Trying to get into Stanford!

Colleges and Universities A-Z Stanford University
1

As the title clearly indicates, I am trying to get into Stanford. I am currently a Junior, and time is running out to get a solid application going.

I’m shooting for a 34 on the ACT (my current score is a 29 w/o studying much, but that’s not the focus of this section so please don’t worry about that) and I currently have a 3.99 GPA (UW). I have taken 4 and a half AP classes (1 my freshman year, 1 my sophomore year, and 2 my junior year–I was taking 3 but had to drop one after a semester due to a lot of stress going on). I am currently planning on taking 2-3 AP classes my senior year (so 6-7 in total). I am currently in the top 10% of my class–right now I’m at 37/413, but I still have a teacher who hasn’t fixed a mistake grade from a past term (super annoying, but that’s another story for another day), so I should be even higher than that.

I am currently running my own small, commission-based business that caters to a very specific niche (custom costume design business that I run off Instagram). So far, I’ve made around $780 off it this last year–it’s not a lot, but again, it is super small/commission-based. I have been swimming this year and intend to swim my senior year as well–I made it to state in the Women’s 200 medley relay (I swim butterfly). I also participate in Model UN/Model EU, and have around 4 honorable mentions and 3 excellent delegate awards. I’m also the vice-president/co-founder of the Korean Culture and Language Club at my school (even though I’m white, so I don’t have any cultural advantage there :c). I am a part of NHS and currently have around 100 hours of service (not a lot, but I’ll talk about that later). I have been placed in many church leadership positions, including the president over two different girls’ groups and part of a youth planning committee. I currently work at Dairy Queen, and I’m doing reasonably well–I’m generally well-liked by my fellow employees, I’ve received a cumulative $1.75 raise since the time I started, and I received a small award for excellent attitude and going above and beyond. I’ve also been playing piano for a year, but that’s more of a hobby than anything and I have absolutely no decent awards to show for it.

While this is all nice and dandy, it’s not quite enough to get into a place like Stanford. I have all sorts of awards, etc. I could go for during my senior year (Sterling Scholar, NHD finalist, Swim Academic All-Star, etc), but all of these and many more possibilities all release their results AFTER the restricted early application deadline (Nov 1st). So, what do I do to help me stand out before that deadline comes?

I have some ideas, of course: since my main focus/“spike” is business (I absolutely love the idea of tech/other startups, etc), I intend to take my current business to a convention in the summer and sell at a booth during the con. I also want to work on another startup idea and try presenting it to an organization in my area called Million Cups (sort of like pitching, only you get feedback instead of investments). It’s not a lot of time to get a business up and running, but I work quickly. I also plan to run a free kids’ coding camp over the spring (maybe summer) to get kids interested in computer programming, and I’m going to volunteer somewhere very soon. I’m currently looking for a business/technology-based internship to get involved with as well–I’m also on the lookout for any opportunities that reward girls involved with computer programming, etc.

These ideas, if they go well, should certainly help, but there are a lot of other things (especially business-related stuff) that I want to have under my belt in time for my application. So, do any of you guys have any other opportunities/suggestions that I can give a try? I really want to be able to get in, but I feel vastly incompetent compared to what a lot of people have applied with.

2

You need an actual ACT score.

Stanford is ridiculously selective. Try to et interested in other schools, otherwise you may be setting yourself up for a big disappointment.

3

@publisher Like I said, I have my own work I’m doing for my ACT score. I’m taking it at the end of this month, and I’m projecting to raise my score by a solid two points already. I’m not looking for advice on my score right now, since I have that under control. Thank you, though!

4

Even with a very high score such as a 35 or a 36, Stanford is still unlikely for any applicant. I just encourage you to look at other colleges & universities.

5

@publisher Don’t worry, I am! I understand how difficult it is to get into Stanford, and if I don’t get in, it’s not going to be the end of the world. However, I’m going to give myself the best chance possible, so I’m putting in as much effort as I can to get in.

6

(bump)

7

You’re a little overly critical of yourself. You’re ECs are great and your plans to enter competitions are great. If you can get a 34 on your ACT you’re in good shape, but you still have a higher chance of getting rejected than accepted. The only thing that can really make your chances better are things out of your control like 1st gen, URM, legacy etc… Good luck.

8

@a20171 Ah, thank you very much. Obviously, it’s going to be really difficult, so I appreciate the encouragement (and honesty)!

9

No you don’t.

You have a 29 ACT.
The problem is that you aren’t seeking advice. You are looking for someone to tell you how stellar you are and that you’ll get in. No one can tell you that unless he/she is on the admissions committee.

. @Publisher is spot on.

My husband is a Stanford grad. Our son was supposed to interview with Stanford, but couldn’t because of other time commitments with interviews at other ivies. Honestly, the only reasons I think he was being considered was because of his legacy and URM status, along with an amazing SAT score and excellent GPA.

Stanford has minimal space. The university itself is large, but the class they admit is relatively small.

