Should I apply?

Colleges & Universities Stanford University
1

<p>Stanford is my dream school, but I am not sure if I have the qualifications to be accepted. My parents don’t want me to apply because it is so far away, but I am so in love with the school and am trying to decide if I should apply or not. I would apply to the engineering school. I am from northern Virginia (very competitive and high performing region), white male. Any input is appreciated.</p>

<p>Stats
SAT I: 750 math, 740 writing, 710 CR (2200)
SAT II: Physics 700, Math II 760
ACT: 33 Composite
GPA: one A- sophomore year but all others are A’s, 4.4 W
AP: Phsyics B 5, World History 5, English Language and Composition 5, Calc BC 5, Calc AB subscore 5
Senior course load: multivar calc/matrix algebra dual enrolled at GMU, AP Physics C, AP Spanish, AP Gov, engineering drawing, English 12 honors, orchestra (viola)</p>

<p>Awards
National Merit Scholar Commended Student
AP Scholar with Honor
Scholar Athlete (multiple sports multiple years)
Optimist Club Youth Awards of Excellence – Science
Academic Letter
Varsity Letter (multiple sports) </p>

<p>ECs
Sports: cross country (4 years), indoor track and field (2 years), outdoor track and field (4 years), swim (4 years) – competitive in all
Clubs: NHS vice president, peer tutor and manager at school’s writing center (presenter at the National Conference on Peer Tutoring in Writing in Chicago), chamber group quartet (plan on auditioning for some group in college)
Personal: Competitive triathlete (qualifier for USAT Nationals 2012 & 2013), gotta run cross country camp in WV, mentor to elementary school orchestra students, mission trip to Costa Rica with church youth group (still active in), private lessons for piano & viola over 10 years, team leader of a local reforestation project through nonprofit org.
Work Experience: Swim team coach during the summer (been on the team since age 6), certified life guard/first aid, soccer referee for the region</p>

<p>Writing
Common App: personal essay about running, I love this one, shows my positive attitude and ability to face adversity. EC statement about coaching swim team, very personal.
Recs: Physics B/C/Multivar teacher and AP Lang teacher – both should be very good, counselor is kind of quirky but he has told me I am one of his best students so his should be very good as well (although he is not a fan of big-name universities)</p>

2

<p>I feel like as long as your family is okay with paying the application fee, might as well give it a shot! Applying for more schools really just gives you more options, and you only really apply to your undergrad once, and because it’s your dream school, go for it!</p>

<p>(I’m applying for Stanford too, and that was my reasoning!)</p>

3

<p>This isn’t up to us, it’s your choice to apply or not. The only way you can’t get in is if you don’t apply.</p>

4

<p>Better to know than to regret not trying.</p>