How to Write Your Stanford Short-Answer Essays and Optimize Your Application

UPDATE: THE PROMPTS HAVE CHANGED!! For the Complete Guide to the Stanford 2017-2018 Short Answer and Supplemental Essays, click here. ​

So you're applying to Stanford. That's great! But, as I explained in this infographic, your odds of acceptance are about 1 in 17. You are competing with top students from around the world -- and about 70% of applicants with a perfect 2400 SAT score will be rejected. 

This means one thing: the only way to stand out to admissions officers (other than submitting AMAZING recommendations) is to take advantage of every possible space on the application to say something only you can​.

Let's figure out what ONLY YOU can do.

Many (I might even say most) applicants waste space -- either by being boring, too literal, or reiterating things they've already said on their application.

In this post, I will walk you through the short- and long-answer supplemental essays on the Stanford application -- and show you how to make the most of each prompt. If you have any additional questions or would like to work on your essays with me (either in-person or over Skype), please contact me!

(But before you do, please note: this is my business. I don't edit essays for free. Would you walk into a restaurant and ask for free food? Would you go to a salon and ask for a free haircut? Then don't ask me to read your essays unless you have checked out my Rates and Services page.)

1. Briefly elaborate on one of your extracurricular activities or work experiences. (50-150 words)
​

You've already filled out your activities section, so the reader knows what extracurriculars you do. They may also know what awards you've won and what your role is in that community/group/team.

Don't reiterate that here. Instead, use the space to talk about why you do this activity; how it has changed you; what about it you found the most meaningful

OR. Tell them what this activity says about your personality, goals or values.

OR. Think of something you want them to know about you that they don't know already.

Come up with at least three good ideas before choosing one. Here is how I would approach this essay:

Brainstorming: 

Idea 1: Everything I Know About Life, I Learned From Basketball
Idea 2: "Flowers of Friendship Bloom Year-Round" - My year as a dorm proctor at Phillips Exeter Academy
Idea 3: I Am Not Afraid of Childbirth, Because Nothing Could Be More Painful Than Rowing
​Idea 4: How One Game of Pickup Volleyball Changed My Life

​

I like the first idea because my attitudes about life -- and how I confront sexism -- have been shaped by my participation in basketball, and I think I could write a memorable essay that would tell them something powerful about me.

The second idea is fun, because I truly believe I went above and beyond anything anyone could have expected of me as a proctor. There are the actual responsibilities I had... and the extra little things I did to make dorm life awesome. But there are probably several other dorm proctors applying this year who are also writing about being a proctor, and I'm not sure how unique my perspective will sound next to theirs. 

(Keep in mind: the same person who reads your essay is going to read all the other essays from your school -- and the schools near your school. So there's a pretty high probability of one reader seeing all of the "proctor" essays.)

The third idea is certainly memorable -- especially if I used the "childbirth" thing as a hook. I would also be writing about an extracurricular that few other high school students could, because most schools don't have a crew team.

Idea four touches on why I switched from cross country to volleyball (I asked myself, "What else can I do? How else can I play to my strengths?") and broke every front row record (including a few career records) my first season. This is an impressive accomplishment... but potentially hard to write about without being too braggy. (Plus, I will probably have mentioned breaking all those records in my Activities section.) Probably not my strongest option.

​So here's how my first essay would look:

1. Briefly elaborate on one of your extracurricular activities or work experiences. (50-150 words)​

Everything I know about life, I learned from pickup basketball.

I learned that the most important thing… is to get in the game. The only way to improve is through experience. So figure out how to get in, and master that skill -- even if you never do it during the game. Because if you can't get into the game, nothing else matters.

The second most important thing… is to win the mental game. Anyone who knows me would say I’m among the sweetest people they’ve met. But the first thing I do when I play ball is convince the guy (or girl) I’m guarding that I am about to humiliate them. It’s all about posture, confidence, and starting explosively. The first five seconds can determine the whole game.

Third, fundamentals. Master them. Practice them every day.

Finally, if you don’t do it 100%, there’s no point doing it at all.

***

I like this essay because, although thousands of students play basketball, this essay says a lot about my personality -- it shows that I think analytically, and it shows that I am powerful, strategic and aggressive.

Want to know more? Click here!

​​Next essay:

2. Name your favorite books, authors, films, and/or artists. (50 word limit)
​

80% of applicants are going to do the totally boring thing and put a list of books, authors, films and artists they like.

