Viewing My Stanford Admissions File | How I Actually Got In

Summary

In this video, the creator shares their journey of being accepted into Stanford University. They reveal the process of obtaining their admissions file, which includes ratings and comments from interviewers and application readers. The video takes viewers through the notes they took during a 20-minute virtual review of their file, discussing their academic records, extracurricular activities, and personal essays. Despite not having a clear understanding of how they were accepted, the creator reflects on the belief someone in the admissions office had in them, inspiring viewers to believe in themselves.

Takeaways

• 🎓 The video creator is a Stanford University freshman who shares his experience of accessing his admissions file.
• 📄 He obtained his admissions file through a FERPA request, which allows students to access their educational records.
• 🏢 The process involved a virtual meeting since he was not on campus, where an office representative read his file aloud.
• ⏰ He was given a 20-minute time slot to take notes, highlighting the time constraint of the review process.
• 📝 Notes included biographical info, GPA, test scores, and other application details, suggesting these are key factors in admissions.
• 🔍 The 'SU-6' notation next to his GPA was speculated to be a recalculated GPA by Stanford, indicating unique evaluation methods.
• 🏫 His high school's rigor ('MD') and perceived diversity ('DIV') were noted, hinting at the importance of educational background.
• 📊 He received ratings from multiple readers on various factors like high school rigor, support, and extracurricular activities.
• 🗣️ Interview ratings and comments were also part of the file, emphasizing the role of personal interviews in the admissions process.
• 💭 Comments from application readers were mixed, with some suggesting he was 'on the fence', showing the subjective nature of evaluations.
• 🤔 Despite some uncertainty from evaluators, his acceptance indicates that something in his application stood out to the committee.

Q & A

What is the purpose of the video?

The purpose of the video is to explore how the creator got accepted into Stanford University by examining their admissions file.

What is an 'admissions file'?

An 'admissions file' contains an applicant's submitted application materials, ratings, and comments from interviewers and application readers, which are used to determine admission decisions.

How can a student access their admissions file at Stanford?

A student at Stanford can access their admissions file by making a FERPA request through the registrar's office for student affairs.

What does FERPA stand for?

FERPA stands for the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act, which allows students to access their educational records.

What is the process for viewing an admissions file at Stanford?

The process involves making a FERPA request, then either visiting the office in person or having a virtual meeting via Zoom to review the file, with a time limit of 20 minutes and no electronic devices allowed.

What does the term 'SU-6' possibly refer to in the context of the admissions file?

The term 'SU-6' might refer to a recalculated GPA that Stanford uses for evaluating students' applications.

What does 'MD' mean in the admissions file?

In the context of the admissions file, 'MD' likely stands for 'Most Demanding,' indicating that the student took the most challenging courses available in high school.

What are the ratings given by the application readers and what do they signify?

The ratings given by the application readers are on a scale that assess various factors like high school rigor (HSR), support (SUP), extracurricular activities (EC), and self-presentation (SPIV), with 1 being the best and 5 the least favorable.

How many application readers typically review a Stanford application?

Typically, two application readers review a Stanford application, but sometimes a third reader may also be involved.

What is the significance of the interviewer's ratings in the admissions process?

The interviewer's ratings, which assess intellectual vitality, depth and commitment, and character and self-presentation, provide additional insights into the applicant's qualifications and can influence the admissions decision.

What does the term 'POE' mean in the context of the admissions file?

The term 'POE' is not clearly defined in the script, but it might refer to a 'Point of Entry,' suggesting that there wasn't a clear standout factor for the applicant's admission.

What is the role of the full committee in the admissions process?

The full committee reviews the applications after they have been evaluated by the readers, and they make the final decision on whether to accept, waitlist, or reject an applicant.

