<p>BACKGROUND
Asian Male,
Cost should not be a problem
Undeclared Major (is this smart? I honestly have no idea what I want to do)
Competitive So-Cal school, about 600 per class</p>
<p>ACADEMICS</p>
<p>UW GPA 3.93
W GPA 4.23, top 10%</p>
<p>I took the hardest courses available to me, but there are more rigorous classes that I could not take due to various reasons. (I think this will hurt my app, but I'm not sure by how much)</p>
<p>SAT Scores
1st sitting, M: 710 CR:700 W:670 Composite: 2080</p>
<p>2nd sitting, M: 780 CR: 770 W: 780
Composite: 2330</p>
<p>Subjects
Math 2:800
Chemistry: 760
Literature: 720</p>
<p>APs
Chemistry: 4
Music Theory: 4
Biology: 4
Environmental Science: 5</p>
<p>Currently taking Comp Lang, Gov, Macroeconomics, and Calc BC</p>
<p>National Merit Semifinalist (likely finalist, but don't think I'm allowed to assume on applications ^_^)</p>
<p>AP Scholar with Honor</p>
<p>EXTRACURRICULARS
-My 2 most passionate activities are Tennis and Drumming. I am not science or math orientated in any way, despite my parents both being researchers. Does anyone know how Stanford views undeclared majors like me? Thanks :0</p>
<p>JV tennis 9th, Captain 10th grade</p>
<p>Varsity tennis 11th grade, Captain 12th grade</p>
<p>Worked minimum wage for 2 summers at coach's tennis camp</p>
<p>Played 4 summers of Summer League tennis for the high school coach's team</p>
<p>Won a bunch of fancy sounding awards for tennis, but I'm probably not recruitment material, especially for the Stanford team.</p>
<p>Started a jazz combo with a few friends sophomore year. We rehearse 2 hours a week and play paid/unpaid gigs around town about once a month. We even managed to end up on the radio!</p>
<p>I've been in band all 4 years, (as percussionist and drummer)</p>
<p>9th- concert band
10th- concert band
11th- symphonic band
12th- symphonic and jazz band, principal and section leader for symphonic</p>
<p>Pit orchestra for school musical for all of high school, and did a paid gig for an outside of school musical.</p>
<p>Jazz big band for 10-12 grades, we play at local jazz festivals and restaurants. Rehearse 2 hours/week</p>
<p>Helped start the school's first drum line, which practices 2 hours/week. We're definitely not the most impressive drum line out there, but hey, it's all a learning process. Maybe in a few years our high school drum line will be spectacular :D</p>
<p>I'm VP for "Music on the Go", a club that volunteers to play at local senior homes and homeless shelters. I've been in it since 11th grade.</p>
<p>Gave private drum lessons to 5 kids over this past summer, which was 2.5 hours/week.</p>
<p>Since 11th grade I have consistently volunteered to play for the school's choirs and orchestras when they needed a drummer for their concerts. </p>
<p>OTHER APP MATERIAL
My letters of rec should be pretty good from my English and Chem teachers, and my additional letter from the music teacher should be excellent. My counselor seemed to like me when she asked me about my life and colleges and such for her rec letter.</p>
<p>My common app essay talks about my drumming. I think it turned out really nicely! When others read it they say it feels like I'm talking to them. Feel free to PM if you want to give some feedback :)</p>
<p>In the supplementals I talk about how my best friend and I have been friends since 2nd grade, even though I moved across the country in 3rd grade. We have talked almost every day for the past 10 years, and I visit him every summer for months. His parents call me their adopted son. This is really special to me and I tried to make it show in my responses.</p>
<p>FINAL THOUGHTS
I know, I know, Stanford is a reach for everyone. But if you guys could give me an honest opinion of where I stand when compared to all of the other applicants, and how I can/could have improved in my application, I would be grateful! I'll chance back if you ask for it. Thanks and good luck to all of you guys in this college admissions mess with me right now!</p>