Stopping by from the Harvard SCEA forum. Congrats to all those accepted. To those deferred or rejected - Stanford was not lucky enough to have you. Keep the faith.
Hey y’all I made a thread for anyone who was deferred http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/college-admissions/1944028-stanford-2021-deferred-thread-p1.html?new=1
rejected lol
So… I just got an email saying there has been an update to my admission decision. I can’t decide if I should open it now or tomorrow. I’m taking the ACT tomorrow and if I’m rejected I don’t want to be crushed and do poorly (I’m taking the ACT again because they calculate that into valedictorian at my school so even though my college apps are in I still want to improve my score) however, it could be more motivation to “prove them wrong” (but the latter is less likely). I don’t know what to do and the suspense is killing me. Would it be worse to take the ACT with the thought of my fate being determined already gnawing at the back of my head?? Please help!
When I was in second grade, I watched the DARPA Grand Challenge where Stanford was a competitor to create the first driverless car. I’ve wanted to go to Stanford since then and worked my butt off to get there. Rejected. I know I told myself I was prepared for a rejection, but man, it really hurts. I know I’ll be happy wherever I end up, I’ve got a great list of other schools, but a serious congratulations to anybody who made it. A good friend of mine was accepted today, and I’m so so happy for it. Congratulations to everyone accepted, and, to my fellow rejects, have no fear, you all will go on to do amazing things.
So… I just got an email saying there has been an update to my admission decision. I can’t decide if I should open it now or tomorrow. I’m taking the ACT tomorrow and if I’m rejected I don’t want to be crushed and do poorly (I’m taking the ACT again because they calculate that into valedictorian at my school so even though my college apps are in I still want to improve my score) however, it could be more motivation to “prove them wrong” (but the latter is less likely). I don’t know what to do and the suspense is killing me. Would it be worse to take the ACT with the thought of my fate being determined already gnawing at the back of my head?? Please help!
@ambitionsquared Well, nobody knows why you weren’t admitted, but you will certainly end up somewhere fantastic!
Me and my twin sister waited until now to check because we wanted to be alone at home and not at school. Both of us were deferred.
and if anyone was wondering how the deferral letter goes…
I am writing to let you know your Restrictive Early Action application has been reviewed, and we have not yet reached a final decision. We want to give your application further consideration and have deferred it to our Regular Decision round.
We were inspired by the determination, hard work, and care you invest in everything you do, and we look forward to learning even more about you in the coming months.
Between now and the end of February, we encourage you to fill out our online Optional Update Form. We want to know more about what you are learning this year. We are also interested in hearing about any new honors or awards you receive or any new information you would like to share with the admission committee.
Stanford’s philosophy is to defer only a small percentage of Restrictive Early Action applicants, and you are part of this exceptional group. We recognize and acknowledge your strong interest in Stanford, and we appreciate the thoughtfulness of your early application.
We will contact you on or before April 1 when we release decisions for the Regular Decision round, which now includes your application. In the meantime, we look forward to receiving your update.
Just goes to show you guys… you can literally have a 4.0 and a 2400 and still not get in. You know how those “Get into Stanford” articles always mention how even people with perfect stats don’t get in? Well, now I know that I am that guy. I had great essays and extracurriculars too, so it really stung.
You just to have to keep your head up. Not everyone can get into Stanford. I want to congratulate everyone who got accepted, and for my fellow rejects, I look forward to seeing you guys on other college threads here. Honestly, I think the reason why I didn’t get in was due to the competitiveness of my school (two people that I know got in: one was the winner of not one, but two national science competitions with reward money totaling $500,000 and the other was a double legacy who qualified to represent the United States at the international mathematics olympiads) but I am not going to complain because my school has provided me with amazing resources that I have used to succeed. I wish everyone luck for the future and I know that we are all going to end up some place great.
ACCEPTED!!
DS was rejected.
Do rejected applicants get snail mail? If so when is it mailed?
She has to check her email.
@dewrrrett You are the kind of person who will succeed no matter which school you go to. I love your attitude.
deferredddddd
accepted!!!
@bellbeast Rejected applicants who check the online portal do not normally get a mailed letter.
Hey guys, stopping in from EA at Princeton. I had 6 friends accepted, 1 deferred, and 5 rejected and seeing the sting and joy in their eyes, I wanted to offer some advice. Every college has a different character, ideal student, and general way of life. Certain traits like endurance, honesty, wit, and creativity are held at different values for each school. Some schools will prefer a certain set of traits and life experiences, while others are looking for something else. Your scores, rigor, and recs are not always what counts, especially at these elite schools where nearly everyone is in the top 5% of the nation and the academics are nearly the same. By the time you reach these great schools, the decision relies on your character. Stanford is not saying that your character is good or bad, but that it isn’t the image they are looking for. However, amazing schools like Pomona, Swarthmore, Princeton, and more are looking for a person who might just be you. Don’t give up, and don’t get your head stuck in the dirt over Stanford. These universities know who they want, and when the right one for YOU, comes around, both you and the school will know. My best friend last year was rejected from Tufts and Pomona, but got into Stanford. I have another friend who didn’t make Tulane but happened to get into Tufts. Now they both believe it was the best thing for each of them. Trust in the process and believe in yourself, because in the end you will all do great things. 
@danieljg511 I agree with you partly, but every school will like an applicant who reveals himself honestly. I think the biggest mistake applicants make is trying to look too impressive.