Am I on track for Stanford University?

test101
Fri, 09 Mar 2012 13:34:15 +0000

PSAT is pretty low, but you have time to improve. I went from 176 PSAT and 1760 SAT, to 2150 over a few tests.

You should cut down on a few ECs and focus on the ones that demonstrate your inclination towards Law. I’d suggest that you continue with Model UN and gain a leadership position, JSA, attempt to gain some sort of leadership position in FBLoA, and continue with all of your athletics, as well as your summer plans. Community Service is a must, and can heavily influence admission decisions. A friend of mine with lower academics and extracurricular activities was accepted to Stanford with 1000 hours of community service.

Don’t stack up on sub-par ECs just to fill up your resume (Stanford will only see five of them on the Common App), but instead focus on improving your existing ones.

With more time focused on fewer ECs, you will have time to study and improve your grades which are, at this point, well below Stanford’s average.

Make sure to not fall behind on the application, and to get it done well ahead of time so that you have as much time as possible to perfect your essays. Get them reviewed by others for spelling, grammar, and clarity, but DO NOT let them change any content. Your voice MUST be genuine.

You certainly have potential, and a clear purpose. The chances of you being accepted to Stanford are extremely slim, as they are with anyone. You have time to improve, and I suggest you do so. Know WHY you want to go to Stanford. And finally, do not state what your passion is, but demonstrate it through the language and tone of your essays.