the highest btu id like to think im different
[/quote]
your scores and GPA are terrific. you are in a great position to get into stanford. i like how you have realized that what will decide whether you get in is how you distinguish yourself from other applicants with good test scores and GPAs. very smart thinking.</p>
<p>no but i am really into education and computer programming.</p>
<p>im am on the OLPC chapter baord for my highschool.</p>
<p>see my main interest is understanding how the brain works and finding the best way to teach children based on the framework of the mind.</p>
<p>OLPC's goal is to educate children through the use of technology and that is why I became interested in it. </p>
<p>My current project is to create an application for the XO laptop that can help kids learn and over the summer I would like to document the learning process that comes with the computer.</p>
<p>i want to go into neurobio/compsci with a minor in education.</p>
<p>and i really am starting to get into sitar now that i can play it so i want to start to create my own songs and also cover songs (i am in love with the beatles)</p>
<p>^^^
oh ok, that does make sense. when you are creating your resume make sure that what you just told me comes across. if it does, then your EC's will make a lot more sense and seem more like you have a genuine interest in them.</p>
<p>I agree with MegaVortex7, you wont stand out ...every asian i know plays tennis.. but that doesn't take away from your achievements...i think you have a great shot...ace you essay for Stanford...i had a 3.87/2290/URM and was outright rejected..reapplying as a transfer tho... i think my essays could have been alot better so maybe that is what hurt me...</p>
<p>Actually, despite what everyone's been saying about soccer/tennis being really common things that won't help you stand out as an Indian, I don't think this actually matters or is even the case. It's not like to be accepted as in Indian you need to be a punk rocker whereas to be accepted as a white applicant you gotta be a hip hop artist or something like that. Sure, being a little different helps, but achievements are achievements. The people who have truly unique profiles ie. started some sort of large scale charitable organization or published poetry anthologies or whatever have you ended up doing so not to get into college but rather just because that's who they are and that's what they're passionate about. For the rest of us, and especially for those of us who are Indian and are told from the day we leave the womb that getting into the best college we can is the top priority, taking a more cookie cutter route is OK. It just means you won't be getting in for being that individual with the most unique story. The admissions office really doesn't care what sport you played as much as people might think (unless of course you're getting recruited). If you were the starting center for your high school basketall team, it would not showcase your teamwork and leadership skills anymore than a similar role on a soccer team might. You want to be able to show passion and commitment through your ECs, along with the message that you're able to perform at a high level academically while still making all the time to do this. </p>
<p>Personally, I think you have pretty good ECs. They aren't absolutely outstanding, but they aren't alone gonna hold you back either if you're really a top academic performer. To be perfectly honest, and others here might disagree with me, I'd consider retaking the SAT if you haven't and think that you might be able to do better. Also, if you can distinguish yourself more academically both inside and outside the classroom, that's terrific. As for your GPA, I can't really tell how good a 3.8 at your school is. You'll probably have to see where seniors from your high school with similar GPA/rank got into college. That will probably give you the best idea of whether you'll be able to get into Stanford.</p>
<p>Also, don't underestimate the power of a good recommendation letter. If you really stand out as a student and individual, teachers will notice this and the admissions officers will hear about it. Even at the top, there's a difference between those who just get by with all A's and those who really shine. </p>
<p>Like any other applicant, and certainly an Indian one, the odds are stacked against you. But you certainly have a shot, and you should definitely give it a go and hope for the best. Good luck!</p>
<p>Sure man, I can certainly relate to how you're feeling now. I was in the same boat 4-5 years ago. Try not to stress too much about it, in the end it's really not worth overthinking this stuff, believe me!</p>
<p>The fact that your GPA and SAT are lower than the median accept from your school may make things a bit tougher for you though. If your GPA is a bit low cuz you're taking harder classes than most kids at your school, then that might make up a bit for it. Or if you're truly an impressive student and teachers notice this, that could make up for it as well.</p>
<p>But those things are gonna be set in stone by the time you apply. My biggest suggestion would be to use what you have to paint a coherent and (relatively) unique story in your essay. Many people do the same exact activities and such. What makes one of these students stand out from another is how they're able to spin it. You can take something like playing the tabla and either write a cookie cutter essay about how it connects you with your heritage or a truly attention-grabbing and inspirational one along those same lines. Just takes a little creativity and some hard work.</p>