Stanford Supplemental Essays for College Admission

Stanford University, located in coastal northern California, is one of the most prestigious and selective institutions in the world. The sun-soaked, palm-lined campus—while gorgeous—is also globally renowned for its academic excellence, innovative research, and vibrant student life. If you, like thousands of other high schoolers, hope to attend Stanford one day, then a crucial part of your journey to college will be completing the Stanford application. The rigorous application process is designed to uncover your intellectual curiosity, personal qualities, and potential impact on the Stanford community. 

Ready to write? Let’s analyze how to handle the Stanford supplemental essays for college admission success.

Stanford Supplemental Essays: Required Components

Beyond the Common Application personal statement, Stanford asks applicants to answer several short answer and essay questions, each offering a unique window into who you are.

Let’s break down the main written components Stanford requires:

1. Common Application Personal Statement (1 essay)
2. Stanford Short Answer Questions (5 questions)
3. Stanford Essay Questions (3 essays)

Next, we’ll discuss how to handle each of these different pieces with style.

The Common Application Personal Statement: Your Story

The Common App personal statement is a central component of nearly every college application, including Stanford’s. With a higher word limit (650 words) it’s your chance to share a significant story or aspect of your life—a part of your life that goes beyond grades and test scores.

Ensure that your Common App essay and your Stanford supplemental essays work together to present a cohesive narrative. Admissions officers should see a well-rounded version of you that highlights different aspects of your personality, interests, and ambitions without overlapping too much.

For tips on crafting an effective Common App essay, read more advice and examples here.

Stanford Short Answer Questions: Brief but Impactful

Stanford’s five short answer questions require responses between 50 and 150 words. Though brief, these questions are designed to give insight into your personality, values, and the “little things” that make you unique.

Pro Tips:

• Be authentic and specific: Don’t just list attributes or generic responses. Offer concrete examples or details that give readers a real sense of who you are.
• Keep it concise: Get straight to the point without losing your voice. Given the tight word limits, you need to focus on word economy—therefore every word should serve a purpose. When editing, trim redundant phrases and avoid overly complex language. Strong, clear sentences will make your response more effective.
• Show your interests: Reveal aspects of your life that Stanford might not see in other parts of the application.
• Describe details: When responding to short answer questions, consider using brief anecdotes or specific memories that illustrate your point. This technique makes your response more vivid and relatable.

Each question is an opportunity to showcase a new dimension of yourself. That includes the short answer questions. 

Now, let’s take a look at some strategies for the final essay questions.

Stanford Essay Questions: The Big Three

Stanford’s three longer essays allow you to dive deeper into your experiences, values, and goals. These three need to be between 100 and 250 words each. Let’s go through each prompt with effective writing strategies and examples to help your application shine.

Prompt 1: Reflect on an Idea or Experience that Makes You Genuinely Excited About Learning.

Stanford wants to know what drives your intellectual curiosity and passion for learning. This is your chance to share a meaningful story that highlights your academic interests.

Strategy:

1. Choose a specific experience: Think about a class, a project, a conversation, or an independent endeavor that sparked a genuine curiosity. For instance, a science fair project that led to a fascination with robotics or a history book that made you rethink how civilizations evolve.
2. Describe the impact: Go beyond the experience itself. Explain how it changed your perspective, sparked further interest, or influenced your goals.
3. Connect it to Stanford: Stanford offers unique academic resources—mention specific programs, professors, or opportunities that align with your interests. How will Stanford help you expand on this passion?

Example Response: Imagine writing about a personal project where you designed an app to help students learn languages more effectively. You could share how this project inspired you to pursue computer science and how Stanford’s resources in AI could help you bring the app to the next level.

Prompt 2: Write a Note to Your Future Roommate that Reveals Something About You or That Will Help Your Roommate—and Us—Get to Know You Better.

This prompt is an invitation to show your personality, quirks, and humor. Stanford is looking to see how you relate to others and what kind of roommate you’d be.

