Stanford Chances

Chance Me / Match Me!
1

Hi everyone,
I am currently a junior at a private school, and I really want to go to Stanford. My application is worse than other student’s applications that I have seen, so I am just curious about what you think of it. I know that whether or not I get in is all circumstantial, and it is up to the admissions office, not you. But I would just like to hear your opinion on my chances of making it.

The strongest point of my application is that I am developing three apps this summer for a 120 billion dollar company. Once developed, they will be used in hospitals throughout North America, in government agencies such as NASA, and in many major private companies that use cleanrooms.

Current Classes: (Every class I have taken throughout high school is at least an honors level class.)
Math: Pre-Calc. Next year I will be taking AP calc and complex problem solving. I also stand a good chance at winning a mathematics award in my school this year.
Science: Advanced Competitive Science, and Advanced Chem. Next year I’ll be taking advanced physics, Advanced Competitive Science II, and CAD
English: American lit
History: US History I
Language: Spanish III
Philosophy: Theology - Morality

Extra Curriculars:
Varsity Swim Team (9,10) (I have gone to states both years and my relay came in 6th Sophmore year)
Ultimate Frisbee league (11)
Varsity Math Team (10,11)
NHS (11)
Robotics Team (11)
Math and reading tutoring (11)
Organizing various fundraisers (9,10,11)
Programming Competitions (10,11)
IOS app development (9,10,11)
Lead guitarist of a band (9,10,11)
Oneironautics (10,11)

SAT:
Math: 780 Reading: 700
(I will be retaking it to get higher scores)
Weighted GPA : 3.98
Class Rank: 17

Note: I also plan on going to college for aerospace engineering and am applying for the Naval ROTC scholarship.

Like I said, I know you can’t judge whether or not I’ll get in, and a my chances of getting in are circumstantial, but if you could tell me what I can improve on, and your opinion if I stand a chance making it, that would be very helpful.
Thanks.

2

17 out of what? UW GPA? Full SAT score? SAT Subjects? AP Scores?

3

Your weighted GPA seems low for all the classes you’re taking. Stanford is a challenge for the smartest of students, so work on strong test scores. You have some unique extracurriculars, like being in a band, but you lack volunteer hours, which top-tier schools like. I would get some volunteer hours in, and study for your SATs to have the strongest chance.

4

Stanford is a reach for everyone, just like the Ivies, UChicago, MIT, Caltech, and a couple handfuls of other elite private schools and LACs.

That said, Stanford seems to be more holistic than most other elite privates, based on their relatively low test scores compared to their peer universities.

Even with this holistic process, your chances, like those of everyone else who is not a recruited athlete or applicant with a huge hook, are not very good.

But the only way you have a 0% chance is if you don’t apply. If you love Stanford, give it your best shot.

Just make sure to apply to additional schools, including a true safety.

5

Thanks for the responses, I’m working on getting my gpa up. It should be around a 4.1 by the end of this year. I’m also studying for the next sat instead of just winging it, so my reading/writing score will hopefully increase.
Just as a side note, there is some stuff I forgot to mention this in the original post: between tutoring and other misc volunteer work, I have about 200 hours put in to community service, and I will be interning at BAE systems this summer

6

4.7% according to the latest admit rate.