<p>^^completely agree with Phanta. What most students and parents don’t understand is that “socioeconomic” diversity in a class of 1700 is highly prized at Stanford…the struggles and hardships (she does not have to divulge on CC for privacy) this OP has had to endure while maintaining academic excellence and intellectual vitality…speaks volumes about one’s CHARACTER and emotional MATURITY…that cannot be ignored…</p>
<p>…let me give you a hypothetical comparison…two students with identical GPAs, test scores, and similar high school sports, clubs, leadership positions…but student (A) is a student from wealthy Atherton, CA with two parents both with advanced degrees (who was given all the resources to take SAT prep, use tutors for classes, expensive summer courses at elite colleges, and access to professional college advisers)…and student (B) is from a single parent household with 4 siblings (she being the eldest)…mother (no college education) works 2 jobs…so the student has to work part-time at McDonalds to help make ends meet…she also helps care for the younger siblings while her mother is at work…</p>
<p>…now, who do you think will have a more compelling “life story” to write about in their essay?..and who do you think the admissions committee will ADMIT?..who would YOU admit?</p>