Disregarding the odds against getting into a top college, due to the largest graduating class in history, senior Scott Thao decided to follow his dreams of becoming part of the Stanford family. He is one of the 7.5% accepted from the estimated 30,000 applicants of incoming freshman for the 2009 fall semester.
Staff writer Natalie McCallum sits down with Scott to discuss his plans for college at one of the most prestigious schools in the country.
Natalie: How long have you wanted to attend Stanford University?
Scott: To be frank with you, I have always wanted to attend a prestigious college ? Stanford was just one of the many. Stanford was a dream college I didn’t expect to get in. In fact, the probability of me getting into Stanford almost intimidated me into not applying altogether. But in the end my parents encouraged me to do so; after all, one only gets one chance to apply to an institution’s undergraduate system and enjoy all it has to offer.
Natalie: What were the requirements that you had to meet?
Scott: Stanford, like most other universities, posseses no tangible requirements other than a high school diploma. However, there were statistics that the average accepted student possessed, namely 96% of the students are in the top of 10% of their class. The 50% range of the SAT score is approximately 1980 to 2250. 87% of these students had an unweighed GPA of 3.60. I had to raise my numbers, I got a 1860 on the SAT and had a 3.87 unweighed GPA. I was in the top 6% of my graduating class.
Natalie: What was the most difficult thing about meeting the requirements?
Scott:the only thing that proved to be difficult for me was achieving the average SAT score of the accepted Stanford students (1980-2250). My grades, extracurricular and recommendations were top notch; the only problem was the SAT. In order to raise my SAT scores, I re-took them three times which did not help that much. Even with my improved scores I was concerned about getting in anywhere, for these SAT scores are often one of the most important factors for college admission.
Natalie: What kept you motivated to finish high school strong and with a 4.18 GPA, as well as achieving the rank of number four in the senior class?
Scott: The security of pride is the true reason why I tried to maintain the highest GPA I could. Although it is really a boost of self esteem and not exactly obvious public pride it kept me going.
Natalie: After graduating from Stanford, what is your dream job?
Scott: I am not sure what I want to do yet. I am not even sure what I will major in, but I do know what I will minor in. I am going to double minor in creative writing and visual arts. But of course, at my parents’ insistence, I won’t major in these subjects, for what is more shameful than going to a superior college, then choosing a major for a useless career?
Natalie: What are you looking most forward to next year as an incoming Stanford freshman?
Scott:Mostly the freshmen that I will encounter, as well as the top-notch education I will be recieving. I also can’t wait for all the extra curriculars such as writing, heritage and religious clubs. I also plan to study abroad in Japan and Oxford.
Natalie: What are you most scared for while attending a new campus for the next four years of your life?
Scott: Other than the typical fears of an incoming freshman (homesickness, peer pressure to drink and do drugs, doing something you are uncomfortable with or flunking out of college) I otherwise have nothing to fear at Stanford.
Natalie: Did you already visit the campus, and did it meet your expectations?
Scott: I have visited it twice for the admit weekend The first time I went I was not crazy about it, because there were not many people there due to spring break. I also felt that the people thought they were smarter than everyone, and that intimidated me. But with those attitudes I was also able to find students that were really personable. The people were extremely engaging and there were many opportunities. The people were genuinly nice and they are beyond the measure of intellectuality.
Natalie: Do you have any advice or words of encouragement to the students who hope to attend a college like Stanford?
Scott: Always try your best and never give up, take the hardest classes you can in order to succeed. While you are taking the classes don’t just take the class and do the homework; actually take in the information and course work. That will help you in the SAT subject test. Get to know your teachers and counselors so that they can write you a dazzling letter of recommendation. PREPARE FOR THE SAT!
For more information on the SAT and college preparation, visit the College Board Web site.
