Stanford has become one of America’s most selective universities, with an admissions rate of 4.4% for the class of 2023. However, starting with the class of 2023, they have decided to stop releasing their admissions statistics. They have publicized that this move is “intended as a small step in reducing the outsized emphasis placed on the admission rates at U.S. colleges and universities.”
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Stanford Essay’s
You have a lot of work ahead of you if you’re applying to Stanford.
In addition to the Common App essay, most universities will want you to respond to one to four additional essay prompts. Stanford asks for three short supplement essays, which you need to answer from 100 to 250 words. Therefore, it’s safe to assume that it won’t be simple if you decide to take on the Stanford supplemental essays.
Before you start writing, you might want to learn more about Stanford’s self-perception and the type of student it is seeking. Its Common Data Set provides a thorough, quantitative look at its programs, including enrollment and tuition figures, financial aid data, and details about student life. Read Stanford’s vision here to get a clearer idea of how it sees its place in academia and how it hopes to develop and change.
Here are the Stanford Essay prompts that you have to answer; these questions need to be answered within 100 to 250 words.
- The Stanford community is deeply curious and driven to learn in and out of the classroom. Reflect on an idea or experience that makes you genuinely excited about learning.
- Virtually all of Stanford’s undergraduates live on campus. Write a note to your future roommate that reveals something about you or that will help your roommate — and us — get to know you better.
- Please describe what aspects of your life experiences, interests and character would help you make a distinctive contribution as an undergraduate to Stanford University.
Let us answer these prompts one by one!
Short Answer Prompt: The Stanford community is deeply curious and driven to learn in and out of the classroom. Reflect on an idea or experience that makes you genuinely excited about learning. (100-250 words)
The purpose of this question is to provide the admissions staff with a better idea of your level of intellectual curiosity and drive for learning. When responding to this question, concentrate on one topic or event that motivates you to learn more and how you respond to that motivation. Be succinct, but make sure the narrative structure shows how well you will fit in with Stanford’s academic community.
Describe the idea in great detail. (We’ve found that a precise notion usually works better than an experience.)
If feasible, summarise the main point in the first fifty words. Some students take too long to do so, which makes the essay seem ambiguous because we are unsure of what to emphasise.
Think about taking advantage of this chance to reveal a previously hidden aspect of yourself.
Even if the concept is abstract, relate it to a personal experience. The essay feels vague and unfocused because many students keep it outwardly focused on topics. (Yes, that term is technical.)
Although every student’s answer to this question will be different, you might find this helpful sample in brainstorming essay topics.
Here’s an example:
I’ve always found the idea of renewable energy to be fascinating. I had the chance to work as an intern at a nearby solar energy firm last summer. My passion for studying was sparked by seeing the practical effects of sustainable technology.
I witnessed directly how solar panels converted sunlight into a practical energy source while working with enthusiastic engineers. I felt as though I was watching magic happen. My grasp of energy systems has been much improved by the complex engineering and the dedication to a cleaner future.
I was really thrilled about this field’s potential for innovation. It is both astounding and humbling to consider that we may be on the verge of innovations that may fundamentally alter the way we power our world. Reducing our carbon footprint is only one goal; another is to completely transform how we engage with the environment.
I was inspired to learn more about renewable energy by this encounter. I attended webinars, did research on solar technology developments, and even started a sustainability group at my high school. My motivation now comes from the possibility of helping create a more sustainable future.
It would be an absolute dream to be a part of the Stanford community, which is known for its curiosity and ambition. In the Atmosphere/Energy program, I hope to work with like-minded people, push the limits of sustainable technology, and eventually make a significant impact on the future of our world.
Tips
- Be true to yourself: Since essay readers review thousands of applications, they are quite skilled at spotting when students are writing about something they believe would sound remarkable rather than something they are truly interested in and excited about.
- Don’t merely enumerate your achievements: Although it would be quite simple to use this prompt to list all of your academic accomplishments, there are other sections of the application specifically designated for that use. Instead, describe what you still want to understand about this concept or event and why it intrigues you.
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Short Answer Prompt #2: Virtually all of Stanford’s undergraduates live on campus. Write a note to your future roommate that reveals something about you or that will help your roommate—and us—get to know you better.
Instead of writing to the admissions committee, this essay should read more like a letter or email to a friend. This is a fantastic chance to be funny and truly show off your individuality. Just resist the urge to speak in colloquial terms, also keep in mind that grammar accuracy is still crucial! An excellent illustration of how you could answer this prompt is provided below.
Example:
Dear Future Roommate,
I’m very excited to tell you about this new chapter at Stanford! You should be aware of the fact that I am a nocturnal creature. My creativity and concentration are at their best late at night. I tend to lose track of time, so don’t be shocked if you find me immersed in books or working on my laptop late at night! But don’t worry, your sleep routine won’t be disturbed because I’m a ninja with my noise-canceling headphones.
