Completing the Stanford Admissions Application

Completing the Stanford Admissions Application

To complete the Stanford admissions application, you’ll need to submit the following:

Common Application or Coalition Application. Common App Essay questions can be found on the Common App site here. These are updated annually and students should check the questions for their year. See our post about writing the Common Application Essay/Personal Statement Essay here.
Stanford-specific supplemental essays
Official high school transcript and mid-year report
Application fee or fee waiver request
SAT or ACT scores (test-optional for Class of 2029, required starting with Class of 2030)
Two (2) teacher recommendation letters.
School Report form and counselor letter of recommendation
Optional arts portfolio
1. Due October 15 for Early Action
2. Due December 5 for Regular Decision

Stanford-Specific Supplemental Essays

Stanford Short Questions: The 50-Word Responses

What is the most significant challenge that society faces today?* (Max. 50 words)

Significant societal challenge: Stanford wants to see your awareness of global issues and your ability to identify complex problems. Here’s your chance to show you’re not just living in a bubble! Pick a big issue that gets you fired up—climate change, social justice, mental health—and share your thoughts. They want to see that you’re aware of the world and ready to tackle tough problems. Try to choose a problem that we must solve in order to make the world a better place.

How did you spend your last two summers?* (Max. 50 words)

Summer activities: How did you spend those sunny days? Stanford values students who pursue meaningful experiences. Whether you were interning, volunteering, traveling, or just diving into a hobby, they want to know how you made the most of your time off. Show them you’re proactive and have a zest for life!

What historical moment or event do you wish you could have witnessed?* (Max. 50 words)

If you could time travel, what moment would you want to witness? This question is all about your interests and imagination and reveals your interests in history and your ability to connect past events to present-day issues. Pick something that is important to changing the plight of humankind—maybe a pivotal moment in civil rights or an epic concert—and explain why it speaks to you.

Briefly elaborate on one of your extracurricular activities, a job you hold, or responsibilities you have for your family.* (Max. 50 words)

Here’s where you can brag a little! Talk about an activity that means a lot to you—whether it’s leading a club, playing in a band, or volunteering at a local shelter. They want to see how you’ve made an impact and what you’ve learned along the way.

List five things that are important to you.* (Max. 50 words)

This is your chance to share your values—maybe it’s family, creativity, adventure, kindness, or even pizza! This list gives Stanford insight into your values and priorities. It’s an opportunity to show what matters to you beyond academics and extracurriculars. Make it personal and let them see what truly matters to you.

Remember, with just 50 words for each response, keep it concise but full of personality. Have fun with it and let your unique voice shine through! 🌟

Stanford Short Essays: The 250-Word Responses

Question #1: 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.* (Max. 250 words)

This question is Stanford’s way of saying, “Show us your inner nerd!” They want to see what lights your intellectual fire. Here’s how to tackle it:

Pick something that truly excites you: This is not the time to talk about what you think Stanford wants to hear. Choose a topic or experience that genuinely gets you pumped. It could be anything from quantum physics to the art of making the perfect sandwich!
Show, don’t just tell: Instead of saying “I love learning about X,” describe how you dive into books, watch YouTube videos, or conduct experiments in your garage about X. Paint a picture of your enthusiasm in action.
Connect it to broader learning: Stanford wants to see how this excitement spills over into other areas. Maybe your love for baking led you to explore the chemistry of rising agents, or your passion for video games got you interested in coding.
Highlight the ‘out of classroom’ aspect: Remember, they’re interested in learning beyond textbooks. Talk about how you’ve pursued this interest outside of school—through clubs, personal projects, or conversations with experts.
Be specific and personal: Use anecdotes or examples that are unique to you. Maybe you got excited about marine biology after a family snorkeling trip, or you became fascinated with linguistics after trying to decipher your grandma’s dialect.
Show growth and future potential: Explain how this passion has changed you and hint at how you hope to explore it further at Stanford.
Start strong, use vivid language, and end with a bang!

