<p>I go to a small prestigious school in California. (less than 100 kids per class)
I'm a conservatory level musician (have attended Aspen music festival, tanglewood), have been concertmaster of orchestras, and participate in prestigious orchestra/chamber music programs.
(I'm also an editor of the school yearbook)</p>
<p>SAT 1 = 2340
SAT2s = 780 math, 740 US History, 760 lit.
5s on AP Lang, Calc AB, APUSH, Euro (this was self taught)
4 on AP Bio</p>
<p>however, my GPA sucks: a 3.33 frosh year, a 3.66 sophomore year, and a 4.38 junior year.
If i work REALLY HARD to show colleges I CAN get straight As, will I have a chance?</p>
<p>Also, does the audition at stanford help a lot/do you recommend that I do SCEA?
Does it also help if I am backed by a professor/conductor?</p>
<p>Is that GPA weighted or unweighted? Is it out of 4 or 5? Your test scores are very good, and I know from a Stanford admissions officer that they don’t really consider freshman year grades at all, and junior and senior year are far more important. So go for it!</p>
<p>Stanford’s early action admit rates aren’t a great amount higher than regular admission, but there is a slight edge. It’s really low either way. However, if it’s your first choice, I’d definitely recommend doing it. </p>
<p>Regarding the audition (they also have an arts supplement; you could include a recording or video), if you’re at the level you describe, I’d say absolutely do it. Having a special talent like that is extremely valuable in the admissions process, and it most certainly doesn’t hurt.</p>
<p>At high schools like the one you describe, there will be several applicants to Stanford. Some are probably legacies and top URMs, and maybe recruited athletes. They are your first line of competition.</p>
<p>Colleges like Stanford are not looking for you to prove your potential senior year. They accept kids who have fully proven their ability throughout high school. They reject the vast majority of kids with near perfect grades and scores.</p>
<p>Junior year it’s weighted, out of 4
(I took four APs)</p>
<p>Don’t they see my first quarter/semester senior grades though? I’m pretty confidnet i can pull off straight As. I just didn’t learn to balance my time between my music and my shcoolwork until late junior year. I regret this so much, but still.</p>