You have a 10% chance of getting in
@JustOneDad Obviously, how competitive the job market is for the career plays a major role. But we live in a society of connections and it’s essential to know the right people. To be considered for a job you have to be able to get an interview, which often depends on who you know as well as your qualifications. Same with internships. I just want the best opportunities for my future.
I think there are people who count on connections and those who don’t and the latter group is much, much larger.
OP, its good to see you know to ignore some of the ridiculous comments on this thread. Obviously, there are benefits to going to a school like Stanford that can’t be ignored - including “opening doors” for alumni in certain job searches.
I think you need to be happy wherever you go. Schools don’t make a successful students. You can get strong connections on Stanford, but, FWIW, companies don’t only hire students from Stanford or IVY’s. There a lot of opportunities around schools.
I do not find anyone’s comments ridiculous. I appreciate hearing from multiple points of views and opinions, even those that differ from my own. Thank you to everyone who responded.
^That’s a great attitude, but please don’t be distracted by people who imply that there’s no difference where you go to school. Your efforts to find the right school for yourself and understand the merits of each option are going to pay dividends for you.
@toolegittoquit, I applaud you for setting your sights high and for looking at ways to differentiate yourself. But I’d suggest keeping an open mind about which schools might end up being good fits for you. Hopefully your criteria will be more specific than believing that admission to an elite school will “ensure later career opportunities” and admiring the campus and location. Are there specific programs at Stanford that interest you? Are there specific characteristics of the Stanford environment that you think would be a good fit for your personality, and why? What other schools have similar programs and attributes?
I’m a Stanford grad, having attended back before the internet made information so much more accessible. I was from the east coast in an Ivy-dominated environment, and while Stanford had a top reputation, it wasn’t something guidance counselors were nearly as familiar with than top east coast schools. Stanford wasn’t even on my radar as a junior, and it wasn’t my top choice when I started my applications - but by the time I finished them it clearly was. I fell in love with the school through its prospectus and identified a number of reasons why I felt it was a better fit for me than other schools. I was lucky enough to get in, and choosing Stanford over other top schools was one of the best decisions I ever made. I had never been west of the Mississippi before getting off the airplane for freshman orientation, but most of the things that appealed to me about the school were clear from a distance, and the reality matched up very well.
Almost no one is guaranteed to get in to a particular school of that caliber. All you can do is to be competitive and do your best to make yourself distinctive and attractive. Don’t put all your eggs in one basket, but also try to identify what factors are lucky to make you thrive in a particular academic environment, regardless of reputation and status.
@renaissancedad Thank you so much for your response! I lived the majority of my life on the east coast but now I live in the west. I have been exposed to knowledge about great schools from both sides. I have researched about Stanford. Everything from their class sizes, student clubs, undergraduate programs and overall academic rigor are attractive to me. I am not limiting myself solely to Stanford of course, but it’s my favorite as of yet.
Go for it. Really really try for the dream. Yes, you may end up disappointed, but so what?
Bump. :] I’m a rising senior planning to apply to Stanford and I remember having the exact same feelings last summer. I wasn’t particularly passionate about anything and was worried that I wouldn’t be able to impress Stanford, or any of the top schools. But last year I took AP Bio and fall in love with biology and research. So I went ahead and looked for internships at research labs. I’m working at National Institute of Health over the summer and it’s unlike anything I’ve ever experienced in my life. What’s interesting is, as my passion becomes clearer, going to a top school just seemed less and less important. Life is a long journey and undergrad is really just a step.
I’m in no position to use those big words as I did, but I guess what I’ll be saying is, you don’t have to try to make yourself appear “interesting”. Just keep doing what you love to do. Sure, thousands of other people may have done the exact same activities, but who cares? If you truly love doing something, you will do it well, and colleges will see your effort in your application. I have three older siblings in college, and they always say that high school is really the last chance that you get to try many things out. If you really love math, start a math club! If you really love writing, edit the school newspaper and come up with the wittiest lines ever! It seems like you have lots of interests but can’t decide on a single one. And that’s okay, too. As stressful as the college application process is, we shouldn’t let it dictate who we are and what we do. Remember, you are already special.
Good luck and enjoy your junior year! 
Excellent post and suggestions @ZeroRegrets! Good luck to you and I’m sure you’ll find success wherever you end up with that positive attitude.
Thank you, @pacnwmomof2! It was my first post and I was a bit nervous. :">
Your essays are most important. Yes, you need stellar grades and test scores, but your individuality and your passion have to come across in your app in a way that is uniquely YOU. Last year when I was applying, I was worried about all the same things you are. But honestly, having amazing ECs, leadership, grades, scores, etc is all expected if you’re going to apply to colleges like Stanford. But Stanford has an app that gives applicants a chance to really showcase their own character and perspective; do that, and you will have given yourself the best chance possible.