And I also did an extra rec, it was from a former teacher who knows me really well. I did the 10 EC's and then one or two more on the Additional info section.
I wrote an essay on a rare auto-immune disease that struggled through for the additional info.
@tigger and everyone - while it is good to have hope for dec 15 and late march, we all have to keep in mind that most of us will be rejected, so we should be prepared for that. I think the deepest rut any of us can fall into is to set our hopes so high on stanford that we are always a little disappointed "only" getting into another great university.
I agree with you iman123194. As much as I wish all of us could get in, it just isn't probable.
Okay, since we all have already applied, I'm just curious; how did everybody approach the essays? I feel like I kind of did a risky approach -- I didn't put in any reason or highlight any attributes in my Common App essay that might make me an attractive applicant. Instead, I tried to use the Common App essay to humanize me, and I relied on the supplement essays to more strongly make a case for admitting me. What did everybody else do?
Quick logistics question-did you guys send your official ap scores or just self report?
@adodie it's funny I did pretty much the same thing. No selling myself on the common app essay, but a little more flashy in the supplements. I actually really like those questions...
The only thing I put in the additional info was a sibling that didn't fit. I didn't want to put too many extracurriculars cause I didn't want to look like I was stretched too thin ya know? Like I put the things I'm really involved in and just didn't put the lesser things
Oxford, St. Andrews, UCL
Northwestern
Columbia
Harvey Mudd
U Washington
UC Berkeley
Do others here have acceptances already? So far S has his state safety and one of his UK schools, so he knows for sure he will be going to college somewhere next year.
Adodie, I literally used all of the essays to humanize myself and elected to let accomplishments speak for themselves; I'm not sure if that's a good game plan or not, but I found writing organic thought much easier than contriving a "why you should admit me" essay.
Also guys, you never know... Stanford's SCEA admission rate might just to 100% this year!
That's great with the UK schools! I really wanted to apply to UK schools, but my family wouldn't be able to afford it.
I am freaking out about Dec 15. It won't be the end of the world if I don't get in, but I'm nervous. I'm a double legacy and my parents have posters and such all over, so there will be constant reminders if I don't get in ahh.
For the additional info, I gave an abstract of my research. I felt that the 10 activities were enough to put the 10 important ones. I was very involved with about 5 things throughout high school, and I also had 3 summer things and a couple more clubs, so I thought it adequately captured me.
>> I really wanted to apply to UK schools, but my family wouldn't be able to afford it.
For families who don't qualify for need-based financial aid in the US, top UK schools can be far less expensive than top US schools -- even after adding in airfare -- so they may still be worth investigating.
Good luck to everyone! I know that since you are students who have a shot at Stanford you will all land someplace amazing next year. Congratulations on all you have already accomplished to be eligible for such great schools!
For families who don't qualify for need-based financial aid in the US, top UK schools can be far less expensive than top US schools -- even after adding in airfare -- so they may still be worth investigating.
Yes, I know, but my family qualifies for plenty of need-based aid! This is good to know for full-pay students, though.