Get some backups since your EC’s and stats are all over the place. Unless you are the daughter of a former president, a celebrity, an Olympian, or you have solved a world crisis, your chances are very slim.

10

@“aunt bea” Once again, I am simply looking for ideas to help improve my EC area of my application. I know that the odds are not in my favor. I know my ACT score is not where it needs to be right now. I have explored a ton of other colleges that I’m also very interested in and I do have quite a few in-state and out-of-state backups, but Stanford is at the top of my list and I want legitimate advice for what I can control, because I can’t change the fact that I don’t have some crazy legacy or world-changing titles. I understand that, but there’s no reason focusing on it if I can’t change it. I am doing the best that I can given the situation I am in. Thank you for your concern and advice, though.

11

I think that you should apply to Stanford. Studying to improve your ACT score makes sense. If you enjoy your small business then it makes sense to continue working on it and to mention it in your various university applications.

However, I think that your primary energy should be figuring out where you intend to actually attend university next year, and keeping up your GPA, and being happy with whatever you are doing. Stanford is a very long shot and its admissions is both unlikely and unpredictable.

When I went back to graduate school I didn’t get into my top choice. I went to my second choice instead and loved it (and did well). You sound like you are very likely to do very well wherever you end up. However, you shouldn’t get too focused on any one school at this point.

12

@DadTwoGirls Thank you very much for the advice! I know there are a lot of great schools out there and I’m sure I’ll be happy no matter where I end up. I’m glad everything turned out well for you, and I appreciate you reaching out to me!

13

There is no magic EC that will get you into Stanford. If you think your spike is business, then take your business EC as far as you can. Someone else will have robotics or violin or medical volunteering or football. It’s all good.

14

@AroundHere Of course, thank you!

15

Just curious, are you from Utah? (You don’t have to respond if you don’t feel comfortable sharing)

16

@studious99 Yes, I am haha. It was pretty obvious from my ECs if you’re familiar/from Utah at all, so I figured someone would figure it out.

17

Going from 29 to 34 within a few months is not easy, not even for those only practice the test every weekend without spending time on EC. Don’t focus on any school at this point. Focus on your school work and test prep. Taking a test without much studying is a big mistake already. Don’t make this mistake again. Stanford and many other schools want all scores. Have you taken any subject test particularly Math 2? Being within the top 10% of the class is essential but not sufficient for top schools. If you do have the academic stat, then your EC may help you to stand out. As of now, your stat may not even pass the first reader at Stanford.

18

@billcsho Thanks for your advice on the SAT II and the stats! I’ll definitely maker sure to put more energy into them. i
I know my ACT score definitely a huge jump, and I know I should have prepared better when I first took it. I’m studying every single day now, and I’m averaging a 36 on English, 35 on reading, a 27 on math, and a 28 on science so I still have a lot of ground to cover, but I’m getting better. Also, as far as I’m aware, Stanford admissions doesn’t require you to send all your ACT scores, just all your SAT ones. I haven’t taken any SAT II tests yet, but I plan to take a couple as soon as possible (my school has never once mentioned them before, so I had no clue they even existed until fairly recently). I’m not sure which ones, but I’m going to talk with my counselor as to what might be best for me. I’ll definitely look into the Math 2 one, but I’d probably do substantially better on the US/World History, Literature, or Spanish tests since that’s where I’m stronger. As I mentioned lightly in my original post, my ranking in my school should be a LOT higher than the stat I gave, but there is a mistake grade from a previous term that I am still waiting for a teacher to fix. Regardless, thank you for your advice! I know Stanford is going to be difficult to get into, but I’ll do the best I can and in the end, things will turn out as they’re meant to be–even if that means Stanford is out of the picture. :slight_smile:

19

Stanford looks at all your test scores. Even if you get your ACT up, your odds of getting into Stanford are close to zero (if you are first gen then that would help). You are halfway through your junior year. About the only EC that could help you get into Stanford would be doing something at an extremely high national level (debate champ, academic contests, research published). If anything, if all you care about is maximizing your chances of getting into Stanford, you are doing too many ECs at the expense of doing one activity at the national level. Schools like Stanford are not really interested in well-rounded kids like you. They want the national debate champ, the best basketball player, the kid with the patent, etc. That said, high school is a team to discover yourself so if you love all the activities you are doing, you should absolutely keep doing them. Discovering who you are and what you love is infinitely more valuable than trying to maximize your chances of getting into a highly selective college.

20

Ignore these grumpy grownups and go for it. There’s something about your spirit and the way you’ve been fielding the comments from the naysayers here that I find very appealing, and Stanford adcom just might too. Stanford is well known for taking people who show enthusiasm and positive energy, and who pursue their sincere interests to a deep level even in the face of less than perfect stats. There’s no one formula for success, nor is achievement on a national level a requirement. Work on that ACT score, and make sure your unique personality shines through in your essays and you just might get lucky. (though, as no one needs to remind you, odds of admission are extremely slim for almost everyone).