Outlines

00:00

🎓 Introduction to Stanford Admissions File

The speaker begins by expressing excitement to review their Stanford admissions file, which is represented by an empty folder for the video. They explain that as a student at Stanford, they requested access to their admissions file under FERPA, which allows students to access their educational records. The process involved a virtual meeting due to the speaker not being on campus, during which an office representative read the file to them over Zoom. The speaker was only allowed paper notes and had a 20-minute time slot to review the file. They also mention that some information might be redacted over time. The first page of notes includes biographical information, GPA, and test scores, with a mention of 'su-6' and 'md' as potential internal Stanford metrics.

05:01

📊 Analyzing Ratings and Comments from Application Readers

The speaker discusses the ratings and comments from their application readers and interviewer. They explain that applicants typically receive ratings from two readers, who assess various factors such as high school rigor, support from recommendation letters, extracurricular activities, and self-presentation. The speaker's ratings were a mix of threes, indicating average performance. They also received an overall evaluation rating of 'two minus' from one reader and 'three plus' from another, suggesting they were a middle-of-the-road candidate. The speaker speculates on the potential impact of a third reader and the slight differences in overall evaluation ratings between the two readers.

10:01

🗣️ Interview Insights and Application Reader Comments

The speaker shares insights from their interview with a Stanford representative, noting that not all applicants receive an interview. They received positive ratings on a scale of one to six, with one being the best. The speaker reflects on the topics discussed during the interview, including their activities and interest in languages. They also summarize comments from their application readers, who provided feedback on their essays and extracurricular activities. The first reader's comments were more detailed, while the second reader's were more summarized, with a note that the speaker's point of entry (POE) was unsure, indicating no clear reason for acceptance.

15:02

🏆 Conclusion and Reflection on Acceptance

In conclusion, the speaker expresses uncertainty about the exact reasons for their acceptance into Stanford, noting that neither application reader seemed overly enthusiastic. They reflect on the possibility that something occurred between the readers' evaluations and the committee's final vote that led to their acceptance. The speaker acknowledges the support they received from someone in the admissions office and the importance of believing in oneself. They end the video by encouraging viewers to subscribe for more college-related content and express gratitude for the viewers' interest.

Keywords

💡Stanford University

Stanford University is a private research university in California, known for its prestigious programs and research opportunities. In the video, the creator mentions being a freshman at Stanford, which is central to the theme of the video as it explores the process and factors that led to his acceptance.

💡Admissions File

An admissions file typically contains all the documents and evaluations related to a student's application to a university. The video creator discusses obtaining his admissions file from Stanford, which includes his application, ratings, and comments from interviewers and readers, highlighting the transparency and self-reflection aspects of the process.

💡FERPA

FERPA stands for the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act, a federal law that protects the privacy of student education records. The video mentions making a FERPA request to access the admissions file, illustrating how students can exercise their rights under this law to review their educational records.

💡Biographical Information

Biographical information includes personal details such as name, gender, ethnicity, and educational background. The video script notes that the creator's admissions file contained such information, emphasizing the initial data points considered in the admissions process.

💡SAT Scores

SAT Scores refer to the results from the Scholastic Assessment Test, a standardized test widely used for college admissions in the United States. The video creator mentions his SAT scores, indicating that standardized test scores are a significant part of the application evaluation.

💡Application Readers

Application readers are individuals, often admissions officers or faculty, who review and evaluate applications. The video discusses how the creator's application was read by two readers, each providing ratings and comments, which underscores the multi-faceted evaluation process in college admissions.

💡Interviewer

An interviewer in the college admissions context is someone who meets with applicants to assess their fit for the institution. The video creator had an interview with Stanford, which contributed to his application by providing a personal touch and additional insights into his qualifications.

💡Extracurricular Activities

Extracurricular activities are pursuits outside of the regular academic curriculum that can demonstrate a student's interests, talents, and commitment. The video mentions the creator's involvement in activities such as 'Nisley' and 'Quiz Bowl,' which are considered by admissions officers to gauge a student's全面发展.

💡Intellectual Vitality

Intellectual vitality refers to a student's capacity for critical thinking, curiosity, and engagement with ideas. The video notes that the creator's interviewer rated his intellectual vitality, which is an important aspect of evaluating a student's potential for academic success.

