<p>There’s no way these are to just find out about your personality. There’s no way Stanford University admits on the basis of personality. What exactly are they looking for, because they are definetley looking for something, in these weird questions?</p>
<p>No, I believe they do want a glimpse into your personality. In particular, they’re trying to determine if you’re a nice person. At least that is what the admissions officer told us at an accepted students event!</p>
<p>Think about how many apps they get from kids with top grades, terrific test scores, glowing recs and lots of awards. They got over 33,000 applications last year and that probably describes half of them. The number of offers they can make? Maybe 2,000?</p>
<p>You hear a lot about ‘building a class’ and yes they probably want geographic, racial, cultural and socio-economic diversity, gender balance, and enough musicians, athletes, etc…but at some point, they have to decide between similar candidates. Why not go with the person who is best able to present themselves as interesting, fun, witty and/or nice? Beats resorting to picking names out of a hat…</p>
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So you’re saying that this is what they’re looking for (fun witty and nice kids). I can see the roommate essay doing that, but not the favorite movies question.</p>
<p>It’s another chance to be fun, witty or interesting.</p>
<p>Listing favorite movies shows what…that you watch movies and read books? what could be made interesting about that, I just hope that Stanford doesn’t think "hey, this guy has cool interests and I like those books/movies too! lets pick him.</p>
<p>My kids stressed over applications that asked about recently read books, favorite movies, and worst of all–cultural events attended. What if when you’re not studying for AP tests, you just want to enjoy easy-read books of little intellectual value? Will the admissions people look down on you as too much the common man? And if you’re so busy exceling at school work and EC’s to go to many plays and art exhibits, will they consider you unintellectual? And what if you have the time but not the money to afford to attend true cultural events? I doubt the local Community Days and 4-H Fairs would impress anyone, but a trip into the big city is quite expensive. Ugh.</p>
<p>Just be honest, but show yourself in a good light. The admissions people are real people, too.</p>
<p>I was wondering about that as well. What do the Stanford people want to see in those questions? I know to be honest in your answers, but how do they want them worded?</p>
<p>Should I give them a list of my favorite movies, or should I focus on just one to explain why I love it? They barely give you any space so I have no idea.</p>
<p>Really, it’s not that dire: They just want to give you a chance to show some personality. </p>
<p>And I think the 4-H fair or your local community days would really make you stand out from all the other applicants as someone who has participated in a cultural life that isn’t cookie cutter or pretentious. They want diversity. If everyone is going to Met to see the Abstract Expressionist Exhibit, it’s going to be a really, really boring group.</p>
<p>More than anything, be honest. No one will ever be able to tell you with certainty what admissions are looking for. Don’t try to guess. Your best bet is to answer each question as honestly and thoughtfully as possible.
I will tell you that my son has met his regional admissions person a few times, and he specifically asked about things that were in my son’s application (not as any sort of test, but out of interest). It would have been really awkward had my son pretended to be anything other than who he is.</p>