"it's pretty much not going to happen without a solid reference from a professor willing to work with you."
Working on it (and on getting research exp) :-)
"slaughtered the GRE general & subject"
I have an almost perfect score on the GRE general (800/800 Verbal 790/800 Quant, 6/6 writing) . Taking the subject exams later this year. Not too worried about that either , but I heard these aren't of much value and research /recommendations are all that count. So I am working on those now.
Ah well you work with what you have :). Along with many brilliant dedicated people, I also see people with rather mediocre research and recommendations (but perfect academic scores etc) get in (and then not do anything particularly brilliant/drop out etc), so I suspect there might be a (small) chance. If every one who got in thoroughly outclassed me I would have no hope.
nice scores, I think they do matter a bit more for you if you don't have a cs undergrad... if you get the professor to recommend you, you should have a chance so gluck!
I'd like to follow that path, but for now I'll be chasing $$$
If I ever make millions I am going to establish a scholarship for "wildcard" admissions at the best schools. You can only use the scholarship to fund "imperfect" candidates!
it would be easier if you had research experience in other fields and slaughtered the GRE general & subject...
but yeah stanford is not exactly hurting for applicants