💡Imposter Syndrome

Imposter syndrome is the feeling that one's accomplishments are due to luck rather than ability, and a fear of being exposed as a 'fraud.' The video creator reflects on this concept, acknowledging the support and belief from the admissions office despite his own doubts, which adds a personal and relatable dimension to the narrative.

💡Committee Vote

A committee vote in the context of college admissions is the final stage where a group of evaluators decides on an applicant's acceptance, waitlisting, or rejection. The video hints at the complexity of the decision-making process, suggesting that multiple factors and perspectives come into play before a final verdict is reached.

Highlights

Introduction to the video about the creator's Stanford admission process.

Mention of the creator's current status as a freshman at Stanford University.

Description of the admissions file and its contents, including ratings and comments.

Explanation of the process to request access to the admissions file under FERPA.

Details about the virtual review of the admissions file through a Zoom call.

Restriction on electronics during the review and the 20-minute time limit.

Potential redaction of information in the admissions file over time.

Notes from the admissions file including biographical information and GPA.

Explanation of the 'su-6' notation possibly referring to a recalculated GPA.

Mention of 'rigor' indicating the level of difficulty of high school classes taken.

Discussion of 'div' possibly referring to diversity.

Details on SAT, subject test, and AP scores included in the admissions file.

Interesting note about 'korea nisleywy' and its potential significance.

Description of the ratings system used by application readers.

Explanation of 'rtg' as a testing score rating.

Details on 'hsr', 'sup', 'ec', and 'spiv' ratings and their possible meanings.

Mention of a potential third reader for the application.

Interviewer's ratings and comments on the applicant's intellectual vitality and character.

Summary of the interview highlighting a well-rounded narrative and pursuit of excellence.

Comments from the first application reader on the applicant's essays and extracurricular activities.

Second application reader's notes focusing on the applicant's essays and leadership qualities.

Final thoughts on the uncertainty of the admission decision and the importance of believing in oneself.

Encouragement to watch more college application related content on the creator's second channel.

Transcripts

i'm ready

[Applause]

ah his eye what is that well

looks like i get to see the shutting gun

in action

hey guys what's going on it's your boy

back at it again

with another minecraft video and today

we're gonna take a look at how i got

accepted to stanford

for those of you who don't know i

currently attend

i currently attend stanford university

and this year

i am a freshman you know ever since that

faded day when i got my acceptance

letter

i always wondered to myself why

today we're going to answer that

question so in my hands right here

is my stanford admissions file it's

actually just an empty manila folder but

we'll pretend there's stuff in here so

in addition to my actual application

which i filled out nearly a year ago at

this point

my admissions file has ratings and

comments from my interviewer

as well as ratings and comments from my

two application readers

basically this has all the answers as to

how i got accepted into stanford in the

first place

before we dive in and see what this is

all about

i'll explain how i first got my hands on

this

again this is just an empty folder that

i'm using as a prop for this video

to my understanding you can request

access to your admissions file as a

student at

a number of different universities but

i'll explain the process for stanford

because

that's the school that i attend at least

virtually

the first step is to actually make the

request to go

see your admissions file so i had to

make a ferpa request through the

registrar's office for student affairs

ferpa stands for family educational

rights and privacy act

and essentially under ferpa a student is

allowed to access their records for the

school that they attend

which is what i did by making that

request so back in the before times

students would typically go to the

office and read through their files

while a person watches over them to

make sure that they're not up to any

funny business i guess

i wouldn't really know though because

i'm

still at home

[Music]

