<p>Did the prompt change?? I was sure it was “write a letter to your roommate…” in the past.</p>
<p>Can we still write a letter for the new prompt?</p>
<p>Of course you can but whether you should is something you need to determine for yourself. I think the prompt implies you are to direct your essay to the admissions committee, but it would not be “wrong” to write a letter to an imaginary roommate. I believe that before last year they did ask for a letter (not really certain when it changed). My S is a '13 and I am sure he did NOT write a letter.</p>
<p>Ok…why has Stanford changed the prompt? jw</p>
<p>Maybe to see whether applicants notice. =)</p>