Tackling Stanford Supplemental Questions

So I'm applying to Stanford and want to make sure I nail their supplemental questions. Could any Stanford students or those familiar with their application process give me some tips on how to make my responses stand out? Thanks!

Hey there! Here are some tips that can help you create unique and intriguing responses to Stanford's supplemental essays:

1. Be authentic: It's important to stay true to yourself. Don't try to guess what you think Stanford wants to hear. Admissions officers can tell when responses aren't genuine. Write from your heart and share your true passions and interests.

2. Reflect on specific experiences/instances: Instead of focusing on a broad topic, offer a unique story or experience in each essay that demonstrates your passion, values, or growth. Use anecdotes to paint a vivid picture of your personality and set your response apart from others.

3. Tailor your response to Stanford: Show how your interests, values, or experiences align with Stanford's culture, values, or programs. Don't be generic and talk about your goals for college in general. Rather, be specific about how Stanford is the right place for you and how you can contribute to the university community.

4. Avoid repetition: You might be tempted to discuss the same topics or experiences that appear elsewhere in your application. However, try to bring in new information or perspectives. The supplements are your opportunity to present different sides of yourself that the application may not capture. You can talk about, for example, an extracurricular that you already describe in your activities list, but make sure that you're doing so in a way that teaches your reader something new.

5. Proofread and revise: Make sure your grammar and spelling are impeccable! Ask teachers, friends, or family to help you polish your responses if you can, but keep in mind the deadline for application submission. Also remember that CollegeVine offers both free peer essay reviews and paid reviews by expert college admissions advisors, if you want to get a more objective set of eyes on your responses from someone who doesn't already know you.

Finally, if you want further guidance, you can read a detailed breakdown of each of Stanford's supplements on CollegeVine's blog: https://blog.collegevine.com/how-to-write-the-stanford-university-essays.

By being authentic, reflective, and thoughtful, you'll be able to craft standout supplemental responses for your Stanford application. Good luck!