Thank you all for your advice! I have a few questions.
My research article was recently published in a second online journal. Should I include the link to this in the add info section of the common app? (This is for my RD colleges, btw) I’m not sure if they can click links.
Next, I plan on creating a website that uses the info I discovered with my research and helps capitalize on the main points of that research project to students. I don’t want to go into specifics to protect my identity. I definitely plan on building this site, publishing it, and presenting it to my entire school in the Christmas Assembly by Dec 24, the last day of school and coincidentally my birthday . Now, I’m definitely going to send this to Stanford’s optional update. Can I also add this to the activities section of my common app? If so, where would it fit and how should I best market myself? New activity titled “Founder of website with X users” or should it be under that research project in add info?
I think this idea is pretty novel haha. How is it?
This is all getting twisted. Stanford’s going to want to see strengths in all of the app. Depth and breadth. They can pick those with what they want, many times over. Its not just an essay.
I’m one of the few who say not to lean back. The refrain from most is do what you want to. That forgets the colleges do the choosing. No, I dont instruct kids applying to tippy tops specifically what to do. That’s on them, up to them. No, you don’t read here what leaning in means. But kids can get a great idea when they research what the colleges say. Not CC parents or other students. It’s their app/supp and no one should dictate (or need to.) Not when it’s a tippy top.
So, OP, you said planning to start a website that’ll be done by the 24th. Something whipped up in 2 weeks doesn’t sound like a big challenge.
@gurt567 I would include the link to the online journal. They probably won’t read it, and that is okay. The important thing is that you are “showing, not telling” which is a chance to make your application stronger. The web site or the school presentation aren’t going to be what puts you over the top. However, perhaps your GC might mention those things in a follow up call or email, which he should make to help reiterate this is your top choice school.
I don’t believe anyone is saying to lean back. What many of us ARE saying is lean in as hard, as well researched and accurately as you possibly can, and it’s still FAR more likely that you will not get in. That’s the nature of too many students applying to too few slots.
Nor do I believe that anyone is saying that the process is random, per se. It isn’t random for the institutions making selections based on THEIR criteria. It’s just that those criteria are not publicly known. When I personally use the term random, I simply mean that there is a randomness from the perspective of the fully qualified student, accepted or not. MOST students who do get in cannot articulate why they were selected. I’ve read and listened to many interviews with Ivy kids that say they have no idea why they were selected. That’s the randomness factor I’M referring to.
I can agree with that, @eyemgh. It’s just that so many kids rely on what led to their high school success, miss that the college review is different. And there are plenty on CC who do say, “Just do what interests you.”
If the 2nd online journal is reputable (eg, it vets submissions,) I think OP could let S know. Alone (as an add,) I’m not sure the impact. He’s got the research (don’t know what, but assume it’s something stem,) a varsity sport, and several hs clubs (we don’t know what.) Also some vol hours, but not what. (He also mentioned some fundraising and work with middle schoolers.) If he wants a medical future, wants a tippy top, he hasn’t mentioned any of what experience(s) directly in a healthcare setting (or, eg, healthcare advocacy.) And anything scienc-y, in the hs.
Being deferred is a win. I’m hoping he has more he can cite now. Yes, they will re-review him, fresh. So yes, if there’s something valid and relevant to Stanford adcoms, he should add it, if it’s not already in his app. That’s not last minute contests.
I’m not trying to be hard. Rather to get him to think. Maybe there is more.
. Now, I’m definitely going to send this to Stanford’s optional update. Can I also add this to the activities section of my common app? If so, where would it fit and how should I best market myself? New activity titled “Founder of website with X users” or should it be under that research project in add info?