Is it really hard to get into Stanford? Do the students that apply there have to be rich?

Question

I really want to get into Stanford but I'm not sure of what they require for someone to get into Stanford. My family is not rich and I don't think we can afford to let me to go Stanford, but will financial aid help much? Like what do I need to do to get financial aid? How much will I need to pay for the tuition? What will I need to do in High School to get into Stanford? I'm only in 10th grade right now so I'm thinking about college and all.. Please explain clearly. Thanks.

Answer 1

Well, as a student at an Ivy, I can give you an "inside" look into the highly competitive college admissions process.

1) You do NOT have to be rich. Period. Anyone that tells you otherwise really has no idea what they are talking about. I am FAR from wealthy (in fact, I'm lower-middle class) yet my university pretty much pays my way. I'll have like $30k in loans when I graduate...that's not bad considering my school is paying the other $130k or so.

2) You do need to have stellar SATs. If you have a 2100+, you'll be competitive for admission. Realize that this is the top 1-2% of all test takers...not an easy task. Obviously, people with less than a 2100 will be admitted, but I'd say a 2100+ is almost necessary (that's a 700 on each section). Realistically, their average will be closer to a 2200 for admitted students...I'd be wrong to say "forget applying" if you get under a 2100, but realize that your chances will be greatly lessened.

3) You need top grades with a tough work schedule. This means taking most, if not all, of the AP classes your school offers. Top 10% of your class is a must. If you go to a less-than-competitive public high school (like I did) you'll need to be closer to the top 1-3% of your graduating class.

4) Extracurricular activies are a must. A school like Stanford will want to see you excel in ONE activity...a student that is great at one thing is looked upon more favorably than a student that does a bunch of activities yet only devotes a small amount of time to each. Clearly, if you are great at one activity and still do other stuff that's even better. :)

5) Leadership in school is also looked upon highly. Run for office in your favorite club. Get involved.

I believe Stanford's acceptance rate is close to 10% now...if you really want to go there, apply early decision. Don't be dissapointed if you don't get in. For every 100 qualified applicant that applies, 90 get rejected. Just make sure there are other schools you think will interest you.

Answer 2

NO WAY!

I'm reading the previous answers and I had to answer to make sure you don't get the wrong info. I got into Stanford and they gave me a great financial aid package. They were really nice when something came up and we had to adjust it. I'm just part of a lower-to-middle class family with no relatives who went there. There is no way I can afford Stanford without their financial aid. But everyone who gets accepted will get full coverage of everything that your EFC (Estimated Family Contribution) doesn't cover. Your EFC is determined by the government, not the college. So, the government calculates how much it thinks your family can pay and then Stanford subtracts that from its price (~47,000 a year) and then will help you pay the rest either through free money, loans (these are small, like only 3000 a year), or work-study.

Hopefully you understood that all that. But since your in 10th grade, don't worry about money. That is nothing to worry about, the hard part is getting accepted. Try to be all-around and do a lot and participate in a lot of stuff. I can't stay too long so one thing that I thought was really important is teacher recommendations. Make sure you develop good relations with a couple teachers.

Okay, hope I cleared up things. But the most helpful thing for you do also is to talk to your school counselors. They were very helpful.

Answer 3

How To Get Into Stanford

Answer 4

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It is difficult for just about any student to get into Stanford regardless of where they are from./

Answer 5

Stanford is a bad school their band has a drug problem

Answer 6

It does help to be rich, but a lot depends on what you want to be when you grow up.

Maybe Stanford isn't want you want.

Decide on your major, then find schools that support that major.

Answer 7

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Answer 8

You def have to have a lot of cash to get into stanford...atleast

$150,000

for the 4 years ($30,000 a year tuition {and its gonna go up probably another 3 by the time you graduate}, $10,000 a year for a dorm, and another 5 each year for misc)

I considered stanford for a while, but something just suddenly occured to me: if you're going into a more mainstream career path (teaching, nursing, etc), an education at MSU (for example) is going to get you the job...its not necessary to do some craxy s.hit in college to get that kind of job....

like I said, I was considering stanford for a while...than I wised up

Answer 9

answer is pretty much yes, or be a brother or sister of a previous grad. or have family working at stanford. basically you need to be able to tie into the school with money, relations or other resons. its tough, life is that way. i wanted to have my wedding there and they said only if we knew someone that was faculty there. we know two doctors and a physicist and that was not good enough.

Answer 10

Well you either have to be rich or really smart. So I say get your GPA at least to a 4.0. that will help.