🍦 How to tailor essays to a school's "vibe" (Nov 4)

Good morning folks! Here’s what we have today:

1. Link Lounge Refresh

2. Daily Deep Dive: Stanford University

3. Admission Blueprint: Tailoring essays to a school’s vibe

FUN FACT OF THE DAY
Did you know…

There are more girls applying to college these days than boys. The gap grew to 11% in favor of females in the last decade leading many institutions to initiate focused recruitment for boys.

LINK LOUNGE
Happy Monday… new links to click today!!!

On Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays we will be updating the Link Lounge section with links to great resources such as scholarships and tools during the college application process. You’ll find it at the top of your email on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays and near the bottom during the rest of the week.

(NEW) Taco Bell Live Mas Scholarship - $5,000 to $25,000 awards towards college

(NEW) InspiritAI - Artificial Intelligence Program for High School Students

Equitable Excellence Scholarship - $20000 scholarships for students who strive to be a force for good in their communities

Aspiring Scholars Directed Research Program (ASDRP) - do cutting-edge research in the Bay Area’s premier pre-collegiate research institution

DAILY DEEP DIVE
Stanford University

For at least the next two months, we will be switching out our School of the Day section for a Daily Deep Dive section where we will be focusing less on the high-level overview of a school, instead examining how you can craft a stand-out application to the school. As we debut this new section, we’re looking to hear what you think about the content, so if possible, be sure to fill out this form to let us know your thoughts.

Stanford’s Vibe: What are they looking for?

Every school’s admissions team has a school vibe they are trying to create. While not every student perfectly fits into that profile, it’s important to show sides of yourself that align with that vibe in your application.

Stanford’s admissions team obsesses over intellectual vitality (IV). IV is there way of saying “deep passion for learning” and always being curious. For the best chances, make sure your application as a whole showcases moments where you went and learned more about a topic, even if it isn’t something related to what you want to study at Stanford. Along with IV, Stanford also loves to see students who showcase an entrepreneurial spirit and a drive for impactful change so if you participated in any activities that showcase those characteristics, give them a strong highlight, too.

The essays and how to best answer them

Now, with the vibe in mind, let’s deep dive into how can we best answer the prompts that Stanford asks.

Short responses

Stanford has 5 short questions that require you to answer in less than 50 words. These short responses are not that common in admissions, but another popular example is USC’s short 100 character responses. Unlike USC’s short questions though, Stanford’s questions are actually viewed very heavily by the admissions team. Here are the questions:

1. What is the most significant challenge that society faces today?

2. How did you spend your last two summers?

3. What historical moment or event do you wish you could have witnessed?

4. Briefly elaborate on one of your extracurricular activities, a job you hold, or responsibilities you have for your family.

5. List five things that are important to you.

While words are limited for these questions, be sure to get as personal as possible for these questions because these questions are meant to get a better understanding of what guides you as a person as a whole. Here are some tips to keep in mind for each question:

1. Make sure the challenge that you list has some support of your interest throughout the application. Don’t choose a challenge that you have never even worked near. The best way to set this up is to talk about an extracurricular (in question #4) that is related to the challenge you bring up here.

2. Please list something not-academic or work related. Something fun.

3. Don’t be basic. Tie the event to a personal impact because they want to see what effect the moment has on you.

4. It’s fine to repeat EC’s from your activity list, but don’t repeat details from the list. A great way to answer this question is to share why you joined a particular EC

5. Get personal and possibly emotional with one, but try to make sure your five things aren’t all similar.

Intellectual Vitality (250 words)

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.

This prompt is all about showcasing your intellectual curiosity and passion for learning. To answer effectively, choose an idea or experience that genuinely excites you—whether it’s related to your academic interests or a unique personal exploration. Be specific about how this idea or experience inspired you to learn more, dive deeper, or pursue further research. If possible, highlight how this curiosity led to concrete actions, like projects, independent studies, or creative problem-solving. Connect your excitement to future aspirations or how you plan to bring that same passion to Stanford. Keep it personal, vivid, and authentic to show your genuine drive.

Roommate Essay (250 words)

Prompt: 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 — know you better.

