Fmr. Asst. Dean of Admissions at Stanford sharing U.S. College Admission tips

Stoodnt

2 May 201709:08

Summary

TLDRThe video discusses the university application process, highlighting differences between public and private institutions. Public universities tend to focus on grades and standardized test scores, while private schools like Stanford evaluate candidates more holistically, looking for intellectual vitality, passion, and leadership. The speaker emphasizes the importance of personal attributes beyond academic achievements. They also discuss the competitiveness of admissions due to increasing applications, advising students to differentiate themselves and focus on career exploration and financial aid opportunities. The goal is to find the right fit for long-term success, not just getting accepted.

Takeaways

📊 The evaluation process at large public universities is typically straightforward, focused on grades, SATs, and program choice.
🏫 Private universities tend to have a more in-depth and holistic application process, considering personal characteristics and achievements beyond academics.
📚 Grades are a fundamental factor in both public and private school evaluations, though private institutions look for more holistic qualities.
👥 Private school applications evaluate whether the student would be a good fit for their community, akin to determining if they would be a desirable lunch companion or dorm mate.
💡 Key qualities private schools look for include intellectual vitality, passion, purpose, leadership, and character.
🚗 Example of a poor challenge essay: A student wrote about not getting a new Lexus for their birthday, which showed a lack of genuine struggle or personal growth.
🎓 Stanford, specifically, looks for students who demonstrate engagement in learning, self-discipline, and take responsibility for their own education.
🌱 Out-of-the-box thinkers and students with entrepreneurial mindsets are highly valued at Stanford, more than just standardized test scores.
📈 College competitiveness has increased due to more applications and similar school lists among students, making it harder to stand out.
🎯 The ultimate goal of college counseling is to help students find the best fit, not just for college admission, but for a long-term career path that aligns with their strengths and vision.

Q & A

What are some key differences between applying to a large public university and a private university?
-For large public universities, the application process focuses on basic metrics like grades, SATs, and the chosen program. Private universities, on the other hand, use a more in-depth evaluation process, looking beyond academics to assess qualities like character, leadership, and intellectual vitality.
What is the first aspect universities consider in applications?
-The first thing universities, both public and private, typically consider is the student's academic performance, including grades and test scores. This acts as a primary filter for the application.
What personal qualities do private universities look for in applicants?
-Private universities focus on personal qualities such as intellectual vitality, character, leadership, and passion. They want students who demonstrate an active engagement in learning and take responsibility for their own educational growth.
Why are letters of recommendation and personal essays important in the application process?
-Letters of recommendation and personal essays help universities evaluate a student's personal characteristics, such as leadership, challenges they've overcome, and intellectual curiosity. These components allow schools to assess whether the applicant is a good fit for their community.
What is meant by 'intellectual vitality' in the context of college applications?
-Intellectual vitality refers to a student's active enjoyment and engagement in the learning process. It reflects a genuine love for learning, curiosity, and the ability to take initiative beyond what is required by the school.
How do universities like Stanford evaluate non-academic qualities?
-Universities like Stanford look for qualities like maturity, self-discipline, creativity, and a willingness to take risks in learning. They value students who can demonstrate responsibility for their own learning and show the potential to contribute to the campus community.
What kind of applicants do universities like Stanford aim to attract?
-Stanford looks for out-of-the-box thinkers who are not just satisfied with good grades and test scores. They seek students who are curious, entrepreneurial, and engaged in their learning, rather than those who are focused solely on academic achievements.
Why might having a high SAT score potentially hurt an applicant's chances at Stanford?
-A high SAT score could be seen as a sign of excessive focus on standardized testing, which Stanford does not view as the best measure of a student's potential. The university values a broader set of qualities, including creativity and intellectual engagement, beyond test scores.
What makes the college application process so competitive?
-The competitiveness of the college application process is due to an increasing number of applicants, many of whom apply to the same top-tier schools. This creates a high level of competition, making it important for students to differentiate themselves through unique experiences and personal qualities.
How does the script suggest students approach choosing colleges to apply to?
-The script advises students to avoid applying to the same schools as everyone else and to create a college list based on personal fit, not popularity. The focus should be on finding a school that aligns with the student's strengths and career aspirations.

Outlines

00:00

🎓 The University Evaluation Process: Public vs. Private Schools

This paragraph discusses the evaluation process at both public and private universities. Public schools focus primarily on grades, SATs, and the chosen program. In contrast, private schools, such as Stanford, Harvard, and Princeton, incorporate deeper evaluation methods, looking at holistic factors like personal qualities and intellectual passion. The speaker compares the evaluation process to a job interview, with admissions officers seeking students who demonstrate qualities they'd enjoy sharing a meal with, rather than simply academic performance. They emphasize the importance of personal traits such as leadership, character, and intellectual vitality in the private school application process.

