<p>Hi all! A little background on me: white girl from the northeast, go to a mediocre parochial school, 4.0 GPA, #1 in class, 2340 SAT, taking three APs now and will take more next year as a senior (maximum amount at my school), president of three clubs (founded one), member of two leadership committees, have a job, and volunteer with computers on the weekends. I just want to know exactly what the title says: what else can I do? I have no major awards (no awards really whatsoever haha) and I'm from the northeast, which I've heard hurts in admissions. I'm interested in engineering and will do an internship that deals with that this summer, but otherwise I have no STEM extracurriculars. I LOVE the startup scene at Stanford but haven't personally created any companies, charities, etc. Do I even have a shot? Should I apply early to show extra interest? How much do essays matter? Any other advice for improving my chances? </p>
<p>To begin, yes you have a shot, you will be a top-level applicant if you apply, there is no doubt about that. At many schools your stats will virtually grant you an acceptance letter. That being said, Stanford (and it’s eastern contemporaries H,Y,P, and MIT) have unfortunately come to the point where an acceptance is partially a matter of luck. What I’m saying is that you have a great chance of being accepted, but even that “great chance” is still a crapshoot (it is for everyone).</p>
<p>So then what can you do to improve your chances? There are a couple things. The first is to write really strong and unique essays. Start early and work hard on them. The essays are the components that separate good applicants from amazing applicants. An amazing set of essays will increase your chances enormously, I cannot stress that enough.</p>
<p>Beyond that, try and do something this summer (or this semester) related to a passion or your intended major. You mentioned that you will have an internship, that’s great! If you can publish a paper that would be phenomenal. Impressive accomplishments like that will separate you from the thousands other great applicants out there will push you towards getting an acceptance letter.</p>
<p>Being from the Northeast does not hurt at all for Stanford, don’t know where you heard that. Depending on the state you live in it may not help, but it certainly won’t hurt. In fact, I’ve heard that Stanford is looking to expand it’s engineering influence across the east coast, so that could help you out, but don’t bank anything on it. </p>
<p>If Stanford is truly your number one school and you feel your application is prepared by the Early Application deadline, then by all means apply early. However, Stanford is one of the few schools in which applying early does not really help unless you have a unique hook. Harvard and many other top-caliber schools actually do favor early applicants, so statistically it may be more advantageous to apply there.</p>
<p>As a senior who just went through the entire college application process, the last piece of advice I can give you is to do everything in your power to not burn out. College apps are tiring and often anxiety-inducing, you simply cannot create a strong application if you force it. Try and enjoy this semester and the following summer. Challenge yourself to do things you’ve never done and push yourself to achieve, but above all, do not let yourself burn out. Save that for second semester senior year if you have to.</p>
<p>Good luck! PM me if you need any help or advice.</p>
<p>Thank you so much RedSn0w! That was unbelievably helpful and encouraging to me :)</p>
<p>Glad I could help 
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