Stanford Class of 2020 REA Results Thread

Colleges and Universities A-Z Stanford University
41

[aB][asize=4][acolor=#008000]Decision: Accepted[/color][/size]**

Objective:
SAT I (breakdown): 2110 (740 CR, 670M, 700W)–didn’t study
ACT (breakdown): 31 (31 E, 31 M, 34 R, 28 S, 9 essay)–didn’t study
SAT II: 770 M 2–didn’t study
Unweighted GPA (out of 4.0): 4.0
Weighted GPA: 4.5
Rank (percentile if rank is unavailable): 1
AP (place score in parenthesis): 3 AP Bio, 3 AP World, 4 AP Language–almost all my teachers leave before the school year ends because they’re terrified by its neighborhood
IB (place score in parenthesis):
Senior Year Course Load: High school: AP Gov, computer science, AP Lit, physics ----- City College: Linear Algebra, Community Relations, College Readiness
Major Awards (USAMO, Intel etc.): state journalism stuff, writing contests, NHRP, n’tional merit commended

Subjective:

Extracurriculars (place leadership in parenthesis): Manufacture bikes from scratch out of steel, musical (beat) production, football, track, journalism, debate
Job/Work Experience: Interned for school district’s IT department (maintaining servers)
Volunteer/Community service: Food kitchen, free tutoring services, teach science at local elementary school
Summer Activities: college math classes
Essays (rating 1-10, details): Common app: anywhere between a 7 and a 9 1/2
Intellectual vitality: 10
Roommate: 8
What you care about: 7 1/2
Recommendations (rating 1-10, details):

Teacher Rec #1: 8
Teacher Rec #2: 7
Counselor Rec: 5
Additional Rec: 7 1/2 ish
Interview: none

Other

Applied for Financial Aid?: you already know
Intended Major: Linguistics, Neuroscience, Aerospace Engineering, Philosophy or English. Hey, I have many interests.
State (if domestic applicant): CA
Country (if international applicant):
School Type: shitty public school
Ethnicity: white & Colombian
Gender: hermaphrodite (jk male)
Income Bracket: 140k ish
Hooks (URM, first generation college, etc.): URM, maybe some other things I’m forgetting rn

Reflection

Strengths: GPA, extracurriculars
Weaknesses: Maaaaybe test scores, but idk… they were within the expected range. I should’ve just studied for them like everyone else
Why you think you were accepted/waitlisted/rejected: I am an interesting guy from a rough town who likes to think deeply. Also, I stand out at my school. Even though my scores are low according to CC standards, I am still a talented enough writer to describe my life in vivid detail
Where else were you accepted/waitlisted/rejected: Waiting for Cal, UCLA, UCSB… probably will apply to Harvard and MIT for extra high fives from the homies

General Comments:
If you’re the kind of person who is already a deep thinker (and I mean a deep deep thinker-- someone who can spur up epiphanies on-demand because their brain has enough horsepower), then you should find comfort in knowing that Stanford likes us.

42

Decision: Rejected

Objective:

SAT I (breakdown): 2370 (CR: 800 M: 800 W: 770). Superscore 2380 (W: 780)
ACT (breakdown): Never taken
SAT II: Math I: 800, Math II: 800, Physics: 800, Literature: 740
Unweighted GPA (out of 4.0): My school doesn’t calculate a GPA
Weighted GPA: Not applicable
Rank (percentile if rank is unavailable): Top 5%
AP (place score in parenthesis): Physics C Mechanics: 5, Computer Science A: 5
IB (place score in parenthesis): Not Applicable
Senior Year Course Load: Most challenging offered (English, Math, Physics, Chemistry, Biology, Computer Science)
Major Awards (USAMO, Intel etc.): None

Subjective:

Extracurriculars (place leadership in parenthesis): Mime artist, singing, (Captain of house at school) in addition to those below.
Job/Work Experience: Mobile App Developer for a popular company for more than a year
Volunteer/Community service: Worked at orphanages, etc. approximately 7 hours per week
Summer Activities: Stanford High School Summer College program 8 weeks (all As) – that’s what made me LOVE Stanford. Before that I did community service.

Essays (rating 1-10, details):
Common App: 7.5/10 - Probably a little cliché but was done well. I talked about my experience with computers and with app development and how that makes me what I am.
Intellectual Vitality: 9/10 - Talked about my experience as a mime.
Letter to roommate: 9/10 - Quite fun and unusual - sometimes funny. Some references to my favorite things about Stanford.
What Matters: 8.5/10 - Talked about the philosophical questions that matter to me and how I attempt to answer them in every walk of life.
Activities: 7/10 - Calligraphy and writing letters.

Recommendations (rating 1-10, details): I did not read the teachers’ and the counselor’s, but based on my conversations with them:

Teacher Rec #1: 9/10 Liked me a lot.
Teacher Rec #2: 10/10 Said he thought I was the best student he’s ever had.
Counselor Rec: 9/10
Additional Rec: 9.5/10 The person who wrote it was a Philosophy professor at Stanford (he had taught me in the summer). He quite liked me and wrote very well.
Interview: It was overall pretty good. She seemed very impressed and intrigued. The only thing I probably did not convey well was my depth of commitment to a particular field.

Other

Applied for Financial Aid?: Yes
Intended Major: (In order of choice) Physics, Computer Science, Philosophy
State (if domestic applicant): N/A
Country (if international applicant): India
School Type: Private
Ethnicity: Asian Indian
Gender: Male
Income Bracket: ~$60,000
Hooks (URM, first generation college, etc.): None

Reflection

Strengths: Test scores, essays, interview
Weaknesses: No idea. Over-represented minority?
Why you think you were rejected: It is beyond me. I was expecting at least a deferral. This was my dream school.
Where else were you accepted/waitlisted/rejected: Applied only to Stanford early.

General Comments:
I am very disappointed in this result. I do not know what I did wrong. My essays were quite different and good, and I honestly believe I’m a good match for this school (based on my 8 weeks there). I guess everybody cannot be at Stanford after all.

43

Decision: Rejected

Objective:
SAT I (breakdown): superscore 2320 2 sittings (M/800, CR/780, W/740)
ACT (breakdown): C 35, 35 across, 34 Science
SAT II: 750 Bio M, 730 Math 2, 720 Lit
Unweighted GPA (out of 4.0): 4.0
Weighted GPA: 4.56
Rank (percentile if rank is unavailable): 3
AP (place score in parenthesis): Euro (4), Psych (5), Calc AB (5), Spanish (4), Language (5), Bio (4), Physics 1 (3), US History (4)
IB (place score in parenthesis):
Senior Year Course Load: All APs: Enviro, Gov, Calc BC, Human Geo, Chem, Lit
Major Awards (USAMO, Intel etc.):

Subjective:

Extracurriculars (place leadership in parenthesis): Swimming on varsity school and club, Interact (Treasurer), Key Club, United Way, Horseback Riding weekly, RYLA
Job/Work Experience: Tutoring about 6hrs/week
Volunteer/Community service: ~100
Summer Activities: Did a Naturebridge backpacking trip that was competitive to get into, Did an EF trip
Essays (rating 1-10, details): Common app essay 10, supplements 8 or 9 (I honestly thought they were really strong)
Recommendations (rating 1-10, details): meh, like an 8 or so

