stanford with a 3.5??? and international student??? is the impossible possible????

Colleges and Universities A-Z Stanford University
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<p>soooo....yea everyone has those schools on the back of their minds where you're just like "hey, what the heck....the only thing standing in my way and applying is $50...".</p>

<p>stanford is mine. why? idk. there's just something about it. ok so here's the deal:</p>

<p>i realize that a 3.5 UW is a pretty uncommon score at this amazing school. and yes im frustrated. you see, all through junior high i got straight A's but i never got anything for it. no awards, no recognition, just lot's of sleepless days and nights. so i figured when i got to freshman year, "what the heck is the use?" as my parents are both foreigners, speak little english, and have absolutely no clue about the college admissions process to tell me that my grades actually matter! i only found this out before junior year. then i got better. a lot better. and now im stuck here. and im moving to europe in 3 months for my dad's new job.</p>

<p>however, right now im sitting with an 80 in algebra II pre-ap. wait 81. and i only have four weeks to get it up. the thing is horrible test anxiety. usually in history or english i can bullcrap the answer and get perfect scores. but in math there's only one answer! i've been to several therapists about this because i don't just experience it in school. whenever, i arrive at a pressured moment, my mind blanks and what i could do so easily before is so much harder. i understand that you guys probably go through this too so im not asking for sympathy in every way. i just hope that the school will somehow be able to overlook this.</p>

<p>everything else is great. 2310 SAT (retook it 2nd time), ap award, 2x state finalist for language competition, co-ran three different fundraisers for african relief totalling $3000, a state and nationally ranked athlete (nooo way getting recruited tho), fluent in five languages, very unique background and ive lived on three continents, two VP positions in clubs, a job as an aspiring stand up comic (i do several local gigs a week), 200 volunteer service hours including two weeks in costa rica, an internship in london, caring for four younger siblings, and that 3.5....</p>

<p>is there any chance in the world? please be honest. in general, how is international student admissions at stanford? easier? harder? any trends? </p>

<p>i appreciate you reading this lengthy vent piece. thanks and good luck in whatever you're aiming for right now!</p>

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<p>gpa doesnt really matter esp for international student. I know someone whose gpa is far from perfect and SAT below normal but has amazing EC and recommendation and he got in.</p>

<p>PS: where are you from? some countries really have a harsh grade system so comparing one country GPA to another is really like comparing apples to oranges</p>

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<p>how the hell do u have test anxiety but get a 2310? seems like conflicting ideas and hope you didnt write about that in ur essay</p>

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<p>You come off a bit anxious in your post.
Don't in your essays and you should be fine, don't try to tell them about all the crap you've had to put up with... you have to work it in subtly, behind important positive stuff.</p>

<p>I think you are fine, it is a little low but they don't care that much about GPA, i got it in with like a 3.7</p>

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<p>Good luck, applying as international is a killer.</p>

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<p>you know anything is possible in the world; as michael jordan once said "you miss 100% of the shots you don't take"; by applying u're giving urself a mathematical probability of making it. I mean my stats are subpar: 2000 SAT; 2300 SAT IIs (three of them combined): 4.0 GPA; need financial aid, excellent but not "one of few in career" recommendations, average ECs, original essays that reflect my personality, and international student. i never hesitated to apply even though my chances are very low i know that by applying im giving myself a shot</p>

<p>good luck with ur application =)</p>