<p>here's a question for those acceptees who are genuinely surprised that they got in...
seriously it's beyond me how the adcom makes decisions...they're so strict about not sending extra resumes and such...
any ideas?</p>
<p>I'm sure the people who were accepted deserved to be accepted. There were probably more people who were surprised NOT to get in because there were so many overqualified applicants</p>
<p>Actually, I am pretty shocked to be accepted, especially when I know very well a couple of people (really good friends in fact) who were deferred that I genuinely believe are better students, leaders, just wonderful people who are more capable than I am, I think. I don't get it. So, I think admissions are kinda arbitrary. But a balanced kind of arbitrary in the big picture, because I'm sure some who were deferred from Stanford may get into other great schools that some who were accepted don't get into.</p>
<p>Same here. I'm really surprised that I was accepted and in fact, I think quite a few of Stanford applicants are really shocked at their acceptances. In my case, the 2 other applicants from my school were way more amazing than I was in terms of both stats and EC's/work experience. I've heard several times that Stanford, in particular, is really random with its choice and they have a certain quality that they look for in students. I guess its really just a lottery but I think we did all deserve to get accepted in the end, and I'm REALLY glad I did so not complaining :)!</p>
<p>I totally was shocked too. But my dad, who went to Stanford, was telling me how everyone he met there was shocked they got in, but soon you realize your talking to a former olympic athlete, or the best debater on the east coast - like all these people are unique and incredible - but still no one understands how they got in somewhere like stanford.</p>
<p>I sort of like the feeling of surprise though, because when I step back to think about it, that I got into Stanford, it's the most humbling and exciting thought ever.</p>
<p>well...i'm sure you all really deserve it...congratulations...what do y'all feel about your essays???</p>
<p>I was shocked too. Really shocked. I guess we're all kind of in awe. I let my mom read my entire application after I got in based upon her logic, "We're paying for Stanford. Plus, it must have been good if you got in." I'm kind of self conscious about my essays and stuff like that. But she determined after reading it that it was probably my essays that got me in. But then again, that's just a mother's point of view. </p>
<p>I was convinced I wasn't going to get in, based on the statistics. Everyone on CC seemed to have 1500+ SATs and straight 800s. I had a 610 on Lit for the SAT2. Everyone has their insecurities, but I guess I just never expected to get in. Before I got my letter from Stanford, I had already applied for housing at my saftey and made all sorts of plans with the people there about activities and parties.</p>
<p>Any College is right. It is probably the most humbling and exciting experience ever. I am beyond exicted. I am afraid that second semester is going to fly by and I won't see my high school friends again; but on the other hand, after having read the links in the Hungry? post, I can't wait! I can't wait to decorate my dorm, to go to classes, and to meet my roommate. It's kind of surreal actually.</p>
<p>Even though the process is indeed a "crapshoot," I'm sure we were picked for some reason. Maybe the admissions officers liked our handwriting, or maybe they too were a Mock Trial attorney who played the flute and liked to make pottery. Who knows? But we're going! And I'll see you guys there. :)</p>
<p>But what about remarkable achievements? I don't have any of those. I don't consider having a good GPA, SAT scores, activities remarkable b/c I'm sure everyone who applies has that. Do you guys have any big accomplishment that makes you unique or is it just a lot of different, smaller things?</p>
<p>Looking back on my application, I realize all my essays are basically about my personality, with nothing about my achievements or special opportunities I've had (because again, I seriously don't have anything worth mentioning!) Maybe that helped because they can already see what you've done on the other parts of the form.</p>
<p>uh does it matter if i have a tiny typo in awards?
i wrote Scholarship Receipient... lol</p>
<p>As long as it's capitalized, they'll just think it's the proper name of an award.</p>
<p>@Word: don't worry about it. I spelled the name of a famous composer incorrectly :\ Missed a letter. His name was Russian, thus extremely long and complicated, lol.</p>
<p>I made 2 huge typos in my Stanford essays. That's what I get for typing the day the are due.</p>
<p>lol~ hey if there are a couple awards or something, or a typo i wanna fix.. is there any way to fix it? like call the admissions office or something? or is it stuck the way it is? and Receipient isn't gonna be mistaken for an award lolz</p>
<p>Don't bother if it's just one or two typos.</p>
<p>This is just a thought (don't take my word), but it's possible contacting them would help. It might show them that you really care about this application and that you want to make sure everything is perfect. Colleges are always looking for ways to make sure their applicants really want to go to their institution, and they would generally accept a less-qualified student who they were 95% sure would attend if accepted over a more-qualified student who they were 95% sure would go somewhere else no matter what.</p>
<p>thanks turtle</p>
<p>deepdown: I'm in a similar situation... I had no awards and no supertalents! So i was really surprised to get in. My essays all showed my personality traits, like yours did, so I guess that was what ultimately got me in. I'm SO SO SO excited!!!</p>
<p>I think that Stanford is probably looking for colorful personalities. They can tell by our test scores and transcripts, as well as our teacher recs that we've done a lot and are smart and hardworking. Maybe it's the personalities and spirit, then. :)</p>
<p>yea, i definitely agree. stanford could fill its freshman class with all 4.0 1600 kids, but would that necessarily be interesting? i feel like strong board scores and gpa are like a threshold, and once ur beyond that it's all about the essay and rec's, it's what makes you unique in a sea of high numbers and grades.</p>