Wow, OP, that sucks. I know that you know he has little chance. Does he not want to go to college next year?

Right and of those 5%, some are legacy, athletic recruits and URM.

Maybe he is just saying that and hasn't really seriously thought about it. It's ok to apply but he is not getting in.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I would certainly think anyone smart enough to be considering Stanford would understand that you need to hedge your bets a bit these days and apply to several schools.

+1

Something sounds off about OP's son - such unrealistic expectations. Hopefully he can work through the underlying issue before it gets him in trouble.

It sounds like either magical thinking or very rigid thinking. He sounds a bit lacking in maturity and also maybe a bit in denial. Good luck, OP - I think requiring him to apply to at least 2 other schools (3 or 4 would be better) is wise.

Anonymous wrote:I would certainly think anyone smart enough to be considering Stanford would understand that you need to hedge your bets a bit these days and apply to several schools.

+1

Something sounds off about OP's son - such unrealistic expectations. Hopefully he can work through the underlying issue before it gets him in trouble.

Same PP here. Alternatively he needs to find an area of interest and start communicating with a professor who wants to work with him and he can put in a reference letter.

That has significantly greater value as it is within the stanford system.

Stanford's admission rate this year is 5%. There are 40,000 applications to Stanford for 2000 slots and around 10,000 will have his profile. So the question is what distinguishes him from the other people in his band i.e. the 9999?

They are looking for something exceptional - music, science. created something noteworthy. He needs to try and work on that or moderate he expectations.

Look at Naviance for his school and Stanford, but this seems unrealistic. Doesn't he have a college counselor to advise him? I suspect the counselor would say "don't waste your early decision chance for a leg up on admission to a school you have no chance of getting into". Instead use the early decision/action card on another school he really wants to go to. If he really doesn't have any other school of interest, then he can apply to Stanford but without some real incredible achievement with those stats just doesn't seem realistic. U Chicago has non-binding early action, that may be more realistic.

What is his plan if he doesn't get in? I think you have to help him realize how unwise this is. And get him excited about some other schools. Why isn't he?

I would certainly think anyone smart enough to be considering Stanford would understand that you need to hedge your bets a bit these days and apply to several schools.

No way would I let him do this. My DS had a 4.78 GPA and 2350 on the SATs and similar stats in other respects to your son. He applied to a range of schools and didn't get into his top reach school, Yale. He was happy to have many other good choices. At least have him pick at least 1 or 2 safeties.

Watch this: youtube Orange County Lilly Tomlin Wrong Transcript.

He should apply early and when he gets the rejection he'll have time to get other applications in. It would help if he had them ready to go, but the rejection from Stanford will probably be a motivator.

I say, in the end let him do it. But he needs to recognize that if he doesn't get in then he will have to find a job for the year after graduation while he applies again and to other schools. The worst thing that happens is that he learns from his mistake and takes a gap year. And, honestly, he is demonstrating that he may not be mature enough to go to school right now, so a gap year may help. Looking back, I wish someone made me take two gap years.

I don't think Stanford cares about Kevin McCarthy. Are you Bill Gates? Then your kid has a good chance.