So everyone has been talking about the concept of a ‘college fit’. It’s been used a lot in the college admissions process, but I rarely find top schools like HYPSM mention it (or maybe I just missed it?). They seem to have a lot more to consider like grades and scores and achievements, so fit doesn’t usually pop out in the discussion.
Do HYPSM really consider how a student ‘fits’ them when they review the application? Do they (and Stanford in particular) look for certain qualities in applicants? If yes, what can a fit for Stanford be? And I think fit should be something rather exclusive to the school. Every school looks for passion, so it’s not quite a ‘fit’, don’t you think?
I always view Stanford students as innovative, a bit eccentric, quite liberal, and massive risk takers (which explains why I want to go there). I don’t think those qualities can be used to describe HYPM students – even though many of them share those qualities, not the whole student body does as opposed to at Stanford. I can definitely be wrong, though!
What is your take on this? I’d love to hear some opinions from Stanford’s students/alumni too. Thanks! 
I think all these schools consider “fit” in that they want to know—specifically—why applicants want to attend and what they hope to do when there (again, specifically). In many ways these schools are all looking for the same thing, and you’ll find all types of students at any of them, including Stanford. What’s more important is how the school fits you—whether it’s the kind of place you can see yourself flourishing. You’ll be surrounded by interesting high achievers from all different backgrounds at any of these schools, so in terms of finding like-minded students, that’s possible at all of them, and who you end up meeting (or getting as a roommate!) is, to a certain extent, a crapshoot. Instead of considering things like that, look closely at each school’s academic programs and requirements, reputation in fields you’re considering majoring in, extracurricular offerings, job possibilities, geographical location, proximity to your hometown (if that might be a factor for you), etc. These are the things you’ll have to deal with once you’re there—the other students will be essentially similar at all of these places (even if they don’t all wear flip-flops!).