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.