<p>I know that most of you who have applied early must be dying under the stress and anticipation of waiting for decisions. The next couple of days will hold a major decision for you. To a lot of you, this decision/result may be the "most important outcome in your life" thus far. There is no doubt that whether or not you get into Stanford will alter your life in some way or another. But I just want you all to not let your life hinge on this one outcome. I realize you've all worked "so hard" (though that is a major understatement) to accomplish what you have in hopes of getting in. To even apply SCEA is a major accomplishment because you have all achieved so much and know that you are qualified to be a student at Stanford. A lot these admissions decisions are ambiguous, there is no exact formula that determines who gets in and who does not. Don't feel that if you do get deferred/rejected that you are "not worthy." To put this in perspective, Stanford is just one out of many good schools. I really believe that wherever you all end up is where you will be most happy; those are the exact words I told a friend who did not get into Dartmouth ED (despite a super legacy). I believe in fate, and I do think that it'll put you where you belong... at a school that you'll fit in the best at. And if you do not get accepted, you shouldn't look at it as a failure, but as something that will make you a stronger person, and that will help you learn something about yourself in the process, and that there is a better option out there for you. Don't ever think "Gosh, why was I so stupid ever to apply," because having the satisfaction of knowing you gave it your all is a lot better than living life asking yourself "What if I did this..."
You are all amazing people, and you don't need one school to bring out your natural talents and abilities... you are all very well capable of doing it yourself. I think in a way, colleges are much like placebo experiments. If there were no reputations, etc. and colleges were labeled with random letters, you may not be able to distinguish the elites from the sub-elites. A lot of it is mental association.
But like I said, just from interaction with each other on this board, I can already tell that you are all amazing people. Don't let the decision of some adcom bring you down. Only you know how truly amazing you are... and don't ever give up or change who you are because of this one obstacle...</p>
<p>"I hope you still feel small when you stand beside the ocean
Whenever one door closes I hope one more opens.
Promise me that you'll give faith a fighting chance....</p>
<p>I hope you never fear those mountains in the distance.
Never settle for the path of least resistance.
Living might mean taking chances, but they're worth taking.
Loving might be a mistake, but it's worth making.
Don't let some hell bent heart leave you bitter.
When you come close to selling out, reconsider.
Give the heavens above more than just a passing glance. </p>
<p>And when you get the choice to sit it out or dance,
I hope you dance" </p>
<p>Don't lose your confidence over one unsuccessful attempt. Life is full of them.</p>
<p>And for those of you who do get in, please don't feel like you're accomplishment is in any way dimmed. Needless to say, it is an extraordinary accomplishment. What's different about those who will get in is that you will all fit in very well at Stanford. And you really don't need a deferral/rejection to help you find where you really belong.</p>
<p>So, good luck to everyone...
and since we've all made so many friends along the way... please, don't leave this board after admissions are out... whether you're going to Stanford or somewhere else equally great.</p>