attenuation

As an unhooked ORM from a competitive geographical region/public school, I am having a very hard time deciding whether or not to apply SCEA to stanford. It has been my first choice since early on in middle school, but after perusing these threads, I am under the impression that unless you are an internationally renown chemist/pianist/businessman/diplomat with multiple USAMO/IMO/USAChO medals, you stand little chance during the SCEA round of stanford admissions and are better off applying RD. What's more, stanford straight-out rejects many of its SCEA applicants and defers only a small percentage, unlike other schools in the same tier.

Stats-wise, I don't think I have much of a weakness. My academics are not flawless, but they are to that point where I know that if I was rejected from any school it wouldn't have been because my academics were not strong enough (straight As with hardest courseload of 16 APs by graduation, 2300+ SAT, 760 or higher on all subject tests). I have five meaningful leadership positions in activities that I've devoted myself to throughout my entire HS career; I also have regional, state, and national awards in those activities. I will send in a supplementary materials portfolio. I am a decent writer (national writing awards, publications, etc.), have a good deal of respect from my peers and teachers, and have made a considerable and effective effort to give back to my community in nearly all the activities I've participated in. I'm modest, witty, considerate, and dedicated, though I am quiet at times. Most importantly, I know that I'm not one of those robotic kids who study all day and do everything to pad their resumes.
Other notes: I don't need to wait for senior year to raise my grades; I don't need to wait to take more tests/get more scores.

However, I have not done ANYTHING earth-shattering. I am afraid that in the eyes of the Stanford admissions committee, I will be just another hardworking ORM ("oh, look, another New Jersey or Maryland applicant... pft... they're all the same...") who falls short of qualifying for admissions; one who pales in comparison to the science-fair and entrepreneuring superstars found in the SCEA applicant pool.

Stanford is my absolute first choice; I've researched it to death and while I understand that it's not the end of the world if I ultimately get rejected, I still want to maximize my chances when I apply, and timing (SCEA v RD) might be an issue. I would really appreciate any advice you have that might help me decide: SHOULD I APPLY EARLY OR NOT?

Thanks so much!

lolcats4

I am in the same boat as you and undecided as well =/

nngmm

I don't think applying to Stanford early gives you a significant advantage. But if it is your absolute first choice, and your application is not going to get any stronger, there is no reason not to try it.

You certainly have what it takes to get in - that is not to say that you will, but you have a good enough chance. If you get in early, your senior year will be much more fun.

Go for it. Just make sure you "come alive" in your application. And ask teachers who are good writers and LOVE you to write your recs.

mercruz

@ attenuation: Although this is basically a chance-thread, which I detest, you do actually have a "hook." You have the same hook that I believe Stanford seeks-continuous leadership roles+Nat'l honors. And SCEA does give an advantage, just look at the percentages, they're slightly better. Bon Chance!

eatsalot

I AM IN THE EXACT SAME SITUTATION.

i know how you feel - ridiculously frustrating

attenuation

er, yeah, sorry, I tried to make it more subtle by not outright listing my resume and only referring to several things.
Either way, I'm still an ORM who isn't amazing.
But don't people who get rejected SCEA feel like they could have applied RD and gotten accepted? That's my main concern...

Newjack88

1.) Most of the kids who get into Stanford are relatively "normal" and have activities, grades, test scores, etc. similar to yours.

2.) You are an excellent candidate.

3.) Just suck it up and apply. Yea, rejection sucks but regret sucks even more.

EDIT:
They are just wrong. If you are rejected in the EA round that's like an emphatic "no we don't want you" because the admissions officers wouldn't have even received all of the applications yet. If they are thinking the RD round is easier they are mistaken; if they feel they could have put together a better application then that's more reasonable.

Personally, I would apply RD just so you have that extra time to work on your application. You also give you teachers Thanksgiving and other breaks to write you a good recommendation.

nngmm

The only people who benefit from RD are those who need more time on the application. If you are rejected EA, you'd be rejected RD as well (otherwise you'll be at least deferred).

arwen15

One thing to consider carefully is how much experience in creating applications you would have applying SCEA to Stanford V RD. I believe Stanford is relatively much more into your essays and how you express yourself than comparable institutions and much less into the SAT scores.

Applying SCEA gives you that much more of a disadvantage in experience
level in creating the application content - What is the advantage then?

curious77

While Stanford makes an expressed effort to make final decisions in SCEA, there are some deferrals and some of those students do get in RD. S's friend was deferred SCEA and accepted RD last year. S was accepted SCEA with no national awards. He is a white suburban applicant with great grades and SATs. The reason he was accepted, perhaps were his essays that all displayed his passion. Most of his awards, regional and local, related to that passion as did his ECs and his free-time activities. My view is that you should apply SCEA. Stanford likes to see that the student's first choice is Stanford and you clearly will reflect that in your essays. Two final points, focus a considerable amount of effort on your short essays and select an unusual person to write the optional recommendation.

attenuation

Thank you for all your replies. I guess I will try to apply early, then.
What do you mean by select an "unusual person" to write the optional recommendation? Shouldn't it just be another person that knows you well?

nngmm

I think what curious meant by "unusual person" is "not just another teacher". I actually do not quite agree with that. It does not matter who the person is, but it is important for this recommendation to give an additional dimension to your application, an not to be "just" another teacher rec... Kids often ask their coaches, research mentors, etc. to write it.

FresnoMom

Re: additional rec

We live on a farm so a big part of my son's life is about living and working on the farm. We weren't sure if this was the correct thing to do, but my husband wrote the optional rec (because only my husband could address son's work on the farm).

The way I see it, the grades, test scores, etc show how "smart" the applicant is and the letters of rec (and essays) show more of the personality/character. My son deliberately asked teachers that knew him outside of class to write the recs.

ORM = over represented minority? I think most schools would consider my son an ORM but because we live in a rural area, perhaps son is also considered an URM.

Son got into Stanford early action and will be attending Admit Weekend in a couple of days.

curious77

The "unusual person" could be another teacher, just select someone who has a unique view of you and can say different things about you. Many college apps require one "techie" teacher rec and one "fuzzy" teacher rec. And usually they require the recs to be teachers you had in high school. Stanford, for example, just crosses out all 9th grade information on your transcript and tells you not to include 9th grade activities and accomplishments. That is why it is so nice that they allow an optional rec. My son used his middle school English teacher who had taught him for three years and truly "got" my son's humor and writing style. Just be open to asking someone who otherwise would not be able to write a college rec for you.
An unusual zip code is a plus. We know someone admitted from Alaska.

attenuation

Wow, they don't even look at 9th grade activities? What if there was something exceptional in ninth grade? That doesn't seem to make sense. Stanford does not require it, but it's probably recommended that you get a recommendation from a humanities teacher and one from a math/science teacher, right?