Does Stanford have a "different" admission approach compared to peer institutions?

Colleges & Universities Stanford University
7

<p>Have a look at this old thread:</p>

<p><a href=“http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/harvard-university/1310410-selection-process-harvard-vs-stanford.html[/url]”>http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/harvard-university/1310410-selection-process-harvard-vs-stanford.html&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt;

<p>The stereotype is that Stanford tends to place more emphasis on “intangible” variables than HYP. Hence, its relatively lengthy supplement and obsession with gauging applicants’ “intellectual vitality.” Have a look at this video:</p>

<p>[Stanford–What</a> factors affect decision beyond academic measures - YouTube](<a href=“Stanford--What factors affect decision beyond academic measures - YouTube”>Stanford--What factors affect decision beyond academic measures - YouTube) </p>

<p>Stanford really cares about filling the class with genuinely nice, passionate people. I’ve heard this from admission officers themselves. It will likely turn down an accomplished student if it thinks that he/she is 1) mean and/or 2) not passionate about what he/she does inside and outside of the classroom. </p>

<p>Having said all of this, many of the people I’ve encountered here had very high quantifiable variables in high school (i.e., SAT/ACT, GPA), indicating that intangible qualities are simply tipping factors when all else is equal. There’s no substitute for having good numbers.</p>