<p>I'm applying SCEA to Stanford in a week, but I had a question about my application. I'm a very strong science student, and I'm the Rensselaer Medalist from my school. Also, I attended a summer research program at Stanford in immunology this summer, and my AP Chemistry teacher lauds my science abilities in his rec. In addition, I'm majoring in biology (though with a humanities twist). However, out of my four essays for Stanford, not one even refers to my love of science. The one that comes closest is one about why I love working in therapy with stroke patients, but it's entirely about the emotional lessons that I've gained. In fact, my intellectual idea essay is about something very political (though my strong point is science), but it is most definitely something I feel passionately about.</p>
<p>Hence, I was wondering if it would be advisable to trash one of my essays and write about something science-related, though it probably wouldn't be as strong as my original essay. Would it seem odd that I didn't even refer to science in my application when all of my statistical factors point to it and when it is indeed a passion of mine?</p>
<p>I have a similar problem... only with US history.</p>
<p>My councelor mentioned my passion for US history in her rec... I imagine my US history teacher would also. And I got a 5 on AP US History Test and am anticipating very good on SAT II... Does this "theme" approach help me at all?</p>
<p>Just my humble opinion, but I think that your recs and your essays should work together to complement one another and build a coherent identity for you. To put it a tacky way, you're building your brand: you.</p>
<p>Also, I just want to point out that you should NEVER EVER trash a better essay for one on a different topic. It's Stanford. Add a fifth essay, they'll be impressed. The worse they could do is not read it. They're not a state school that'll trash your essay for sending too much info, they consider all parts of it. Anything extra that you send just adds more to their image of who you are. YOU are the brand, what they want, not your love of science.</p>
<p>Um, sorry, if it's one thing I know about Stanford, it's that they DO trash anything extra you send and that they DO look down upon you for doing so.</p>
<p>Your app should definetly be themed. It should be fine if not all of your essays for Stanford have to do with science (one of mine has to do with a homless dude) but atleast one should mention science or research or something. Shouldnt the first two essays be about science if that is your interest. The first essay asks to write about an important activity (research). The second asks what you find intelectually exciting (science). The other two can, but don't have to incorporate science. I would definetly have the first two, or atleast one of them, talk about science (most likely the second one). It will also be bad to have all 4 essays about the same topic because that gets boring. Don't give a fifth essay though. Your stats are good, but you are not a lock. Don't hurt your chances by doing anything stupid.</p>
<p>It's good to subtly mention science in your essays.</p>
<p>Like...</p>
<p>Add a dialogue in that experience with stroke patients saying how your ability to analyze radioactivity from AP Chemistry was of no use when you actually had to deal with real patients. Somewhere along the line of how what you learned in classroom and its limitation contributed to your personal enlightenment. </p>
<p>The key is to never mention anything directly. </p>
<p>Hahah, well see, I actually do something almost identical to what you mentioned, ManUtd. :] Thanks for all the responses!</p>
<p>I think I will definitely change one of my essays to a science-related experience, especially since I have a pretty good idea as to what to write for it now. :D</p>