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Hey guys!
Let me know if you think I have a chance of getting into Stanford or any IVY for that matter:

[My brother is currently a sophomore at Stanford: Does that help?]

US Citizen, Living in India [am Indian, was born in the US]

SAT I: 1420 [am taking it again on the June 7]
Verbal: 660
Math : 760
SAT II: Will be taking it later this year [Math IIc, Writing, Chemistry]

School: Top 3% of class [Straight As since grade 9]

WEBDESIGNING:

I. RIVALS.net: Indian Cricket Fever [1997-2002]
Site started when I was 11. My website on Indian Cricket was selected from over 100 Indian cricket websites to officially represent Rivals.net, which is the UK branch of Rivals.com, the largest and ‘stickiest’ Sports network in the world. I received for three years, a monthly salary [in pounds] plus 50% of the advertisement revenue generated from Indian Cricket Fever. I appeared on prime time national news for my contract with Rivals.net, and was subsequently featured on several sites. Our achievements were accentuated in many regional/national Newspapers within India. The site has won many national and international awards for design and content excellence. The site was also awarded the third best site within the network out of over 500 sites covering 15 sports.

II. Designer and webmaster of our school site, modernschoolvv.com

III. Reached the North Zone finals in School Net’s School Website making competition. Received prizes including several CDs worth over Rs 30,000 etc

IV. Currently making a website for an NGO called VIDYA [IIT Delhi]


MISC COMPUTERS:
I. 1 of 15 students selected from Delhi to interact with Dr Craig Barrett, CEO Intel.

II. Have won numerous prizes in various national level computer competitions in India

III. President, Computer Club



OTHER MAJOR ACHIEVEMENTS:

I. ISTDF [Intel Science Talent Discovery Fair]: reached the National level held at IIT Delhi in 2002. The project was titled “Prevention of Pollution from waste by converting it into an energy resource”

II. Vinod Dikshit Award 2001 , presented by the honourable Chief Minister of Delhi, Ms. Shiela Dikshit, for the above stated project.

III. In the process of making a documentary on the Cow menace in India []

IV. Goal-keeper of the school soccer team for a year



LEADERSHIP:
I. Prefect- grades 5,8,11,12
II. Editor grade 12
III. Founder & President [and current webmaster], MSVV web-club
IV. President, Computer Club


Sigh. I think I've written enough for a day. Please let me know what you honestly think. Thanks!

By Smac86 (Smac86) on Sunday, May 18, 2003 - 06:33 am: Edit

Oops. Forgot to write that I am a volunteer at the National Association for the Blind.

By Agentx004 (Agentx004) on Sunday, May 18, 2003 - 09:07 am: Edit

dude, do you even have to ask?? your are sooooo in

By Smac86 (Smac86) on Sunday, May 18, 2003 - 10:56 am: Edit

Umm... I dunno about that. I think my SAT score is a bit low for Stanford. Hopefully, there is something known as brother-legacy....

By Smac86 (Smac86) on Sunday, May 18, 2003 - 12:48 pm: Edit

bump

By Lateralus (Lateralus) on Sunday, May 18, 2003 - 02:57 pm: Edit

hard to say without sat II scores

By Smac86 (Smac86) on Monday, May 19, 2003 - 12:36 am: Edit

How important are the SAT II's for Stanford? I ask this question because it is optional [though recommended] for Stanford.

Also, I don't think I'd have too many problems getting 750 or so in Math IIc and Chem- Writing is the only one I'm not sure about.

Plus, I'm applying early to Stanford.

By Bangaloreboy (Bangaloreboy) on Monday, May 19, 2003 - 02:07 am: Edit

You're in man, the fact that your brother is there and that you're from delhi seals the deal. Just apply early, celebrate and i shall see you at the Farm next fall.

By Smac86 (Smac86) on Monday, May 19, 2003 - 08:28 am: Edit

Hey Bangaloreboy,
I wish it was as simple as that [sigh]!!! Anyways, as I said, the only thing that doesn't sound too great is the SAT score. Lets see- hopefully, I can get a few points higher the next time around.
And yes, hopefully, wee meet at the Farm next fall :D
[I am applying early!!! Another 200 days for me to know about my fate]

By Smac86 (Smac86) on Monday, May 19, 2003 - 12:27 pm: Edit

Damn... Just saw a site which said that Stanford's avg verbal score is between 670-780! damn!

By Collegeguy (Collegeguy) on Monday, May 19, 2003 - 10:00 pm: Edit

You seem highly qualified for the school. No worries. Are you also applying to MIT? sounds like a great place for you.

By Smac86 (Smac86) on Tuesday, May 20, 2003 - 12:24 am: Edit

Yeah- I will probably apply to MIT for the heck of it [I doubt I'd get in though].

Please tell me what you think of my chances in the colleges I'm going to me applying to? Stanford [first choice], Harvard, UIUC or CMU [Still debating between the two], Berkeley, Princeton, MIT, and maybe Cornell.

Thanks for you confidence-giving post, Collegeguy!

