Should my daughter apply

usafa2011dad · 04-21-2008, 10:25 AM

My daughter is currently a junior in HS. We are wondering what her chance of admission are to a school such as Stanford.

Her SAT scores are not all that stellar.
CR 690 / M 630 / W 630
She is currently getting individualized tutor, but even if they go up, they are not going to be anywhere near some of the scores I have seen posted on here.
Her ACT scores from her first test were E 30 / M 27 / R 34 / S 27 / Comp 30
I am confident her Math will definately go up to a 30 at least on the next one.

Here current GPA is: 3.9333/4.7837 and will be around 3.97/5.2 at the end of her junior year this year.

She has had on AP class her soph year and has 5 this year and 2 honors as well. Spanish IV and Italian III for the honors.

She is also in the IB program and taking all the appropriate AP/IB classes for that.

She has been varsity track for 3 years.

Italian Club secretary and treasurer
NHS Service Head.

Ballet for 12 years
Piano for 11 years

Tons of community service here in the US and also in Spain and Ecuador.

Anyway, I am sure I am leaving something out so let me know if more information is needed.

Appreciate any honest opinions on if she should even bother to apply with her lower test scores. She will be retaking again SAT in May and ACT in June.

Thanks

pearandson · 04-21-2008, 12:14 PM

class rank is so important! colleges like stanford look for students that stand out from his or her peers. if her rank is 60 or so, and she doesn't have a defensible reason why it's low (I.e., sickness, abuse), then chances are she won't have a good chance of getting into a top-tier school. listen, though: arbitrary standards like good grades and good test scores aren't the end all factor. schools are looking for three things in particular:
1. the student will be able to flourish in the school's environment-- this means she must demonstrate that she has the capacity to cope with a rigorous curriculum. this comes from grades, test scores, and sometimes recs
2. the student is special-- there is something out of school that keeps her motivated. this doesn't mean religion or an extracurricular activity, but rather a philosophy or outlook on life that is unique and really sets the individual apart. this is devised by admissions through essays and recs
3. The student will be active-- this is why ECs are so important. they demonstrate that students do really have passions outside of the classroom. schools don't want kids who study all day and don't socialize. They want students that give back.
let me advise you, though: these aspects of an individual cannot be contrived. essays need to be an honest, positive assessment of the self. whether or not she has what it takes is up to them.
everyone has a shot for these schools. the risk of failure shouldn't deter her from applying

usafa2011dad · 04-21-2008, 12:24 PM

Right now, she is 45/559. If she keeps the grades she has so far this semester, I think she will probably be around 30/559. Her HS is extremely competitive. The valedictorian's gpa is usually around a 5.4 - 5.5 and then there is usually 20 - 25 kids who have taken extra classes every summer to hype their gpa. That is not my daughter. She takes tough classes for sure and is in the IB program which is the toughest program you can do at her school.

Thanks for the feedback

FresnoMom · 04-21-2008, 06:21 PM

I think coming from NC is a plus. :-)

SAT writing is pretty formulaic (it shouldn't be hard for her to score higher once she knows what they are looking for)

What Stanford seems to like are students that are unique in some way....
what sounds the most interesting is the ballet and possibly the community service in Spain and Ecuador.

It really boils down to her essays and letters of recs....

usafa2011dad · 04-21-2008, 06:47 PM

Thanks FresnoMom

Why would coming from NC be a plus?

She is definately getting her essay formula worked out as she has improved that from an 8 - 11 with her tutoring. Unfortunately, I am just not sure that much weight gets put on the essay.

In addition to her Spain and Ecuador trip, she will also be headed on a sailing trip this summer in some far off islands of the caribbean to learn to sail, scuba dive and perform many hours of community service in the small islands that they will be stopping at on their 600 mile voyage.

I know, sounds pretty cushy. But it is a small boat with a small crew which will require great teamwork, hard work and alternating leadership to make the voyage and earn her credentials. Should also provide lots of hours for reflection on what she wants to pursue as she moves forward.

mercruz · 04-21-2008, 08:12 PM

Wow good job! I agree with FresnoMom

Quote:

What Stanford seems to like are students that are unique in some way....
what sounds the most interesting is the ballet and possibly the community service in Spain and Ecuador.

It really boils down to her essays and letters of recs....

by the way, FresnoMom, is your son/daughter going to Stanford this year?

FresnoMom · 04-21-2008, 08:22 PM

I think Stanford is looking for a student body with diverse experience, and NC adds geographic diversity.

Husband, son and I are going to Admit Weekend this weekend and then son will decide. Mercruz, are you going to Admit Weekend?

whylion · 04-21-2008, 10:09 PM

How about making a tape of her dance or piano perfomance? If they like it it could overcome scores on the low end of the range. There are cases of talented kids getting into Stanford this way (their music and dance programs aren't that great)

mercruz · 04-21-2008, 10:36 PM

Yes I am actually, FresnoMom. I'm also from Fresno so I'm sure I'll be seeing you soon at the send-off dinner (I hear the Alumnis have one every summer).