Hey everyone! I'm working on my Stanford application and I'm struggling with the short questions section. Can anyone provide me with some examples of well-written short question responses? I feel like seeing some successful answers might help me figure out how to approach this part of the application. Thanks in advance!
Hey there! It's great that you're working on the Stanford short questions – they can really show your unique personality and interests. Here are a few examples of successful short question responses, but be sure to take these as inspiration and not to copy them since it's crucial these answers are a genuine reflection of you.
1. What is the most significant challenge that society faces today?
Answer: Climate change, as it threatens the livelihood of future generations and has already caused irreversible damage to our environment. Addressing it requires cross-disciplinary collaboration and innovation on a global scale.
2. How did you spend your last two summers?
Answer:
- Summer 2020: Developed an app for a local non-profit to optimize their volunteer scheduling and partnered with a few small business owners to build websites for their businesses.
- Summer 2021: Volunteered as a counselor at Camp Wonder, a camp for children with special needs, and took an online course in Python programming.
3. What historical moment or event do you wish you could have witnessed?
Answer: The signing of the Paris Agreement in 2015, where 195 countries committed to combating climate change by setting their own greenhouse gas reduction targets to ensure a sustainable future for humanity.
4. What five words best describe you?
Answer: Spirited, creative, curious, compassionate, committed.
5. When the choice is yours, what do you read, listen to, or watch?
Answer: I enjoy reading non-fiction books on cutting-edge technology (like AI and biotechnology), listening to indie folk music (Iron & Wine and Fleet Foxes), and watching documentaries that explore the unknown corners of the world (like "Planet Earth").
To learn more about these essays, read this blog post: https://blog.collegevine.com/how-to-write-the-stanford-university-essays/
Remember to infuse your personal voice and experiences to really make these short answers stand out. Admissions officers are looking for applicants who showcase authenticity and candidness in their responses. Best of luck with your Stanford application!
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