Stanford Common App Tips?

Hi! I'm starting my Stanford Common App and feeling a bit stressed. Can anyone share some successful examples or strategies they've used to showcase their interests and strengths in a unique way? Thanks!

Hi! Stanford's Common App supplement has a few prompts that allow you to showcase your interests and strengths in different ways. While I can't share specific examples, I can offer some strategies to help you tackle these prompts uniquely and effectively:

1. Intellectual Vitality Prompt: When writing about an idea or experience that demonstrates your intellectual vitality, choose a topic where you've gone above and beyond in your learning. Make sure to highlight your deep curiosity and genuine passion for the subject. Explain how you engaged with the topic, what insights you gained, and how it has shaped your intellectual development.

2. Meaningful Roommate Prompt: For the letter to your future roommate, showcase your personality in a casual, conversational tone. Mention some specific interests, hobbies, or quirks you have (perhaps seeking a cool intro like "If you're wondering why there's a wall filled with polaroid pictures, here's the story..."). It's a great opportunity to let your personality shine while also highlighting what you'll bring to Stanford's residential community.

3. How You Spent Your Last Two Summers: Rather than just listing your activities, focus on showcasing the impact and growth you experienced as a result of these activities. Discuss what you learned, how you applied the knowledge, and how it has helped you mature or develop new skills.

4. Extracurricular Activity: When discussing the extracurricular activity most meaningful to you, show instead of tell. Offer specific examples of your dedication, achievements, or impact within this activity. Discuss any challenges you overcame, and explain why it has been significant in shaping you as a person.

5. Stanford Supplemental Essays - Short Questions: In your responses to the short questions, be concise, yet thoughtful, and choose examples that showcase different dimensions of your personality and experiences.

To learn more about the Stanford supplemental essays, read this blog post: https://blog.collegevine.com/how-to-write-the-stanford-university-essays

Remember, the key is to be authentic and true to yourself. Make each response distinctive, allowing the admission officers to see different aspects of your personality and creating a comprehensive picture of who you are. Good luck with your application!