How I Got In #15 || Stats, ECs, Awards, Etc. (Stanford)

Main Ideas, Concepts, and Lessons

• Purpose of the talk: A Stanford student (2nd year) shares her college admissions experience and offers stress-reducing tips for prospective applicants.
• Background and context matter: Her high school was very competitive, with:
  • many students taking a large number of AP courses,
  • high levels of student drive,
  • no class rank, and
  • a grading style without letter nuances like A+/A-/B+/etc.
• Academic preparation with strong numbers:
  • She provides specific GPA, SAT, and AP results.
  • She notes that test scores and grades can matter, but that applicants should aim to cross meaningful thresholds (not chase an arbitrary “perfect” score).
• Admissions theme / coherence is critical:
  • She argues Stanford looks for a “good solid cohesive person with a goal.”
  • She describes using a theme in her application—global/cultural awareness, connecting with people, creating safe spaces—to connect activities, values, and coursework.
• Extracurricular strategy:
  • Emphasizes leadership, volunteering, and distinctiveness through a niche hobby/sport.
  • Notes that uncommon interests (e.g., less common sports/hobbies) can help an application stand out.
• Awards add credibility:
  • She lists awards tied to academics (e.g., AP scholar recognition) and to leadership/volunteering.
• Workload and stress are real—but school resources can make a difference:
  • She acknowledges the process felt stressful, while also benefiting from her school’s resources (AP access, honors, societies, volunteering, sports).
  • If a school lacks resources, she suggests creating opportunities yourself (e.g., starting clubs/organizations).
• Personal fulfillment is a key warning:
  • She cautions against doing activities only for college applications, saying it harmed her personally.
  • Advice: push yourself academically, but also enjoy what you’re doing and stay true to yourself.
• Outcome and application type:
  • She applied to Stanford using REA (Restrictive Early Action) and was admitted.

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Detailed Methodology / Takeaways and Suggested Approach

Build a Strong Academic Profile

• Aim for a high GPA (she reports 4.0 unweighted / 4.86 weighted).
• Take standardized testing seriously (she reports 1520 SAT total).
• Take multiple AP courses across categories when possible:
  • She emphasizes depth/interest, not just STEM (e.g., history and arts).
• Example AP pattern she describes:
  • Freshman: AP World History (5)
  • Sophomore: AP European History (5), AP Chinese Language (4)
  • Junior: AP Chem (5), AP Lang (5), AP Art History (5)
  • Senior: AP Calc AB (5) (plus other AP classes, but only Calc AB counted for Stanford)

Use Honors and “Lighter” Regular Courses Strategically

• She states she took mostly honors classes to boost weighted GPA.
• She used one regular class (Korean) as personal preference/comfort while still keeping rigor elsewhere.

Create a Cohesive Application “Theme”

• Identify an overarching identity/goal and make activities support it.
• Her example theme elements:
  • globally/culturally aware
  • loves connecting with people
  • creates safe spaces
• She applied as an IR (International Relations) major, even though she later studied chemical engineering, to align with her theme and writing.
• Use essays to explicitly connect:
  • course topics/learning
  • personal values
  • extracurricular actions

Prioritize Leadership + Community Impact

• Join honor societies and volunteer consistently.
• Example organizations she cites:
  • Volunteer group supporting the Orthopedic Institute for Children (hospital work, fundraising, community events)
  • National Honor Society (NHS)
  • Chinese National Honor Society, where she served as president
• She reports about 200 community service hours (including honor society work).

Include at Least One Distinctive Niche Activity

• Choose something specific/exciting that’s not common:
  • She did competitive trap shooting (freshman–senior), attended local competitions, and achieved state-level results.
• Rationale: niche hobbies can increase distinctiveness and show genuine interest.

Seek External Awards (Not Just School Grades)

• Highlights include:
  • Academic Decathlon leadership and team performance
  • Merit scholar recognition
  • Presidential Volunteer Service recognition (bronze/silver tiers)
  • AP Scholar with Distinction

If Your School Lacks Resources, Create Opportunities Yourself

• Examples:
  • start a club
  • create a volunteer organization
  • build a program where professionals speak (e.g., invite parents to discuss careers)

Don’t Sacrifice Identity and Enjoyment

• Don’t do everything “for college” only—she says it backfired and increased stress/sadness.
• Keep pushing academically/externally, but enjoy what you do.
• Be yourself and aim for the school that fits you best.

Maintain Motivation and Perspective

• She acknowledges the process felt stressful, then reframes it as what many similarly driven students were doing.
• She also credits her school’s support system, implying applicants should adapt if their environment differs.

Apply Strategically

• She specifically mentions applying REA and being admitted.

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Speakers / Sources Featured

• Speaker: Stella (Stanford University student; 2nd year; majoring in chemical engineering)
• Other external speakers/videos: None are mentioned in the subtitles beyond references to her high school, her organizations, and admissions context (e.g., Stanford REA).