Be a part of the other 20%. Instead of cramming in as many works as possible, focus on 1-3 that have especially affected you -- and then tell them why. And, again -- think about what makes you a unique candidate, and try to pick books, authors, etc. that show that quality/trait about you.

​Here's my brainstorm:

Sondheim -- great composer and lyricist. Compliments my interest in music, and ties in with my extracurriculars (acting and playwriting).

​Crosby, Stills and Nash -- most people don't have a favorite song. I do. It's "Suite: Judy Blue Eyes." Plus, I saw them in concert once, and it was amazing. (And it ties in with my interest in guitar.)

Spice Girls -- say what you will about them, but I think they're a legitimate pop band. Ginger Spice is the first person who introduced me to the word "feminism" and "girl power."

Catch-22 -- probably the best book of all time. It will make you question everything. 

The Encyclopedia of Recreational Diving -- because how many girls who grew up in the landlocked state of Iowa became obsessed with scuba diving -- and read an entire encyclopedia about it, cover-to-cover? 

​

I have a pretty good reason to write about any of these topics... So here are three sample essays:

Name your favorite books, authors, films, and/or artists. (50 word limit)

Encyclopedia of Recreational Diving. Despite growing up on a sheep farm in the landlocked state of Iowa, I became obsessed with scuba diving. After two summers at ActionQuest, I completed my Rescue Diver, Underwater Navigator, Underwater Naturalist and Search and Recovery training. This fall, I read the entire encyclopedia, cover-to-cover.
​

Sondheim. First, he writes the best alliterations. My personal favorite: "We've no time to sit and dither / While her withers wither with her."

Second, he taught me that lyrics aren’t just words. Case in point: among the most beautiful lines on Broadway is, "I've just met a girl named Maria." 

Catch-22. You know when a whole chapter crescendos to some grand point, and the last line knocks the wind out of you? That’s how I feel after every paragraph of Catch-22.

"You're inches from death every time you fly a mission. How much older can you be at your age?”

**
​

I like all of these, but since I'm getting a letter of recommendation from my Chemistry teacher (with whom I've had many conversations about scuba diving -- because, you know, pv=nrt), I would probably go with the Encyclopedia. 

Need help crafting YOUR story? Click here!

​​Next essay:

3. What newspapers, magazines, and/or websites do you enjoy? (50 word limit)
​

When I was in high school, I read the New York Times a few times a week, because there were copies in the dining hall and I thought it was important to know what was going on outside of boarding school.

I also read The Exonian, the school newspaper -- which, in and of itself, isn't that interesting or impressive. But. It was a great way to find out about events on campus -- and mentioning this could be a great way to show that I am the kind of student who takes advantages of resources and is always looking for new opportunities. 

People didn't use the internet back then as much as they do now, so I can't think of many websites I used regularly... maybe Homestar Runner?

Here's my essay:

What newspapers, magazines, and/or websites do you enjoy? (50 word limit)

The New York Times - Because it’s easy for boarding school students to forget there’s an outside world.

The Exonian - I attend one of the most well-endowed secondary schools in the world. The Exonian is a great way to find out the speakers, forums and events happening all over campus.
​

Or possibly:

What newspapers, magazines, and/or websites do you enjoy? (50 word limit)

I read The New York Times over breakfast -- and I unexpectedly stumbled upon a photo of myself one morning! Living in New Hampshire, I tried to meet everyone who ran in the 2004 primaries. A photographer snapped a photo of me with John Kerry... and now I’m a stock image.

​

Between these two, it's kind of a toss-up. I like that both show that I actively seek out opportunities in a world full of opportunities (in other words, I'm not going to be a "waste of space" on their campus). However, it's possible that the reader could confuse my eagerness to hear from all the presidential candidates with name-dropping.

Click here to learn more about the Essay Coaching services at Paved With Verbs.

Next essay:

4. What is the most significant challenge that society faces today? (50 word limit)

There is obviously no correct answer to this question. If you have a social/scientific/political cause, this would be a great place to address that. If there is a theme you want them to see on your application, this might be a good place to explicitly state that (e.g., "Global warming. I've been concerned with this problem ever since I took AP Environmental Science, and I've developed my interest by taking the Marine Biology, Climate Change and History of Propaganda electives."). Or, again, if there is something impressive or unique you want them to know about you that they don't, you can find a creative way to write about that. 

