Unveiling the Secrets to My Acceptance into Stanford

Table of Contents

1. Introduction
2. List of Schools Applied to
3. GPA and Test Scores
4. AP Courses and Exams
5. Honors and Awards
6. Extracurricular Activities
7. Additional Information
8. Conclusion

Applying to College: My Experience Revealed

Introduction

Hey there, everyone! It's Cyan, and I'm thrilled to finally be sharing my college application Journey with all of You. I know many of you have been eagerly waiting for the details, and in this video, I'll be providing you with all the information you've been asking for. I understand that some people may feel hesitant about sharing their scores and GPA, as they believe it doesn't tell the whole story of their application. While I respect that perspective, I personally found it incredibly helpful to see other applicants' stats and extracurriculars when I was applying. So, in the spirit of transparency, I'll be sharing all the details - from my test scores and GPA to the schools I applied to and much more. Let's dive in!

List of Schools Applied to

During my college application process, I applied to a variety of schools, both in the United States and overseas. I'll share with you the schools I applied to in the order of my application timeline.

1. University of Auckland in New Zealand
2. Schools in the UK: Oxford University, University College of London, Central Saint Martin's, Chelsea School of Art, and Goldsmith's
3. Stanford University (Early Action)
4. University of Southern California (USC)
5. Ivan & Young Academy
6. Harvard University
7. Brown University and Rhode Island School of Design (RISD) Dual Degree Program
8. Georgia Institute of Technology (Georgia Tech)
9. Duke University

GPA and Test Scores

When it comes to GPA, I want to provide some Context. I attended The Westminster Schools in Atlanta, Georgia, a private school with a graduating class of about 200 students. Given the competitive nature of the school, I initially felt that my GPA was below average. However, my GPA was a solid 95 out of 100, which was weighted. This meant that I had a balanced mix of B's and A's, with slightly more A's. Although it wasn't particularly outstanding compared to other applicants, I realized that it was still a respectable GPA.

In terms of test scores, I initially lacked confidence. My highest SAT score was 1410, with a breakdown of 720 in math and 690 in evidence-Based reading and writing. These scores seemed low compared to the averages of accepted students at the schools I was applying to. My SAT Subject Test scores were also not particularly impressive. I received a 700 in math level 2, 730 in math level 1, 680 in literature, and 650 in French.

However, during my senior year, I decided to try the ACT as well. To my relief, I performed exceptionally well and achieved a composite score of 35. This included a 34 in English, 35 in math, 35 in reading, and 34 in science. The ACT score gave me a much-needed boost of confidence.

It's important to remember that test scores are just one aspect of your application. While they do have some weight in the admissions process, schools also consider other factors such as extracurricular activities, essays, and letters of recommendation.

AP Courses and Exams

In terms of AP courses, I didn't take many during my junior year. I attended a semester boarding school called The Oxbow School in Napa, California, which had a different course structure and didn't offer AP courses. However, I did take AP English literature, which was a required course at my high school.

As a result, the only AP exams I submitted scores for were AP English literature and composition, AP English language and composition, and AP French. I received a score of 4 in all of these exams. It's worth noting that my course load might not have been as rigorous as other applicants', but I had the unique experience of attending a semester boarding school focused on fine art and philosophy.

Honors and Awards

In the honors and awards section of my application, I had the opportunity to showcase my artistic achievements. I submitted my sculpture installation to the Saatchi Gallery School of Art Award and was selected as one of twenty students to exhibit my work at the prestigious Saatchi Gallery in London. This was an incredible honor and allowed me to connect with talented artists from all over the world.

I also participated in the Intel International Science and Engineering Fair, where I presented my research on ovarian cancer treatment. Additionally, I submitted my art to the Scholastic Art Awards and received a regional golden and silver key. Furthermore, I applied to the YoungArts program and was honored as a national winner, which granted me the opportunity to showcase my artwork alongside other talented young artists.

Extracurricular Activities

Participating in various extracurricular activities was an essential part of my high school experience. I dedicated a significant amount of time to creating sculptures and installations, which allowed me to grow as an artist and gain valuable skills. Additionally, I contributed to the community by volunteering at local organizations and taking part in outreach programs.

Additional Information

In part two of my video, I'll discuss my extracurricular activities in more Detail, as well as provide further information about my application journey. I invite you to stay tuned for that video and learn more about my college application process.

Conclusion

This has been a brief overview of my college application experience. I hope this Insight into my GPA, test scores, AP courses, honors, and extracurricular activities has been helpful to all of you who are going through the college application process. Remember that test scores and grades are just one part of the equation. Admissions officers consider a wide range of factors when evaluating applicants. Your unique experiences, passions, and achievements can make a significant impact on your college application.

Stay tuned for part two of this video, where I'll provide more details about my extracurricular activities and additional information included in my college application.