Tear me to pieces (Stanford)

Chance Me / Match Me!
1

<p>Give me some tough love. I come from a large but noncompetitive public school that sends an applicant to a top school only once every few years, so my counselor thinks that I can get into Stanford on my SAT alone. I need someone who actually knows the score, who understands how selective the top schools really are. That would be you guys.</p>

<p>Tl;dr: please don’t just tell me that my chances are great.</p>

<p>Objective:[ul]
[<em>] SAT I: 2370 (800 CR, 790 Math, 780 Writing)
[</em>] ACT: 36
[<em>] SAT II: Lit and Math II (should be above 750, Lit probably higher)
[</em>] Unweighted GPA: 4.0
[<em>] Rank: 1/478
[</em>] AP: World History (5), U.S. History (5), Calculus AB (5), English 3 (5), Physics (4), German (TBD, self-study), Calculus BC (TBD, self-study), Biology (TBD), U.S. Government (TBD), Macroeconomics (TBD), English 4 (TBD), Psychology (TBD)
[<em>] Senior Year Course Load: Most rigorous available, might not look that impressive to those outside my school (AP Psych is one of our hardest classes and I’ve heard it’s a cakewalk elsewhere)
[</em>] Awards: AP Scholar with Distinction, second place regionally in the VFW Voice of Democracy Audio Essay Competition, Boys’ State Delegate. Lots of local stuff. No National Merit because my school doesn’t promote the PSAT very well. [/ul]Subjective:[ul]
[<em>] Extracurriculars: Varsity water polo, varsity swimming, NHS (president), Speech and Debate Club (president, only for a year, then everyone else graduated and our adviser moved to Germany), theater (playwright, plus all the paperwork and responsibility of president without the title)
[</em>] Job/Work Experience: Math tutoring
[<em>] Volunteer/Community service: Assistant swim coach (4 years), camp counselor (2 years)
[</em>] Essays: About my writing and how I try to bridge the gap between pop culture and “real” culture
[<em>] Teacher Recommendation: Haven’t read them yet, but both will be wildly positive, and at least one will be very well-written
[</em>] Counselor Rec: Amazing (“smartest student in my 18 years of counseling”)[/ul]Other[ul]
[<em>] State: CA
[</em>] School Type: Big, lame public
[<em>] Ethnicity: 1/2 Argentinean, 1/4 Aleutian, 1/4 Jewish
[</em>] Gender: M
[<em>] Income Bracket: Very, very low
[</em>] Hooks: Gay, super-URM, poor, written several novels, had a play performed by theater program, self-published a collection of short stories/essays/poems[/ul]Reflection[ul]
[<em>] Strengths: Test scores, rank, recs, passion for writing plus ability in math and science, pretty much the most minor minority possible
[</em>] Weaknesses: Essays might be a tad uninspired/generic, passion not really conveyed in ECs, from a little-known school in an over-represented region[/ul]</p>

<p>Yes, I stole the template from the results thread. Sue me.</p>

<p>Thanks in advance.</p>

2

<p>You have a strong shot–great stats, low income, not a school they see lots of applicants from. Many schools won’t consider you a URM (Hispanic=Mexican, PR, central American and only sometime S. American) but you have the stats and good tip factors.</p>

<p>I’d apply to more schools on this level though, being from CA is a negative at Stanford so you’d have an even better chance at HYP.</p>

3

<p>if there’s anything that you are missing: volunteering and major awards</p>

<p>but honestly, you are a URM with a 36 ACT and 2370 SAT. you will probably get in. you have good ECs; you have accomplished a lot in HS.</p>

4

<p>Looks pretty good. I can’t see anything that would disadvantage you. You should apply to HYP.
Chance me plz: <a href=“http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/what-my-chances/798570-token-black-kid-its-racist-if-you-dont-chance-me.html[/url]”>http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/what-my-chances/798570-token-black-kid-its-racist-if-you-dont-chance-me.html&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt;

5

<p>Thanks for the the input so far. As to hmom’s suggestion: I’m also considering Yale, though only if I don’t manage Stanford REA.</p>

6

<p>can you please chance me?
<a href=“http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/what-my-chances/798603-chance-ivy-league-stanford-ucs.html[/url]”>http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/what-my-chances/798603-chance-ivy-league-stanford-ucs.html&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt;

7

<p>Sure, I’d love to chance a guy who directly copied my post (including a few of the personal notes) with only minor alterations, then asked for a chance in my thread without even bothering to give a cursory evaluation of my own credentials. I’ll get right on that.</p>

<p>Since you’re obviously a stranger to the ways of the Internet, let me be clear: that was sarcasm.</p>

8

<p>Awesome stats. I find no weaknesses, but try not to push the gay thing too much in your essays, I heard they don’t like that. Standford, is of course, pretty unpredictable in their admissions, but you certainly as admirable an applicant as they will get. Apply to the HYPSMs and you will certainly have a nice choice for college. Good luck!</p>

9

<p>This is going to sound ridiculous, but because your stats are so good, I wouldn’t bet on Stanford. That school is unbelievably weird in who it lets in. You’ll get in just about anywhere else, though-but, of course, apply to Stanford also.</p>

