8:07
why Stanford REJECTED me | a "star" student
Joy Zou
Overview
This video details the reasons why the speaker believes they were rejected from Stanford University, despite having strong academic credentials. The speaker, Joy, shares her personal experience and mistakes made during the application process, emphasizing poor planning, choosing the wrong major, ineffective essay writing, and a lack of seeking external feedback. The video aims to help future applicants avoid similar pitfalls by highlighting the importance of strategic application planning, genuine self-expression in essays, and leveraging available advice.
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Chapters
- The speaker presented a strong academic profile including a high SAT/ACT score, GPA, and numerous awards.
- Despite these qualifications, the speaker was rejected from Stanford.
- The video focuses on the application process mistakes that likely led to the rejection, rather than the academic record itself.
This chapter sets the stage by highlighting that strong academics alone are not always sufficient for admission, prompting the viewer to consider other crucial application components.
The speaker mentions achieving a 1580 on the SAT, a 35 on the ACT, and a 3.98 weighted GPA.
- Applying through Restrictive Early Action (REA) can increase admission chances, but requires early and thorough preparation.
- The speaker regrets poor planning, starting essays too late for the REA deadline.
- Submitting an art supplement meant an earlier deadline and less time for essay refinement, which was a detriment compared to having an extra month for regular decision.
Understanding application timelines and deadlines is crucial for maximizing opportunities and presenting the best possible application, especially for early admission programs.
The speaker notes that the art supplement deadline was in December, while the regular decision deadline was in January, and she would have preferred the extra month for essays over the supplement.
- Choosing a major without careful consideration can weaken an application.
- The speaker selected Electrical Engineering as her top choice without aligning it with her overall profile, likely not competing well with other applicants for that major.
- A cohesive application presents a clear, unified picture of the applicant, and a mismatched major can detract from this image.
Selecting a major that genuinely aligns with your academic interests and experiences helps admissions committees understand your goals and fit within the university's programs.
The speaker regrets choosing Electrical Engineering as her number one major because it didn't seem to fit well with the rest of her application narrative.
- Essays should showcase introspection and personal growth, not just humor or surface-level personality.
- The speaker admits to using valuable essay space for jokes and lightheartedness, which detracted from deeper self-reflection.
- Personal, introspective essays that explain how experiences shaped the applicant are more relatable and impactful than purely humorous ones.
Essays are a primary opportunity to reveal your personality, thought process, and character beyond grades and scores; depth and authenticity are key.
One essay was half-dedicated to showcasing a fun personality, which the speaker now believes should have been used to explore how an experience shaped her worldview.
- It's crucial to seek feedback on applications from trusted sources like teachers or mentors.
- The speaker relied solely on her own and her mother's review, missing out on valuable external perspectives.
- The speaker also regrets not taking her mother's advice more seriously regarding the substance of short answers.
External feedback provides objective insights into how your application is perceived and can identify weaknesses or areas for improvement you might overlook.
The speaker wished she had asked her English teacher to review her essays for topic choice, strength, and depth, rather than just relying on her own judgment.
- Rejection from a dream school is not the end of the world and can be a catalyst for personal growth.
- Analyzing application flaws after rejection can strengthen future applications.
- The speaker believes she ended up in the best place for her, despite the initial disappointment.
Setbacks in the college application process can offer valuable learning experiences that contribute to resilience and a better understanding of oneself and future goals.
The speaker views her Stanford rejection as an opportunity to identify weaknesses in her application strategy, which will help her with future applications.
Key takeaways
- Strong academic metrics are necessary but not sufficient for college admissions; strategic application building is vital.
- Early planning and understanding application deadlines (like REA vs. regular decision) are critical for maximizing chances.
- The chosen major should align with your academic profile and interests to present a cohesive application narrative.
- College essays should prioritize introspection, personal growth, and authentic self-expression over superficial humor.
- Actively seek and seriously consider feedback from teachers, counselors, or mentors on your application materials.
- Don't be overly attached to your initial essay drafts; be open to revising based on constructive criticism.
- Rejection can be a valuable learning experience that fosters personal growth and refines future strategies.
Key terms
Restrictive Early Action (REA)Common AppSupplemental EssaysArt SupplementRegular DecisionCohesivenessIntrospectionVapid
Test your understanding
- What are the potential downsides of submitting an art supplement if it means less time for essay refinement?
- Why is it important for a college application to be cohesive, and how can a major choice impact this?
- How can an applicant demonstrate introspection and personal growth in their college essays?
- What are the benefits of seeking feedback from teachers or mentors on a college application?
- How can a student reframe a college rejection experience to foster personal growth?