NEED HELP - showing consistency on stanford app

Colleges & Universities Stanford University
1

<p>I don’t think there is anything regarding my activities, etc. that really shows a general interest or theme.
These are my activities:</p>

<p>CLASSES/GPA
GPA: 4.00 (unweighted), not sure what it is weighted
My school has strict rules regarding what classes we can take. We have at least 4 core classes for four years that everyone is required to take.
School Type: In top 10 in CA, “public” (but requires interviews for admissions), very small (under 700 total)
Classes:
Sophomre Yr: (first 5 are required): Int math, H Bio, H World History, Int Sci, English, PE, ASB, Art, Spanish
Junior Yr: (first 4 are required): H US History, Int Math, H Chem, H Eng, Physics (this class is only for 20-ish juniors to prepare us for physics at CSUDH during our senior year), PreCalc (prepare 30-ish juniors for Calc BC senior year), Spanish, Spanish TA
College classes:
before highschool - Aerobics, Alg 2
before junior year - Psych, Voice Class (art credits…)
junior year (first semester)- Stats, Socio, Stats for Psych (We are only allowed to take one, but the principal made an exception)
junior year (second semester) - Not sure. Have a list below that I’m interested in, but can’t narrow it down to two. Can you help? I need help showing consistency.</p>

<p>EXTRA CURRICS:
Research Program - Studying PCR - breast cancer cells’ protein sizes (in association with NAAS: will be published)
CSUDH Science Society VP (President next year, hopefully)
LA BioMed Volunteer possibly (interview next week)
Research with a Boeing jet prop. expert - self-contained jet prop. experiment
Northrop Grumman Tech Class
BioMed club - President
Math Club - VP next year
Key Club
NHS - Board position next year, hopefully
Founder/President of a non-profit organization that sends various items (clothing, books) to Afghanistan’s schools
150+ hours volunteering at a local aquarium
Pomona math talent search</p>

<p>Not sure about outcomes of following, but will be participating in:
USABO, AMC, JETS (team), possibly another physics competition (not sure)</p>

<p>Tests (SATs):
MAY 5: literature
JANUARY 27: math level 2
JANUARY 27: biology
MAY 5 :chemistry
MARCH 10, JUNE 2: SAT
SENIOR YEAR: spanish, physics
AP: Biology (monday 14), Chemistry (tuesday 15), Psychology (tuesday 15), possibly calc ab (but I think this will be too much pressure for me)</p>

<p>Summer after junior year:
I will be applying to several programs ranging from clark scholars to rsi, etc. I’m applying to about 8. I’d love to go to RSI. It seems like a wonderful opportunity. However, I will be applying to several.</p>

<p>COLLEGE CLASS (NEED HELP CHOOSING):
CAN ONLY CHOOSE 2
abnormal psychology
descriptive intro to physics (might not be useful considering I’m taking physics now?)
aerobics (just for fun)
astronomy
philosophy 2
anatomy
finite math
college alg
voice class 2 (finish art credits)</p>

<p>I love physics, engineering, biology, psychology, etc. Haha. I haven’t really ruled anything out. :]</p>

<p>Oh, and I’m sure I would get great recs from teachers/researchers. (Not so sure about the counselor recc - my counselor thinks I’m very stubborn…which I am)</p>

<p>I think that might be it. So, please help me choose which two of those classes I should take. Thanks!</p>

2

<p>The theme to me seems to be science/research. You don’t need a general interest or theme. One or two activities you’re passionate about (research seems to be a really strong one) are fine. </p>

<p>Physics, engineering, biology, and psychology is probably a really useful combination actually. You could do some cool research with modeling neurons, etc. Stanford has a huge research complex that houses various labs that combine those fields. </p>

<p>The physics class doesn’t really sound like it would be worth your time. Abnormal psych would probably be interesting. Philosophy could be pretty cool too. Finite math is probably not that interesting and college algebra is most likely either a review or much, much more difficult than what you’re doing now. Just take whichever classes you will enjoy and don’t worry about getting into schools. You might find that the voice class or aerobics class lend themselves to a really great essay… you just never know.</p>

3

<p>I’ve been doing a lot of the giving hope thing lately, but you should find me a relief. I didn’t really have any direction in my application, and I still got in. I believe Stanford looks at the person as a whole through their essays and recs as well, so try and portray yourself as someone they would want to meet and have at their college.</p>

4

<p>Wow. Thanks so much. Your advice really help. I am going to go for the subjects that interest me most now. I’ve decided to go with abnormal psychology, voice, and anatomy. I think I can convince my counselor to allow me to take three classes, especially since voice is an extension of a class I’ve already taken.</p>

<p>Marlgirl - I think you’re right. I never really thought about writing about my voice class, but it actually had a huge impact on me. Sure, I still can’t sing wonderfully, but it pushed me to grow. Thanks!</p>

<p>Julinoh - Haha. Thanks. :] Congratulations, and thanks for the advice. When app time comes around, I will definitely try to portray myself as me. Hopefully, they’ll want to meet me. :stuck_out_tongue: </p>

<p>Thanks again!</p>

5

<p>Optimization - I’ve said it in earlier posts but I think Stanford really seeks out people that have a “love of learning”. The regional AdOff who came to my school blatantly said it, and they say so on their website as well:</p>

<p>

</p>

<p>It looks like you’re on the right track. I recommend you read their admissions website, as they give you helpful advice for 11th/12th grade, and basically tell you what they are looking for. The link is here:</p>

<p><a href=“http://www.stanford.edu/dept/uga/applying/1_2a_admitcriteria.html[/url]”>http://www.stanford.edu/dept/uga/applying/1_2a_admitcriteria.html&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt;

<p>Start your apps early next summer, apply SCEA if it is your first choice, but realize that you basically have a lottery ticket and need to apply to a wide range of schools. Best of luck to you!</p>

6

<p>ur one of those CAMS kids aren’t ya</p>