I will be beginning my high school career this coming fall (I am aware that I should probably avoid this website for a couple years) and one of my main goals is, like many other students, to be accepted to top schools like Stanford. That led me to wonder what exactly they look for and how I could use that information to fit my interests and what makes unique to their interests. So, based on what you have observed, what qualities (personality, academics, extracurriculars, etc.) does Stanford look for in prospective students? I would also appreciate any general high school advice.
I suggest you look over the decision threads for the next few years and see the posted stats/information from the accepted, waitlisted and rejected applicants. Here is this year’s link to get you started:
To a greater extent than the other top schools, Stanford selects for passionate obsessives. I would almost consider this a prerequisite for admission. The Admission Office has actually gone on the record saying so. See https://www.stanforddaily.com/2014/04/25/qa-with-richard-shaw-what-stanford-looks-for-in-an-applicant/. Most admits seemingly aren’t faking their passions either because they bring their obsession to campus with them. Be careful about faking passion, though. This comes across as try-hardish and usually results in rejection.
I know one student (ORM) who got into Stanford personally and the person does not have any legacy/other connection to the school. The said person is a near perfect student (most As and a few A-), 34 ACT, plays an instrument/marching band, and wrote a beautiful essay, I gather the LORs were good too. The said person never thought that Stanford is THE school that one has to get into, applied RD.
So seemingly “normal” good students with no hooks do get into Stanford, it is just not common, at all. You are so young, aiming high is great, but there is no need to narrow down your field of vision so early. Most people don’t go to Stanford, and most people doing perfectly ok in life.
Good luck.
@makemesmart@aleaiactaest Thank you both for the help. It is quite reassuring to know that students who are passionate and hard-working stand a chance in the admissions process.
The passion S looks for is not the sort when you fall in love, lol. It refers to vision, activation, energy, and follow-through/commitment. It does not mean unilateral. All the tippy tops expect depth as well as breadth. Thus, I wouldn’t use “obsessiveness.” It implies some tunnel vision and all the TTs want kids clearly open to trying new experiences, other ways they engage and interact, beyond their academic and career interests.
The link is good, but you need to be looking for these sorts of resources, from the college, not blogs or forums. In fact, one former admissions dean dismissed the notion of passion in high school kids. Not enough living yet. It takes time to refine passions. So the keyword I saw in the link was vitality. Again, you have to interpret it in the right context. See if you can look at the Stanford supplement to the Common App, for an idea of how (and the many ways) you will form a presentation of yourself.
Also be aware that, in admissions, some things change fast, even from year to year. Resources from four or five years ago may not be the enlightening edge today.
Your chances are almost nil if you fall into one of these groups:
Live in the Bay Area
Asian, male and in STEM
not a legacy
doesn’t have a parent working there
Other than that, you have a 5% chance of getting in.
I only know of 2 personally who got in this year, one has a mother who is a professor there, one is a national swimming champion. And I can speak personally that having a parent as an employee didn’t help my kid get in.
What they do look for is something very unique, very quirky about an applicant. Something that no one else has or has done.
@Rainman2022 - It is indeed way too early to spend a lot of time on this website.
Stanford is looking for bright, accomplished, fun, interesting, intellectually curious, and passionate students that will make a difference in an ever-changing world.
Looking at Stanford’s supplemental essays will help you glean the qualities that they are looking for in their students:
1 - The Stanford community is deeply curious and driven to learn in and out of the classroom. Reflect on an idea or experience that makes you genuinely excited about learning. Key words are deeply curious and genuinely excited about learning. Are these qualities you possess? If so, how do you express them?
2 - Virtually all of Stanford’s undergraduates live on campus. Write a note to your future roommate that reveals something about you or that will help your roommate—and us—know you better. They want to get a glimpse into your personality, learn what makes you tick, and see how you get might along with others. Would somebody be excited about having you as their roommate?
3- Tell us about something that is meaningful to you, and why? Here they want to know what your passions are…What matters to you and why does it matter?
As a first gen/low income student who was accepted as a transfer without falling into any of the typical buckets of expected accepts (i.e. legacy, rich parent, athlete, etc.), I feel compelled to call bull- on anyone saying you don’t have a chance if you don’t fall into one of those buckets.
Stanford is looking for the unequivocal you, that will bring a meaningful presence to campus. Be passionate, work hard, and give it a shot, and you might be surprised.
And be humble and nice. My child currently attends Stanford (no legacy and no family employees) and all of the kids that I have met on campus are super nice and humble about anything they have accomplished. These kids must have all done super things to get into the school, and they do not brag at all.
My kid is ORM, not a super star academically, no musical inclination except for singing in showers, not obsessively passionate about anything, very humble, nice, kind hearted, respectful but interesting kid. He observes and doesn’t get influenced by a lot of BS. He was honest in his essays and was and is motivated to take advantages of opportunities.
I would say around 8 out of 10 Stanford kids are nice, normal kids. My kid and his three suite mates have no legacies or connections to Stanford, and at least two are not financially well off, while one probably got in based on athletic accomplishments.
My kid’s roommate’s mother told me her kid got here due to hard work instead of being brilliant. My kid was not as motivated by grades in high school but he was motivated to pursue many programs to find and develop his interests.
Therefore, my answer to OP’s question would be Stanford looks for kids who showed motivation to explore.
More than 17% of the incoming students are the firsts in their immediate families to go to college. What does that tell you? I myself was the first in my family to go to college (an Ivy) basically for free. My dad drove taxi and my mom worked at a deli. Now, I am sending my kid to Stanford as a full pay.
@websensation what is his major and what were his HS stats? I know a kid rejected by Stanford SCEA with exceptional academics and ECs and now goes to Harvard. S was the only school to outright reject her. She was also full pay and ORM.
I know a student with nearly perfect credentials and no hooks or legacy that got into Stanford and is thriving there. Another student from the same high school with a C+ average, 1500/2400 on the SAT is on the Stanford football team. So they look for many different things.
@socaldad2002 No major yet but non-STEM. Something related to Econ or IR. 3.9 ish GPA with many A-s and two B+s. 33 ACT (2160 SAT as sophomore), around top 4% GPA wise at his school and NMF in CA. Good and focused ECs. Probably an impactful essays. I say this only because his essays were mentioned at reception for students. Not a great writer though. No music or sports.
Speaks 4 languages. He was one of those ORM kids who could not have and did not get Regents scholarship from any UCs but had a decent chance to get into some HYPS by standing out.
He himself wanted to apply to Stanford. I am not a parent who encourages my kid to apply to high ranked colleges. I did tell my kid I didn’t like UC Berkeley for undergraduate after the visit. Took him to Pomona for a visit but he wanted a large school. I envisioned him being happy at Pomona or Rice type of school but he wanted to go to Stanford. It was only application he worked hard on.
Only other top colleges he considered but did not apply were Yale and Georgetown. He likes to be surrounded by kids who are smarter than him.
