Anonymous
Post 12/13/2025 09:18     Subject: Applying to Harvard and Princeton “for fun”
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:My kids had a friend who did this last year - applied to Harvard, Penn, Princeton and MIT after Stanford REA acceptance. He didn’t get in anywhere else.

It seems Stanford attracts a certain “type”


can you explain that "type"? I couldn't pinpoint it when we visited, but there was something about the vibe that I didn't like.

This professor, with experience teaching at Stanford, characterized its students as "very smart" but not, as a generalization, particularly intellectually oriented:

https://www.hamilton.edu/news/story/faculty-jason-cieply-russian-studies
Anonymous
Post 12/13/2025 07:57     Subject: Applying to Harvard and Princeton “for fun”
Anonymous wrote:For every kid like this, there are kids who do the opposite. Kids who, not only don’t apply elsewhere, but also pull applications after hearing non-binding SCEA bc they know others were waiting on those schools. He had no regrets.

He didn’t think he would get in everywhere but he also felt he wanted the AOs to focus on the applications of kids who would attend.

You can only go to college in one place.


+100. Kudos to your kid for doing the mature thing. It’s already a hard process, with so much ego involved (parents and kids). There’s enough opportunity to go around.
Anonymous
Post 12/13/2025 07:18     Subject: Applying to Harvard and Princeton “for fun”
For every kid like this, there are kids who do the opposite. Kids who, not only don’t apply elsewhere, but also pull applications after hearing non-binding SCEA bc they know others were waiting on those schools. He had no regrets.

He didn’t think he would get in everywhere but he also felt he wanted the AOs to focus on the applications of kids who would attend.

You can only go to college in one place.
Anonymous
Post 12/13/2025 04:51     Subject: Applying to Harvard and Princeton “for fun”
I know a kid from a top prep school who was admitted to Harvard REA, went on to get into MIT RD but was rejected from Stanford RD. Stanford was her top choice so so wonder why they forced her to apply to Harvard REA. She went to Harvard.
Anonymous
Post 12/13/2025 04:47     Subject: Applying to Harvard and Princeton “for fun”
Anonymous wrote:DC’s friend was accepted REA to Stanford, but is planning to apply to Harvard and Princeton just “for fun”. Seems like the same set of kids end up getting all the acceptances to the T5.


Well it’s not like Stanford is #1 so why shouldn’t he try for Harvard?
Anonymous
Post 12/13/2025 04:20     Subject: Applying to Harvard and Princeton “for fun”
Anonymous wrote:I knew a kid who did this after getting into Harvard EA last year. Had to chuckle when they didn't get into Yale or Princeton.


Sometimes the guidance counselor will shove a kid like this with the AOs to try and make room for their other applicants. “A very strong student, already admitted to Stanford”
Anonymous
Post 12/13/2025 04:15     Subject: Applying to Harvard and Princeton “for fun”
At my son’s private school this is not allowed. More schools should have the same policy.
Anonymous
Post 12/13/2025 03:35     Subject: Applying to Harvard and Princeton “for fun”
Anonymous wrote:OP here. DC’s friend is FGLI and Stanford is free for their family.


Is it possible that being FGLI also comes with not having great guidance on how to just move forward with Stanford and enjoy senior year?
Anonymous
Post 12/13/2025 02:48     Subject: Applying to Harvard and Princeton “for fun”
Two years ago a kid from DC's public magnet got in Stanford REA, but continues applying RD to Ivy. Already accepted and posted Stanford at IG, but ended up changing their mind and enrolled at MIT with a bunch of other classmates.
Since large public, no one took offense and no one's 'spot' was taken. Quite different than a top private where it is a zero sum game for HYPMS.
Anonymous
Post 12/13/2025 01:09     Subject: Applying to Harvard and Princeton “for fun”
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:My kids had a friend who did this last year - applied to Harvard, Penn, Princeton and MIT after Stanford REA acceptance. He didn’t get in anywhere else.

It seems Stanford attracts a certain “type”


can you explain that "type"? I couldn't pinpoint it when we visited, but there was something about the vibe that I didn't like.


Ha ha you are sooo jealous


Jealous of what?
Anonymous
Post 12/13/2025 00:21     Subject: Applying to Harvard and Princeton “for fun”
Selfish.
Anonymous
Post 12/13/2025 00:08     Subject: Applying to Harvard and Princeton “for fun”
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:My kids had a friend who did this last year - applied to Harvard, Penn, Princeton and MIT after Stanford REA acceptance. He didn’t get in anywhere else.

It seems Stanford attracts a certain “type”


can you explain that "type"? I couldn't pinpoint it when we visited, but there was something about the vibe that I didn't like.


Ha ha you are sooo jealous
Anonymous
Post 12/13/2025 00:06     Subject: Applying to Harvard and Princeton “for fun”
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:My kids had a friend who did this last year - applied to Harvard, Penn, Princeton and MIT after Stanford REA acceptance. He didn’t get in anywhere else.

It seems Stanford attracts a certain “type”


can you explain that "type"? I couldn't pinpoint it when we visited, but there was something about the vibe that I didn't like.


Two of the biggest jerk guys I knew in school are sending their sons there.
Anonymous
Post 12/12/2025 23:48     Subject: Applying to Harvard and Princeton “for fun”
Anonymous wrote:Agree, it’s so selfish. DC had a friend do this two years ago. Accepted REA to Stanford and applied RD to Harvard, Princeton and Penn. Accepted to all three in RD. Ended up going to Stanford.


Literally took spots from classmates. What an @ss.
Anonymous
Post 12/12/2025 23:39     Subject: Applying to Harvard and Princeton “for fun”
Anonymous wrote:OP here. DC’s friend is FGLI and Stanford is free for their family.


Makes it even more selfish. They don’t need to compare financial aid packages in this situation.