Teacher Rec #1: my Language teacher, who I know inside and outside of school, probably an 8 or a 9
Teacher Rec #2: my Physics teacher, probably a 7 or an 8, he saw how hard I had to work for his class
Counselor Rec: 7, don’t know him too well
Additional Rec: 9.5/10, from a “community leader” who I’m really close to and who I’ve known forever, I thought it added a lot to my app
Interview: CA Resident, so no

Other

Applied for Financial Aid?: Yes
Intended Major: Civil and Environmental Engineering
State (if domestic applicant): CA
Country (if international applicant):
School Type: Public, 2500 students
Ethnicity: Caucasian
Gender: F
Income Bracket: 120000-150000
Hooks (URM, first generation college, etc.):

Reflection

Strengths: Test Scores, Grades, Essays
Weaknesses: ECs
Why you think you were accepted/waitlisted/rejected:
Where else were you accepted/waitlisted/rejected:

General Comments:
I was disappointed and honestly surprised that no one else in my school made it in early, we normally get 2 spots REA. Come RD, though we’ll like get a couple of people in who don’t even have it as their top choice. Ugh.

I don’t really want to bring this up or consider this, but the kids from my school who’ve gotten in in the past have always either been low income or Hispanic, and everyone who applied REA this year was white and upper middle/high income. Just observations noted.

I mostly wish I wouldn’t have invested so much of myself into Stanford, it just made the rejection harder to take.

44

Decision: Accepted

Objective:
SAT I (breakdown):
ACT (breakdown): 36 composite (36 E, 34 M, 36 R, 36 S)
SAT II:
Unweighted GPA (out of 4.0): 4.0
Weighted GPA: 4.45
Rank (percentile if rank is unavailable): n/a
AP (place score in parenthesis):World History (4), APUSH (5), Literature (5), Computer Science (4), Physics C: Mechanics (4), Calculus AB (5)
IB (place score in parenthesis):
Senior Year Course Load: AP Chemistry, AP Language, AP Government, AP Macroeconomics, AP Calc BC,
Major Awards (USAMO, Intel etc.):

Subjective:

Extracurriculars (place leadership in parenthesis):
Job/Work Experience:
Volunteer/Community service:
Summer Activities:
Essays (rating 1-10, details):
Recommendations (rating 1-10, details):

Teacher Rec #1:
Teacher Rec #2:
Counselor Rec:
Additional Rec:
Interview:

Other

Applied for Financial Aid?:
Intended Major:
State (if domestic applicant):
Country (if international applicant):
School Type:
Ethnicity:
Gender:
Income Bracket:
Hooks (URM, first generation college, etc.):

Reflection

Strengths:
Weaknesses:
Why you think you were accepted/waitlisted/rejected:
Where else were you accepted/waitlisted/rejected:

General Comments:

45

Decision: Accepted

Objective:
SAT I (breakdown):
ACT (breakdown): 36 C (36E, 34M, 36R, 36S)
SAT II: 770 Lit, 760 Math 2
Unweighted GPA (out of 4.0): 4.0
Weighted GPA: 4.45
Rank (percentile if rank is unavailable):
AP (place score in parenthesis): World History (4), Calculus AB (5), Physics C: Mech (4), Computer Science (4), US History (5), Literature (5)
IB (place score in parenthesis): Spanish SL1, Spanish SL2
Senior Year Course Load: AP Art History, AP Chemistry, AP Calculus BC, AP Gov/Econ, IB Spanish SL2, AP Lang
Major Awards (USAMO, Intel etc.): National Hispanic Recognition Program Scholar, AP Scholar with Distinction

Subjective:

Extracurriculars (place leadership in parenthesis): Youth & Government (President), National Honor Society (VP), California Scholarship Federation (Executive Board, VP), Varsity Surf Team (4 Year Letterman), Varsity Tennis Team
Job/Work Experience: Surf Instructor
Volunteer/Community service: Hospital Volunteer (Board Member, Secretary, President), Church Lector
Summer Activities: Australia Exchange Program, YMCA National Judicial Competition, Surf Instructor
Essays (rating 1-10, details): 10/10, Obviously super subjective, but I loved my essays. I really tried to show my personality and made a fair amount of jokes.
Common App: About how I love “strangers” and a few different people who have impacted my life.
What Matters to You: A personification of my tastebuds and about how I love different foods, which tied into my diverse family culture.
Intellectually Vitality: About how watching the news has influenced my love of politics.
Roommate: An extended metaphor comparing myself to an onion.
Activities: Talked about the culture of surfing.

Recommendations (rating 1-10, details):

Teacher Rec #1: 10/10, I got to read it and it was really sweet. He is very supportive of me.
Teacher Rec #2: 9/10, No clue, but I have had him for 3 years and love him, so I am assuming it was good!
Counselor Rec: 10/10, an advisor for a club I am a part of and she is very positive.
Additional Rec:
Interview:

Other

Applied for Financial Aid?: No
Intended Major: Political Science
State (if domestic applicant): CA
Country (if international applicant):
School Type: Public
Ethnicity: Hispanic
Gender: Female
Income Bracket: $200,000+
Hooks (URM, first generation college, etc.): URM

Reflection

Strengths: Leadership positions, strong numbers, essays, URM
Weaknesses: No major awards
Why you think you were accepted/waitlisted/rejected: I just tried to show admissions who I am and it apparently worked! Still kind of in shock…
Where else were you accepted/waitlisted/rejected:

General Comments: GO CARDINAL! And good luck to everyone applying RD!

46

Decision: Accepted

Objective:
SAT I (breakdown): 2130 CR-660, Math-710, Writing-760
ACT (breakdown): N/A
SAT II: Biology M-690, Chemistry-660
UW GPA (out of 4.0): 4.0
Weighted- 4.46
Rank (percentile if rank is unavailable): Top 10%
AP (place score in parenthesis): AP Euro (4), AP Language & Composition (5)
IB (place score in parenthesis): N/A
Senior Year Course Load: AP Spanish, AP Computer Science, Honors Philosophy, AP Environmental Science, AP Literature
Major Awards (USAMO, Intel etc.): Wells Fargo Academic Excellence award, National Merit commended student, Bronze medalist in National Spanish Exam, Scholastic arts and writing awards

Subjective:

Extracurriculars (place leadership in parenthesis): Irish dance (Preliminary champion, World qualifier), school newspaper (Editor for 3 years), writer for teen group in 2 county newspapers, Crochet/Knit club (Founder/president), National Honor Society (treasurer), school literary magazine, Spanish Honor Society
Job/Work Experience: Chick-fil-a since sophomore year (20-24 hours a week), promoted to a team manager during junior year
Volunteer/Community service: Crocheted for charity, volunteered at nature center summer camp for kids
Summer Activities: worked 35 hours/week, worked on personal writing endeavors, crocheted for charity

