<p>So as I am aiming to apply to both Stanford and MIT as two of my top choices (also looking at Harvard, Cornell, Duke, Dartmouth, and Princeton), I have been wondering about how my E.C's look. I pretty much have tried to focus on a theme of "teaching" and community service. I am not going to post my list of E.C's (including a startup business) on this thread, but I really wanted some advice on what these two top schools look for.</p>
<p>So for Stanford, I thought that my "teaching" and community service E.C's would look great. I do not know why I have that hunch, but I just though that it would appeal to them. I thought maybe because Stanford is less (less than MIT) focused on hardcore Math/Sci, they might like it more. </p>
<p>Don't get me wrong, I will have some good hardcore Math/Sci E.C's (Chem Olympiad, Physics Olympiad, Math Olympiad, AMC Finalist, School Department Awards). However, do you guys think that my community service and teaching E.C's will look better to Stanford than to MIT? I am just trying to gauge my E.C's in relation to either school. If this helps, I have an amazing Stanford Legacy- Both parents went for undergraduate and graduate school, my Dad went Stanford med and swam for Stanford. My Dad currently teaches at the Med school for Stanford and is on the Oncology research team.</p>
<p>I have matches and safeties but I just wanted to know how MIT and Stanford would see these E.C’s. I have sufficient info on my safety schools (UCI, BU, BC, UCD and some others)</p>
<p>Will it be very helpful? I have heard mixed advice on this. My Dad will definitely be a part of the faculty at the time of my application, does Stanford weight this heavily?</p>
<p>I’m not aware of any differences in how MIT and Stanford view ECs. And yes, legacy helps - they are admitted at twice the rate of the regular applicant pool (14% vs. 7%) - but that is also a reflection of the fact that the legacy applicant pool is also much stronger, so it’s more of a ‘tip’ than a ‘boost.’</p>
<p>Are you at Gunn? I believe 23 students were admitted to Stanford from Gunn last year (and probably similar numbers in previous years as well) because so many faculty send their kids there. If you have Naviance at your school, take a look at the stats for those kids admitted to Stanford. You should be able to get a good read on your chances.</p>
<p>And don’t underestimate the importance of entrepreneurship culturally at Stanford. There was recently (April this year?) a major article in the New Yorker on Stanford and its relationship with Silicon Valley entrepreneurs.</p>