By Divingin (Divingin) on Tuesday, May 20, 2003 - 02:28 am: Edit

you're in at UIUC probably- too bad they don't care about extra curric except for the stuff you talk about in the essay. no space for listing awards or leadership. but with your transcript and scores you're in

By Smac86 (Smac86) on Tuesday, May 20, 2003 - 06:39 am: Edit

What about the other places [Stanford especially?]? UIUC was kind of an after thought.

Thanks for the info about UIUC! Appreciate it!

By Smac86 (Smac86) on Tuesday, May 20, 2003 - 11:56 am: Edit

Does being an American citizen living outside the US help me?

By Stanfordmsvv (Stanfordmsvv) on Tuesday, May 20, 2003 - 04:21 pm: Edit

Here's what I know about the SAT and admissions, or at least about the role the SAT has played this year for Indian admissions to Stanford: Most of those admitted had relatively low scores -- 1400s, and some in the 1300s -- which means that most of those with 1500+ SAT scores were rejected. I can name, on my fingertips, at least ten 1500+'s between Bombay and Delhi who were rejected, and I'm sure there were many more such rejected high-scoring Indian applicants whom I don't know of.

Here are the SAT scores of this years' Indian admits as they were told to me, or as best as I can recollect:



EDITED BY MODERATOR!!!!



and two more ppl whose scores I can't remember.

So, as you can see, the SATs aren't ALL-IMPORTANT at all. In my opinion, the importance of the SAT is contingent upon the "card" you want to play; if you want to play the "I'm a genius and that’s why you must take me" card, then you need 1500+ and lots of international/national Math/Sci olympiad medals and lots of other such awards attesting to your VASTLY superior intellect in order to get in; if, however, you want to get in on the "take me because I'm so unique" card, you need to portray yourself to be just that -- "uniqu


EDITED





"Overseas applicants and AMERICANS LIVING ABROAD [you]" are considered in the same application pool, separate from all the indigenous applications. **The only benefit you will reap from being a US citizen is that Stanford will meet your financial needs.** I've spent a lot of time reading lots of books and articles on the admissions process, and am almost positive about this.

Best of luck with the application process man. I have some admissions books lying around the place. You're free to take 'em. =)

By Stanfordmsvv (Stanfordmsvv) on Tuesday, May 20, 2003 - 04:37 pm: Edit

Your sibling question:

I asked an admission officer who logged into the Stanford 2007 Admit Chatroom whether having a sibling at Stanford helps in admissions. He said that "it doesn't really make a difference, but we make sure we give the application a close read". Robin Mamlet, Dean of admissions and financial aid, when she logged into the chatroom for a moderated chat, was asked a similar question. Her response was much the same as the admission officers'.

I've read that they "give your application a second look", if you have a sibling who is a current student at the university.

All that being said, I was rejected at Columbia, my brothers' school.


Again, best of luck with everything, man.


See you on the Farm next year...GO MSVV!!!

By Smac86 (Smac86) on Wednesday, May 21, 2003 - 02:29 am: Edit

Hey Zubek:
Reading the list made me feel a lot better.
Just wondering though:
In the stanford form, there are two options:
$65 for U.S.citizens and U.S.permanent residents
$70 for non-U.S.citizens and non-U.S.permanent residents
Since I check the first one, wouldn't I be looked at as an American students rather than an International one?

I'm keeping my fingers crossed.
Go MSVV! [Gulp!]

By Stanfordmsvv (Stanfordmsvv) on Wednesday, May 21, 2003 - 03:14 am: Edit

Well there are many things which indicate that that is not so. On the Stanford website they say "1**[some number]" of international students and Americans living abroad were admitted this year. Also, there's a team of two admissions officers at Stanford who handle "International students and Americans living abroad". [I'll continue this post later. I'm in Goa, and the internet in my hotel room is 7RS/min...Must reach a Cyber Cafe before I start experiencing internet withdrawal symptoms]

By Smac86 (Smac86) on Wednesday, May 21, 2003 - 04:38 am: Edit

No Problem! Write whenever you get the time!

But, the app has the following line in it:-
Int e r n a t i o n a l St u d e n t s (Non-U.S.citizens who are not permanent residents) must complete the following...

Lemme know what you infer from that line...

By Stanfordmsvv (Stanfordmsvv) on Wednesday, May 21, 2003 - 07:23 am: Edit

Which form are you talking about? It must have something to do with finances.

Their policy is not to compare your application with those who have the same citizenship as you -- that would serve no purpose -- but with those who have had the same opportunities as you i.e., applicants who, in your case, have gone through the Indian education system. Applications at Stanford, and at other top-colleges, are divided into categories and sub-categories. You will compete for a place at Stanford with those who figure in your category(applications from India). Even if you were to be considered separately, with other American applicants, it would work severly to your detriment; imagine your application being compared with the application of a typical American overachiever with all her/his AP courses, clubs, and fancy ECs -- things we don't have access to and things against which our conventional courses and ECs would not be able to compete. Just take a look around this message board and you will know what I mean.

