Some information about me:
White male interested in EE or CS
GPA: 4.0 UW, have taken all the honors classes possible
SAT: 1500 (will retake, expecting 1540-1580)
Subject Tests: Math 2: 800, Physics: 800
APs: AP Computer Science-5; AP Biology-5; AP US History-5; AP Spanish-5
ECs:
- []Intern at NASA working prototype for potential mars mission
[]Position on school robotics team and led a hardware project benefitting blind student with cerebral palsy
[]Eagle scout
[]Competitively solve Rubik’s Cubes and was featured in a related episode of Morgan Freeman’s through the wormhole tv show
[]Culture exchange program in South America where I led a project to improve the local health center
[]Webmaster for school publication
I have legacy and Stanford (both parents), and would like to apply there early. Is it worth applying early to Stanford, or should I aim for an easier school?
Additionally, I would like to ask about my culture exchange program. I lived with a host family in south america, and led a hardware project benefitting the health center. Should I write at all about this, or even include it on my EC list? I’ve heard it is too common of a topic and is viewed negatively.
Thanks!
you will get in because of your parents
You may get in. If you do, it will be because of your achievements which are substantial.
My opinion is that if Stanford is #1 on your list, you should apply there early. Your exchange program should be on your EC list and it could also be included in and essay if it had a big impact on you and if it helps establish your overall narrative.
I agree with the comment above. Include the exchange program on your EC list and apply ED to stanford. You have a good chance and I think you will get in, because your legacy gets you over the hump. Best of luck and chance me back?
Were you by any chance part of the VASTS Program in Virginia? I happened to do something exactly like planning a mission to Mars as part of that program just a few weeks ago.
“Should I write at all about this, or even include it on my EC list? I’ve heard it is too common of a topic and is viewed negatively.”
I’ve seen this referred to as “poverty tourism”, when wealthy people send their kids on expensive mission trips. The money spent would have been much more effectively used by donating it directly to the organization.
“Were you by any chance part of the VASTS Program in Virginia?”
No, I wasn’t part of that program.
I would like to avoid any “poverty tourism” connotations (although, lots of the money was fundraised and it was a budget trip living with a host family). The question is what should I include it in my EC list or even write about it.
Also, how much do you think my Stanford application will rely on the essay? I’m not to confident in my writing ability…
IMO your essays will be very important to your chances at Stanford. Think about it, Stanford will see thousands of applications with 4.0s, perfect SATs, and many ECs. How do you differentiate yourself in that environment? Answer - your essays. You need to craft a compelling story from common app essay to all of the Stanford supplemental essays. If you are not confident in your writing, I suggest you just take more time, make more edits, and get as much input as you can.
Thanks for the suggestion. I will be trying on my essays, but am just curious what my chances would be with my current stats and a mediocre essay.
Go early to Stanford. Not only do you have legacy, but you literally are sending rockets to Mars. Your ECs are all very meaningful, and your test scores are great (other than regular SAT). Right now, your chances are very high, and if you pull a 1560+ on a retake, I’d give you a sure shot. Are your parents influential on campus? Like do they know professors, officers, or important alums? If so, that could also help.
Unfortunately, I don’t have connections with important people at stanford. Assuming I got a 1550 on the SAT and had a mediocre essay, how would I do?
I once sat in on a presentation from AO from CMU. She was asked: “Which is better a B in an honors class or an A in the standard class?” Her answer was " Neither, we look for kids that get an A in the honors class". So I think your goal should be 1150 SAT AND great essays.
Stanford is one of the most selective schools in the country. With some good essays, you have a good shot relative to most other applicants, but that is still not guaranteed. Use your essays to write about your passions or to give admissions officers information about you that is not in the rest of the application
Are all of them affordable?
For admission only, all reach, except that Berkeley may be a high match if you apply to L&S (instead of CoE EECS which is always a reach), but then you need a 3.3 college GPA in CS prerequisites to enter the L&S CS major.
Did you expect any other answer?