<p>So im a sophomore and I have my eyes on going to Stanford. My gpa is only a 3.2 right now from pure laziness. The only EC I have so far is Football in my sophomore year again out of pure laziness.</p>
<p>Before you say I have no chance though, provided I put sufficient amount of effort and work in, If I can get a 2000+ on my SAT which I will be taking next year, raise my gpa to a 3.9, continue to play football, pick up track too(good conditioning for football) and then join the Chess club too, will that be enough for consideration of going to Stanford? All the sports will be Varsity by the way. I also have played the piano for 12 years and almost wanted to drop it because I thought it was a drag going, but really I enjoy it and I am also good at it so why not capitalize on that skill?</p>
<p>Also compared with my first 1.5 years of high school, I didn’t really see a future or anything. I wasn’t looking at the next 10 years, but more of the next 10 days. Luckily I had a wakeup call soon enough so that I think that if I work hard enough, I can really put a change around my life, and make me not-lazy. The EC’s I would be doing also aren’t just because I’m adding them on, but because I enjoy them. Once again, I was too lazy. For the reason alone I didn’t do track in 9th grade(did it in 8th grade), and Chess club(also did that in 8th grade). Football I almost didn’t do because of some of the players on the team being real *******s, but I have more friends then enemies and would enjoy it more then I hated it to be honest. Also I am really small because I’m asian so I was worried that I might get squished because I play running back, but I am really fast and have great agility so I decided to do track to condition me and put me in shape for football. I also have a lot of friends in track so it would be fun at the same time.
Sorry about getting so far off track, but there’s one last thing for consideration. Does having an IB diploma increase my chances of going to Stanford or anything? Also my current course-load is
Trig/Algebra II
Chemistry
AP English
AP World
Spanish 3
Computer Generated Arts
Basically I have chosen everything I like, and taking only 2 AP courses but that’s the only ones you can take as a sophomore at my school.
I know this is a lot of work on my part, but I really believe I have the potential to do all this if I’m motivated strongly enough(that would be getting into Stanford).
So give me some input pls!</p>
<p>Edit: All the stuff I do really enjoy all of the EC’s that I will be doing. What kind of person does that make me though? I don’t want to make it seem like I’m doing all these things for the wrong reasons(trying to get into stanford) instead of really enjoying them(which I do). Also my race is Asian(100% korean) if that helps/doesnt help anything. </p>
<p>I really want to go to stanford because, well first it’s stanford. I live in New York, and rarely get to see my extended family who all live in California so that would be nice. i also want to become a surgeon. I just find surgery and operating fascinating as long as it’s not being done to me and stanford is an excellent pre-med school. Also Ive been reading everywhere that the essay is the most important thing and that it should be genuine and stick out and stuff, but I don’t really get how to do that(maybe it’s something ill learn later in high school or something). What kind of popping out do they want and what are they sticking out from?</p>
<p>Okay, I think you just want to be a surgeon for the money. Would you want to be one if they got paid 50k a year? Also, to answer your question, I think your plan is good. If you are successful, then all you can do is hope to get in like everyone else.</p>
<p>As far as sticking out goes, only you know that. It simple means be yourself, and don’t be cliche. There’s no real method to it.</p>
<p>No actually I’ve had a strange fascination for surgery since I started thinking about a job in like 2nd grade. Just the privilege of doing a surgery would be cool as long as it’s not done on me
My dad is an optometrist and he doesn’t really take particular happiness in his job. So to say, I have firsthand experience about a job that wouldn’t bring a lifelong of happiness</p>
<p>There’s nothing wrong with wanting to be a surgeon for the money (not saying this kid is). That said, if you want money there are a lot easier/faster ways to get it than medicine.</p>
<p>^agreed. Nothing wrong with being a surgeon for the money lol who doesn’t love money? My advice is kind of obvious, but its all Ive got so here it goes:</p>
<p>do something productive these next two summers! Something that relates to your goals/interests that you would be proud to brag about lol. I mean don’t do something just for the application, but don’t waste your summer away sitting on the couch. Take a tough schedule next year and keep working hard! Continue working in your sports/ clubs and join more if you can manage, try to focus your energy in things that interest you. Like if you want 2 b a surgeon join a pre-med club (idk maybe they just have that at my school lol) or something that relates to that, maybe do some community service at a hospital, or shadow a surgeon. My point is don’t just do random **** because then there’s no way you can work it into your passions when you basically list then on your app. You want your app to flow and show you have major passions/interests that you have been pursuing and want to continue pursuing at Stanford. Also, don’t forget to draft your essays early! (summer before senior year) so they can be great. Be unique.</p>
<p>I know this is all stuff you already know, but there really is no ‘ticket’ that makes sure you get into stanford. If you find one though, let me know </p>
<p>I hear IB does give you a better shot, but if you are taking a lot of APs instead of IBs it looks about the same. Also, IB is A LOT of extra work haha, but if your willing to give up your social life why not give it a shot. Talk to kids in your school who do IB and see what they think about the program and make sure you know what your getting yourself into. </p>
<p>As far as essays, think about something unique about you that honestly no one else could say. Yea, it’s hard to think of something, that’s why you start brainstorming early. Your best bet for ideas is to read other peoples (especially people who got in) to give you ideas on what to write. I know this sounds bad, but since your asian try to stray away from something that is ‘typical’ for an asian to say. Like I’m black so I stayed away from saying ‘I love Rap Music!’ lol. You’ve got a lot of time to think about essays so don’t worry just yet. All of my essays were about stuff that happened to me junior and senior year.</p>
<p>First the good news: Stanford doesn’t include your freshman grades in your GPA calculation so an indifferent 9th grade isn’t fatal. Also, if your goal is to be a doctor, the top 100 schools (LACs, privates and public universities) will all provide you with an excellent preparation. You don’t need Stanford to pursue that goal. Lastly, California has many wonderful schools that you can certainly get admitted to.</p>