Essays (rating 1-10, details):
Common App- 9/10: Talked about the time someone tried to rob my house when I was home alone at age 14
Intellectual Vitality - 9/10: wrote about how I traced my family history on ancestry.com
What Matters - 10/10: talked about how I treasure the giant yarn bin under my bed and what crocheting has taught me over the past 8 years
Roommate essay - 10/10: I was extremely proud of this one, talked about my love of writing poetry and short stories, my obsession of mint oreos, and my obsession with yarn among other things

Recommendations (rating 1-10, details):

Teacher Rec #1: 10/10 - my AP English teacher, probably amazing because she was like a grandmother to me during some personal rough patches during my junior year
Teacher Rec #2: 10/10 - my Honors Analysis teacher, one of my favorite teachers despite the fact that I don’t like math very much, came to see me at work every week
Counselor Rec: 9/10 - Much more personal than many other students’ letters at my school b/c she helped me get through some hard times last year with a friend
Additional Rec: 10/10 - from the parents of one of my close friends with autism, have known them for many years
Interview: Yes, I met with a middle-aged woman at Barnes and Noble on a Sunday afternoon. She and I clicked right away and ended up talking for two hours. She said she only writes positive things after interviews.

Other

Applied for Financial Aid?:Yes
Intended Major: English
State (if domestic applicant): Pennsylvania
Country (if international applicant): N/A
School Type: Public
Ethnicity: White
Gender: Female
Income Bracket: $150,000
Hooks (URM, first generation college, etc.): N/A

Reflection

Strengths: Definitely my essays, additional information section, recommendations, work experience,
Weaknesses: SAT scores could have been much higher, lack of major awards
Why you think you were accepted/waitlisted/rejected: I really think it was my essays. I took three months to write these essays because I had writer’s block for the longest time. I think that my love of English set me apart from a sea of engineering/science majors.

Where else you applied: Johns Hopkins, Princeton, Swarthmore, Washington and Lee, California University of Pennsylvania
Where else were you accepted/waitlisted/rejected: California University of Pennsylvania
General Comments: Just like many others who were accepted, I honestly was flabbergasted. I fell to the floor and cried for five minutes straight. Congratulations to everyone who was accepted! I hope to meet you all in the future! To those who were deferred, good luck! I really hope every one of you gets in :slight_smile: To those who were denied, please don’t be too hard on yourselves. There are so many other places in the world to be! You all will do amazingly at other fabulous universities! To future applicants, I have one piece of advice I learned from my English teacher: don’t put all your eggs in one basket. Stanford is an amazing place to go, but have some other potential Stanfords on your list as backups.

47

Decision: Rejected

Objective:
SAT I (breakdown): 2060 (750 CR; 690 W; 620 M)
ACT (breakdown): 31, 32 superscore (33 E; 26 M; 32 R; 34 S; 31E/W (9 W))
SAT II: 560 Math II; 690 Biology M
Unweighted GPA (out of 4.0): 4.0
Weighted GPA: 4.57
Rank (percentile if rank is unavailable): 1%
AP (place score in parenthesis): (5) APUSH, (5) WHAP, (4) AP Bio, (4) AP Lit
[limit to 1 AP sophomore year, 2 junior year (i took 3 though), and 2 senior year (also took 3, technically 4 since Spanish 5 is unofficially an AP at my school)]
IB (place score in parenthesis): n/a
Senior Year Course Load: Hardest Available; AP Lang, AP Calc AB, H Physics (no AP available), AP Gov, Theology (required), Spanish V (technically AP Spanish Lang, although not called this due to AP limit at my school), Philosophy (required), Guitar (elective)
Major Awards (USAMO, Intel etc.): AP Scholar with Honor, Clemson Sprints (Rowing) (2nd place and 3rd place), John Hunter Sprints (Rowing) (2nd place), Anatomy & Physiology (7th place, regional Science Olympiad), NCSO Spirit Award, MIT NEST Award

Subjective:

Extracurriculars (place leadership in parenthesis): Varsity Rowing, Science Olympiad (founder, president), Tutoring (independent), NHS (president)
Job/Work Experience: n/a
Volunteer/Community service: Tutoring
Summer Activities: Stanford High School Summer College, Wake Forest University LENS Global Sustainability, NYLF: Medicine at Chapel Hill, traveling to Poland, Canada, UK, Iceland, France
Essays (rating 1-10, details):
Roommate (9 or 10, everyone I spoke to loved it, it was quirky and personable (and related to how I was born in Canada)
**Intellectual Vitality/b
**What Matters/b
**Common App/b

Recommendations (rating 1-10, details):

Teacher Rec #1: 10, from my advisor and english teacher at school. she’s basically my best friend even though she’s a teacher and she’s like my second mom. waived right to view but she told me a bit about it and it sounded very good. she’s also known me for 4 years.
Teacher Rec #2: 10, from my history teacher. he’s been a mentor to me for all of high school and he’s an amazing writer. we had a rough start and then became close and developed a sense of respect for each other, so its a different opinion and a good way to see how I relate to teachers.
Counselor Rec: 10 or 9, my graduating class only has 26 kids and she knows me pretty well. I talked with her a lot about applying.
Additional Rec: 10, from my Anatomy & Physiology coach. she’s known me for six years and has basically watched me grow into the person I am today. she’s also the reason I want to become a doctor and we are very close, she probably knows me better than anyone else I got recommendations from.
Interview: 10, we talked for longer than expected and had a lot in common. she said i was a fit for the university

Other

Applied for Financial Aid?: yes
Intended Major: bioengineering
State (if domestic applicant): NC
Country (if international applicant): USA
School Type: Private Catholic High School
Ethnicity: White
Gender: Female
Income Bracket: 200,000
Hooks (URM, first generation college, etc.): small school, small town, born in Canada, naturalized US citizen, passionate about the sciences, honors diploma at school requiring thesis paper in super-bacteria

Reflection

Strengths: Recommendations, Essays, Course Load, Hooks
Weaknesses: SAT Scores and Subject Tests
Why you think you were accepted/waitlisted/rejected: No idea. Maybe it was the SAT stuff but honestly aside from that maybe it was just that I didn’t have something absolutely outstanding like special circumstances or a business or had already made a name for myself in the world
Where else were you accepted/waitlisted/rejected: Only heard back from College of Charleston (accepted), also applied to Wake Forest University, UVA, Davidson College, (after rejected from Stanford) Harvard, (after rejected from Stanford) UNC Chapel Hill

General Comments: If you apply to Stanford don’t let anyone know. I had everyone at school know and they all thought that there was no way I would be rejected. I feel like I’ve let them all down and now I have to tell everyone I didn’t get in, it’s absolutely awful. Also try not to be too hopeful about places with such a low acceptance rate, it will feel horrible if you’re rejected.

