This is part 2 of a series on how to get into Stanford.
Here are seven (more) things you must do well: The first thing you want to do is to make sure you are a well-balanced student. While I talk about spikes all the time, the most important thing that Stanford looks at is that you have several different passions and interests in high school. For example, you may be very good at sports, but it’s also important to have a more academic pursuit.
Click here for more info on the draw of a US education at Stanford.
You may be president of the math club, but it’s important that you also have a more social commitment.
Stanford likes well-rounded people because their student body is well-rounded, and they want people who can contribute to the undergraduate community in many different ways.
The second thing that Stanford values is an independent thinker. You can demonstrate this in several places:
• In your admissions essay.
• In your teacher recommendations.
• In your answers to the Stanford supplemental application.
• In your answers to the common application.
• In your extracurricular activities and clubs.
• In academic pursuits.
All of these things show an independent streak. They show Stanford something you have done that’s unique. They demonstrate that you have done something that goes against the grain.
Be sure to let them know about unusual accomplishments. Tell them about how you decided to go to Africa for a summer in order to help build houses for underprivileged communities. Show them that you went to areas devastated by Hurricane Katrina and helped build homes. Show them that you started a club at school that has some sort of positive social impact on the world.
The third thing that the Stanford admissions committee really looks for is leadership. Every Ivy League school cares about leadership, but Stanford is unique in that it really wants all of its students to be leaders among their peers. They especially want leaders in areas that the students are really passionate about.
For example, if you’re really passionate about music, enter the fact that you were a drum major in high school. If you’re really passionate about art let them know that you started the art club at school and had an Art Expo for the entire district. If you’re passionate about science, work toward becoming president of the science Olympiad or chemistry club at your school. Demonstrate leadership! Nominate yourself for elections! Don’t be afraid!
Remember, failure is lack of trying! That is the biggest reason why you won’t get into Stanford. Wayne Gretzky likes to say you miss 100% of the shots you don’t take. You don’t want to miss out on Stanford because you’re too shy or embarrassed or nervous. The fourth thing Stanford likes is a clear voice.
This is most clearly demonstrated in your admissions essays and your short answers to Stanford supplemental application. Make sure that you tell a great story in your essays. Have your voice come through! Really be yourself! Imagine that you’re talking to the reader and not writing your thoughts down on paper.
To get the feel of this, practice giving your admissions essay as a speech to friends and family. Be sure that it doesn’t sound over constructed. Make sure your sentences are neither too long, nor too short. Does your personality shine through? If it doesn’t, go back and rewrite.
Make it shorter! Make it livelier! Use your admissions essay as an opportunity to demonstrate your passion, to highlight an accomplishment that you’re most proud of, or to show something about yourself that Stanford wouldn’t otherwise know. Make sure you have a conclusion that takes away a lesson that you learned. It has been shown that an essay that changes you will leave the Stanford admissions committee curious about who you are as a person. They will be interested in getting to know you better. That is the number one secret to getting in!
Fifth, teacher recommendations are extremely important, yet everyone overlooks this fact. There is a science to getting good recommendations. I will write that about in another essay; however, for now understand that Stanford really cares about teacher recommendations.
They are an opportunity for Stanford to get an inside look at who you are in school when you’re not trying to show your best side. There is a way that you can use teacher recommendations to advantage, and again, I will talk about this in a future article. The most important thing to keep in mind is that it requires fore-planning. You should start planning from your freshman and sophomore years.
Start becoming friends with your teachers. Cultivate those relationships. Talk to your teachers during class and after class. Really participate and ask questions. Work hard to get the best grades. Teachers notice high-performance, but even more importantly, they notice students who really care about what they’re learning and really put the effort in to ask questions and show interest. That’s the number-one thing you can do.
If you’re running out of time, read this article on last-minute Common App advice!
The sixth thing that Stanford really cares about is sports. Stanford has an amazing athletic program for both varsity athletes as well as the intramural programs. Your chances are much better if you play sports. You don’t have to be a Junior Olympics athlete, and you don’t have to be a four-year letter man. Nonetheless, you should play on your school’s football team or join some sport that you love.
Trying out for the teams is not only a personally interesting experience, it is also good for your health. Additionally, it adds a layer of well-roundedness that Stanford really admires.
The seventh and final thing you want to keep in mind if you want to get into Stanford is that the application process is a journey. You should get as much feedback as possible on your application, your essays, and your supplemental answers (or brag sheet). Get as much feedback as you can from friends and family and from people who went to Stanford. Not only will you improve your application, you will also build friendships with Stanford students. This situation can ultimately benefit you.
Also, keep in mind that just because you get on a wait list, that’s not the end of your journey. If you really want to get into Stanford, you’ll do everything you can to persuade the admissions committee that you’re worthy. Determination and tenacity play a big role in achieving this goal.
Applying to Ivy League schools? Learn how average students can get into Harvard.
Want to attend Ivy League schools? Check out my insider’s course and guide to getting into Harvard, even with a 1360 SAT from a public high school.
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