<p>Ever since I was able to comprehend what college was, I wanted to attend Stanford University. Now that I'm in high school and the prospect of college is looming over me, I would like to know if I even have a chance at getting in.
-I'm a sophomore at a small Catholic school in the Northeast (regional advantage?)
-4.0 UW GPA
-All honors and one AP (note: I transferred from public school that didn't offer honors English and History for freshmen)
-Taken many SAT practice tests and the PSAT, so I superscored myself at 700 English, 690 Math, and 780 Reading (not superscored, my highest score was a 2040)
-Taking AP Spanish (started high school Spanish in sixth grade)
-Planning on taking AP chemistry, physics, both English courses, European History, US History, calculus, and possibly studying government on my own time and taking the test
-Only sophomore on the debate team, so very probable shot for me to be captain senior year
-Founder of the Young Politician's Club
-Run my own political blog
-Work at the library, both paid and volunteer
-Belong to the school newspaper, won a local award for an article
I know how competitive the admissions process at Stanford is... do I stand a chance?</p>
<p>Ok, a lot of people ask this question, and it’s basically not answerable as a prediction, because even among the best students, admission rates are in the 10-15% range. It depends on a lot of details, and on other applicants with comparable resumes.</p>
<p>If you want numbers, here are some stats for you about the admitted class of 2016:</p>
<p>GPA 4.0 or higher
55% of the applicant pool
8% admitted !!
69% of the admitted class !!!</p>
<p>Top 10% of HS class
81% of applicant pool
6% admitted !!
95% of the admitted class !!!</p>
<p>SAT Math 800
14% of applicant pool
13% admitted !!
24% of the admitted class !!!</p>
<p>Honestly, just have fun with the app and stop worrying.</p>
<p>@exstudent: I do know how difficult it is to get in and I’m aware of the admissions statistics. However, they DO accept 13% of the early action people (6% more than the RD pool), and I’m already first in my class (can’t be valedictorian because I’m a transfer, but then again I’m lobbying for that rule to change) and my UW GPA is 4.0 while my weighted will be over 5.0 (my school weighs APs). I forgot to mention that my principle told me personally that he wants me to be editor of the school newspaper next year, editor of the yearbook, and president of the debate team. I’m already working on my essays, which I’ve heard are the most important part of Stanford admissions after the qualifiers (since everyone has the same ECs and stats). I’m not worried about the math SAT thing anyway… SAT scores are just qualifiers and I’m in the range of the middle 50% while just a sophomore. What do you think that I can do to improve my stats? My volunteering is a little weak but my parents don’t want me to go to dangerous places so I’ve just been helping out at the library currently…</p>
<p>wait you are working on your essays as a sophomore…</p>
<p>Not seriously, just planning on what I can do really. I’ve read a couple of ones from people who got accepted and they’re all mind-blowing. I mean, intellectual vitality? Also, a friend at Yale told me to start ASAP. Don’t worry, I haven’t drafted a hundred copies or anything crazy.</p>
<p>If you’re looking at the essay topics already, good on you, but you would be much better off doing some extra-curricular activity, playing sports, or just having fun. </p>
<p>Reason is that your writing style will change immensely as you go through junior and senior year, and you might even look back and find the ideas you’re thinking of now childish. Your essays don’t need 3 years of work. Start early in the summer after junior year and you’ll be way ahead of schedule.
You’re in sophomore year, you should be enjoying yourself.
Do NOT let your grades slip, get high SAT and SAT II scores. Find something that impassions you and keep practicing it. </p>
<p>Once you’ve done all that, in senior year you’ll look back at your life and I think you’ll find that you should definitely have a shot at Stanford.</p>
<p>@LuckyMatrim: I have sucky knees so no sports for me 
. Oh well- I do have fun in my clubs and I’ve made a lot of friends through them! However, my school ends before 2 in the afternoon so even when I have a long club meeting I’m always home before 4, which means I have plenty of time for more resume building stuff (not clubs though, since they’d be done by the time I’m out of mine). Any suggestions as to what I can do during that extra time to make my application completely stand out? I’m very interested in politics and writing if that helps any… I think that I’d have a good time doing anything with those two but I can’t think of anything that doesn’t show my political leanings (college admissions doesn’t need to know what I am).</p>
<p>Stop working on essays. That’s nuts. You most likely(hopefully) will have something different and perhaps more insightful to say in a year plus!</p>
<p>@Murphy600: I know, I know, my friends who are seniors have had me look at some of their essays and they’re all so creative and interesting. I’ve just been trying to think of what I could possibly write about to portray myself in an interesting way as well.</p>
<p>You have a great chance of getting into Stanford. Just focus on your passion.</p>
<p>My passion’s politics… not sure how to convey this passion without giving away my personal leanings, which Stanford has no business in knowing.</p>
<p>If your passion is politics I strongly suggest looking at East coast schools like George Washington, Georgetown and other schools that may give you more opportunities in DC</p>
<p>It’s a passionate interest… I have no desire whatsoever to be a politician. Just like how a person whose hobby is hiking may not want to be a professional hiker, and someone with an insect collection may not want to collect bugs for a living. I want to go into the management end of a technology business- Stanford and MIT are probably the two best schools in the world for this. I just like studying politics and learning about the process on the side.</p>
<p>If your passion is politics, let that be reflected in your EC’s. Also, don’t be afraid to let them know your political leanings. Heck, to be involved politically, it’s hard not to reveal your political leanings one way or another. </p>
<p>I hope I can be of some help, because my passion is also politics. Near the beginning of high school, I began chasing my love for politics in earnest. In the years since, I’ve founded a Young Democrats Club at my school, got massively involved in my county’s Democratic party, interned for political candidates, and participated in countless other fun (and incredibly nerdy) political stuff. I’m not saying this all to brag – rather, I want to show how easy it is to get involved in politics. Political parties literally are flocking for young voters, so they love it when there is an enthusiastic young person wanting to volunteer. It really is easy to get involved and to make a difference in your community. </p>
<p>However, becoming involved in political EC’s (if that remains your passion) won’t only help you in the college admissions process, but it will also enrich your life and your world view. Indeed, never do an EC just to please some college admission officer; pursue an activity you love. Getting involved in your passions could very well help you when you apply to colleges, but more importantly, they will give you a larger depth of life experiences and will turn you into a better person.</p>
<p>Okay, I’ll stop my EC rant now. xD Good luck!</p>
try to get your sats to atleast 2250 is the advice I would have given
Ugh! This thread is over four years old!!
You always have a shot at any university; just don’t get your hopes up that much for HYPSM.