<p>Although I dont wan't you to feel obligated to do so, I too would greatly appreciate it if you give me a few ideas on how to tackle the Why Stanford question. To be honest, I got nothing except for "Stanford is good at everything and they have great prestige."</p>
<p>So ya, if you can spare the essay, a PM would be great =).</p>
<p>Just wondering... if you don't know why you're applying, why are you applying? It's not a hard question at all. In fact, it is the most basic of questions. Why are you filling out this entire application and spending hours to perfect it? You should have known why you were applying before you started the application, not just have started to consider your reasoning towards your completion of the application.</p>
<p>I'm not being mean -- just honest. Think. It's not as hard as you might estimate. If you have no reason to go to Stanford except for its prestige and that "it's good at everything," you should (in my not so humble opinion) reconsider your priorities... and not apply, to open that spot up for someone who has a legitimate reason to apply.</p>
<p>I always thought it was a legitimate reason, since I am expecting to go to graduate school after undergrad, and both prestige and strong departments help me reach that goal. However, I'm open to your opinions if you are willing to share =). What do you consider a legitimate reason?</p>
<p>And frog139, thank you so much for your help! I shall set up your shrine in my closet to worship you every night before I sleep =). All hail frog139! <em>Bows</em></p>
<p>hahaha I'll try not to let it go to my head :-)</p>
<p>
[quote]
I always thought it was a legitimate reason, since I am expecting to go to graduate school after undergrad, and both prestige and strong departments help me reach that goal. However, I'm open to your opinions if you are willing to share =). What do you consider a legitimate reason?
[/quote]
it sounds like you're just going to Stanford for the prestige. if that's how you come across to the Stanford adcom, you'll be rejected.</p>
<p>if you're looking for prestige, a lot of schools have prestige but why Stanford? there has to be something unique about Stanford that attracts you... maybe it's the well-roundedness of the school, or the diversity of the student body, or w/e. you should be able to think of something besides "it's a really great school."</p>
<p>I would also love to see your essays, frog! :) I'm only a junior but Stanford has been my top choice since I visited it in soph year (for a number of reasons - yes, prestige and academics, but also the amazing atmosphere/vibe - the fantastic tech - the lovely weather and location, sooo much better than New York... OH YEAH, bikes and palm trees!), and I'd love to see what people wrote about that the admissions officers so liked!</p>
<p>HEy frog i wuld also like to see your essay ! it would help out a lot. Just want to see what they are looking for.</p>
<p>^Ditto above post! Thank you!</p>
<p>Also, can anyone answer this question? If one section of your SAT score is not within the 25-75% range, then how badly will this lower your chances? For instance, if the critical reading score is 650 or 10 below the 25%, would this lower your chances? Would having this problem and being an Asian make it drastically worse for me? </p>
<p>Also, if the retake of the SATs produces lower scores than the first testing and both scores were submitted, would this kill the applicant or drastically lower chances? Or would Stanford just take the first score and not even consider the second?</p>
<p>I'm having the feeling that my chances will be lowered by that second test score being sent! =( </p>
<p>Someone please say i'm wrong!</p>
<p>Duly noted, rankinr and blu_g8orade. I may be looking at Stanford too shallowly here. I guess I should start researching more about the school instead of just relying on the name value =P.</p>
<p>davezhan, if you look at the results thread, you will realize that stanford sees tests as one part of the application, a pretty SMALL part. once they look at your grades and test scores and realize you are intelligent enough to handle the coursework, they look at other stuff i think.</p>
<p>and besides, your scores are not significantly low or anything. they're not in the 25-75% range, but that doesn't mean that kids with your scores have not been admitted before. (and its also just ONE score, so even less of a need to worry :))</p>
<p>thnks so much, u'r 1st post was very helpful.
i'm in an international student n i don't hv any help for d whole application process, so this site is like a life saviour!!
can u plz pm ur essay? i just want to hv an idea of wht kind of essay do i need to write...</p>
<p>This is an interesting thread. I am a Cal student, but not quite your typical "hate Stanford, GO BEARS" type. </p>
<p>I do believe the soundest info to be gained here is that STanford will not end up being where you go if you don't have a real strong reason to go there of all other schools. There are really smart people at several schools, and it seems likely that expressing something which makes you a good fit is the only way. </p>
<p>To frog - I think your perspective seems relatively mature, more so than others have sounded. Especially because you wrote ABOUT the physics department there. I am ending up finding that what I like best about Cal is the amazing math faculty, who can nurture
one through to grad school. </p>
<p>The only thing I think is that it's pretty hard for future stars to see why a given department might be wonderful until they actually go to the school and experience it! I.e., it's tough enough for those applying to grad schools to see what about ONE PARTICULAR faculty that attracts them most. I think everyone generally wants a star or two to take them =]</p>
<p>OP: did Stanford pay for your trip to campus?</p>
<p>@ Walton12 - No my family paid for it but we could afford it. I didn't even know schools did that sort of thing.</p>
<p>@ mathboy98 - That's interesting how you tied the same principle to grad school. I'm definitely not there yet but it is something I'm going to have to think about in the coming years. ...And I'm glad you don't hate us quite so much. As a non-native Californian, I can't understand the Cal-Stanford rivalry. I still think it's silly and petty but what can you do?</p>
<p>"mathboy98 - That's interesting how you tied the same principle to grad school. I'm definitely not there yet but it is something I'm going to have to think about in the coming years. ...And I'm glad you don't hate us quite so much. As a non-native Californian, I can't understand the Cal-Stanford rivalry. I still think it's silly and petty but what can you do?"</p>
<p>The rivalry exists whenever there are good schools in close proximity, likely. Well I don't know if MIT and Harvard consider themselves rivals....I think there is tons of synergy there. </p>
<p>The same principle will have to hold for grad school, BUT I think there is one major factor which makes it easier both for the student and the admissions officers, which is a clearer way to judge the students. AFter all, you're applying for a highly specialized degree, and should probably have a great idea what branch of math (in your case physics) you want to study. A school which is really good at X and Y branches of math is going to accept more students with credentials in those areas, I'd think, because in the end, people have to actually get advisers in their relevant areas of study. If you're into branch Z, and there're 2-3 good professors in that area, you'd better be one of the few people interested in that branch!</p>
<p>Anyway, you can see why I was a bit pleasantly surprised that you could find something to write about the physics department so early, but that is awesome.</p>
<p>I'll keep that in mind....maybe most non-native Californians are above the rivalry! Though some probably force themselves into it to feel accepted at Stanford or Cal, either way.</p>
<p>bump…this was a helpful topic. I think it helped get me into YS =]</p>
<p>Sweet! Nice post! Thanks! I’m def. applying to Stanford next year.</p>
<p>It’s that time of year again so I thought I would bump this for the next round of admits. It’s loads easier than answering 10,000 individual threads on the same topic. Hope it helps!</p>
<p>would writing about research be too cliche for the intellectual vitality essay?</p>
<p>astronaut: I wrote about research in my essay.</p>