48

Decision: Accepted

Objective:
SAT I (breakdown): N/A
ACT (breakdown): 32C (5 attempts)
SAT II: 780 Math II (did not submit others)
Unweighted GPA (out of 4.0): 3.7
Weighted GPA: 4.6
Rank (percentile if rank is unavailable): N/A
AP (place score in parenthesis): Did not submit
IB (place score in parenthesis): N/A
Senior Year Course Load: All AP Classes
Major Awards (USAMO, Intel etc.): N/A

Subjective:

Extracurriculars (place leadership in parenthesis):

• Business club
• Founded Comp Sci Club
• Started website that became a huge project (wrote whole Common App on it)
• Lots of small side projects

Job/Work Experience: Interned at a local tech company
Volunteer/Community service: N/A
Summer Activities: Interning, Learning
Essays (rating 1-10, details): 9-10, Very good (I think!)
Recommendations (rating 1-10, details):

Teacher Rec #1: 10
Teacher Rec #2: 7
Counselor Rec: 9
Additional Rec: 8
Interview: 8

Applied for Financial Aid?: No
Intended Major: Computer Science
State (if domestic applicant): FL, IL, or OH [for confidentiality]
Country: US
School Type: Public
Ethnicity: White
Gender: Male
Income Bracket: Would not help
Hooks (URM, first generation college, etc.): N/A

Reflection: Surprised, delighted, in shock!

Strengths: ECs
Weaknesses: Test scores I guess?
Why you think you were accepted/waitlisted/rejected: My website (last bullet in ECs), Overall passion for a specific area, solid grades and test scores, great essays
Where else were you accepted/waitlisted/rejected: None – it was my first decision!

49

Never thought I’d be able to victoriously post one of these!
I am the One Average Kid in the thread. Like the past Average Kids of yore, whom I encountered many a time myself while sifting through the bogs of CC, my duty is to inspire hope in the next generation. Never give up.

Decision: ACCEPTED!

Objective:
SAT I (breakdown):2170
ACT (breakdown): Composite: 35, ENG: 36, MATH: 33, READING: 36, SCIENCE: 34, WRITING: 31
SAT II: Literature 770, Math 2 800
Unweighted GPA: 3.67 (not even top 20% in my school. Maybe not even top 25%)
Weighted GPA: 4.5 ish?
Rank (percentile if rank is unavailable): none available
AP (place score in parenthesis): AP US History (5,) AP Physics 1 & 2 (both 5s,) AP lang (5,) AP Calc BC (5)
IB (place score in parenthesis):

Senior Year Course Load: NOT EVEN HEAVY! AP Econ, AP Gov, AP Psych, AP Stats, HONORS physics (all my friends are taking AP sciences, but I opted out,) a NON-HONORS science next semester, a random writing elective, a STUDY HALL first semester, CHOIR, gym…

Major Awards (USAMO, Intel etc.): National Scholastic Art & Writing Fiction silver medal, YoungArts merit awardee (another national writing contest,) debate JV state champ, debate varsity state semifinalist, NMSF/AP scholar, presidential volunteer award. Around 15 regional writing awards/publications (though I only listed a few) and a couple random awards from the school district for being a good student lmao

Subjective:

Extracurriculars (place leadership in parenthesis): Debate, writing (did camps and workshops,) volunteered at Chinese school on weekends, was Toastmasters Youth Leadership (President) 3 years. Toastmasters was basically my only leadership. I also did a program one summer where I was leader of a team that taught chinese kids english for 2 weeks. I ran a book drive for that program earlier that year (collected around 200 books.) those were one-time events though.
Also was “social media manager” for my choir.
Also did some piano on the side (occasional accompanist for theatre recitals and talent show)

Job/Work Experience: none

Volunteer/Community service: volunteering at local chinese school & previously mentioned summer stuff

Summer Activities: Iowa Young Writers Studio, Interlochen Fine Arts Camp (writing major,) Winter Tangerine Review Summer Workshop, ChinaWay volunteer organization

Essays (rating 1-10, details): 10/10. If I had a ticket into Stanford I knew it would have to be my essays. I am a writer so I pride myself on my writing.I knew this was my one hope. I polished these babies till I shone. I opted for “funny” for all of them. I didn’t really try to impress rather than entertain, entertain, entertain. So they were all purely joke-based, casual, personable. I think they were taken aback by that, and this is what got me in.

Recommendations (rating 1-10, details):

Teacher Rec #1: 8.5/10? My English teacher. She didn’t like me at first but by the end of the year I’d say we were tight. Tight enough for me to ask her to write my letter, at least. I also did some extra work for her (helped her plan some classes, performed in a fundraiser she organized, etc.)
Teacher Rec #2: 8.5/10? My French teacher. I’ve had her for three years. I didn’t participate much in her class the last year. Not sure if that made that onto the letter. But she is very nice so I’m sure the letter wasn’t very negative. Also, I was homecoming queen and I got her to mention that in the rec letter so maybe that helped me.
Counselor Rec: Maybe 6/10, maybe 9/10. He likes me, but he likes all the kids. I can’t tell if he would go out of his way to write me a non-generic one or not.
Additional Rec: 8.5/10 My writing teacher from Iowa Young Writers Studio. She is accomplished (New York Times, Paris Review) and I participated a lot in her class.

Interview: eh. lasted 30 minutes, was kind of awkward. didn’t seem to go as well as other peoples’ interviews.

Other

Applied for Financial Aid?:Yes
Intended Major:Undecided/Creative Writing
State (if domestic applicant):IL
Country (if international applicant):
School Type: Large public (3000-ish), ranked near-top 100 in country
Ethnicity:ASIAN!!
Gender:Female
Income Bracket:100,000-150,000
Hooks (URM, first generation college, etc.):none

Reflection

Strengths: personality, humanities/arts focus, humor, essays, homecoming queen (maybe?), good test scores and decent ECs, some national/state awards in a non-STEM field, DID NOT APPLY AS STEM MAJOR
Weaknesses: grades (!!!) lack of significant leadership, MUCH easier course load compared to my friends, national awards not even that stellar (i basically got silver medals and honorable mentions.)
Why you think you were accepted/waitlisted/rejected: see: strengths.

Where else were you accepted/waitlisted/rejected: nowhere else yet

General Comments:
thrilled, stunned, and blessed. don’t give up! Stanford only accepts 1% of students with GPAs under 3.7. If you play your cards right you can be in that 1% with me.

market yourself smartly. try to find an angle and cast yourself in that angle and drive that point home. If you’re good at art (even if you don’t identify as purely ‘artsy,’) drive home the message: i’m artsy. i’m artsy. i’m artsy. that gives the officers almost a “tag line” to remember you by, and also it makes you seem like you have a very strong identity.
I tried to market myself as witty and creative. I think that’s what got me in.

five other students from my school applied, however, and were rejected. all of them are as or more academically qualified than me, with stellar extracurriculars. just because you don’t get in doesn’t mean you aren’t smart or capable or won’t love the college you attend!

i can’t believe I almost applied Early Decision to Brown. I was so close! dodged a bullet there.

50

Not feeling too great right now, but I’ll disclose to help perpetuate this process that helped me a lot.

