think i have a shot?

Colleges and Universities A-Z Stanford University
1

<p>4.0 gpa unweighted (might become a 3.9 if my spanish teacher screws me over)
Pretty rigorous courseload so far, senior schedule includes genetics & linear algebra at the local uni, as well as AP spanish/comp sci/lit/physics</p>

<p>-AP World/Stats/BC Calc sophomore year: all 5
-AP US/Bio/Chem/Psych/Lang junior year: probably screwed up chem, but others should be 5</p>

<p>SAT: 2400
ACT: 36
SAT Subjects: Math II 800, Bio E 780, World 790 (took them all in sophomore year), planning to take chem this fall</p>

<p>Extracurriculars:
-jv tennis since 9th grade (hopefully ill make varsity this fall but our team almost always -wins state so it's super hard to make varsity u_u)
-math team president since 9th grade
-calc club co-president since 10th grade
-NHS member
-spanish honor society ICC (inter-club-council) representative since 11th grade
-science olympiad ICC representative since 11th grade
-core leader of Wheelers & Dealers (volunteer organization that goes to the old folks' home and plays uno with the residents)
-100+ internship hours @ a biololgical engineering lab during the summer of sophomore year
-200+ volunteer hours @ the veteran's hospital</p>

<p>honors/awards:
-qualified for AIME since 8th grade, highest score was an 8
-highest amc 10 score in my state last year, mediocre amc 12 score this year
-a bunch of science olympiad medals
-GPML (great plains math league) state/national awards
-national spanish exam (silver)
-national history day state runner-up
-qualified for usnco (united states national chemistry olympiad) in sophomore year
-submitting something for siemens this september, hopefully will be a regional semifinalist (fingers & toes crossed~)</p>

<p>this summer:
i'm going on an all-expense-paid trip to DC as part of a leadership conference (around 80 people in my state were chosen) and i'm also attending northwestern's IN FOCUS seminar (insight into medicine- 24 people are chosen)</p>

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<p>lots of people think my scores can carry me, but last year a girl aced the act and sat as well, and was rejected by most (if not all) the ivies. what do you think? </p>

<p>thanx in advance! n__n</p>

2

<p>sphrsy, I don’t do chances, but you’re astute to realize that scores won’t “carry” someone into Stanford or its peer schools. Stats are a big part of the initial qualification hurdle, and obviously yours will pass that hurdle and move you to more in-depth consideration. So: to move from that pile into the “accept” pile, try to create an application that emphasizes a consistent theme. E.g., since you’re strong in math you could highlight math-related activities in your EC responses, get the best recommendations you can from math instructors (including from the linear algebra prof, if possible), etc. I’m just using math focus as one example–you can create a memorable theme for your application in many ways, so long as you can back it up with accomplishments or commitment. In your essay, make sure you elaborate on why Stanford would be the best place to fulfill your academic and other goals, and also what you expect to contribute specifically to the Stanford community. This latter aspect is really important, and a surprising number of people don’t seem to realize it. They go on and on about how much they love Stanford, the great campus, culture, academics, etc. but forget to describe what they themselves would add to the community as students. Good luck.</p>

3

<p>Those stats won’t keep you out, but they won’t get you in alone either. Write good essays.</p>

4

<p>You sir, need to quit.</p>