Do you think I could get in?

Data10
Thu, 07 Aug 2014 05:22:28 +0000

I am not a current student. I was admitted several years ago, with overall stats towards the bottom of my class. Some of my stats were almost literally at the bottom of my entering class, including a CR score in the bottom 1% of my entering class. However, my scores were exceptional in any areas related to my planned engineering major, including 800 math / 800 math II / ~800 chem (don’t recall score) … This might have meant more coming from a typical public HS, where most students fail the state regents exam in math.

My HS did not offer many AP classes, so when I ran out of challenging classes that interested me in my HS, I took classes at nearby universities, such as RPI and SUNYA, some up to ~sophomore level. I had a 4.0 on these classes and a glowing LOR from one of my college professors. I didn’t just take the typical college classes that HS students often choose to graduate faster. I chose some classes only because I found them interesting, classes that had no Stanford equivalent and had nothing to do with my planned major. For example, I particularly enjoyed a class related to behavioral neuroscience at SUNYA. My counselor LOR probably mentioned something about me being truly interested in learning, a teacher allowing me to independently read math textbooks instead of attending class to permit going at a much faster pace than the honors class, possibly taking more college classes than any other student he had seen from the HS and his support in these activities (for example, he had to work towards getting approval for half-day schedule at HS, followed by half-day schedule at college), etc. My LORs may have also mentioned remaining motivated while dealing with a difficult personal experience. My ECs and awards were nothing really special… some HS math league / quiz bowl type organizations, doing well in regional math contests, etc. I may have mentioned being published in magazines as the first person to complete a few popular video games. However, the personal note in my acceptance letter didn’t mention any of this. Instead it praised one of my essays, which related to not being afraid to take risks.

Stanford gives some information about what they are looking for at Page Not Found : Stanford University; and other links from that page. Some quotes are below:

We want to see your commitment, dedication and genuine interest in expanding your intellectual horizons; both in what you write about yourself and in what others write on your behalf. We want to see the kind of curiosity and enthusiasm that will allow you to spark a lively discussion in a freshman seminar and continue the conversation at a dinner table. We want to see the energy and depth of commitment you will bring to your endeavors, whether that means in a research lab, while being part of a community organization, during a performance or on an athletic field. We want to see the initiative with which you seek out opportunities that expand your perspective and that will allow you to participate in creating new knowledge.

…

Students often assume our primary concern is the number of activities in which one participates. In fact, an exceptional depth of experience in one or two activities may demonstrate your passion more than minimal participation in five or six clubs. We want to see the impact you have had on that club, in your school, or in the larger community, and we want to learn of the impact that experience has had on you.