10

<p>You have a much better chance at Stanford than most others. Also you’re in completely with money at UCLA and UCB if you want to go there.</p>

11

<p>Starmie: By the way, I am not trying to start a College Confidential fight, although that would be hilarious, but your behavior towards lxbrianxl is pretty rude. First of all, your stats are absurdly good. You know that if anyone has a chance at Stanford, it’s you. “Tear me to pieces”?? You’re fishing for compliments in a big way. Now, that alone is fine, because I have pretty strong stats but I still am freaking out. So I get the need for affirmation.</p>

<p>But to then copy and paste your own format from someone else’s work and then be exceptionally bad-mannered towards someone else for doing exactly what you did- a new member no less- rings of hypocrisy and ungracious character. I know a girl who cheated on a ton of AP tests with the high school’s knowledge and was still admitted to Stanford. So they obviously don’t judge on character. I’d say you’re in.</p>

12

<p>peggysue: First of all, your post made me very happy. I love Internet conflict.</p>

<p>Second of all, I’m really not here for affirmation. I get plenty of that school. I said I wanted negativity, and I meant it. Your first reply, along with a few others in this thread, was spot-on; I genuinely want to hear things that could keep me out of Stanford. Psychologically, the most valid explanation is that I need something to blame my possible rejection on, other than my own incompetence. So, the exact opposite of affirmation. Though I can see how it might appear that way.</p>

<p>Third of all (thirdly?), I know I was a bit rude, but, to be honest, I think it was relatively gentle, under the circumstances. Copying from my post (and not just the format, but actual personal notes at the end and throughout) is one thing. If he had only done that, I probably would have laughed it off and chanced him. Even if he had just posted in my thread with the typical “Looks great, chance me!”, I would have gone along with it (as I did with Jigawatt above). But to take the time to post here without even commenting on my credentials… That goes beyond simple Internet naivete to actual, real-life lack of tact. I don’t think sarcasm is a disproportionate response, there.</p>

<p>Finally, the phrase “College Confidential fight” made me think of some Wrestlemania-style tournament where typical nerdy CCers brawl to unconsciousness for spots at selective colleges. Thank you for that. :)</p>

13

<p>Fair enough. I just am bothered by rudeness in general but I suppose I wasn’t terribly kind either. For some reason, I’d picture a CC fight involving anime avatars wielding pixelated battleaxes. But that may only be me.</p>

14

<p>First off, PeggySue: Ownage…</p>

<p>And Starmie: Are you kidding? If you’re honestly worried about acceptance anywhere with your stats youre being ridiculous. Maybe you are ■■■■■■■■? ‘gay, minority, author, poor, 36 ACT, val, 2 letters, theatre’, honestly you probably have no friends and to be so egotistical at the same time for someone plugging on your thread. And the impression i get from your profile is that you have wasted your childhood so you can be accepted to one of these schools. With all your unabashed pride, I doubt you are poor, or even that smart, or that you have fun with friends…although I don’t doubt that you are gay.</p>

15

<p>i swear to god i know i kid who got into stanford with a 27 so a 36 is a guarentee. His name is Thomas Hendee</p>

16

<p>SayWhat?: I originally wrote a lengthy reply to your message that took it quite seriously, ignored the homophobic implication at the end, and explained that I’m actually quite poor, that I never even considered a four-year college until sophomore year, that I didn’t study at all for the SAT and the ACT, etc. But, honestly, there’s a ■■■■■ who keeps PMing me to ask why I am “a ■■■,” claiming that he just can’t get over the fact that I am “black” (this is news to me), “gay, and homosexual” (yes, both!), so I really don’t have the patience right now. I’m sorry if I came across as egotistical or ridiculous. I should have known better than to post on CC with good stats.</p>

<p>Have a nice day.</p>

17

<p>You’ve got great applicant stats, but the only thing that might keep you out of Stanford is how pompous you are. I’m actually being kind of serious–your underlying personality in this thread could be a huge turnoff. You’re incredibly accomplished and obviously very smart, but it’s clear that you’re pompous as all hell and that could reflect badly on your application as a prospective student. </p>

<p>tl;dr nobody likes a d o u c h e</p>

18

<p>Seabear: In all seriousness, I really do apologize if I came off as egotistical. Usually, in real life, it’s very clear that I don’t take myself seriously at all, and I can understand how that wouldn’t come through here.</p>

<p>I find this whole thing rather funny, actually, since I’m kind of known in real life for my self-deprecating humor and relaxed attitude towards grades/college. I guess I’m just in a mood today. :P</p>

19

<p>You’ve got really great stats and I think you have an amazing chance at any school.</p>

<p>But I do kind of agree with everyone else about your “pompous” attitude.
I have a friend just like you…Obviously smart, and known for his “self-deprecating humor and relaxed attitude towards grades/college” but he’s actually very selfconfident and usually people who are self-deprecating do it so they can get sympathy/compliments.
It may not be true but that’s how it comes off as.</p>

<p>Anyway you have a great chance</p>

20

<p>Seriously, do you have to be that mean? I don’t know how else to do it, so I copy and pasted the first example (yours). I apologize if I “copied” some of the personal things you have written, but consider them compliments as I could not have worded it better.</p>