Admissions

Be yourself in your application. Stanford really is looking for students that will bring something unique (themselves!) to campus

I recommend applying Early Action if Stanford is your first choice. Your chances of being accepted will not be significantly better (so they tell us, and I believe them), but if you get in, the notification comes early enough that you may be able to skip some of the more arduous college applications. Harvey Mudd and Caltech were on my list, and I was very glad not to have to answer their tricky essay questions.

Don't change your lifestyle to fit the mold you think Stanford wants. Do what you're passionate about, and do it well.

BE YOURSELF in your application. If you're quirky, you're quirky. If you're not, you're not. Be deeply honest about your life goals. Getting into college isn't just about meeting their standards but also playing a part in their student body, and if you're not going to be a good fit, you're not going to be happy. Luckily, Stanford's students are diverse in every possible way... except maybe in level of intellectual vitality.
Also, if you're a fantastic student but are still not sure about your chances, APPLY. Trust me, pretty much everyone wonders how they got here, and when everyone feels like that, everyone feels NORMAL—a utopia-like normal!

Do not be discouraged to apply. They are looking for uniqueness and dedication into whatever you do. I had no hopes of actually making it, but I got in! I have an SAT score of 1810, which is lower than a lot of my friends who did not make it in.

don't panic, be real and accept the fact that if you are accepted you will no longer be the top student or top athlete because you will be surrounded by greatness but you will be accepted and it will be your family before the 1st quarter is over.

Stanford wants passionate people. If you can show that you have something that no one else does and that you're passionate about it, and you have good grades, then you have a chance of getting in.

Dig deep.

Both into yourself to find out what type of school you're looking for, what you want out of college, how you want these crucial years to go, etc, as well as into what the schools you're considering espouse as their own priorities and atmospheres. Visit, if you have the chance. Look up student reviews, websites beyond the university's official website. Be persistent. Get in contact with professors, students.

You only will have to pull all-nighters if you are irresponsible with your time management. Do not be afraid to challenge yourself. Find your own way to learn and study to the best of your abilities instead of constantly comparing yourself to others. Make sure to thank the people who helped get you here once you do. You will meet people who will treat you like you are an amazing super-hero that got here all by yourself, but getting you here was a team effort and you should acknowledge that with grace and gratitude.

Write exceptional essays
Get personal recommendations that reflect your willingness to mentor peers
Become oblong rather than well-rounded: be exceptional in one or two extracurriculars
Illustrate your passion for them