Decision: Rejected

Objective:
SAT I (breakdown): 2400 one sitting, took twice
ACT (breakdown): 35 (35 English, 35 Math, 35 Reading, 34 Science, 36 Writing) took once
SAT II: 800 Math II, 760 Chemistry
Unweighted GPA (out of 4.0): 3.89 (3.93 if you exclude frosh year) at a very tough/prestigious private school w/ no APs
Weighted GPA: N/A
Rank (percentile if rank is unavailable): N/A
AP (place score in parenthesis): N/A
IB (place score in parenthesis): N/A
Senior Year Course Load: Won’t disclose for confidentiality, but highest rigor available
Major Awards (USAMO, Intel etc.): lol…NMSF?

Subjective:

Extracurriculars (place leadership in parenthesis): This probably tanked my app…anyway, here goes

[ul]
[]Debate (won multiple tournaments, but not amazing at it or anything)
[]School literary journal (editor-in-chief)
[li]Lots of peer tutoring/community service w/ tutoring and mentorship involved[/li][/ul]
That’s literally it…
Job/Work Experience: 2 summer internships, 1 at a bank and another at a Fortune 500 company
Volunteer/Community service: 250 hours of tutoring
Summer Activities: Went to Stanford’s Summer Institutes, Princeton’s Philosophy Seminar, interned, taught myself some CS, traveled around Europe.
Essays (rating 1-10, details): 10. Seriously. Writing is what I do best, and literally every friend and teacher I talked to thought my essays were absolutely great. My personal statement was incredibly unorthodox, as were my supplemental essays. These certainly had a positive impact on my candidacy.
Recommendations (rating 1-10, details):

Teacher Rec #1: English teacher, didn’t see. Did great in his class, but he didn’t know me personally – something that I regret in hindsight. Welp, it’s just not my style.
Teacher Rec #2: Physics teacher, didn’t see. Same blurb as above^
Counselor Rec: Again, didn’t see. I got to know him pretty well though, and he saw lots of my writing and knew what made me tick.
Additional Rec: noperoni
Interview: Thought it went great, but then again, I thought I had a chance at getting in (hahaaa). It was scheduled for 45 mins, went 80 mins. She laughed at my jokes, appeared to like me, etc. In the end, I don’t think interviews actually matter though.

Other

Applied for Financial Aid?: nahnigga
Intended Major: CS + X, STS, Econ
State (if domestic applicant): NY
Country (if international applicant):
School Type: Selective Private
Ethnicity: Hispanic/Asian/White
Gender: XY
Income Bracket: ain’t helpin’ me
Hooks (URM, first generation college, etc.): hah…no

Reflection

Strengths: Test scores, essays.
Weaknesses: No “passion” with ECs, maybe recs?
Why you think you were accepted/waitlisted/rejected: Simple – it’s not about academics anymore at these top schools. Literally, there’s a bar of achievement you need to cross to not get thrown in the rejection pile right away, then it’s all down to your ECs, essays, LOR, and, in some cases, your race and socioeconomic standing. They’re not interested in building the best academic community, but the best community (as a Platonic ideal for them – ethnic diversity, quirky personalities and talents, etc.) filled with kids who happen to be very smart. But it’s nowhere near a meritocracy. And, to be honest, I respect that. They saw that, if you took away my scores and essays, I didn’t have much to offer. They saw that I didn’t have a passion, or something that I was really good at and dedicated to. Point is, if they encounter two applicants – one with a 2400 and good grades but no clear passion or extraordinary talent and one with a 2250 and good grades with a clear passion and extraordinary talent in that field – Stanford will take the latter applicant every time. Every time. I heard that many times, and only after seeing the rejection letter did it finally ring true.
Where else were you accepted/waitlisted/rejected: Only applied to Stanford so far.

General Comments: Disappointed, but not sad. I mean, I didn’t expect to get in, and I’m sure that I’ll get in somewhere great. Just kind of mad because after many early decisions have come out and friends have been rejected/denied, I’ve seen firsthand how much connections and luck come into play. There are complete mongoloids who’ve gotten into Ivies despite doing no work just because their Dad is a professor at X school, or has donated tons of money – and that sucks, but you’ve gotta deal with it. Now I know that this process isn’t a true measure of my self-worth. That’s liberating in a way, but terrifying too.

Anyways, to prospective applicants: Develop a PASSION. Dance, debate, YouTubing, scientific research – who cares – do it with love and care, and do it well. Stanford doesn’t just want smart people; they’ve got more than a healthy pipeline of those applying. In concocting a community, they want somebody who’s the BEST at x or y – not somebody who’s a jack of all trades but master of none. If this doesn’t sound like you, you’ll probably get rejected. But still apply if you’re academically qualified; you never know what’ll happen. So take that from a rejectee, lol, and good luck.

51

Decision: Rejected

Objective:
SAT I (breakdown): Best Sitting: 2210 (730 CR, 760 M, 720 W), Superscored: 2270
ACT (breakdown): 35 C (34 R, 35 M, 34, R, 36 S)
SAT II: 800-Math II, 780-Spanish, 760-Chemistry
Unweighted GPA (out of 4.0): 4.0
Weighted GPA: 5.0/5.0
Rank (percentile if rank is unavailable): N/A
AP (place score in parenthesis): Calculus BC (5), English Lang (5), US History (5), Spanish Lang (5), Chemistry (4), Biology (4)
IB (place score in parenthesis): N/A
Senior Year Course Load: AP Chemistry, AP Physics C, AP Spanish Literature, AP English Literature, AP Economics, Honors Linear Algebra/Multivariable Calculus (Taken as Dual Credit)
Major Awards (USAMO, Intel etc.): AP Scholar With Distinction, National Merit Commended, Top 15 Regional Chemistry Exam, National Spanish Exam 98th Percentile

Subjective:

Extracurriculars (place leadership in parenthesis): Tennis (Captain, Varsity 3 years, All-Conference 2 years), Math Team (State Qualifier 2 years), Academic Bowl, Interact (1 year), Drug-and-Alcohol-Free Club (4 years), Marching Band (2 years)
Job/Work Experience: Youth Tennis Counselor, Instructor at Mathnasium
Volunteer/Community service: Peer Tutor at School (80+ hours a year)
Summer Activities: Work
Essays (rating 1-10, details):
CommonApp: 9.5/10, Worked very hard on it; some of my best writing
Roomate: 9.5/10, Thought I was funny and witty
Intellectual Vitality: 8/10
What Matters: 8.5/10

Recommendations (rating 1-10, details): Didn’t Read Them

Teacher Rec #1: Spanish Teacher
Teacher Rec #2: Math Teacher
Counselor Rec: Should’ve Been Good
Additional Rec: Coach
Interview: Good

Other

Applied for Financial Aid?: No
Intended Major: Chemical Engineering
State (if domestic applicant): Midwest
Country (if international applicant):
School Type: Large Public
Ethnicity: Indian
Gender: M
Income Bracket: >100 K
Hooks (URM, first generation college, etc.): Single-Parent Household

Reflection

Strengths: GPA, Test Scores, EC’s, Awards, Well-rounded
Weaknesses: Didn’t participate in many engineering/technology activities or internships; not many major STEM awards
Why you think you were accepted/waitlisted/rejected: It’s Stanford!
Where else were you accepted/waitlisted/rejected: Haven’t heard back from any others yet.