since i am not currently on campus i

actually had a

zoom call with someone from the office

who read my

admissions file to me while you're

accessing your admissions file

you're not actually allowed to have any

electronics with you

and you're only allowed to take paper

notes and this is the same whether

you're in person

or virtual you're also only allotted a

20-minute time slot to view your

admissions file

whether you're in person or virtual so

it was definitely a challenge to

listen and write as much as i can at the

same time so

that i could you know take as many notes

as i could i've also heard from other

students that

information on your admissions file gets

blacked out and redacted over time

so there could be some information on my

admissions file that i just

do not have access to because it's

blacked out already

but again i wouldn't really know because

i

had my admissions file read to me but in

any case

in my hands i have all the notes that i

was able to take in that 20 minute time

slot

so let's take a look through it and see

what was going on in their minds

when they decided to accept me all right

let's get on with it so my first page of

notes consists

largely of more biographical information

like my name my gender my ethnicity

where i live where i went to school the

majors i applied as

that kind of stuff i also have my gpa

written down

and next to it is su-6 followed by

another number that i unfortunately

didn't get down

from what i've heard other students

speculate this

su-6 could refer to another kind of gpa

that stanford recalculates for

students when looking at their

applications but again

i don't know what my sq6 was because

i couldn't write down fast enough you

know unfortunately

i still haven't mastered the showering

gun yet next i have

rigger which says md and most students

agree that md

means most demanding and this

essentially means that

i took the most demanding classes i

could in high school

next i have written down div which could

mean diversity

there weren't any numbers or anything

else written next to it so

i don't really have much to go off of

for this i also have my

sat scores subject test scores and ap

scores

something i thought was really

interesting was that on my first page of

notes i had written down korea

nisleywy again since i had my admissions

file read to me

i don't know what the actual format of

my admissions file looked like

but the fact that nisley y was one of

the first things that popped up is

definitely really interesting

it could mean that they thought this

would be something that could help my

application

but again that's just pure speculation

i just think the placement of where they

made that reference to nisley y is

really interesting

moving along to my second page of notes

this is where i have written down the

stuff that my

interviewer and application reader said

my understanding

is that at stanford all applicants get

at least two application readers

sometimes three and they rate you on

a number of different factors and then

afterwards

your application is sent to a full

committee for

a final vote where they decide whether

they want to accept you

waitlist you or reject you so i'll read

you guys the ratings that my application

readers gave me

all right so i have rtg which is a one

my understanding is that

rtg refers to your testing so your

various test scores

and i would think that i got a score of

one because i

scored highly on the sat i only have one

number for

rtg but for the other factors i have my

scores separated by reader one and

reader two

for reader one i have hsr with a score

of three

from what i've read online there seems

to be a pretty general consensus that

hsr stands for high school rigor which

looks at things like class

size and your school's reputation so i

suppose i got a rating of three for hsr

because

i didn't go to a particularly well-known

or high-ranking school

you know it was just a normal public

high school then i have

sup with a rating of three sup probably

stands for

support which essentially looks at your

letters of recommendation

then i have ec with a rating of three ec

basically just looks at your

extracurricular activities

then i have spiv with a rating of three

from what i've read online spiv probably

refers to

self presentation and intellectual

vitality

so i would guess that spiv is looking at

your character

as a student and as a person in general

then i have an overall evaluation rating

of

two minus and for my second reader i had

the same ratings for

hsr sup ec and spiv

but for my overall evaluation i had

a three plus and next to my overall

evaluation rating for my second reader

it says r2 slash r3 so that could mean

that there was potentially a third

reader who took a look at my application

as far as i understand it most

applications get two people to read

through it before it's sent to a full

committee vote

so i'm not exactly sure why there was a

potential third reader for my

application

something i'm curious about is that both

of my application readers gave me the

same scores for

hsr sup ec and spiv

but their overall evaluation ratings

were slightly different

so i'm wondering what made the

difference there perhaps i'll never know

and as for what these numbers mean from

what i've read online

1 means the best and 5 means the least

best

and since my readers gave me overall

evaluation ratings of two minus and

three plus

i would say that i was probably you know

average middle of the road when it comes

to

their accepted applicants but it's not

exactly clear

what their exact rating distribution is

so

that's just a guess on my part next i

have some notes from my interviewer

i know that not all applicants to

