Hi, my dream school is Stanford and I was wondering what it takes to get in? I understand it’s really challenging especially the >5% acceptance rate, but I still want to try. What is Stanford looking for in a student? For example, do they focus more on academics or other areas…? Thank you!
You need top grades in challenging classes, and a highly competitive SAT or ACT score. You should have a variety of activities pursued to a high degree–you need to demonstrate depth and passion. Stanford’s writing prompts are designed to get a sense of intellectual depth/curiosity, as well as your personality. They ARE holistic in terms of admitting students, ie: what you write matters, but at the end of the day you need the highest grades in the most challenging classes, and top test scores. Those who manage to get in without top test scores are unicorns, though they do exist (I know one). But they have the grades as counter-weight AND nail the writing–proving via your transcript and app that you can manage Standford’s academics is key. The thing is: a LOT of applicants meet this minimum criteria.
Generally I’d say this is the magic formula for any of the elite schools: you need to be very very academically competitive and have color and depth to your application (ECs, essays/supplements).
From my experience, in addition to having top grades as well as top test scores, you need to demonstrate intellectual curiosity and vitality (as they ask about in an essay), as well as a unique character. Stanford students that I know are passionate, involved in their communities and have clear goals for themselves that don’t revolve around what college they want to get into.
What does the Stanford website say? Why don’t you start there?
If you need to ask “do they focus on academics?” then I’d say your several steps behind your peers.
Yes.
@T26E4 I looked at the Stanford website, but I wanted more info. And I thought it wouldn’t hurt to ask. I’m actually in the top 10% of my class and I got a near perfect score on my SATs 
The post by @proudterrier should be nailed to the top of every “elite” forum on this site.
Great, @boredwithlife – sounds like you may be a viable candidate. Getting in, of course, requires much more than GPA and scores (including a bit of luck).
“I’m actually in the top 10% of my class and I got a near perfect score on my SATs .”
Oh, sweetie, that probably describes 90% of the applicants. I wouldn’t be surprised if they could fill a class with people with perfect SAT or ACT scores who are ranked #1 or #2 in their classes.
I’m not saying you haven’t done a good job or that you’re not smart or even that you couldn’t get into Stanford, but if Stanford is the level you want to play at, those credentials in and of themselves aren’t impressive, they’re just normal.
First, I would work on learning greater than or less than. 4.7 < 5.0.
Okay, 90% of people don’t have 2400s/1600s/36s and are in the first decile. That’s not true at all. The traditional statement of pools for elite schools is that the vast MAJORITY of people in the applicant pool (perhaps ~80% or less) are capable of handling the workload and the challenge that the university presents. A small subset of those will be considered properly, and fewer still will be taken to a second reading, and then just about 3-4k will be taken to committee for final decisions.
It’s great that you have a perfect SAT score and that you work hard academically. However, you still have a very large chance of being rejected, as do all the other high test scorers. Show passion in your interests, write good essays, be a good person, and then relax and commit to the attitude that cometh what may in March is okay either way. Good luck.
I was accepted early admissions back in 2007. My SAT scores were Math 800, Writing 640, Critical Reading (verbal) 570. I got 800s on SAT Math II and Physics subject tests. I don’t view myself as a unicorn. I did some unusual ECs which may have counterbalanced my SAT scores. I am only one example so I don’t know if it is meaningful or not.
I stumbled on this website a month ago. At the time I applied I knew little about yield or admit rate. I had not heard of the acronym URM (which I am not). I had not heard of the terms unhooked (which I am) or hooked.
Sometimes I think high school students frequently visiting this website get too caught up in specialized lingo and spend too much time comparing their stats and ECs with others. I suppose if you view it as entertainment and nothing else, there is no harm in being obsessed with comparisons to others.
There are two choices; apply to a school or don’t apply. My advice is attempt to screen out the noise and make your own decision.