The goal here is to again show your personality and share something relatable that your roommate would appreciate. Maybe start with an anecdote or fun fact that shows your quirks or habits—something that would help someone understand who you are. Discuss your lifestyle, hobbies, or routines, and how those would play out in a shared living space. If you have any interesting or unexpected habits, share them! This is your chance to be informal, so don’t be afraid to add a touch of humor or a light-hearted tone. Remember to end with an invitation for shared activities or mutual experiences that show you’re excited to build a friendship. This is also Stanford’s sort-of “Why Us?” essay so be sure to do some research and mention some specific Stanford activities that can show essay readers your genuine interest in the school.

Community Essay (250 words)

Prompt: Please describe what aspects of your life experiences, interests and character would help you make a distinctive contribution as an undergraduate to Stanford University.

Like other community essays, think about your background, interests, and values that shape your perspective. What unique experiences have you had that set you apart? Share how these experiences have influenced who you are and how they equip you to contribute to the Stanford community. Use specific examples—maybe it’s leadership in a club, community service, or a hobby that has defined your character. Highlight your collaborative spirit and how you plan to enrich the diverse community at Stanford, whether through starting conversations, organizing events, or bringing fresh ideas (again try to be specific and mention clubs/activities at Stanford). Make it clear how your unique blend of experiences will contribute to the undergraduate community of the university.

INFO ZONE
ICYMI: Upcoming info sessions!

Here’s some upcoming school virtual information sessions. These are great opportunities to learn more about school’s programs to determine if the school is a right fit for you. It’s also great to learn more about the school’s vibe and possibly what admissions officers are looking for. All the times listed are below are already converted into Pacific.

Johns Hopkins Application Workshop: Personal Statement - Wednesday, November 6, 2024 at 4:00 PM until 5:30 PM

Emory University Oxford College Student Panel - Tuesday, November 12, 2024 at 3:00 PM until 4:00 PM

(NEW) UC Berkeley Admissions Presentation - Thursday, November 14, 2024 at 3:00 PM until 4:00 PM

(NEW) UCSD Triton Student Insights - Thursday, November 21, 2024 at 3:00 PM until 3:45 PM

ADMISSION BLUEPRINT
Tailoring essays to a school’s vibe

Every school has its own unique vibe – a mix of values, campus culture, and priorities that define the student experience. When writing your application essays, it’s crucial to align with this vibe to show admissions officers that you’re not only a fit on paper but in spirit. Here’s a general guide to help you tailor your essays to each school’s unique culture:

📚 Research What the School Values

Start by digging into the school’s mission statement, recent news, and student profiles. Pay attention to how they describe their ideal student. Are they all about intellectual curiosity? Entrepreneurship? Civic engagement? Identify the core values that the school highlights and think about how they resonate with your own experiences.

💭 Reflect on Why You Belong There

Once you understand the school’s vibe, think about how your own values, goals, and personality align with it. Rather than just listing accomplishments, focus on experiences that reveal qualities the school appreciates. If you’re applying to a school that values collaboration, for instance, emphasize teamwork and community-driven initiatives in your essays.

🎬 Show, Don’t Just Tell

Don’t simply say, “I’m passionate about innovation” for an entrepreneurship-focused school. Describe a specific project, hackathon, or time you challenged the norm. Use stories that demonstrate your alignment with the school’s vibe rather than just claiming it. Admissions readers want to see how your actions reflect the qualities they seek.

🎨 Use the Right Tone and Nuance

Different schools appreciate different tones. For example, a quirky, intellectual vibe might welcome essays with unconventional structures or humor, while a more traditional school might value professionalism and polish. Let the school’s culture guide the tone, voice, and style of your writing to help your essay feel more tailored and intentional.

🌟 Be Authentic, Not Just Strategic

Finally, remember that “fitting in” doesn’t mean being something you’re not. Tailoring your essays to a school’s vibe should help you emphasize authentic qualities and experiences that genuinely connect with the school’s culture. Admissions officers are skilled at spotting forced narratives, so keep it real and let your personality shine through.

DAILY DEADLINE UPDATES
Take a break, you deserve it!

In the Daily Deadlines section, we will keep you updated on upcoming deadlines in the college admissions world. Remember to not procrastinate and stay ahead of these deadlines!

UDub Deadline: November 15
UC Deadline: December 2

THE ARCHIVE
Looking for past mailings?

You can view all our previous posts at our website at https://scholarscoops.beehiiv.com

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