General Comments: I really wanted to go to Stanford, but at least now I can know that I tried.

52

Decision: Accepted

Objective:
SAT I (breakdown): none
ACT (breakdown): 33, 34 if superscored: Math - 35 Science - 33 English - 35 Reading - 34 Writing - 29
SAT II: NONE
Unweighted GPA (out of 4.0): 4.0
Weighted GPA: forgot exact: like a 4.3 or 4.4; I did not report this because my school does have this.
Rank (percentile if rank is unavailable): 1/433
AP (place score in parenthesis): Calculus (5) US History (5) English and Composition (3) Chemistry (3)
I also got a 5 on the AP US government exam, but it is on a different account, so I did not report.

IB (place score in parenthesis): None
Senior Year Course Load: Honors Classes = College Biology, AP Calculus BC, AP Psychology, College World History, College Chemistry, Elective for Gifted Students ; other classes: = Physics, English IV Honors, Fine Arts Survey, Human Anatomy and Physiology

Major Awards (USAMO, Intel etc.): AP Scholar with Honor. I won some literary rallies and math competitions. I was a finalist (TOP 4) for Student of the Year at my school. other miscellaneous stuff . .

Subjective:

Extracurriculars (place leadership in parenthesis): Mu Alpha Theta (President), National Honor Society, Beta Club, Octagon Club, Drama Club, History Bowl,
Job/Work Experience: None
Volunteer/Community service: Included in the extracurricular. I’ve done a lot of hours and some special projects.
Summer Activities: none. Self - learning I guess.
Essays (rating 1-10, details): I doubted myself when I first turned them in, but I read them again after I got accepted. They are really good. 8/10
Recommendations (rating 1-10, details): I never read them.
Teacher Rec #1: Math Teacher (College Pre-Calculus, AP Calculus AB) We have a good relationship.
Teacher Rec #2: English Teacher (AP English & Composition) We also have a good relationship
Counselor Rec: We don’t know each other THAT well, but I’m sure she only had good things to say.
Additional Rec: none.
Interview: none.

Other

Applied for Financial Aid?: yes
Intended Major: computer science
State (if domestic applicant): Louisiana
Country (if international applicant):
School Type: public
Ethnicity: African - American
Gender: Female
Income Bracket: about 40,000k
Hooks (URM, first generation college, etc.): URM

Reflection

Strengths: Essays, test scores, recommendations
Weaknesses: extracurriculars
Why you think you were accepted/waitlisted/rejected: I am an URM, but I also have really good writing skills and academics.
Where else were you accepted/waitlisted/rejected: I am not gonna apply to my other high-level schools anymore. I
already got into my DREAM SCHOOL. I did apply and get accepted to some state schools, but I don’t think there’s any point in listing them.
General Comments: You. Don’t. Know. How. Happy. I. Am.

53

I accidentally put 40,000k. oops. I meant 40k, not 40,000,000.

54

Decision: Accepted (QB)

Objective:
SAT I (breakdown): 1980 (CR 640, M 660, CW 680)
ACT (breakdown): 31 (Eng 35, Math 26, Read 34, Sci 29)
SAT II: N/A
Unweighted GPA (out of 4.0): 4.0
Weighted GPA: 4.3
Rank (percentile if rank is unavailable): 1/70
AP (place score in parenthesis): Lit (4), Lang, Calc A/B, 2D Design (I get weighted credit for dual enrollment in my local community college. The courses I took there are World Civ. 1, World Civ. 2, English 100)
IB (place score in parenthesis): N/A
Senior Year Course Load: AP Lang and Comp, AP Calculus A/B, AP 2D Design, Spanish 2, Digital Media Directed Studies, Physics, Integrated Studies Project
Major Awards (USAMO, Intel etc.): Intel ISEF 4th Award Biochemistry, Hawaii State Science Fair 5th Overall 1st Bioengineering, Daniel K. Inouye Innovation Award, Questbridge College Prep Scholar, Questbridge Finalist.

Subjective:

Extracurriculars (place leadership in parenthesis): Science Fair (Hawaii Delegate at Intel), School Study Help Blog (Founder, Main Blogger), Student Council (Treasurer 3 years), Religious Seminary (Class President), Air Rifle Team (District Rep. at States), Science Supply Inventory Project (Founder, Main Participant), Farmhand on Family Farm, School Tennis Team 1st Rank, Pacific Asian and Affairs Council (Treasurer), National Honor Society (Treasurer)
Job/Work Experience: N/A
Volunteer/Community service: Study Help Blog (10 hrs/week), Science Inventory Project (2hrs/week)
Summer Activities: Intensive farm work to support my family.
Essays (rating 1-10, details):
Common App (9/10) : Talked about how living on a watermelon farm on an underdeveloped island restricted my academics and how I adapted around it to succeed in high school.
Dear Future Roommate (9/10) : I took a bit of a risk and wrote about getting caught dancing to K-pop in the school bathroom. It sounds like a really weird topic, but that experience paints a totally realistic picture of me.
What matters (7.5/10) : Focused on past my struggle to be confident academically because of my background and my desire to help others avoid the same struggle.
Intellectual Growth (8/10) : I reflected on the first time I learned how fleeting opportunities could be by I missing a trip to the ice cream store when I was 5.
Recommendations (rating 1-10, details):

Teacher Rec #1: 9/10 Was written by the science teacher I had as I was doing science fair. She was also my swimming coach for one year. We know each other really well and are on great terms.
Teacher Rec #2: 10/10 Was written by my math teacher for the past 3 years. He has a really high opinion of me and highlighted my ability to think abstractly and direct myself.
Counselor Rec: 7/10 I’m not that close to her, but I know that she thinks highly of me.
Additional Rec: N/A
Interview: N/A

Other

Applied for Financial Aid?: Yes (QB)
Intended Major: English, History, Communications
State (if domestic applicant): Hawaii
Country (if international applicant): N/A
School Type: Small Public
Ethnicity: Mainly Hawaiian, Chinese, Filipino, Portuguese, and Irish.
Gender: Female
Income Bracket: $35,000-45-,000
Hooks (URM, first generation college, etc.): URM

Reflection

Strengths: My essays and recommendations were definitely my strengths. I put extra effort into letting my natural voice shine though in my essays, and I wasn’t afraid to take a little risk in writing about the bathroom experience.
Weaknesses: Test Scores
Why you think you were accepted/waitlisted/rejected: Probably because my essays, Letters of Rec., and URM Hook.
Where else were you accepted/waitlisted/rejected: Nowhere yet.

55

Decision: Accepted

ACT: E:34 M:35 R: 35 S: 33 overall 34
3.96/4.00 UW
4.54 W
AP: Calc BC (5), Physics (4), English Lang (5), Stats (5)
Subj tests: lit (720) physics (760)

Senior year courseload: AP (Lit, Chem, Spanish) and other non-honors

3 kinds of student leadership, debate, captain of 2 varsity sports

good recommendations

applied for financial aid: yes
white male, no hooks
intended major: econ

56

Giving back to the community, I guess.

