<p>Stanford is my numero uno choice school, but my GPA is currently weak (3.72 uw). By the time senior grades get inputted it will be relatively close to a 3.8 uw. I’m debating whether I should apply SCEA or RD because SCEA has a higher acceptance rate (but I’m assuming the pool is of higher caliber), but by RD my stats will be slightly stronger.
Though my gpa is a weak, I believe I have a shot at Stanford because I am angular towards psychology (it will be all over my app). My life’s goal is to become a rehabilition psychologist and to devote my life to improving the lives of those with autism and their families. I have taken 5 community college classes for psychology (especially those linked with autism), and started a program called “Autism Awareness”. It’s basically an afterschool program for autism children. One of my essays is about my motivation for pursuing this career- my three year old cousin who is diagnosed with autism. Stanford is #1 for psychology programs- which is why I want to go there. My SAT score is a straight 2200 with 800 Korean and 800 Biology. (Taking math in october) I am a Korean female in the bay area.
Oh yeah- and my GPA is a little weak because I will have taken 18 community college classes by the end of senior year.
SCEA or RD?</p>
<p>Let’s do RD.</p>
<p>I also say RD. As you know, GPA is so-so but your SAT scores are great. That’s great to hear that you have such a passion for psychology and have taken initiative to further your interest. I think that will be quite attractive to Stanford. Good luck!</p>
<p>Thanks for the input :)</p>
<p>Yeah stick with RD… but you may wanna take a different SAT II in addition to Korean (if you are Korean) because that doesn’t really show anything except that you can speak your native tongue.</p>
<p>Any advice to improve my chances of admission?</p>
<p>Work on your essays and make your your passion shows through… you seem like you are genuinely dedicated to your activities and stuff</p>
<p>get good recs too</p>
<p>What would my chances with these improvements for RD? Providing that I have excellent essays… etc. ?
I just want the assurance that I’m not trying to reach for something too far out of my grasp.</p>
<p>Unless you try to reach it, it will stay out of your grasp.</p>
<p>Actually, I don’t see any reason why you should not apply SCEA, unless you expect your GPA/class rank to rise after first semester… What other improvements do you foresee??</p>
<p>I think they take the difficulty of your school into account too. A 3.7 UW is pretty good at my school</p>
<p>Well I’m applying RD because by then my gpa should boost to a 3.8 UW. I’ve also just started volunteering a mental health center (min. age requirement), and I’m working to get an optional recommendation from my supervisor there. (He’s aware of my aspirations and the program I’ve started called Autism Awareness) </p>
<p>Someone I know advised me to sneak into my essay that I would definitely go to Stanford if I’m accepted. (RD yield?) </p>
<p>Oh and I forgot to add that some of my hobbies include biking (which is also another reason why I want Stanford) and learning magic tricks (? if it counts as one). As a kid I’ve always been curious about magic and to date I know about 60-70 different tricks? 
I’m debating whether to use that topic in an essay.</p>
<p>" Someone I know advised me to sneak into my essay that I would definitely go to Stanford if I’m accepted."</p>
<p>That will not make any difference in your admission odds, and may sound really forced and akward in the essay…</p>
<p>Do you have any suggestions on how I can improve my application?</p>