jamboree22

I have a very erratic application. Wonderful scores/ECs, pretty good service, semi-hook, poor GPA. This is gonna make for some interesting college app decisions...but do I really have any shot at Stanford? I'm not really expecting much.

I don't want to waste anyone's time with a 7 page long list of achievements or something. But here are the most important parts of my App. I left out a lot of less important stuff where I didn't have leadership positions and whatnot.

My application is based a lot around my interest/activities in the environment, my scores, and my achievements outside of school in various activities.


Everything I XX is stuff I will particularly try to highlight somewhere in my app.

XX SAT: 800M, 800CR, 750W
SAT IIs: 740 Math I, 720 Math II, 750 Literature, 700 biology

GPA: 3.48 Unweighted/4.17 Weighted (Top 8% in class) In magnet school. But yes my GPA is bad for top schools.
But my first senior semester GPA was a 3.85

Leadership:
XX Tennis team captain/3 year MVP (Top rank of 17th individual in my State)

XX Environmental Action Team President/founder

Founder of Ultimate Frisbee Club at School

XXX Leader of several service projects at school including one called Food Wars, which won a National award for creativity and success. Other projects included sending hundreds of letters overseas for troops, collecting books for soldiers, and planning/doing special olympics.

XX Youth Activities Organizer in my Apartment Complex (plan festivals, fairs, etc.)

Head Tutor at where I tutor (1st-8th grade students)

Extracurriculars

XX Tennis Team (Captain)

Ultimate Team (Co-captain)

Math Team (State Champion team)

XX Environmental Action Team (President)

Envirothon team (7th place at State competition)

XX Top 10 ranked high school chess player in my state, top 100 player among all players in my state.

Academic Achievement

XXX Winner of State Spelling Bee in 2008, Attended Scripps National Spelling Bee in Washington D.c., PLaced 60th out of 273.

XX Accepted to Keystone National Youth Policy Summit, debated/drafted Environmental policy there. Chosen as one of 6 students to propose final policies to local officials.

AP Scholar with Distinction (Becoming National AP scholar this year) Average of 4.2 on exams.

National Merit Commended Student

1st Place at Regional Science Fair and other county awards

Winner of Presentation contest for Research Symposium

School-wide Essay contest winner "Why 9/11 should be remembered"

Mu Alpha Theta/National Honor Society (Not really important)


Community Service

XX Community Tennis Coach for underprivileged (60 hours)
Community Tutor (40 hrs.)
XX Youth Activities Organizer (40 hrs.)
XX Goodwill Emporium volunteer (25 hrs.)
Elementary School Fundraiser volunteer (20 hrs.)
adopt-a highway participant (20 hrs.)

And a bunch of other smaller stuff. About 250 hrs. total.

My essays are great. And my recommendations were very nice.

So what do you guys think? How far of a reach?

Plantlady123

As you know, Stanford is extremely selective. That said, you do have some unusual gifts/hooks. So you'll just have to wait and see. Sorry I can't be more helpful!

test101

Better chance than most, but don't get your hopes up. Everyone should expect a rejection.

M's Mom

You know that Stanford doesn't include your freshman grades in their GPA calculation, right? Does that help?

Blitz95

Honestly, all I can say is that you will never know until you apply! I remember recalling a person on here you got into Stanford with a 3.5/6 gpa because of her essays and ECs. Do not be afraid of rejection. If you do not get accepted, it is because it was never meant to be. I recommend try to distinguish yourself from others. Try to prove to admission officers why they should pick you over someone who has a 3.9 or 4.0. It is not the end of the world if you do not get in. Just keep your head up! Good Luck!

SheepGetKilled

Low Subject Tests + Low GPA + poor Class rank = rejection

Honestly a high SAT reasoning doesn't count for much on its own.

Momzie

High test scores and a low GPA is usually read as "this person is smart but extremely lazy." not a winning combination -- unless you can show that there is some underlying issue, like a learning disability, that explains why you underperformed throughout high school relative to your peers.

Cocytus

In my opinion, you have a decent shot, since your ECs are pretty darn amazing...and it never hurts to apply!

You went to the 2008 National Spelling Bee? I was there too! :P

jamboree22

Are my SAT IIs really poor? Like I know they aren't good but I never thought they were straight bad.

jamboree22

And nice Cocytus How did you do?

Renomamma

Your SAT II tests are fine.