Decision: Rejected

Objective:
SAT I (breakdown): 2220 superscored (770 CR, 800 M, 650 W)
ACT (breakdown): didn’t take
SAT II: 800 Math 2, 800 Physics, 800 Chem
Unweighted GPA (out of 4.0): 4 (all As in everything from 9th grade)
Weighted GPA: - (different kind of grading here)
Rank (percentile if rank is unavailable): (not official, but top 3 out of 250 generally, very competitive school)
AP (place score in parenthesis): 5 Physics C: E&M, 5 Calc BC, 5 Chem
IB (place score in parenthesis): -
Senior Year Course Load: Math, Physics, Chem, Computer Science, English, Sanskrit
Major Awards (USAMO, Intel etc.): Ranked 1 all-India in a science test, Regional Mathematical Olympiad highest scorer in country, Junior Science Olympiad highest scorer in state, KVPY, NTSE (all national science scholarships, BTW), lots of local math competitions and quizzes.

Subjective:

Extracurriculars (place leadership in parenthesis): Competitive Programming, Robotics, Science Club, Quizzing, Goalkeeping, Instrumental Music (piano)
Job/Work Experience: None
Volunteer/Community service: None (shocking, right?)
Summer Activities: Programming competitions, and preparing for a science competition.
Essays (rating 1-10, details): Ratings are very ambiguous, but here goes:
Intellectual Vitality: 8/10 I liked it, talked about a robotics competition.
Roommate Essay: 9/10 Was honest, ended up funny. People liked it.
What Matter To You: 9/10 Loved the prompt, talked about how I love problem-solving.
Extracurricular: 8/10 Talked about goalkeeping and breaking stereotypes in the process.

Recommendations (rating 1-10, details): Should have been good, my science teachers liked me.
Teacher Rec #1: Physics Teacher (8/10)
Teacher Rec #2: Computer Science Teacher (8/10)
Counselor Rec: 8/10
Additional Rec: None
Interview: 9/10. Went very well, I really enjoyed it.

Other:

Applied for Financial Aid?: Yes
Intended Major: Computer Science, or, Mathematics and Computing
State (if domestic applicant): California (US citizen living in India)
Country (if international applicant): (US citizen from India)
School Type: Private
Ethnicity: Asian Indian
Gender: Male
Income Bracket: 40,000-50,000
Hooks (URM, first generation college, etc.): None

Reflection:

Strengths: Academics for sure. Even though my SAT score is low, I think the Olympiad experience makes up for it. Participated and won in lots of other science competitions as well.
Weaknesses: Look at ECs. This definitely hurt me. It wasn’t that I wasn’t interested or was lazy, just that the rigor and timings of my school really killed alot of opportunities that way. Don’t regret it though, have learnt a lot along the way.
Why you think you were accepted/waitlisted/rejected: ECs and other outside school stuff. Not a very balanced app.
Where else were you accepted/waitlisted/rejected: Not heard from anyone yet.

General Comments:

It’s difficult. I don’t think I deserved it, especially after only working for US colleges for a year.
I was hoping that Stanford would look over my lack of ECs for my academics, but they didn’t. No worries.

57

Decision: Accepted

Objective:
SAT I (breakdown): 2270 (superscore), 2190 (single sitting), 780M, 720CR, 770W (two sittings total)
ACT (breakdown): 36 (superscore), 35 (single sitting), 35E, 36M, 35R, 36S (two sittings total)
SAT II: 800M2, 790BioM, 680USH
Unweighted GPA (out of 4.0): 4.0
Weighted GPA:4.524
Rank (percentile if rank is unavailable): 1/400
AP (place score in parenthesis): World History(5), US History(4), Lang(4), Bio(5), CalcAB(5), Spanish(4)
IB (place score in parenthesis): N/A
Senior Year Course Load: Honors Brit Lit, AP Psych, AP Calc BC, Teacher Aide, AP Government
Major Awards (USAMO, Intel etc.): National Merit Semifinalist and AP Scholar w/ Distinction, but at Stanford those aren’t very “Major”.

Subjective:

Extracurriculars (place leadership in parenthesis): Cross Country 10th-12th (captain), Track and Field 10th-12th (captain), Academic Team 11th-12th (captain), Church since I was young
Job/Work Experience: Papa Murphy’s Pizza employee for summer and 12th grade so far.
Volunteer/Community service: Nada. From what I’ve seen and read though, unless some sort of passion shows through your volunteering, Stanford doesn’t really care.
Summer Activities: Working at Papa Murphy’s, attending my state’s Boys’ State program, training for Cross Country season.
Essays (rating 1-10, details): Personal Statement: 9.5/10, I really dug deep for this one and pretty much gave a family life summary and what I’ve gained from its ups and downs.
Intellectual Vitality: 8/10, I wrote about engagement in my math courses, and related it to other subject areas. It was a little humorous too, which I think helped.
Letter to roommate: 10/10, I had trouble planning it out, but I wrote about running all the time and how that would affect my relationship with my roommate. I think it was well organized, and it was easily the most comedic essay I’ve ever written.
What matters and why: 6.5/10, I wrote about my strong value of humor, which caused some unintentional irony because the essay itself wasn’t that funny.
Recommendations (rating 1-10, details):

Teacher Rec #1: 10/10, From math teacher that’s had me for 3 years, and she really loves me.
Teacher Rec #2: 8/10, From English teacher that kinda sorta knows me well, but she wrote well.
Counselor Rec: ?/10, I never got to read it.
Additional Rec: 10/10, From family friend and district attorney in my county, he’s known me for a very long time and knows me well.
Interview: N/A

Other

Applied for Financial Aid?: No
Intended Major: Computer Science
State (if domestic applicant): NV, ID, or AZ
Country (if international applicant):
School Type: Medium public school in a semi-rural area with around 1600 students
Ethnicity: White/Hispanic
Gender: Male
Income Bracket: 100k-130k
Hooks (URM, first generation college, etc.): URM, first generation to go for a four year degree (both of my parents have AA’s).

Reflection

Strengths: ACT, ethnicity, essays, dedication to extracurriculars, and recs
Weaknesses: SAT, volunteer work, number of AP courses
Why you think you were accepted/waitlisted/rejected: I truly believe I showed my true colors in my essays, and I think that was a significant factor in my acceptance. Also, although I hate to say it, being Hispanic almost definitely helped as well.
Where else were you accepted/waitlisted/rejected: I’ve only received word from Stanford of my applications’ statuses.

General Comments: It really is necessary to reflect on what you’re writing within the essays. They value them a lot, and that is where they can see your actual personality as opposed to the robot that is presented by your stats. Good luck to future applicants!

58

color=#008000[/color]

Decision: Accepted

Objective:
SAT I (breakdown): 2320 (800CR, 750M, 770 WR) - second sitting
ACT (breakdown): -
SAT II: 790 USH, 780 Math II (second sitting), 750 Chem
Unweighted GPA (out of 4.0): ~4.0/4.0
Rank (percentile if rank is unavailable): Top 10 out of 111. (School does not give out specific rank)
AP (place score in parenthesis): US History- 5*
IB (place score in parenthesis): Deez Nuts 7/7
Senior Year Course Load: All honors/hardest classes (*school has no APs). No math classes, but two histories.