<p>The bad news: Lots of students with exellent grades and test scores and lots of leadership roles in ECs don’t get into Stanford. As I’ve said elsewhere, the key question is “What distinguishes me from thousands of other kids with the same (or better) grades, test scores and ECs?”</p>
<p>I suggest you think about what really drives you, what you love and care most about and, instead of doing a bunch of ECs that you only sort of like and think are ‘good for you,’ do 2-3 that you really love passionately, to a level that differentiates you from the other applicants. That way, whether or not you get into Stanford, you will have had the kind of life experience that helps shape who you are.</p>
<p>Like I said, the only ECs I’m doing are the ones I enjoy. I also was debating on doing more clubs that my friends suggested, but I just didn’t find them interesting enough to commit too. Also I know that there are a ton of schools in California that are nice. I’ll also try to apply to those, but I just think Stanford is a great goal to pursue. Also I don’t really get how “passionately” i can do smoething. The only reason why I didn’t play football in 9th grade was because it was a new school and I was too late for signups and I was adjusting and everything. I also was just too lazy to do track, although I did it in 8th grade. </p>
<p>Ya I don’t really know the thing that distinguishes me from everyone else. Could you give me some examples? Because I’m just clueless right now how to seem special</p>
<p>Also for next summer, or this summer, summer of 2010, I will be doing an internship program at Rochester General Hospital which should be pretty fun. As for being out of state, what does that do to my chances?</p>
<p>Also I’m definitely not the stereotypical Asian even though I look like one, I’m just a twinky(yellow on the outside and white on the inside). The biggest thing that probably differentiates me from a regular Asian is that I play football. nuff said</p>
<p>Sure, I’ll give you an example of what I mean. You are planning to do an internship at a hospital. Sounds good. Lots of kids do that and its a good way to see how you feel about a career in medicine. But are you interested enough to take it to another level? What goals is the internship program trying to meet for the hospital and does it succeed at that? Is there some aspect of the program that the hospital would like to improve (perhaps more interns from under-represented parts of the community?) Meet with the person who organizes the internship program and figure out how to improve the program/help the hospital meet its goals for the program. Don’t be just another intern-be the one that takes initiative and cares enough to make a real difference.</p>
<p>This accomplishes a lot of things: You learn a lot more about hospitals and their use of volunteers. You establish a relationship with the program supervisor, who can be a good reference. You may develop new skills like surveying, developing recruitment materials, preparing the orientation for new interns, etc…You will almost certainly learn something about yourself in the process. </p>
<p>Obviously doing something like this will take a substantial commitment of time from your side, so joining a bunch of clubs just for show is counter-productive.</p>
<p>It’s taking something to a higher level that distinguishes the exceptional kids from the pack of smart kids. Yes, their essays help, but primarily because they had something interesting to say for themselves as a result of their experiences. Be one of those kids. And then, even if you don’t get into Stanford, you will have had a terrific learning experience that changed you as a person-a real education, in short.</p>
<p>I’m sure your not the stereotypical asian, I didn’t think you were, I was just trying to say that you should try to stay away from things that would make you “just like everyone else”.</p>
<p>Okay so the internship program is obviously a good thing that could help me take initiative. That’s just one thing though, I would like to be taking the initiative in whatever I do so it comes naturally. Any help for that?</p>
<p>from a stanford admit who has read too many threads, researched stanford too much, and absolutely loves the school, here is my opinion</p>
<p>i dont think it is too late, but your chances are definitely not good. that said, no one’s chances are “good”.</p>
<p>i can tell you 100% that there is no sure way to get into stanford. but doing ECs for the hell of it and improving your grades just to get into college is definitely not going to get you into any premier college. you should have the self-motivation to want to do well whether you get into the college or not. you should want to pursue your interests in every way imaginable and want to take action to show your interests. in my opinion, stanford admission officers can see that in people better than those of almost any other college. </p>
<p>be yourself and do what you are truly passionate about.
stanford is definitely a great school for pre-med but if you are lazy in high school, stanford will be beyond difficult. think about what you really want. is it to explore your interests and be an excellent student or do you just want the name to help you get into med school? personally, i think if the latter is your reason, dont apply. because if you get in, there will be people with better reasons to get in. </p>
<p>now if you are truly passionate about being a great student and want to be involved in your interests, just develop yourself as an individual. if that happens to include common activities like football, chess club, and volunteering at a hospital, so be it. but be sure that it is the true you that you are showing them and not a facade that you think will get you into stanford.</p>
<p>Well only time will tell because I sure as hell can’t tell, but I chose those EC’s because I believe that I would enjoy them. For example, I started chess club this week and I’ve been studying it and everything even after the first meeting. It wasn’t a pain to drag myself to the chess club meeting room or to play chess either :)</p>
<p>Wanting to go in the 10th grade is a great start. It is not too late to pull up your marks, since they don’t look at your freshman marks, to be honest, if you maintain a ~4 you can pull your marks up extensively.</p>
<p>Planning ahead and acting in the short run is the way to go. Focus on what matters to you and make your summers mean something, and you’ll have a great chance when two years comes around.</p>
<p>But things are easier said than done. When I was a sophomore I was in the same position as you, didn’t motivate me to do anymore work since the idea of University is still far off, but it comes on you fast. Good luck buddy.</p>
and stanford is an excellent pre-med school. Also Ive been reading everywhere that the essay is the most important thing and that it should be genuine and stick out and stuff, but I don’t really get how to do that(maybe it’s something ill learn later in high school or something). What kind of popping out do they want and what are they sticking out from?</p>
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