Remember, Stanford is looking for students who will bring curiosity and enthusiasm to their campus. So let your genuine excitement shine through—geek out and be proud of it! 🤓✨

Question #2: 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 – get to know you better.* (Max. 250 words)

For the second short answer, it’s all about being a good roommate. When writing your note to your future roommate for Stanford, think of it as a fun introduction that reveals your personality and helps set the tone for your living situation. Here are some tips to make your message stand out.

Here are some tips to make your message stand out:

Keep it Casual and Friendly: This isn’t a formal essay—write like you’re chatting with a friend! Start with a warm greeting and introduce yourself. Share your name, where you’re from, and what you’ll be studying.
Showcase Your Interests: Let your roommate know what you’re passionate about! Whether you’re into cooking, hiking, gaming, or binge-watching the latest shows, share a bit about what you love to do in your free time. This can help find common interests and spark conversations.
Share Your Quirks: Everyone has their little habits or quirks that make them unique. Maybe you have a knack for organizing epic movie nights or a love for spontaneous dance parties in the dorm. Don’t be afraid to let your personality shine through—this is what will make you relatable!
Living Preferences: It’s helpful to mention any preferences or habits that might affect your living situation. If you’re an early riser who loves morning coffee or a night owl who thrives on late-night study sessions, let them know so you can find a balance together.
Positive Vibes Only: Keep the tone upbeat and welcoming! Express excitement about living together and starting this new chapter at Stanford. You could even throw in a light-hearted joke or fun fact about yourself to keep it engaging.
Encourage Dialogue: End with an invitation for them to share about themselves too! Ask about their interests, hobbies, or any questions they might have about living together.

Here’s a quick example to get you started: Hey there!

I’m [Your Name] from [Your Hometown], and I’m super excited to be your roommate at Stanford! I’ll be majoring in [Your Major]. When I’m not buried in books, you can find me experimenting in the kitchen (I make a mean guacamole!) or binge-watching sci-fi shows. I’m an early riser who loves morning coffee but don’t worry—I promise not to blast music before 8 AM! I’m all about keeping our space chill and fun, so I’d love to have movie nights or study sessions together.

Can’t wait to hear more about you! What are some of your favorite things to do?

Looking forward to an awesome year ahead!

Best,

[Your Name] This approach will help you connect with your future roommate while giving the admissions committee insight into who you are beyond your application stats!

Question #3: Please describe what aspects of your life experiences, interests and character would help you make a distinctive contribution as an undergraduate to Stanford University.*(Max. 250 words)

When tackling this question, think of it as your chance to show off what makes you, well, you! Here’s how to do it:

Share Your Story: Start by thinking about your life experiences that really shaped who you are. Maybe you’ve overcome some challenges, dived into a quirky hobby, or worked on a cool project. Whatever it is, share it! This is your moment to shine and differentiate yourself.
Connect with Stanford’s Vibe: Stanford loves curious minds and innovative thinkers. Think about how your interests align with what they value—whether it’s sustainability, technology, or social change. How can your experiences help you contribute to those big ideas?
Be Real: Don’t stress about being perfect; just be yourself! Share what excites you and what you’re passionate about. If you’re all about coding video games or organizing community clean-ups, let that enthusiasm come through!
Use Fun Details: Instead of just saying “I love gardening,” maybe share how you turned a small patch of dirt into a mini vegetable garden that became the talk of your neighborhood. Specifics make your story pop!
Think About Your Contributions: What will you bring to the Stanford community? Whether it’s starting a new club, sharing your love for music, or sparking discussions in class, highlight a couple of ways you’ll make a mark.
Look Ahead: Wrap it up by showing how these experiences will help you thrive at Stanford and contribute to campus life. What kind of impact do you hope to have?

Remember, this essay is all about showcasing your unique personality and perspective. So relax, have fun with it, and let your true self shine through! You’ve got this! 🌟