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I'm getting my application ready to send in to Stanford - early decision. I know that without a doubt, if I were accepted to Stanford, I would go.
My stats, EC's, recs, essays (hopefully), etc. are all competitive. Some people say if you know for sure you want to go to a certain school, then don't hesitate to do ED. Then I also hear that it's harder to get in ED as the applicant pool is more competitive than in RD. I hate to blow my chances with ED and then not have the chance at RD. Anyone else having problems with this decision? THanks.

By Roger (Roger) on Tuesday, September 18, 2001 - 09:33 am: Edit

CH, I don't have Stanford's stats for ED compared to RD, but in general it is slightly easier to get in ED. There are offsetting factors - on one hand, the acceptance percent tends to be much higher for ED applicants; on the other hand, the ED pool is often more qualified statistically.

Your case sounds ideal for ED. I wouldn't worry about "blowing your chances" - if anything you'll be enhancing them.

Schools have been taking more students ED lately. Some say this is due to a desire to boost their selectivity stats (they get close to 100% yield from ED acceptees, which enables them to admit fewer RD applicants), but there is also a desire to take students who are enthusiastic and committed. For years, schools like Columbia seemed to be populated by students that didn't get into Harvard; now, with a strong ED pool, they can safely predict that nearly half their class had CU as their one-and-only choice. Certainly, many of the RD acceptees also have CU as their #1 option. It's reasonable to expect that at freshman orientation there will be more excitement and less discussion of the schools one didn't get into. This is a good thing in terms of building pride and loyalty in a class. The only negative is the pressure that ED creates on students who haven't really decided on a school, but feel the need to maximize their odds someplace.

By elisa2288 on Tuesday, December 11, 2001 - 11:54 pm: Edit

don't worry about "blowing your chances." For stanford ED, if you're not accepted during the ED round (unless they decide the application wouldn't be competitive in the RD pool), they automatically put your application into the RD pool to be read over again with the RD people. i should know, i applied to stanford ED too.

By ScottGr on Monday, December 17, 2001 - 07:45 am: Edit

What did you guys write for your four stanford essays? I thought the jot a note to a future college roommate was quite difficult

By CjR976 on Sunday, February 24, 2002 - 06:22 pm: Edit

I thought the roomate essay was less difficult than open essays because they have taken care of most of the creativity necessary for personal statement essays. Overall, I think the writing portion of the Stanford essay was one of the easier I encountered. Duke and Northwestern killed me.

By Dave Berry on Monday, February 25, 2002 - 10:48 am: Edit

The most common mistake I've seen applicants make in responding to the Stanford roommate prompt is making it into an essay. It's not supposed to be an essay. It should be just a relatively brief, highly colloquial "note" that reveals significant insights into the writer's "voice" and his or her particularly interesting personal qualities.

Let's face it, most seniors are intimidated by HYPSM-type applications. This awe sometimes translates into a stilted, even dysfunctional writing style. When I coach writing, my first goal is to discover the student's real voice. Surprisingly, that usually comes through most clearly in their e-mails to me. When I compare their essay (and Stanford "note") writing to their real-world writing voices, the difference is most times quite surprising and, unfortunately, disappointing.

MEMO TO SENIORS: Let your true voice speak in your essays...and don't sweat the Stanford roommate-note thing. I have to chuckle when I put myself in the shoes of the imaginary roommmate receiveing the "notes" I've seen. If I were some of those roommates, I'd have to think, "Hmmm. What kind of a dork have they matched me with?!" Bottom line: Be yourself in your writing. THAT'S what admissions officers want to see.

By Sarah Camarena on Thursday, August 22, 2002 - 07:50 pm: Edit

I am only a freshman in high school but I really have my sights set on Stanford. I am not a "sports person" and am taking all the honors classes available to me. I was wondering if anyone had any tips on what extra-curricular activities I should take and what other things I should do to get a headstart on the competition. Thanks!

By Dadster on Friday, August 23, 2002 - 10:03 pm: Edit

Do what you enjoy, Sarah, not what you think might look good on an application. In general, colleges do look for a serious commitment to at least one or two ECs as opposed to a bunch of random ones. Yor are more likely to excel and have an impact in an activity you have a passion for - try to find that passion! Good luck!

By Pearlie on Thursday, December 05, 2002 - 10:48 pm: Edit

I am a high school sophomore and am just starting to find a college that would suit me, so I am pretty clueless on what most schools have to offer. Could anyone tell me Stanford's specilities (like humanities or sciences), and also what GPA, SAT I, and SAT II scores are generally needed to be granted admission?