Stanford University doesn’t need much of an introduction, but we’ll do it anyways. Located in (shocker) Stanford, California, Stanford is one of the top colleges in well, almost everything. They famously like to claim they don’t publish admission data but you can look at their Common Data Set to find the raw numbers. Last cycle, Stanford touted a 3.94% acceptance rate, one of the lowest in the biz.
Stanford is also unique in that they were the first elite school to promise free everything (room, board, tuition, fees, etc.) to kids coming from households that make less than 75k per year, and free tuition to families making under 150k, which is good to know in the wake of all the student loan hubbub. More schools should adopt this practice. Anyways, they do this because they’re interested in students who will add something new to their campus and have the kinds of personalities that will thrive in that rigorous environment.
Their supplement is long, unchanged, and seeks to define you as a multifaceted person. Try your best to avoid talking about things that they already can find in your Common App, since this is your opportunity to show them your personality. Let’s dissect their eight questions:
Short Answer (50)
What is the most significant challenge that society faces today?*
In 50 words, solve climate change. lol, we’re kidding.
But, identify an issue that’s important to you – think close to home. Are you concerned with the crumbling infrastructure because things haven’t been updated in your city for decades? Concerned with food deserts because your closest grocery store is over 5 miles away? It should be a global issue that impacts your local community or your family. Tell them that why and connect it to yourself.
How did you spend your last two summers?*
Not a trick, both of your last summers. It’s okay for this one to have overlap with your activities section. Kids who only write last summer don’t get into Stanford. You have 50 words, which is very limiting, so cut the prose and channel your inner Hemingway to write the most direct sentences of your life.
What historical moment or event do you wish you could have witnessed?*
Have fun with this one. But don’t be cliche! Yes, the moon landing or signing the Declaration of Independence would be cool to see but guess what? Everyone else is saying it. Get unique. Who was there when butter was first invented? Were they confused? One of our writers who got into Stanford said she wanted to be there during the Waco Seige because she had heard stories from her dad who was in one of the news vans. That’s specific and connected with her background and interests.
Briefly elaborate on one of your extracurricular activities, a job you hold, or responsibilities you have for your family.*
We love that they included family responsibilities and jobs, because a lot of kids who deserve to go to top schools aren’t always able to pursue extracurricular activities to the same degree as others. This is another one where overlap with the activities section won’t kill you, but it would be better to not overlap. You’re trying to turn yourself into an octahedron (that’s the 3D version of an octagon) (because there are eight questions) (and you want to show them all your different sides) so if your application is all about Mock UN, try for something different here.
Name one thing you are looking forward to experiencing at Stanford.*
Specificity is the name of the game, so no “campus” or “everything” answers. Look up unique clubs or traditions. Does Stanford know you have the nose for news? If not, talk about joining a student paper. Do they know you like poetry? Talk about spoken word nights. Build out your profile and tell them something they don’t know about you with this one.
Short Essay (250)
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.*
This question will give you the ability to get hyperspecific with an outside interest you have. Think about the last wikipedia hole you went down. Your Bluetooth stopped working, so you looked up how to fix it. Then you read about the history of Bluetooth. Then you learned Hedy Lamarr, actress, inventor, and spy, developed the idea to jam Axis-power radio lines. Like, what a ride! Tell us the story of a time you were so hungry to know more about a topic or how you developed a side obsession with woodworking or gardening or fixing cars. Yes, those are things you have to learn!
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 – get to know you better.*
Love this question. Write an actual letter. Tell them your deal, what you plan on doing with your dorm room, what vibes you plan on bringing with you to college. Are you bringing your record player? What about your Criterion Collection dvd collection? Are you messy? Neat? Love to chat? Tell them everything you would want to know about your roommate.
Tell us about something that is meaningful to you and why.*
So broad!! But, this is a place to tell a story. Meaningful can be about a memory, a physical item, a location, a person, an idea, etc. If its an item, tell the story of how you came to own it. If it’s a memory, especially a funny or sweet one, tell them the story! If it’s a person, talk about an interaction with them. This is a humanizing essay, so let it humanize you.
Stanford’s application is long, but it gives you plenty of opportunities to show them all your other interests and traits. If it’s hard to write these without repetition or overlap, Stanford might not be the right fit. However, something to remember is that you have a 96% chance of not getting into Stanford, so loosen up and have some fun with these questions.
If you need help with your Stanford supplemental essays, talk to us today.