Anonymous
03/12/2026 08:32
Subject: Stanford REA
Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:I think it's very hard to get in with standard STEM ECs like robotics, math competitions, etc. You are competing with kids that are extremely strong for the "STEM slots" of the school. (Even if they say they don't admit by major they have humanities departments and don't want everyone to be a STEM major). An admissions expert on YouTube said you have to be winning BIG prizes to stand out.
People say do blacksmithing or birdwatching but you don't know if AO reading your app will care about that. It can work but you need luck too.
If you do STEM activities I think you have to be (A) winning big prizes at the top level for a good chance or (B) be very strong and have luck to get in.
Just saw blacksmithing in a college counselor zoom. It's definitely "a thing".
Ha!!! I saw it too.
- fellow AN
Anonymous
03/11/2026 21:39
Subject: Stanford REA
Anonymous wrote:I think it's very hard to get in with standard STEM ECs like robotics, math competitions, etc. You are competing with kids that are extremely strong for the "STEM slots" of the school. (Even if they say they don't admit by major they have humanities departments and don't want everyone to be a STEM major). An admissions expert on YouTube said you have to be winning BIG prizes to stand out.
People say do blacksmithing or birdwatching but you don't know if AO reading your app will care about that. It can work but you need luck too.
If you do STEM activities I think you have to be (A) winning big prizes at the top level for a good chance or (B) be very strong and have luck to get in.
Just saw blacksmithing in a college counselor zoom. It's definitely "a thing".
Anonymous
10/14/2025 10:23
Subject: Stanford REA
Anonymous wrote:Someone got in from DC’s school who has several patents pertaining to insects and has developed a novel mosquito repellent and is an amateur blacksmith etc etc. It’s kind of ridiculous.
Interested to see what other types of interesting ECs/passion projects or niches you guys are hearing about in your kid's senior class. This one stayed with me when I read it.
Anything new this year? Unusual?
Anonymous
03/01/2025 08:26
Subject: Stanford REA
Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Our school routinely gets multiple Stanford admits yearly.
What they all have in common is a singular spike- athletics, performing arts, etc.
Most of the students are not tippy top students, more like the top 5%-10% or even top 20% of the class.
Stanford, again, likes the above average student with a singular spike.
DC’s school is a feeder too, and we see just as many tippy top students get in as spiky kids. Very often, they’re both!
Then you seem to be missing the point: they got in because they were spikey; being tippy top is just….normal.
Anonymous
03/01/2025 08:24
Subject: Stanford REA
Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Our school routinely gets multiple Stanford admits yearly.
What they all have in common is a singular spike- athletics, performing arts, etc.
Most of the students are not tippy top students, more like the top 5%-10% or even top 20% of the class.
Stanford, again, likes the above average student with a singular spike.
This is more common than many suspect.
As it should be. If I were a Stanford AO and saw dozens of perfectly boring CS kids a day — with top grades and 800 math SATs — I would want to throw up. I mean, such regurgitation products are for the likes of Cornell.
Anonymous
03/01/2025 08:18
Subject: Stanford REA
Anonymous wrote:Our school routinely gets multiple Stanford admits yearly.
What they all have in common is a singular spike- athletics, performing arts, etc.
Most of the students are not tippy top students, more like the top 5%-10% or even top 20% of the class.
Stanford, again, likes the above average student with a singular spike.
This is more common than many suspect.
Anonymous
02/28/2025 20:53
Subject: Stanford REA
Anonymous wrote:Our school routinely gets multiple Stanford admits yearly.
What they all have in common is a singular spike- athletics, performing arts, etc.
Most of the students are not tippy top students, more like the top 5%-10% or even top 20% of the class.
Stanford, again, likes the above average student with a singular spike.
DC’s school is a feeder too, and we see just as many tippy top students get in as spiky kids. Very often, they’re both!
Anonymous
02/28/2025 20:30
Subject: Stanford REA
Our school routinely gets multiple Stanford admits yearly.
What they all have in common is a singular spike- athletics, performing arts, etc.
Most of the students are not tippy top students, more like the top 5%-10% or even top 20% of the class.
Stanford, again, likes the above average student with a singular spike.
What they all have in common is a singular spike- athletics, performing arts, etc.
Most of the students are not tippy top students, more like the top 5%-10% or even top 20% of the class.
Stanford, again, likes the above average student with a singular spike.