Major Awards (USAMO, Intel etc.): National Geographic Your World in Focus Teen Change Maker People's Choice Award, Princeton Book Award, National Language Honor Societies for Spanish and Chinese, Cum Laude Society

Subjective:

Extracurriculars (place leadership in parenthesis):

President + Founder of Own Company -> Turned to Non-Profit. Ran incentivized competitions for high school students so solve local issues. Examples include education challenge in Philadelphia, mental health challenge in Massachuetts, and Food Safety Challenge in Beijing.


[QUOTE=""]

Invited to inaugaral Forbes 30 under 30 submit - also featured
Board Member of NextGen Submit
On local TV (NBC, CBS), newspapers,(Main Line Time), Huff Post. Recently received attention from Khan Academy
Collaboration with local NFL team, Schools in other countries, The city’s Mayor’s office,
YSA State Youth Ambassador
Gave 15 minute speech to 200+ students in India at high profile event

[/QUOTE]

Mock Trial 9-12(president) - Only sophomore on district winning team.
DECA 10-12 (president) - 1st place states, made to internationals
Debate 9-12 (president) - regional awards
Service Board 9-12(president)

JV Tennis 10-12
Crew 9-10

Theater

Job/Work Experience - company
Volunteer/Community service - company, service board, work in china (Council on International Educational Exchange - CIEE)
Summer Activities: Company Stuff (worked in inner city school for 4 weeks to implement curricula from challenge), Student Global Leadership (SGLI) Summit in Hawaii, Work/service in China
Essays (rating 1-10, details): Pretty Good , I read his Common App one - very very unique
Recommendations (rating 1-10, details):
Teacher Rec #1: V good
Teacher Rec #2: V Good
Counselor Rec: Good
Additional Rec: Famous Entrepreneur, Okonkwo
Interview: Good

Other

Applied for Financial Aid?: no
Intended Major: History or Political Science
State (if domestic applicant): PA
Country (if international applicant): USA
School Type: Private
Ethnicity: White
Gender: Male
Income Bracket: well off
Hooks (URM, first generation college, etc.): Own Company

Reflection

Strengths: own company
Weaknesses: his company stuff was risky but it paid off
Why you think you were accepted/waitlisted/rejected: Unique stuff with organization
Where else were you accepted/waitlisted/rejected: -

General Comments: He was the first one in my school to get accepted without athletic recruitment in 10+ years. Also, another person in our class got in too (athletics). So that’s 2 for REA. Very insane year.

59

Decision: Deferred
Doing this because this forum helped me tons when I was applying.

Objective:
SAT I (breakdown): 720 CR, 720 M, 780 W (2220, one and only sitting)
ACT (breakdown): 35 English, 32 Reading, 32 Math, 31 Science, 11 on essay, Composite Score: 33
SAT II: 700 on biology M lol
Unweighted GPA (out of 4.0): 3.7 (look at my hook for an explanation)
Weighted GPA: 4.20 (lmao)
Rank (percentile if rank is unavailable):
AP (place score in parenthesis): Calc AB (3), US History (4), English Literature and Composition (4), Calc BC (4, AB subscore: 4), Music Theory (5, all subsections 5), Spanish Language (5)
IB (place score in parenthesis):
Senior Year Course Load: 4 AP’s, jazz band and jazz choir, other regular classes
Major Awards (USAMO, Intel etc.): Received a hefty grant from state-wide organization that promotes traditional arts, won national competitions in singing, soloist awards in jazz festivals, won a scholarship to Berklee School of Music summer jazz program (they’re not Intel/siemens level but still worth listing)

Subjective:

Extracurriculars (place leadership in parenthesis): 4 years in jazz choir (last two as senior student director), 2 years as vocalist for jazz band, Indian classical singing for more than 12 years (the past 4 as a mentor), classical violin for more than 10 years

Job/Work Experience: got paid as a mentor

Volunteer/Community service: about 400 hours volunteering at Kaiser Permanente

Summer Activities: Cardiothoracic Surgical internship at Stanford, traveled to China for service for three weeks, performed 2.5 hour classical concerts in the Bay Area and Chicago, performed concerts for TV programs

Essays (rating 1-10, details):

  • Common App: 9/10 - talked about how music has affected my life since I was born, and how the discipline I’ve gained from it has extended to the other activities (academic and non academic) I pursue
  • Intellectual vitality - 10/10 - by far my favorite essay. talked about improvisation in indian music and how the process is more mathematical than it is artistic
  • Roommate: 9/10 - explained myself as someone full of contradictions, included lots of plays on words, but how I would be the most consistent contradiction in my roommate’s life
  • What matters to me and why: 8/10 - talked about how becoming literate in my native language has helped me connect with family abroad and helped me excel in indian music

Recommendations (rating 1-10, details):
Teacher Rec #1: 10/10 - from my AP Music Theory teacher and jazz band director, I was the top student in music theory last year so he had a lot of good things to say about me as a student and as a singer
Teacher Rec #2: not gonna rate this one because i honestly have no idea. from my sophomore/senior year english teacher. i’m assuming its pretty good because she wanted to write my rec for me. i took a lot of risks in her class in terms of writing, but they were worth it, and in the process I found myself as a writer, and she knows all of this.
Counselor Rec: not gonna rate this one either because my counselor is new this year, but I’ve gotten really close with her in a short amount of time so she knows a lot about me and she basically wrote what i asked her to write lol
Additional Rec: 11/10 - from my indian music teacher, who’s practically my second mom. solid rec, in her words.
Interview: N/A

Other

Applied for Financial Aid?: yes but i highly doubt i would get anything
Intended Major: Music (will pick up a premed track)
State (if domestic applicant): CA
Country (if international applicant): murica
School Type: Private
Ethnicity: Asian Indian
Gender: Female
Income Bracket: high enough to not get any aid
Hooks (URM, first generation college, etc.): had a really bad illness my soph and junior year that caused my grades to falter, but i took a LOT of AP’s and honors, and maintained at least B+'s in all of them. also travel pretty frequently out of state for concerts and competitions and stuff.

Reflection

Strengths: extra curriculars, essays, recommendations, SAT/ACT
Weaknesses: grades lol
Why you think you were accepted/waitlisted/rejected: honestly its the grades. i’m 99.9% sure they want to see my first semester senior grades, so time to study for finals lol
Where else were you accepted/waitlisted/rejected:
waiting on UC’s, USC, Wash U in St. Louis, Chapman, and Emory

General Comments:
I screamed with joy when I saw that I got deferred, because I seriously thought I was going to get rejected. I’m not gonna mind if they reject me in april, because there are honestly TONS of qualified applicants who deserve a spot at Stanford. I’m just surprised and thankful that i even got this far, cause this was my yolo-est application ever.

60

just wanna add that i did submit two music supplements, with two other recommendations for them as well. one in vocal jazz and one in classical indian music.