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White guy from large suburban area puplic school who has always dreamed of going to Stanford. I thought I had a chance but now not so sure... I'm considered pretty smart around here, lol, but now that I'm really getting into the college prep stuff my eyes are opened. How do ya'all do it!? Seriously, I am a Junior now - is there anything I can still do to up my chances? I have all A's so far but my course load isn't stacked w/academics like others. I chose to stay in sports and music. Is there a way to turn that into a positive?

Our school is brand new and frankly, I'm not getting ANYTHING in the way of couseling! So any help is way appreciated!

(I posted in the general chances forum, then found this one, so sorry for the x-post.)

GPA 3.92 un-weighted (1 B fresh year)
4.23 weighted

class rank: 9 of 450

PSAT 58 verbal, 62 math, 68 writing
No SAT yet, will take in Oct. then I'll take the new SAT in March -- I realize I need to get 1400+ to even apply Stanford.

Interested in pre-med, but maybe law

This year's schedule:
AP History
AP Chem
Honors Pre-calc
Jr. English
Jazz Band (top)
Choir (top)
Release time (religious instruction)

Next year:
AP English
AP Calculus
AP Physics
Honors US Gov/Economics
Jazz Band (top)
Choir (top)
Release time (religious instruction)
*his was the plan, but of course I can still change it

ECs:
football - 9, 10, 11 - varsity, lettered
track and field - 9, 10, 11 - varsity, lettered
swimming - 9, 10 - varsity, lettered
wrestling - 9
National Honor Society - Vice President
Jazz band - 1st string guitar, regionals
Eagle Scout this Spring (in scouting 8 years)
Peer Link Crew Leader (peer counseling and mediation)
I start Academic Decathlon after football season ends
PT job as a lifeguard for the city (Red Cross first aid and lifesaving certified)
have an alternative/punk band "Sacred Brotherhood of Kings"

plus some other stuff...

financial need (oldest of 7 kids, Dad a public school teacher, SAH Mom)

As you can see, I don't test well. How much do the test prep classes help? And what do I need to add to my ECs - they're pretty weak. What else would help???

Thnx! Jeff

By Tokenadult (Tokenadult) on Tuesday, September 21, 2004 - 06:56 pm: Edit

"financial need (oldest of 7 kids, Dad a public school teacher, SAH Mom)"

This could be a big plus. Children of teachers are usually looked well upon in admissions, according to books I have read, and if one of your "activities" is helping to look after the younger kids (as is DEFINITELY the case for my oldest son), that shows responsibility and willingness to work for the greater good of the group. Make sure to list what child care you do on your activity list--a lot of applicants these days are only children who have no such experience. Academics ARE a big issue, but for the applicants at the lower end of the academic range, applications are distinguished by other factors like that.

How do you rank in your state in your sports? Do you have a chance at being a recruited athlete?