Stanford Early Action

Chance Me / Match Me!
1

Hi I applied to Stanford REA. Do I have any shot at admissions?

GPA-4.1 weighted
Unweighted-3.7(Around 3.84 without Freshman year)

Act- 31
English 28
Math 29
Reading 33
Science 32
Potential Majors- Psychology

Disabilities- OCD, Tourette’s, Anxiety,depression and a Learning Difference
(These are a big part of my essays and my extra curriculars as well)

History of bullying in my family around my TS and also at school as well. Will talk about my optimism and persistence to advocate for myself in order to create opportunities for myself despite the situation.

Then how I used my own experience to help others, backed up by my EC’s…

EC’s-
Drama(Play)- Lead Role this year, first time ever in theater
Stem Club
Golf(Captain)- 3 Years(will continue this season)
Cross Country- 2 Years

Eye to Eye- A national affiliation, and at our school chapter we go to a middle school and help mentor kids with learning disabilities and we teach them how they can manage it, and we are there for them as a friend and companion.(one time a week for almost 2 hours)

Public Speaking- I have a huge passion for speaking about TS awareness in many venues.

Because of my rough history with acceptance, public speaking started out as an outlet for me to express myself and to also learn how to communicate my needs regarding my TS to others. Speaking helped me open up my true self to others, and is something i take seriously…

Anyways, I’ve spoken to over 400 kids at my own highschool in multiple panels and I spoke about TS to spread awareness but with a bigger message of encouraging them to find help for themselves or their friends if they are ever struggling, especially with mental health.

Spoken to many middle schools about TS with the main motive of spreading awareness to reduce the stigma in those schools and hopefully reduce bullying with the increased awareness…

Trip to D.C. With the TAA(Tourette Association of America)- A leadership conference training speakers to advocate for themselves and others with TS. We spent a few days of training and I presented to the aides of the rep of my region and the senators of CA to ask for more money, research and education of teachers regarding TS.

TEDX Talk on TS- Spoke about how there is always a flip side to adversity, and used my personal story to hopefully inspire others to not be afraid to tackle their own challenges,

Over the Summer-

Will go on a 2 week immersion trip to Tacoma, and we will serve a disability community for adults and will do farm work

This summer i went to a 1 week TS camp in Georgia, and we will also be trained to lead kids and overall leadership skills so we can return as counselors to the camp the following year.

2 week Biotechnology program at Northwestern( I’ve been interested in science, but have started to shift away from it, but decided to do it anyways since I already registered)

Additionally, I’ve been a retreat leader at our school(Jesuit school)

Lastly, I’m also involved in planning a TS awareness walk for this upcoming Spring…

That’s all, I’m honestly really proud of my essays, they really show who I am. Obviously I don’t know how the admissions counselor will think of it, but I’m proud of it.

Do I have a chance? I know my grades and test scores are not “ideal”

2

Bump

3

Your grades will hurt you but your story and ECs show a lot of passion and are generally really good!

I recently spoke with a Stanford admissions officer who said if they just wanted grades and scores they could fill up their class 5 times over with perfect kids.

This is what you’re up against. My friend finaled at Intel science fair (2380 SAT and 4.8 GPA) and was deferred from Stanford EA. I’d say apply but don’t get your hopes up, Stanford admissions are a scary place but it’s not impossible.

4

Thanks! That’s very insightful and helpful. Yeah I’m just trying to keep my expectations realistic and in check I guess as the notification date approaches

5

it will be a little tough to evaluate because it is hard to piece out how much of your relatively weaker (by stanford’s standards) academic performance can be explained by your learning difference vs. work ethic but you won’t be judged by the same standards as the standard applicant because of this. Your story is really inspiring though, and stanford is the kind of school that values that over academically accomplished, cookie-cutter applicants. Hard to provide chances given your interesting story, but there’s reason for hope.

6

I think you aimed too high!

7

Your scores aren’t great but Stanford like @Ineedtoremember said Stanford doesn’t look at scores THAT much. idk what they look at though if I knew I’d have no stress right now. My scores are a bit higher (if you want to see my stats: http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/what-my-chances/1837466-stanford-mit-columbia-what-do-you-think.html#latest) but I don’t have that kind of story, so I’d def. think of you as competition. Probs a reach.

8

That’s really helpful thank you so much… Yeah I’ve always wondered how much grades matter to stanford

9

I think you have a great shot. Sure, your scores aren’t perfect, but within context it doesn’t matter, and they’re definitely good enough. Of course, Stanford is Stanford, so who knows?

10

@Mchichioco you’re passion definitely shone through in that description and you’re case is certainly convincing. I wouldn’t worry too much about you not getting a perfect ACT score because getting one doesn’t reflect on your academic abilities. I would admit you if I worked at Montag Hall, haha, but I don’t. Good luck! I really wish that you end up somewhere great regardless.