Would Stanford care more for science olympiad or speech and debate?

[mountcarmel]

<p>Hi I am going to 11th grade and need to decide which of the two activities to devote to as both are very time consuming in order to do well. I also like them both very much. But now it looks like it is time to focus on one…</p>

<p>Thanks!</p>

[mathyone]

<p>I think Stanford would care more about what is more important to you. If you like them equally and are forced to choose, I’d pick what is more related to your possible major or career.</p>

[whenhen]

<p>Regardless of what you choose, you’ll probably get rejected, so just do whichever activity you prefer. </p>

[mikemac]

<p>Stanford says

Students often assume our primary concern is the number of activities in which one participates. In fact, an exceptional depth of experience in one or two activities may demonstrate your passion more than minimal participation in five or six clubs. We want to see the impact you have had on that club, in your school, or in the larger community, and we want to learn of the impact that experience has had on you.

The way I read this, they want to see achievement but don’t particularly care what area you choose. And to echo the other advice, the chances of getting into Stanford are quite low. Their overall rate was less than 5% this year. Keep in mind for the typical applicant its even lower than that because a number of spots were taken by recruited athletes, leaving everyone else to fight over what was left.</p>

[ucbalumnus]

<p>Whichever you prefer and can achieve to the highest level in (e.g. national championship or something like that).</p>

[cptofthehouse]

<p>These sort of things are moving targets. If you are the best speech an debate applicant that year, you’ll stand out and your chances will be higher than if many of them decided to all apply. The applicant pool that you are in will determine a lot of these things. Luck does play some part in this. So do what you enjoy more, since there is no way of telling what things will be like at any given school at the time you apply.</p>

[T26E4]

<p>… especially at one with ~5% admit rate.</p>