<p>It obviously is important, but how big of a role does it play in admissions? Or is admissions more who can tell the “best” story of what they have done with their life up to present time? Any feedback from accepted individuals or those attending would be great.</p>
<p>From when I visited the campus, the lady at the front counter of the Undergraduate Admissions office gave me some advice (I guess you could call it that lol). She told me that they place more emphasis on your grades in high school than your standardized testing scores. However, from what I can tell, standardized test scores are still important in admissions.
[Note: I was accepted]</p>
<p>Standardized test scores (along with grades) simply “get your foot in the door.” An admission officer will glance at your standardized testing report as well as your transcript for about 20 seconds just to see if you’re capable of doing the work. By Stanford’s own admission, 80% of the applicants are qualified to do the work. </p>
<p>How do they narrow the pool down from the 80% who are qualified to the 5.7% who are admitted? They certainly don’t use SAT score and transcript anymore, as those are already competitive for the 80% of qualified applicants. Instead, they’ll look at essays, recs, and ECs. Using those, they try to build a well-rounded, diverse class composed of people who will be the best educators of one another and of the faculty.</p>
<p>Sometimes, decisions just come down to determining which applicant is a genuinely nice person. </p>
<p>See this video:
[Stanford–What</a> factors affect decision beyond academic measures - YouTube](<a href=“Stanford--What factors affect decision beyond academic measures - YouTube”>Stanford--What factors affect decision beyond academic measures - YouTube)</p>
<p>Would a 30 ACT and 4.0 unweighted GPA qualify?</p>
<p>30 is on the low end. Look here:</p>
<p>[Stanford</a> University: Common Data Set 2012-2013](<a href=“http://ucomm.stanford.edu/cds/2012]Stanford”>Stanford Common Data Set | University Communications)</p>
<p>75% of Stanford students have an ACT of 31 or higher</p>
<p>Would a 32 be looked down upon? </p>
<p>I’ve heard that the majority of well qualified applicants have the 34-36 range</p>
<p>32 is competitive. If you get rejected, it won’t be because of the 32.</p>
<p>@aleaiactaest Say I have a 3.0 uwgpa. 2010 SAT. But I prove I can definetly handle the courseload in other ways, and also prove that my GPA and SAT are flukes. Then do I get “my foot in the door”? So basically to the point where they throw out my GPA and SAT and focus on what I believe really matters?</p>
<p>Admissions will never “throw out” a GPA and test scores, but you can be assured that with every application they’re reading to see what you believe matters and they’re looking for reasons to accept you, not reasons to reject you. 3.0 and 2010 are low in the Stanford pool but you’re welcome to try to explain extenuating circumstances to admissions or to your guidance counselor</p>
<p>Agree with aleaiactaest (phew your name is killing me). If you happen to fall on the lower end of the scale with test scores, don’t fret. Just be sure to try and balance out your candidacy by displaying genuine passion etc in your essays. It doesn’t hurt to gather good recommendations; these don’t have to be from an AP or Honors teacher, just someone who can really speak about you. If you have met difficulties or extenuating circumstances, it also wouldn’t hurt to have one of these people include it in their recommendations to vouch for you.</p>