Strategy:

1. Be yourself: Write in a conversational tone, as though you’re actually addressing a potential roommate. Share something personal that reveals who you are, whether it’s a love for midnight study snacks or a hobby like baking.
2. Show your quirks: It’s okay to be a little playful. Use this prompt to bring out a side of you that might not fit into other essay responses.
3. Highlight your values: Think about the qualities you’d want in a roommate and reflect those in your note. Whether it’s openness, respect, or a love for exploration, let these values shine through.
4. Don’t shy away from vulnerability: Don’t be afraid to admit quirks that may be seen as imperfections. Stanford values students who are real and self-aware. Sharing moments of uncertainty or humor can make your note more engaging and relatable.

Example Response: “Dear future roommate, brace yourself for the smell of cookies at midnight! I’m a night owl with a serious sweet tooth, and my late-night baking sprees are legendary. (Don’t worry—I always share.) When I’m not studying or experimenting with recipes, I love taking long walks to clear my mind and might just rope you into a campus adventure.”

Prompt 3: Please Describe What Aspects of Your Life Experiences, Interests, and Character Would Help You Make a Distinctive Contribution as an Undergraduate to Stanford University.

This question asks you to consider what unique qualities you’ll bring to the Stanford community. Think about your leadership skills, dedication, and potential to contribute positively to campus. 

When you sit down to write, take a moment to reflect on what you want the admissions team to understand about your individual journey. That extra reflection will help tie your experiences back to your overall narrative and personal growth.

Strategy:

1. Reflect on distinct qualities: Think about skills, experiences, or perspectives that make you stand out. (E.g. a volunteer project you started, or a unique perspective on problem-solving that helped you overcome a team challenge.)
2. Focus on community impact: Stanford values collaboration and service. Discuss how your experiences will allow you to contribute meaningfully—whether by bringing people together, advocating for an important cause, or leading in new directions.
3. Show, don’t tell: Use vivid examples to illustrate how your experiences and character make you valuable. As you write, make sure to include specific details and avoid vague generalities. (E.g. when you’re talking about your leadership skills, describe a particular moment where those skills were put to the test, what you did, and how it impacted others.) Go the extra mile.

Example Response: Imagine writing about your experience mentoring younger students in robotics. You could discuss how this shaped your leadership skills and your passion for teaching others, something you hope to continue at Stanford by contributing to the student tutoring program.

Final Tips for Crafting Your Stanford Supplemental Essays

Keep in mind that Stanford looks for students who align with its core values of innovation, collaboration, and social impact. While crafting your essays, subtly emphasize how your goals and experiences resonate with these values.

1. Be genuine and specific: Stanford admissions officers read thousands of essays. Stand out by being true to yourself and offering insights only you can provide.
2. Avoid clichés: Stay away from overused phrases or general statements. Every sentence should add new information or perspective.
3. Edit carefully: These responses need to be polished and concise. Give yourself time to draft, edit, and refine each answer.

Ready to take your writing to the next level? Don’t hesitate to get feedback from trusted teachers, mentors, or peers. A fresh set of eyes can catch areas that need more clarity or where your voice might not come through as strongly as it could. Revision is key to ensuring your writing reflects the best version of yourself.

For the full scoop on college application writing, check out Empowerly’s Guide to Essays.

Stanford and You

Stanford’s supplemental essays offer a unique opportunity to showcase your individuality and intellectual passion. By thoughtfully responding to each prompt, you’ll be able to convey your potential to excel within Stanford’s rigorous academic environment and make a lasting impact on campus.

Ready to make your Stanford application stand out? From essays to interviews, Empowerly can help you navigate every part of the process. This year, Stanford only accepted about 4% of the students who applied. If you’re curious about what it takes to become one of those lucky few who call Stanford home, it’s never too soon to begin preparing. Book a consultation with our expert college counselors today to receive personalized guidance and take your application to the next level!