05:00

💡 Stanford’s Approach to Admissions: Intellectual Vitality and Maturity

This section delves into Stanford University's unique evaluation approach, prioritizing intellectual vitality, maturity, and responsibility in the learning process. Stanford seeks students who are not just academically gifted but who actively engage in learning and take responsibility for their education. The school values students who exhibit maturity, self-discipline, and a drive to go beyond standard school assignments. The paragraph also emphasizes the entrepreneurial spirit of Stanford, highlighting that memorization is not rewarded, but rather innovative and out-of-the-box thinking is encouraged.

Mindmap

Keywords

💡Evaluation process

The evaluation process refers to the steps universities take to assess student applications. In the video, this is described as a series of hurdles, starting with grades and standardized test scores (SATs). It becomes more in-depth for private schools, where personal characteristics and essays also play a significant role.

💡Grades and SATs

Grades and SATs are the initial academic metrics used in the evaluation process for university admissions, particularly in large public institutions. These quantitative measures are used to filter applicants before moving on to more personal evaluations in private schools. They represent the first 'hurdle' in the process.

💡Holistic evaluation

Holistic evaluation is an admissions process that goes beyond academic performance, incorporating factors such as personal essays, recommendations, and extracurricular activities. In the video, this approach is emphasized for private schools, where universities seek students who show intellectual vitality, leadership, and character.

💡Personal characteristics

Personal characteristics are traits such as leadership, intellectual curiosity, and resilience that universities consider during the admissions process. These qualities are typically assessed through essays and letters of recommendation, helping schools understand who the applicant is beyond their academic achievements.

💡Intellectual vitality

Intellectual vitality refers to a student’s active engagement and enthusiasm for learning. The video emphasizes how universities like Stanford look for students who not only perform well academically but also show a genuine passion for education and the ability to take initiative in their learning.

💡Challenge met and overcome

This refers to one of the essay prompts commonly used in college applications, where students are asked to describe a challenge they faced and how they overcame it. In the video, an example is given of a poorly chosen topic where a student wrote about receiving an old Lexus instead of a new one for their birthday, highlighting the importance of selecting meaningful experiences.

💡Leadership

Leadership is one of the key qualities that universities look for during the admissions process. In the video, it is mentioned as a personal characteristic that helps differentiate students. Schools want to admit students who have shown the ability to take charge and influence others positively.

💡Letters of recommendation

Letters of recommendation are written by teachers or mentors to provide insight into a student’s personal qualities, achievements, and potential. In the video, these are discussed as a critical part of the holistic evaluation process for private schools, helping admissions committees assess personal characteristics.

💡Entrepreneurial economy

The entrepreneurial economy refers to an environment that fosters innovation, risk-taking, and new ventures, often linked to regions like Silicon Valley. In the video, this concept is connected to Stanford University’s ethos, where they seek students who are not content with memorizing facts but are driven to innovate and take on new challenges.

💡Standardized tests

Standardized tests like the SAT are used as a measure of academic ability across all applicants. The video highlights that while these tests play a role in the admissions process, some schools like Stanford may not place as much emphasis on them, valuing other aspects of the student’s application more highly.

Highlights

The evaluation process for universities includes various hurdles, with large public universities focusing on grades and SATs, while private universities take a more holistic approach.

Private universities, like Stanford and Harvard, emphasize personal characteristics, intellectual vitality, leadership, and maturity, beyond just academic scores.

The admissions process can be compared to selecting a lunch companion—looking for someone interesting, not necessarily a superstar.

Letters of recommendation and multiple essays are crucial in providing insight into personal attributes that separate students in the admissions process.

Intellectual vitality, purpose, and passion are key qualities that elite schools like Stanford look for in applicants.

Admissions officers seek evidence of intrinsic motivation and active enjoyment in learning, where students take responsibility for their educational journey.

Maturity and self-discipline are highly valued, especially when students demonstrate the ability to go beyond standard school assignments.

Universities like Stanford look for original thinking, creativity, and an entrepreneurial spirit in students, rather than those who simply aim for high standardized test scores.

The competitive nature of college admissions is driven by an increasing number of applications, creating a need for students to differentiate themselves.

It is essential for students to research and find colleges that align with their personal fit, rather than applying to the same few elite institutions.

Career exploration and self-discovery are key elements of the guidance process, helping students find the right college and career paths.

The program offers a comprehensive online testing system with customizable questions, designed to build on students' strengths and weaknesses.

The test platform includes audio, video, and text explanations for each question, ensuring a multi-modal learning experience.

A week-by-week, day-by-day program is available for students to help them prepare for standardized tests, offering flexibility to fit individual schedules.

The program also offers support for financial aid, with a dedicated team working to identify colleges offering need-based or merit-based aid, particularly for international students.