stanford get an interview

especially if you live in california but

since i don't live in california

i was fortunate enough to have an

interview so like my application readers

my interviewer also gave me ratings on a

number of different factors

for intellectual vitality i got a three

for

depth and commitment i got a two and for

character and self presentation i got a

three

i've read that for interviews these

ratings are done

on a one to six scale with one being the

best and

six being the least best and scores of

one two and three

are generally what you want to strive

for so it seems like i had a pretty good

interview overall

at least from the perspective of my

interviewer i actually don't remember

too much of my stanford interview myself

but that's probably because it was such

a stressful situation

my interviewer wrote down notes about

all of the things that we talked about

most of which were about different

activities that i had done throughout

high school

we also spent a lot of time talking

about nisley and my

interest in languages in general so

there are a lot of notes about that

from what i was able to write down my

interviewer didn't really have

anything negative to say about me as a

sort of summary of our conversation i

guess my interviewer wrote that i had a

well-rounded narrative and that they

could see that i pursued excellence at

all things that i was involved with so

i'd say that overall

my interview was pretty solid i have no

idea exactly how much the interview

plays into admissions

but in any case i would say that it was

a

push in my favor alright so now i have

some comments from my first application

reader

first they restate some of my testing

stuff as well as the

ratings that i read off earlier i also

wrote down

filipino appearance i have no idea what

the context for that is because i

was trying to write as i listened which

didn't work out too well

but filipino parents they also just

listed some of my extracurricular

activities got nisley y

got quizzable c history bowl c

cross country c i have no idea what the

c means but

it's there very cool c

for cool perhaps also have spiv

c-a-p-e which i'm pretty sure is my

common app

personal essay i actually wasn't able to

write down that many notes for this

but from what i remember my first

application reader thought that my

common app essay was

okay and for ive which i'm pretty sure

is my intellectual vitality essay

they said that i had nice synthesis

they also wrote wm i'm not exactly sure

what wm

stands for but next to it it says family

game night

so i'm assuming it was my essay about

family game night

and for that essay my reader wrote that

it was just fine i also have a

summary from my first application reader

they wrote not jumping off the page

on the fence this is a tough one but

they also wrote that my

intended major leans in my favor and the

the different parts of my application

come together and keep me in the running

phew okay

all right next we have my last page of

notes which is the notes from my second

application reader

for my second reader i have a lot fewer

comments compared to

my first reader my understanding is that

the second reader

also sees the comments from the first

reader so it's possible that there are

fewer comments because

the second reader agrees with what the

first reader said

and just didn't want to write it down to

be redundant but again

that is just my speculation so for my

second reader they also have my readings

once again

and for my essays there aren't really

any comments about them

they said that my personal essay was

about identity

and that my intellectual vitality essay

was about storytelling and language

appreciation

so their comments there were more just

summarizing what my essays were about

but for my extracurricular essay this

reader said that it was standard but

showed that i was a good leader and at

the bottom they wrote that my

poe was unsure i have no idea what

poe stands for it could mean something

like

point of entry so poe unsure means that

there wasn't a clear reason for me to be

accepted

but once again that is just my

speculation

after that the rest of my admissions

file just consisted of my actual

application

as in the application that i sent in to

stanford back when i was applying

and i don't think i need to take any

notes on those so

in conclusion i still have no idea how i

got in

it didn't really seem like either of my

application readers were

super eager to have me accepted so

something must have happened between the

time that they read it

and the time that the committee had the

final vote

what exactly was it that made them want

to vote in my favor

i'll probably never know but you know

that's okay it doesn't matter if they

weren't super excited for me

and it doesn't matter if they were on

the fence about me

someone had to fight to get me into the

school

someone had to fight for me to have a

spot in this class

and that means that they saw something

whatever that something may have been

imposter syndrome aside somebody

believed

that i belong here at this school

even if i didn't necessarily believe in

myself at the time

there was somebody in the admissions

office that believed in me

and i am here now and that's what counts

and that's about all i have for today i

hope you guys enjoyed tagging along

as i took a look through my stanford

admissions file

since you're watching a video about

college related stuff

perhaps you'll be interested in watching

some more college application related

stuff

on my second channel if you enjoyed feel

free to drop a like and hit subscribe

for more content like this

and that's all for today folks so i'll

see you guys

next time bye