Take a Chance on Me

Colleges and Universities A-Z Stanford University
1

<p>I developed a rather late dream of attending Stanford. I want to get an honest interpretation of my chances at ACTUALLY surviving the admissions process from some of the folks on here. So, with respect to objectivity, fire away:</p>

<p>ACT Composite: 34 (Not sure of superscore)
GPA: 3.62 (More on this later)
AP's: Euro History, Biology, Psychology, English Lang./Comp., US History
Rank: Top 4%
Senior Year Courses: Calc BC, AP Physics B, AP Econ, Microbiology, Broadcasting, Fitness and Performance, AP Literature</p>

<p>AP Scholar, Honor Roll, State Achievement Exam Accolades, Top Documentary for School Radio Program of 50 years, Finalist for American Cancer Society Research Grant/Intership</p>

<p>EC's:
National Honor Society
Key Club
DECA (Business Club): First Place Sectional Competition, State Competitor
Friends of Rachel
School Radio Station News Director/ Administrative Manager (Heavy involvement; big EC for me)
Kiva: microfinance for small businesses in the Third World
Community service :150+ hours at Cancer Support Center, St. Baldricks (Cancer)
Scholastic Bowl
Cross Country(JV, Varsity)- 3 Years
Lacrosse(Varsity Captain)- 3 Years
Oraganized Japan Tsunami Relief Fundraiser/ Cultural Awareness Event
State Psychology Bowl- 2nd Place
Tutoring Hours: 200+ at School</p>

<p>I'm Caucasian, come from a large (750 in my class) public highschool in the Southside Chicago that is mostly African American. We're a working class family (80,000/year).</p>

<p>The reason that my GPA is so low is that I have had recurring medical issues (Kidney stones, Cancer) that have kept me in and out of school for most of my highschool career. Also, my father suffered a serious car accident in my Freshman year that detrimented us financially when he could not work (in coma, then unable to work due to traumatic brain injury) and mentally when his injury affected his personality (normal vasillating to psychotically enraged)- something that we've struggled to cope with.</p>

<p>So, I don't want this to be a sob-story, I just want this inordinately selective school to look at what I have been through and then weight it hopefully as good life experience; a pipe-dream I know.</p>

2

<p>Was it a wet dream?</p>

3

<p>Lol at #2.</p>

<p>I’m really not someone who can actually chance people, seeing as I’m an international, and I’m a junior like you. But honestly, I think you have a great chance at Stanford. Indeed you have gone through some tough ****, and managing everything you’ve done is amazing.</p>

<p>Hey, maybe we’ll both get in haha!</p>

4

<p>It won’t be a sob story to the adcoms if you say how your experiences have shaped you…good luck! You won’t know what will happen unless you try :)</p>