<p>Seriously, it's so hard to keep adcoms interested in the intellectual vitality essay. After all, they have 20000 apps to read, and I don't want to waste their time seeing "I am really good in math . . ." </p>
<p>To those who were admitted: How did you avoid this blunder? Any tips? Thx</p>
<p>try to find something that relates to your intellectual vitality outside of the classroom. also, don't write in general terms (eg. i am intellectually vital because i like to discuss politics and philosophy with my friends and learn outside the classroom). try to find a specific story that demonstrates your vitality. basically, don't tell them you're vital, show them.</p>
<p>hmm . . . what about explaining new ideas and correclations with things? I just came up with striking similarities with rice and life for example. Can I explain that and call it a "intellectual vitality" essay? Or must I have to write a story about how my friends/teacher and I met and ended up talking of intellectual things?</p>
<p>The question on this year's Stanford essay was ". . . Tell us about an idea or an experience you have had that you find intellectually engaging." I really like how Stanford posed this question, since it gives you a chance to talk about something intellectually important to you that may have nothing to do with high school class subjects.</p>
<p>My S (who was admitted) wrote about a computer programming class that he took in comm. college one summer and how it challenged him to begin thinking more logically.</p>
<p>Thanks! Bump . . . also, neone have any views on "What Makes Stanford a good place for you" essay?</p>
<p>ashwinsundar, think of the good essay as having two parts
So at first part, talk about ur academic interest (intellectual curiosity), it's formationa, evolution, and the current state of things.
And in the second part, just say how stanford can foster ur passion.
At least...this is what I did for 07-08 application</p>
<p>I thought this essay was my worst, but my regional officer even handwrote a note saying how much she loved it... that was quite shocking.</p>
<p>I started with a cute anecdote in which my AP Euro teacher grilled me on the definition of a chair when he was introducing Plato (it was probably one of the most intellectually stimulating experiences for me). Somehow, I linked that to stem cell research... LOL. I feel sorry for being so fake in that essay, but I put so much effort into the other two short essays and this one I needed to get done fast.</p>
<p>Remember, this doesn't have to do with your research or your academic forte. It can be about something intellectual that just gets your brain going. If you're fascinated by Sumerian mythology, write about that and how that stimulates you. Make sure you don't just describe that interest, though. Let the adcoms know why it interests you and how learning about the subject applies to your life and the world or how it has contributed to your intellectual development.</p>
<p>Thanks guys. That helped in a way. Anyone else have anything to add?</p>
<p>bump . . . .. . . . .</p>
<p>I haven't written the essay yet, but I have a good idea of what I'll do. For the academic interest, instead of droning on, tell a story. It can be of how you got interested in the subject, an experience you had with the subject, or something like the plato chair example from above. Stories are by nature interesting for people to read.</p>