I also have a slight obsession with plants. You’ll probably notice that our room is decorated with a tiny jungle of vegetation. They add vitality and a little peace to our area, much like my leafy friends. If you like, feel free to water them; they will appreciate whatever affection you can give them. My taste in music is really diverse. From indie rock to classical piano, there is something for everyone on my playlist. If you love music as much as I do, we’ll have a great time. I’m always up for a jam session or meeting new musicians.
Exploring new cuisines is a passion of mine, so I’m always game for trying out local eateries or cooking up something unique. If you ever want to embark on a culinary adventure, count me in!
I sincerely look forward to this adventure at Stanford and am eager to get to know you and the experiences you will contribute to our common area. Cheers to an incredible year!
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Short Answer Prompts #3: Please describe what aspects of your life experiences, interests, and character would help you make a distinctive contribution as an undergraduate to Stanford University.
This prompt is so common that you may have a response you can use for more than one school — just make sure you tailor your responses instead of copying and pasting, and don’t forget to change the name of the school! That is one of the most common mistakes we see students make in their responses!
You can use this prompt to highlight particular abilities or characteristics you can provide the Stanford community, such as event planning, project management, group leadership, or something else entirely.
Let’s break down the key components of the prompt to guide your approach.
- Which of your life’s events has influenced your personal growth the most? You have the chance to explore certain experiences that have influenced your outlook on life, education, and other topics in this essay.
- How are you going to contribute? Make sure you provide a clear response to this question. In what ways have these experiences prepared you to contribute at Stanford? What contributions do you make to the community and school that others might not? The best response will highlight a contribution that only you (or perhaps you and a few other applicants) would think to make, but it’s still a good idea to aim for something truly unique.
Take a look at this illustration for ideas:
Being raised in a multicultural home, I have a strong respect for inclusivity and diversity. I have personally witnessed how diverse viewpoints enhance our comprehension of the world. This has motivated me to promote inclusivity, whether it is by working at neighborhood community centers or spearheading diversity-focused projects at my high school.
I’ve taken part in a number of eco-friendly projects because of my enthusiasm for environmental sustainability. I’m dedicated to solving urgent environmental issues, whether it’s planning tree-planting campaigns or taking part in beach clean-ups. I plan to keep up this dedication at Stanford by putting my passion into studies and projects that advance sustainability and participating in Students for a Sustainable Stanford.
Another aspect of my personality is my passion in technology and computer science. I’ve dedicated numerous hours to coding, taking part in hackathons, and creating software to solve issues in the community. My entrepreneurial zeal and technical expertise motivate me to develop novel solutions that have a constructive influence on society.
Last but not least, I can succeed in a demanding academic setting thanks to the tenacity and adaptability I developed while conquering personal obstacles. I believe in tenacity in the face of difficulty and see failures as chances for personal development.
I believe that my diverse background, enthusiasm for diversity, sustainability, technological proficiency, and fortitude will enable me to contribute uniquely to the Stanford community, fostering change and making a big impact both on and off campus.
Tips:
1. Choose the community or identity you wish to write about. Communities can be Place you come from, Action groups, Interest groups as in you share the same interest.
2. Conduct some research on “how will you contribute?” You should provide a few concrete examples of how the experience or experiences you are describing in your essay will enable you to support the school. Finding methods to interact with and support the campus community through “Why Us”-style research is the simplest approach to accomplish this.
3. Many students may be concerned that their influence on their community wasn’t significant enough or that they just affected one person. We say: Give yourself more credit for that. You have had an impact if you can claim that you have affected even one person, no matter how minor. Accept it. And don’t be afraid to write about it.
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Essays with Rostrum
Supplementary essays are an important part of your application, and writing them without assistance can be Stanford invites applicants to address what is most important to them directly in this prompt. Admissions officers would like to see the ambition and desire behind the scores/grades/clubs that signal a strong fit for the university. In their essays, prospective students should be able to demonstrate that they can write well and that they are intelligent people with a wide range of interests and talents.
This prompt also leaves the door open for some truly unique responses. The WHY is always the most significant element of any essay, but it is especially so in this case. Even cliche-sounding themes might be useful in addressing wh difficult. It can be difficult to judge your writing objectively after several revisions. That’s why Rostrum Education has a staff of highly experienced college counsellors on hand to help you through every step of the application process, including essay revisions. All of our students receive individualised essay coaching to ensure that their personalities shine through and that they have effectively answered the questions. We can assist you in presenting yourself and your experiences to the admissions committee in an appealing manner. To learn more, contact us for a free consultation.
