<p>Do you have a high school guidance counselor? You need to contact him/her and have him/her help you plan your path to college. </p>
<p>For instance: have you looked at the Stanford web site for undergraduate admissions?<br>
[Academic</a> Preparation : Stanford University](<a href=“http://www.stanford.edu/dept/uga/basics/selection/prepare.html]Academic”>http://www.stanford.edu/dept/uga/basics/selection/prepare.html)
They require 4 years of math and “3 or more years of laboratory science” which means biology, chemistry and physics. </p>
<p>You also need to take the SAT (in addition to the subject tests you plan to take). The SAT is required or the ACT plus writing. Big NOTE: work on improving your spelling and vocabulary since the SAT does evaluate your reading, writing and math. You can’t get around that test unless you take the ACT plus writing test. (“Touter” is spelled tutor.) Your school should have access to peer tutors, your counselor can help you set that up.</p>
<p>Okay, here’s my Mom side talking (My husband is a graduate of Stanford): Why Stanford? It is one of the most competitive schools and hardest to get into, along with being extremely expensive. If you’re not comfortable with science and math, your SAT or ACT scores will immediately reflect and show that to the admissions committee. </p>
<p>Additionally, yes being an URM helps a teensy bit, but in the long run, if you are not academically prepared and competitive, or don’t have something “spectacular” to offer Stanford, it will be extremely hard for you to be accepted. They already have talented African and African American students, of low-income status’, applying with stellar academics, extra-curricular activities and high test scores. </p>
<p>So if you plan on applying there, you may want to look into those science and math AP classes and boosting those extra-curricular activities. Talk to your guidance counselor.</p>