Stats
SAT: 1550 (790 Math, 760 Reading)
ACT: 36 (35 English, 36 Math, 36 Reading, 36 Science)
GPA: 3.96
Rank in Class: 11
Size of Class: 120
AP's Taken: Chemistry, Physics Mechanics, Physics Electricity and Magnetism, AB Calculus, BC Calculus, American History, Computer Science, English Language and Composition, English Literature, Statistics, Microeconomics, Macroeconomics
Extracurriculars
I was my class President from my sophomore year till my senior year in high school
I played football and lacrosse for all four years and played Varsity for both sports in my Junior and Senior years.
I created my school's computer science club and ran it as the president from my freshman year until my senior year
Short Personal Story
"When applying to college I wasn't sure if I wanted to do either computer science or maybe something in economics.
I decided to apply early to Harvard and though that I had a decent shot of getting in. But, when the decision came back that I got rejected, that was like a slap to the face and I kind of panicked and applied to about 15 more schools.
Looking back on it now, I realized that it was overkill, but at the time I really wanted to make sure that I was going somewhere. So I applied to pretty much every school on the west coast including pretty much every UC school in California. I threw Stanford into the mix because I shrugged and thought 'why not,' the worst that could happen was that I would get another no.
When decision time came around I got into pretty much all of the schools I applied to and fully expected to go to UCLA or Berkley because they were offering amazing financial aid and the had a pretty good computer science program. I opened up the Stanford portal and was about to close it when I saw that it was an 'accepted.'
I absolutely lost my mind. I had no idea what to do with myself after that. I freaked out and called my brother, my mom, my sister, my best friend, and pretty much everyone I knew telling them that I got in. I could pretty much die! It was pretty fantastic!"
Useful Advice
"I'm not sure that there was anything in particular which caused me to get into Stanford because I wasn't crazy smart like the valedictorian, nor was I a genius at math or science or something like some others in my school, but what I did have was probably the most interesting essay among them.
The other guys essays were pretty much a brag sheet saying I have done this, this, this, this and this. Not to hate on their essays or anything, but it was a pretty uninspiring read. It didn't really give a good idea of who they were, but instead pretty much told what they've done. I don't think that's particularly effective in an essay.
For anyone applying here I'd suggest that they really focus on the essay and try to make it interesting. For example, mine was about my first crush and how she helped me love science.
I think it's really important for people to know that after a certain point, a resume doesn't really matter because everyone pretty much has a 4.0, a 1600, and a has played one hundred sports and has participated in one hundred clubs. If you already have that, you have to stand out by giving a really clear way of what makes you different and really show your voice to the admissions officer.
If you do that, you'll be in a much better position than most to have a shot of getting in."
Stanford Undergraduate Class of 2023
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