What are my chances at Stanford or Berkeley ?

Chance Me / Match Me
1

<p>Hiiii Everyone : ) ,</p>

<p>I’m an Indian, and I study in the ICSE/ISC Syllabus, and I want to major in Chemistry, so I’m looking at Stanford or Berkeley, but I’m not too sure whether I’ll get it. </p>

<p>So here are my grades:</p>

<p>Grade 9 : 92%
Grade 10: 97%
Grade 11: 95%
Grade 12: 98%</p>

<p>We don’t exactly have a GPA System, so I don’t know my GPA. I do rank in the Top 5 percentile, coming 2nd or 3rd every year. Also, for the past two years, I’ve been getting a 50% Scholarship Award, and I wear an Honours Badge.
I’ve also satisfied the three year requirements for Foreign Language and Social Studies that Stanford requires.</p>

<p>In my SAT’s I got:
700 - CR
750 - Math
730 - Writing</p>

<p>And SAT II -
760 - Chem
800 - Math II
800 - US History </p>

<p>In terms of Extra - Curriculars:
Won the Dr.Radhakrishnan Award for Best Teacher(It’s like this annual competition)
Nominated for an exchange Program in London
World Topper in the Speech and Drama Trinity Guildhall Exams Grade 6 in 2007
I’ve played lead roles in like 2 musical productions in my school
Founded the Glee Club
Part of the Editorial Team - for like school magazines
I’ve played in the school band for a year, and run track for more than four years
I play basketball, football, table tennis and I swim (I’ve been doing it all through high school)
I’ve received the Duke of Edinburgh Award ( Silver, and Bronze)
For community service - I mentor students in Math
I’m currently one of the captains in my school - Head of A House
Winner at Inter School Elocution Competitions( 2010, 2008)
I debate at my school, and I’ve won the past two years( 2011, 2010)
Nominated to meet the former President of India, Dr.A.P.J Abdul Kalam.
Achieved merit at the Royal School of Music Piano Exams - Grade 7</p>

<p>So, please be honest with me - I really want to get into one of these universities, they have the best chemistry programs. Tell me what my chances are, thanks ! :)</p>

2

<p>I forgot to mention that I have legacy at Stanford:
2 cousins and an uncle - the uncle is a visiting professor and one cousin is a research faculty member. </p>

<p>Does it improve your chances ?</p>

3

<p>You don’t seem to have any EC’s in chemistry. That could be a problem. Your grades and test scores hit the mark, and you seem involved in school, but I just don’t see anythign that shows you want to study chem. In fact, you look like more of a drama/music person to me. </p>

<p>Also, you shouldn’t include things like “Nominated for an exchange Program in London” or “Nominated to meet the former President of India, Dr.A.P.J Abdul Kalam.” If you didn’t do it, then don’t put it on an application. They won’t care that you were nominated.</p>

<p>I think you have a good shot at Cal, but less at Stanford. You should include some matches and safety schools, like UC Davis (also excellent in science), UC Irvine, etc. </p>

<p>Finally, I’m pretty sure “legacy” only refers to a parent that attended the school, not an extended family member that works there.</p>

<p>Best of luck!</p>

4

<p>Well for the Chem thing - I did a research paper this summer, but apart from that I don’t have much in my school for academic stuff.
And I think I wrote that wrong :stuck_out_tongue: I actually went on those trips . </p>

<p>But thanks loads ! : )</p>

5

<p>I’m Guessing you live in India? and that you aren’t an American Citizen? That could really hurt you chances. But otherwise I wish you good luck!! You are Very well qualified!</p>

6

<p>Completely agree with Alwaysleah. Your grades definitely hit the mark, but your e.c.s are weak in your application. Attending those programs are OK – but without significant influence in the field of chemistry, you better off either A) not applying as a chem major or B) focusing your application on Berkeley. </p>

<p>If I were to guess your chances, I’d probably say:
Stanford -10% if your in state, 5% if out of state // ~2% international.
UC Berkely - 80% chance in state, 50% chance out of state // whatever international.</p>

7

<p>Personally, I think youre a shoe-in for Berkeley so you dont have to worry much about that. I dont know too much about how Stanford admits its students so I cant help you much there, but based on everyone else’s comments, it looks like you should go undeclared for that one. Berkeley is an amazing school though and its rankings are very high :)</p>

8

<p>Okaay, so I rechecked the Stanford application, and nowhere does it ask me what subject I want to major in. Even on the career interests, I’ve declared myself as ‘undecided’ ?
So technically, I’ve just mentioned in my interests that I want to do Chem, Literature and Arts in college. Is that good enough ?</p>