Hello all. I have applied early action to Stanford but just keeping it real probably won’t get in. If I don’t get in should I even bother with Yale or Princeton or other Ivy Leagues regular decision? My secondary choices are Berkeley,UCLA,USC or Pepperdine. My academic profile is:
34 ACT 3.8GPA (21 out of 492 rank top 5%) 8AP classes, volleyball captain,school math tutor,Native American.middle class. Don’t know if that matters. Which schools do I have a shot to get accepted?
Based on the fact that you are a URM with competitive stats, I think you’ll have no trouble with getting into Stanford
You are in the middle 50% for Notre Dame and it shares a lot with Stanford in terms of overall culture. Your URM status means a lot at ND.
Native American and an ACT 34 and top 5%? You’re very likely in at Stanford.
If not, then apply to the ivies…you’ll likely get into at least one if not all.
I’m assuming that you have blood papers? If not, then the NA won’t count.
What is it that most appeals to you about Stanford?
What Stanford programs or characteristics would you want to find in a less selective college?
No one can say that you’ll get into the Ivies but you certainly need to apply for a chance. The only reason I can see not to apply is distance - are you okay with being on the east coast (it’s very different from the west) and far from home?
Three big universities and one small religious school… what exactly are you looking for in a college (academic programs, social scene, net price)?
Pepperdine? How does that fit in?
Native American with a 34 ACT? This particular URM hook is very powerful. I agree with Mom2collegekids. Dartmouth has a program explicitly targeting Native American students. By all means, apply to the Ivy League schools - just don’t apply only to them.
You are looking pretty solid, and pm me. if you need insights on native admissions at Stanford. My only comment is that Pepperdine is a big academic drop off from the other schools you have listed.
It is useless to try to think too far ahead with this process. First see what happens with Stanford. If you get in, and you do have a chance, then you are done. If you don’t get into Stanford, then see where you get in, option which is best for you academically, financially, and socially. I do agree that Pepperdine doesn’t really fit with the other schools in your group. And if other Ivys appeal to you and you don’t get into Stanford, I’d put in a couple of applications to those schools.
Some schools have 100% scholarships for NAs too… if cost is an issue I would check into that but it depends on your state. Michigan tribal residents have 100% tuition at all public universities - including U. Michigan (would be a good alternative to Ivy’s for sciences, engineering, business or nursing) - I’m not sure about California though.
Run the Net Price Calculators at the websites of all the places on your current list, and make sure that they are likely to be affordable. “middle class” can mean a lot of different things. You and your family need to know if you will have to dig a bit harder and deeper to come up with some affordable options.
Thanks for all the responses. In response to some posts: I do have blood papers-wow that sounds weird. I want to study economics or medicine. Since only about 5% make it to Stanford, I was going on probability that I would not get in. I have lived in Los Angeles all my life so I’m a little apprehensive about the east coast but I looked up Darmouth and will apply based on your recommendation. ND is out because my mom went to USC. Pepperdine is my safe school because I have connections and could attend for free.
If you are interested in going on to PhD study in economics, you may want to include UCSD, UCI, and UCSC in your UC application list. These schools, along with Stanford and UCB, offer a more mathematical treatment of economics that will be helpful as a pre-PhD student. A pre-PhD economics student should also take advanced math and statistics courses as described at https://www.econ.berkeley.edu/undergrad/current/preparing-for-grad-school .
http://www.universityofcalifornia.edu/infocenter/freshman-admissions-summary can roughly estimate how your GPA compares to admit rates at various UC campuses. If the 3.8 is unweighted (meaning 4.1-4.2 after UC-weighting), then UCSC and UCI are probably almost safeties, while UCSD is probably a low match, and UCLA and UCB are low reaches. If the 3.8 is UC-weighted, then UCSC is probably a low match, while UCI is probably a high match, UCSD is probably a low reach, and UCLA and UCB are probably reaches. USC appears to be roughly similar selectivity as UCLA, but may emphasize test scores more relative to GPA compared to the UCs.
Have you run the net price calculator on each school?
@chunkylumbee LOL about your ND comments. My H and S went to ND. Know exactly what you mean – just in reverse!
I think you have a high chance.
Talk to your mom to see what she’d think about ND, just in case. 
You should apply widely to top schools.
Since you’re instate, definitely apply to UCLA, UCB, and another UC of your choice. One college among the Claremonts would also be a good idea.
Darmouth is an obvious one (although, if you do get in, you should read up about the influence of fraternities and drinking/drugs there.)
I’m keeping my fingers crossed for Stanford though. Don’t forget to update your thread on Dec.15!
I wouldn’t use Pepperdine as a safety unless you’re religious, evangelical, and observant. It’s a college for conservative Christian students who are serious about their faith and want to grow in Christ. That may be you, then great - but if not, I’m sure there are equally good universities that will be good “fits”.
If you tell us what you like about Stanford, we’ll do our best to find something that “matches” your priority criteria.
Schools are going to be beating down your door to get you to come. High stat NA are even rarer than HS blacks. You’ll probably get into every Ivy you apply to, and you want to especially apply to holistic admission schools - add U Chicago too.
I mean you could perhaps have the chance to get accepted but it’s a 5.1% acceptance rate. l got rejected because there is always that pool of applicants that have better SAT/ACT and GPAs. Unless you went into a Program high school like IB,or even prep school in the eastern side of the nation. My friend actually got into Stanford, quite jealous though. Anyway, she was enrolled in IB Program and I was not we have closely the same GPA’s only 0.2GPA away but it’s worth a shot! Good luck!
There are always other school than Stanford. Even though Stanford isn’t considered to be an ivy league its proud known in the nation. Like UC Berkley, CU, Cal poly, UCLA. Or if you’re trying escape home try Chicago like what TooOld4School said. OR maybe Duke, Emory, and Vanderbilt. I’ve learned that its not the type of university you go into. It’s how well you succeed in college. I didn’t get accepted to my dream school AKA Columbia. But I knew that there are better school out there. Whichever university you pick, you’'ll do great! Good Luck again!