<p>So I am going with my mom to her 30th reunion at Stanford (class of '82) this October. I am a junior and in the high school class of 2014. What do you recommend doing while I’m at the reunion? (Specifically regarding the fact that I will be surrounded by countless alums.) I’ve been to Stanford before, but since this is the 30th reunion, it will be big and I will get to talk to a lot of my mom’s old friends. My life goal is to go to Stanford just as my mom did. Should I ask for advice from all the Stanford alums? It just seems like I have the opportunity to really get something out of this trip and further understand why I as an individual truly belong at Stanford. Thanks for any input.</p>
<p>You should go and socialize like a normal human being.</p>
<p>Socializing with alums will not help you with a Stanford app, even if they have connections/are on the admissions committee. Asking them for advice on how to get into Stanford is foolish, because they went to Stanford 30 years ago in a completely different culture surrounding colleges - lower admissions standards, less importance of ECs, etc. My boss at my internship went to Stanford 30 years ago - he told me he hadn’t heard of the SAT until a few weeks before he took it! And quite honestly, we all know that there is no special formula for getting into Stanford/elite colleges. These Stanford alums won’t be able to tell you anything you don’t already know - work hard, get awesome grades, awesome scores, do awesome ECs, be a cool person, and get lucky. Lots of people feel they belong at Stanford - I assure you the vast majority of the 93% of applicants Stanford rejects find another place they “truly belong.” Best of luck with college apps, but don’t put so much emotion into one school.</p>
<p>One’s “life goal” should likely not be attending a given college, but rather a happy, healthy and productive life after.</p>
<p>Get the class schedule from the admissions office and go sit in on some classes that interest you. And stop by the Papua New Guinea Sculpture Garden, visit the Cantor Center for the Visual Arts, and run (or walk) the dish in the late afternoon. If there are tours available to Jasper Ridge Bio Preserve or the linear accelerator, sign up. </p>
<p>Will it help you get admitted? No more than being a legacy will already help you. But you’ll have fun, learn something new, get some exercise and leave with a better idea of what the campus has to offer.</p>