I’m into politics and government, and plan on majoring in either Political Science or Public Policy. Was looking into Stanford’s REA, and figured I’d try to get a grasp on my “chances” before continuing. I’ll try to organize this as neatly as possible, hoping it doesn’t turn into one giant mess!
Top 7%/250 students
Unweighted GPA: 3.97/4.0
Weighted GPA: 4.8
California Resident
Intended Major: Political Science
Intended Minor: Public Policy
ACT: 33 (retaking in September)
AP Scores: US History (4), Psychology (5), World Studies (3), Lang/Comp (5)
Senior Year course load: AP Lit, AP Gov, AP Span 4, AP Environmental Science, AP Calc AB, Leadership
Few of my most important ECs:
- Eagle Scout
- Student Body President
- Congressional Intern (CA-14)
- City Hall Administrative Deputy
- I work for the FBI (SF HQ)
- Golf Captain (4 years), Basketball (2 years)
- President of 2 Clubs, Founded 1 club (NHS, and got our school accredited)
- School Site Council President
- Published political writer
Some other significant accomplishments in my field
- California Boy’s State delegate (Model Congress)
- Harvard University’s Pre-College Program student (Studied law)
- Taken political science classes at my local JC every summer all of high school
- Freshman class president, ASB VP, in several other clubs)
- Several community service awards/award from mayor
- 800+ hours of community service with Sheriff’s department (politics related)
Notes:
- 1st gen American (Middle Eastern)
- Letter of rec from my Congresswoman who YES, does know me very well through our work.
You’re a great candidate but, truthfully, you have no hooks besides 1st gen. Therefore, I’d say you’d have a ever-so-slightly-better-than-average chance of being admitted, so that is about 5%.
I agree with above comments. The applicant pool for Stanford REA is even stronger than its RD pool. While your your numbers are about average for the RD pool, the ACT score would be low for the REA pool. What would save you in the REA pol would be your outstanding ECs. Do you really work for the FBI??! That’s awesome! Go ahead and apply REA if this is the school for you. However, if you really like UPenn by any chance, I think you’d have a much easier time getting accepted there ED (imo). Good luck on your endeavors!
@ap012199 Harvard is also a school that I have fallen in love with; do you think it would be wiser for me to apply EA there, and then just stick with RD for Stanford?
Why do you fall in love with Harvard and Stanford?
@ClarinetDad16 I’ve been to both, and loved both the campus and the community. The rich history and inclusive environment of both these campuses are the kinds I see myself at. Both have noteworthy political science programs as well. I live near Stanford, and am extremely familiar with the area, so I know it’s an environment I would get comfortable with fast. I attended the Harvard SSP this summer, and got to know that area really well too.
So you are at Harvard right now?
@ClarinetDad16 no, i attended the first session of Pre-College
I don’t think Harvard would be any easier to get into that Stanford. It’s the same situation - Harvard’s EA pool is stronger than its RD pool. I’ve visited both campuses and I heavily favor Harvard; that may be because I, being a CA resident, want to get out of the state. I don’t enjoy Stanford’s campus as much and it’s excruciatingly hot there. If I were you, I would use my early slot depending on which school I truly like the best. Quick question… Since you seem pretty familiar with both H and S, how are the students at both schools different from one another?
@ap012199 PM me and we can talk! Sorry, just don’t want to stray too far from the purpose of this thread 