It’s no secret that getting into Stanford is incredibly difficult. Despite the lengthy supplement and the tragically low acceptance rate, many of our readers still choose to throw their hat in the ring year after year. If you were to google the holistic admissions process at Stanford, you would come across a section that is titled “Intellectual Vitality.” Here’s what they say:
“We want to see your commitment, dedication and genuine interest in expanding your intellectual horizons; both in what you write about yourself and in what others write on your behalf. We want to see the kind of curiosity and enthusiasm that will allow you to spark a lively discussion in a freshman seminar and continue the conversation at a dinner table. We want to see the energy and depth of commitment you will bring to your endeavors, whether that means in a research lab, as part of a community organization, during a performance or on an athletic field. We want to see the initiative with which you seek out opportunities and expand your perspective.”
Before we begin, it should be noted that in addition to having nearly perfect grades and test scores, you should truly be interested in what Stanford has to offer. Not just the brand name, but the academic and extracurricular offerings. The special opportunities, the faculty members, the specific courses you’re dying to take. Too often we see people applying “just because it’s Stanford,” and this line of thinking is only increasing their application numbers and driving their acceptance down the tubes. Of course, there are students who belong at Stanford. It is an incredible institution with a ton to offer. But we don’t like to see high school students buying into the line of thinking that Stanford is an automatic great fit for everyone, or creating their lists based on status.
So, what is intellectual vitality? Stanford will be asking you to write an essay about it. The words that stick out from Stanford’s blurb are “commitment, curiosity, and enthusiasm.” It boils down to chasing your passions 100% of the time with 1000% dedication. It means finding something that you care about deeply, something you can’t stop thinking about, and dedicating your free time to diving into that passion at full speed.
Our clients who have gotten into Stanford epitomize “intellectual vitality.” We had one client who was interested in economic inequality. She couldn’t stop researching the causes and far reaching effects, and in doing her research she became inspired by Muhamad Yunus. She started a microfinance club at her school and eventually built it out so that she was helping fund various small projects and people all over her state.
You can replicate this for nearly any interested. Let’s say you’re interested in Environmental Science. That’s super broad, so start by finding your niche. Maybe it’s soil, maybe it’s marine biology. You join the Environmental Club at your school during your sophomore year. Then what?
One of our students was in this position. We helped her realize that she was interested in gardening and soil composition. We had her take additional courses outside of school and research professors who were doing research in the area she was interested in. She reached out to them and secured a position in one of their labs.
It’s your job to find unique and interesting ways to engage with your passion, whatever that may be. You need to dig deep. This needs to take the form of a job, a research opportunity, a passion project, a self-guided trip, or something else that really exemplifies you doing the most you can do. It’s up to you to showcase your own creativity and grit.
You might be thinking: “I don’t like any of the clubs at my school” or “I don’t have the resources to do what I really care about.” All of this might be true! But it can’t be the end of the road. We are living in a time with countless resources at our fingertips, as long as you have access to a computer. Intellectual vitality is about seeking out the unknown, and perhaps forging a path that is brand new.
When it comes to writing the actual essay, tell a story. When we write about things outside of ourselves, essays can often come off as impersonal. The goal is not just to write your resume out in paragraph form, but instead bring your passions to life with a story with a beginning, middle, and end.
Planning ahead is daunting. We love helping our clients find special opportunities. Contact us here if you need help.