<p>Hi, I am a Freshmen is High School, and I aspire to go to Stanford, I am trying my best, am I doing everything right?
-Cross Country Captain
We always go to Nationals</p>
<p>-Class President
Our school is rated #2 in MA, I do not know if that helps :L</p>
<p>-Debate LD
Debating is fun, really helps for public speaking and persuading!</p>
<p>-Latin
It will help me learn other languages, and will hopefully help on the SATs</p>
<p>I am certainly trying my best
Is this “good enough” so far? </p>
<p>Any reason why you’re interested in Stanford specifically?</p>
<p>It’s important to remember that Stanford is the most selective university in the country and (don’t take this personally) you’re probably not going to get in no matter what you do. Obviously you need to score really high on the SAT/ACT, get all As in the most challenging classes possible (or close), write amazing essays, and show commitment and accomplishment in whatever ECs you do. Since you’re a freshman and you haven’t yet done most of what you’re going to do in high school (and since I’m a know-nothing high school student), it’s hard to say much of anything else. </p>
<p>Agh, I understand how hard it is, but I keep hearing unique-ness is key</p>
<p>@aHashtag “Our school is rated #2 in MA, I do not know if that helps”</p>
<p>Honestly that will only make the colleges expect more of you, a lot more from you actually. Everyone trying to get into an ivies is pretty qualified, and diverse. The fact that only 5% get into the schools should tell you that your chance of getting in is about 5%.</p>
<p>The most selective schools are looking to build a diverse student body. As such, your gender and ethnic background will have a major part to play. Best advice I can give is to be yourself and do what you like, not what will build a resume. Do your best at what you do and don’t fixate on a particular school. You need to set yourself apart, invent something, start a charity, write a book…but if these things are not ‘you’ don’t bother as you would be miserable at the school. My niece went to grad school at Stanford. Spent a few years doing Teach for America first…that helped set her apart. Relax. Wherever you end up, you will do well if you apply yourself.</p>
<p>
Does gender matter if you’re not applying to colleges with an unbalanced gender ratio (e.g. some colleges have a lot more women than men, so men have an advantage)?</p>
<p>@halcyonheather When people talk about gender imbalances, they are talking about more men than women. </p>
<p>A woman only has an advantage if she’s going into a male-dominated field (usually STEM other than biology). There are some colleges (especially LACs, I think) with way more women than men overall that give a slight advantage to men. </p>
<p>Sounds good. Just don’t let the whole “building your resume” get in the way of finding something you are truly passionate about. If there’s anything top-notch schools like, it’s seeing students that are truly passionate about something. Most of the kids applying are class presidents, on the debate team, speak four languages, etc. Make your application interesting. Find something that’ll make you stand out!</p>
<p>Ok you guys, thanks for telling me, and I WANT to invent something, I WANT to make a charity, I think it would be fun doing those things. Now I will try to do these things, but because they will be enjoyable, not to help my resume.
Thanks!</p>
<p>Inventing something will help your resume, though.</p>