I’ve read that when reading applications, Stanford admissions officers look for students who have a “spike”, or intense interest in a certain area only, rather than well-rounded students. As a sophomore high-school student, I want to choose between two disciplines of interest: chemistry or game development. I want to work on just one and not the other, and there are certain advantages to each one:
Chemistry:
It’s more, y’know, respectable. Kind of. And it sounds more academic.
It’s the path I’ve been going for a long time now; game development was just a more recent thought of mine.
I’m not actually too good at coding (but I like game design)
Game Development
I enjoy this a lot more, and I spend a lot more time thinking about this than the other.
It has a lot to do with physics and mathematics, both of which I’m already strong in.
It’s special and not as many students choose to go down this path. (Or do they? Please tell me)
There’s a Science Olympiad event which specifically focuses on game development (although you have to code in Scratch, so that’s kinda meh)
There’s also an FBLA event pertaining to this too.
So, which one should I do? Or should I still focus on both of them? Or are they both futile hopes of ever reaching towards Stanford and achieving my dreams?
Trying to tailor yourself to be what you think Stanford wants is a bad strategy. If you truly are interested in both, then you shouldn’t have to drop one.
Agree. From a person who got in EA this year (and is most likely attending), I just tried to be myself. I tried to exude that I try to combine nerdy with stylish and a dash of humor and big dreams. Find your personality and knock out those essays, and write down everything you’ve done as extracurriculars that you’ve put your FULL HEART into and that you’re truly PASSIONATE about.
Much luck my brother. Stay in school, don’t get preggo, and make sure you play hard after you work hard.
You’re 14-15 years old and want to grab after the brass ring (which you feel is a Stanford admit). Your reading of the attractiveness of a “spike” is simplistic. Actual selective school admits don’t have your mindset. They are simply focused on being excellent and confident about that journey – and not so concerned about how it looks to anyone.
You want to BE a viable top college admit – not be a poser. Here’s where you need to change: learn to become confident in your choices – unafraid to make mistakes yet taking risks. If you have the academic potential and ability to balance it all, it’ll show up and it won’t be forced.
Students who get into top schools are simply on a trajectory where top schools just gravitate towards them – they’re not out there chasing A or B.
Also, figure out what you like and then go for it. When you want to pursue an interest and be the best in that interest simply because it is something that you absolutely love, it will be sincere. That will get your application noticed.
I can understand where you’re coming from. Why waste effort on something that may not impress adcoms? Of the two choices, I think Chemistry is a better choice. Reasons why:
Easier to find nationally recognized awards
Links to a clearly defined potential major in college
Adcoms would have an easier time sending your work to a prof in the Chem department to review. Not all students' work is sent to professors for review. But if your work is good enough, they may ask for faculty input. Much easier to do with chemistry related work. Video game design -- who would they send to? Engineering faculty? Comp Sci? Design?
I agree OP that having accomplishments in one area on a national level might stand out more than local awards in multiple areas. However you need a passion for whatever you pursue to be successful. I suggest choosing whatever field of study appeals to you rather than trying to outguess what an application reader will like.