Anyhow, I'm going to go bask in the sun on the beach. Bye.

Are you ever on MSN? I'm online a lot, but never see you.

By Smac86 (Smac86) on Wednesday, May 21, 2003 - 10:00 am: Edit

Coming to think of it, I guess you're right.
Yeah- I think the thingie I wrote about dealt with financial or the like.
I don't use MSN too frequently, though I come online quite a few times in a day.
Do you know if my resume compares with the other India-admittees?

By Stanfordmsvv (Stanfordmsvv) on Wednesday, May 21, 2003 - 10:18 am: Edit

.

By Stanfordmsvv (Stanfordmsvv) on Wednesday, May 21, 2003 - 10:22 am: Edit

yea, Samvit seems similar.

do you use any other msn type thing -- AIM, icq etc..?

By Longhorn (Longhorn) on Wednesday, May 21, 2003 - 10:48 am: Edit

Hey Smac86? What is your center for the SAT in June? embassy or USEFI?

By Smac86 (Smac86) on Wednesday, May 21, 2003 - 10:58 am: Edit

USEFI...
Yours?
[You're applying a year late, right?]

By Smac86 (Smac86) on Wednesday, May 21, 2003 - 12:40 pm: Edit

Zubek: MSN is the only chat proggy I use [As I said earlier, I don't get around to chatting]

Also, do any of you know if something like creating a successful company [net based, etc] is pretty common nowadays? And how does my achievement compare with them?

By Smac86 (Smac86) on Thursday, May 22, 2003 - 11:18 am: Edit

Do you think I have the slightest of chances of getting into MIT with these stats?

By Smac86 (Smac86) on Friday, May 30, 2003 - 05:35 am: Edit

Bump.
As the subject says, "Stanford chances?"! Please respond!

By Jgriffith04 (Jgriffith04) on Sunday, June 01, 2003 - 01:11 am: Edit

I am going into my senior year at Northridge High School in Greeley, CO. I have dreamed of going to Stanford since I was a little kid and while I will not give you my application online, I have taken a VERY rigorous course selection (4.0 unweighted with 4 AP's to date with 2 more and a class at the local universtiy on the the way) with extra cerricular activities (STUCO-Body Treasurer and Historian, 4 Year term; Interact-Vice-President and Three Year President;3 year term; Thepians-Treasurer, 4-year term; Theatre-7 Mainstage Leads; Forensics-Four Year Participant, 3 year state qualifier, national qualifier, Academic All-American; Swimming-three letters, two year team captain, I also attended the Hugh O'Brien Youth Leadership Camp last summer) I got a 32 on the ACT and 690-Writting, 700-Chemistry, 710-Math IIC, with the SAT to be taken in about a week. I volunteer at United Way, the local Theatre, Big Brother/ Big Sisters, and some various other activities. I have worked the last three summers and during the spring term this school year. I was wondering what I could do this summer to increase my chances of addmission to Stanford. I am going to do some volunteer work for a research project up in Rocky Mountain National Park, I am also a counsoler at a Rotary youth leadership camp I attended last summer. Is there anything else I can do? Could I meet with someone from Stanford? Any help you can give me would be so benificial. THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR YOUR TIME!!!
Greatfully,
Jason

By Laur~abby (Laur~abby) on Sunday, June 01, 2003 - 01:29 am: Edit

Hey stanfordmsvv ~ You say you were rejected from Columbia? Not to press on a touchy subject, but I'm hoping to apply early admissions there next fall... any tips on what they are really looking for? Please respond!! And Smac86... your chances sound really good for Stanford... I got the exact same SAT scores as you and am hoping to get into either Stanford or Columbia... good luck!!

By Smac86 (Smac86) on Saturday, June 07, 2003 - 08:44 am: Edit

Hey laur,
Thanks for the comment. I just took the SAT I again today- I can't tell if it went better than the Jan one or not. I guess I'll just have to sit through these 13 days, biting my nails.
Best of luck with your application too!
Hopefully, see you at Stanford next fall [ :D ]

By Smac86 (Smac86) on Friday, June 20, 2003 - 01:14 pm: Edit

Just got my June scores:
1500
760M 740V!
That makes me feel better!

By Longhorn (Longhorn) on Friday, June 20, 2003 - 01:18 pm: Edit

Congratulations Smac86!

By Smac86 (Smac86) on Saturday, June 21, 2003 - 02:52 am: Edit

Thanks longhorn!
What did you get?

By Longhorn (Longhorn) on Sunday, June 22, 2003 - 04:32 pm: Edit

saving some money ;), will get my scores on 30th. btw, I gave sat II - phy iic and writing.

By Longhorn (Longhorn) on Tuesday, July 08, 2003 - 03:28 pm: Edit

....

By Longhorn (Longhorn) on Tuesday, July 08, 2003 - 03:28 pm: Edit

got them! 800 iic and physics, 770 writing

By Smac86 (Smac86) on Wednesday, December 24, 2003 - 07:17 am: Edit

I'm in.