What is my probability of being accepted as an undergraduate a Stanford University?

Question

I am ranked 4th in my school; I've taken vigorous courses; I scored a 29 on my ACT;I volunteer at a local hospital once a week; I play piano.

Answer 1

Your 29 is definitely going to take you waaay down. Yes it's high compared to the rest of the US, but then you remember how stupid the rest of the US is.
Stanford applicants usually have a 31 or 32+ score. You should always aim two to three points higher for the ACTs. To be safer. (It doesn't get you safe though).

Volunteering at a hospital isn't as impressive anymore, but if you've got a lot of passion and it shows, then that'll help.

Volunteering at a hospital and piano are very very common activities that many do. You need to be able to distinguish yourself from the rest of them.

Have you won any awards? Any leadership positions? Started anything (business, club, etc.)? What's your ethnicity? Location? Are you a legacy? Have you taken only the most rigorous course material? What are your grades? Teacher recommendations? Reputation of your school?

Those things and more are considered. If all you've got are the 29 ACT, hospital work, and piano (with only minor awards) and if you're not from an influential/famous family or a legacy, then you're not going to get in. Harsh yes, I'm sorry. But it's the truth. I know people with much better statistics who've gotten rejected.

This site might be useful: talk.collegeconfidential.com

Answer 2

Get your ACT score to 32+ and it will be a 75% chance. Right no, at a 29 it is probably 50/50 or less.

Answer 3

Take the SATs.

Stanford is one of the toughest schools to get into.

A 29 corresponds to a 1300/1600 on the SATs. About 80% of those admitted to Stanford have higher SAT scores than that.

If you do better on your SATs than on your ACTs -- then you have a shot. If not, you will get into a very good school -- but probably not Stanford.

Answer 4

you're on a good direction: precise grades, complicated classes, and massive exterior recurring. Stanford college, whilst an distinctly friendly college of an analogous high quality of the Ivy League faculties, isn't in the Ivy League.

Answer 5

my daughter was 2nd in her class, scored really high on her SATS..and had several really long term activites...we went for a tour and at lunch she asked me if I would be disappointed if she didn't apply...her aunt and I were delighted(we preferred Cal for many reasons)....I had taken her there because she had the grades/scores to go if she wished...during the talk by the asst. dean of student life..she mentioned that the freshmen had mandatory seminars in the dorms twice a week..between classes, studying, sleeping occassionally..I wondered when she would get together w/friends for coffee...that mixed with the fact that for the $36K per yr..(8 years ago) she wasn't going to see a professor teaching any of her classes until she was a junior...now..dont get me wrong..Stanford is a wonderful excellent outstanding university..but getting in is extremely difficult..unless you have pull...I urge you not to discount the plethera of outstanding smaller private colleges..that offer an education that may not have the same name recognition..but will give you/earn you a very fine education....oh btw..my daughter went on to get a full ride scholarship from one of those smaller private colleges...and is now in Medical school...good luck to you!

Answer 6

Probably the biggest factor is your school's reputation. I'm guessing you're from California. If so, you might know that these "blue merit" schools are the schools which set higher standards and get better scores on their standardized tests. I hope your school is one of those schools, otherwise, look into UC Berkeley.

Answer 7

50/50

Answer 8

I would say you have a very good chance. Obviously a stronger ACT would increase that probability.

Answer 9

you need to watch