<p>For starters, I am planning on applying as a junior level transfer. I have not begun college coursework (I am enrolling at a California CC in January 2007) and I have yet to take the SAT I and SAT II subject tests ( I will take them in Summer 2007). For this post, I would like to hypothetically say that I would have a 3.9-4.0 GPA by the time of application in a Honors Program at the community college along with exceptional SAT I and SAT II scores.</p>
<p>During my short time on CC, I have come to find out what it truly takes to be accepted into Stanford, especially as a transfer. With only 100 applicants being accepted each year, it takes more than just a 4.0 and exceptional SAT scores. Admissions at Stanford look for these as basic guidelines, then seek out those individuals that possess that "extra-something"; that dimension that sets them aside and makes them unique. I want to know if my story would qualify as "unique" in the eyes of admissions at Stanford, or any top tier university for that matter:</p>
<p>I graduated from a top semi-private high school in New Hampshire in 2004. I was an A-level student for four years and was heavily involved in varsity lacrosse, varsity football, a student organization targeted at environmental awareness, a student run literary magazine, and the yearbook. In each of these organizations, I was either a captain or held some sort of leadership position. I graduated in the top tier of my class of 600+ however as most, if not all, of my close friends went off to college in the fall, my plans, or should I say priorities, were different.</p>
<p>I imagine from the previous paragraph, one would initially say "Unique? Sorry to say but not quite" and I can completely understand why. However the reason as to why college was not the next step for me is what I am hoping will help me stand out to admissions when the time comes. </p>
<p>I grew up in a household with a father, mother, and younger brother. However my father was an abusive drunk that caused much turmoil and sadness throughout my childhood as early back as I can remember. I spent the majority of my high school years with out his physical presence in my home and when he did appear, it would usually be once every few months for a few days simply because he had run out of money or had no other place to go. My mother fought with this battle for 16 long, hard years however never ceased to remind my brother and I the importance of school. School was always #1. </p>
<p>Little to everyone's suprise I'm sure, my father left my mother, my brother, and I for good during my sophmore year summer and he has not been seen since. He has failed to paid a penny of child support, make a phone call on holidays, or even send a card on my brother and my own birthdays. His absence ultimately put a rather large financial strain on my mother. This being the case, when the time came to consider the next step after high school, I knew without even asking that college would not be financially feasible at that juncture. When I graduated from high school, I had many coaches calling me and attempting to recruit me to a number of top New England lacrosse programs, which only made the decision that much more difficult, however I knew in my heart of hearts what I needed to do for my family.</p>
<p>I began working full-time that summer following graduation and have been ever since. At times, I have even taken on a second part-time job in the evenings delivering pizzas. Each pay day, I have come home to my mother and given her a portion of this money to help pay for the rent, various utilities, food, and other expenses simply to take the strain off of her as much as I possibly could. </p>
<p>This has been my life since graduating from high school however I am sitting here as a 21 year old man and the number one priority in my life is still school. The time has come where it is financially feasible for me to move out to live with relatives in Northern California and attend a California community college this upcoming academic year. I plan on enrolling in an honors program that the college offers in order to help my overall transcript along with participating with the colleges student newspaper. </p>
<p>I know that there are many students in college right now that I graduated from high school with that don't fully appreciate the gift that they have been given. I honestly feel that this is what makes me a different applicant from everybody else. I am still rather young however I know the value and discipline of hard work. With enough studying, I am positive that I could get exceptional scores on my SAT's along with earning a 4.0 during my two years at CC. Some college students may look at that as a daunting task but I know that compared to how bad it really could be, those goals are not impossible. It just takes complete dedication on your behalf and 100% commitment to that goal. I know that I can earn a 4.0 and get top test scores but I need to be unique if I want to successfully transfer into Stanford and that is what I am hoping to find out by posting my story. </p>
<p>I appreciate any individuals that actually took the time to read this far and any advice/opinions/ comments will be greatly appreciated.</p>
<p>Thanks</p>