Recently, Stanford Dean of Admissions Richard Shaw was interviewed by Dan Schwartz and Denise Pope on their School’s In podcast (see link below). Dean Shaw underscored that selective college admissions is not formulaic but rather holistic and defies prediction. He did, however, share some insight into their process and the type of student Stanford (and many highly selective colleges) is looking for.
IS THERE A GOOD FIT?
First, it is important to understand that the criteria applied by admissions officers is typically a function of university directives. That is, the university faculty and administration define the qualitative characteristics that they are looking for in incoming classes. The admissions office then determines how to best find those candidates that meet those profiles. Understanding this is important in crafting a realistic college list that reflects a good fit between school and student.
So, how does one discover a school’s desired student profile? First and foremost, look at the college’s website. Read the President’s Letter. Read the About webpage. Read the featured student testimonials. There is a reason these items are promoted on the website. Read between the lines. Visit the campus. Listen carefully to the information sessions. Go to local presentations by the schools that interest you. If you digest carefully and thoroughly, a pattern will emerge. Is the school more academic oriented? Is it emphasizing extracurricular and social activities? Are first-generation students and underrepresented minorities a priority? By parsing the marketing material with a critical eye, you will discover the type of student the school is targeting. Now, with an educated mind, you can honestly gauge the fit between you and a particular school. Don’t rely on a college ranking service or prestige. Be smarter than that. Is there a good fit? Are you a candidate that school is looking for? If so, consider them. If not, move on.
DO YOU HAVE A TRUE PASSION?
Second, Dean Shaw stressed that first and foremost a student needs to be successful in high school. He shared, however, that his definition of success is much deeper than good grades and test scores. On numbers alone, Dean Shaw noted that more than 80% of the nearly 44,000 applicants to Stanford in the past admissions cycle qualified academically. In other words, over 35,000 applicants could do the work at Stanford. Yet, only 2,144 of those qualified applicants were admitted! So, how does Stanford cull out so few from so many?
Dean Shaw and his staff look for students who have found love or passion in some aspect of their secondary education. Whether an intellectual pursuit, athletics, service, or the arts, Stanford wants students who have found a genuine interest and embraced it. Why? Because schools like Stanford have incredible resources that can, if fully utilized, change the world. Students that SHOW “energy, innovation, and excitement” have the potential to take full advantage of those investments. This is also true for the Ivy League schools and MIT, among many other selective colleges. While the numbers are necessary to advance in the process, they will not, alone, secure admission. Moreover, it is not good enough to simply write an essay about what you hope to do in college or in the world one day. You must demonstrate the “energy, innovation, and excitement” for a passion or love NOW.
This insight underscores the importance of a thoughtful high school experience. If your goal is to be considered for admission to a highly selective college, you can’t simply focus on numbers. Find a passion. Embrace it. Dive deep into it. While this will not guarantee admission, it will give you a much better chance. And, it might help you discovery additional colleges that are a better fit for you based on your interests.