Here's my brainstorm:

- Free speech on campus. I'm about to start college, and there are people fighting to censor art, lectures and discussions on campus. This scares me, as it directly affects my education and that of the nation's brightest youth.
- Threats to the environment. I'm a big scuba diver, and I feel like, even in my lifetime, there is less color in the coral reefs, and ecologies are changing due to overfishing, climate change, etc. This is a huge emotional tragedy, because I love the underwater world. But it's also a serious global issue.
- Evil. The scary thing about evil is that psychology studies indicate that most "evil" people aren't evil -- they're just normal people in bad situations Making evil the hardest thing to fight against and eliminate. 
​

Realistically, I never would have written an essay about evil in high school, since I had never taken a psychology class before. The environment would be a good one, which ties in with my interest in biology, chemistry and scuba diving. However... I've also already touched on that, so I might move forward with free speech on campus -- trying to be informed and opinionated, but not offensive or controversial.

Need more help developing your ideas? Click here.

5. How did you spend your last two summers? (50 word limit)

Okay. This one's pretty easy. Just answer the question. If you did several things over the summer, you might pick a few that were the most important or meaningful to you, rather than bombard them with a long list. Consider this:

How did you spend your last two summers? (50 word limit)

Studying, sailing and scuba diving in the Caribbean. It was luxurious… but not. We cleaned our own toilets and scrubbed algae off the boats. In AP Biology, I learned how complicated human physiology is. In Rescue Diver training, I discovered how well our bodies obey the laws of physics.
​

Vs. this:

In 2003, I visited Alaska with my family for a week. Next, I trained for cross country and took care of our farm. I spent three weeks at ActionQuest, a scuba diving camp.

In 2004, I spent most of the summer in Ithaca, NY. In August, I returned to ActionQuest to continue my dive training.

Next essay:

6. What were your favorite events (e.g., performances, exhibits, competitions, conferences, etc.) in recent years? (50 word limit)
​

During high school, I saw:

- Dozens of assemblies at school, some of which I still remember.
- Dozens of political speeches during the Iowa caucuses and the New Hampshire primaries
- Cats Off-Broadway in Boston
​- Several student rock shows (some of which I was also in)
- Crosby, Stills and Nash in concert
- Lynard Skynard in concert
- Bob Dylan and Willie Nelson in concert

I wish I could write about all of them! But I only have 50 words, so...

What were your favorite events (e.g., performances, exhibits, competitions, conferences, etc.) in recent years? (50 word limit)

Student rock shows. They inspired me to learn guitar and start my own band, Two-and-a-Half. Our rendition of “Be a Man” (from Mulan) earned us a standing ovation last spring!

Paul Hawkin’s assembly, “Natural Capitalism: The Next Industrial Revolution,” based on his book of the same title. Talk about innovation!

Need help sorting and prioritizing YOUR favorite events? I can help!

Next essay:

7. What historical moment or event do you wish you could have witnessed? (50 word limit)

This is a hard one -- which historical moment don't I wish I could have witnessed? If you have one you totally, sincerely want to write about, go for it! There are no wrong answers. The admissions officers are just trying to get to know you. Otherwise...

Try to think of a historical event that would tell the admissions something about you. OR. Be a little outside the box. Pick a historical event that you not only want to witness -- but also CHANGE. Include your "why" and "how."

So, for my brainstorm:

- I studied four years of Latin and a year of ancient Greek (and had won some awards in the National Latin/Greek Competition), so it would make sense for me to write about an event related to my interest in that. 
- The filming of Back to the Future. Robert Zemeckis and Bob Gale are creative geniuses, and I would have loved to witness their creative process, first-hand. 
- The founding of Phillips Exeter Academy. I love that school an unreasonable amount, and this could be a chance to talk more about my decision to leave my home (a farm, which I loved) to go to a boarding school a thousand miles away.
- Hitler's art class. Young Hitler failed his art class... but maybe if I'd been there, I could have encouraged him to pursue his passion -- and helped humanity avoid one of its darkest hours. 

I liked the first and last of these ideas best. The first would illustrate my interest in the classics, and the second would show my love of psychology. Here's the final essay:

What historical moment or event do you wish you could have witnessed? (50 word limit)

​Hitler’s art class.

After a broody adolescence, young Hitler found his passion: art. Sadly, he failed his art class, and eventually turned into a monster. If I could enroll in that class, I’d help him pursue his dream, no matter what the teacher said. This could prevent humanity’s darkest hour.

​

Next essay:

8. What five words best describe you?

First thing to know: you can enter up to TEN words in this box.

Second, this is a prompt where I can easily reuse some of my How to Write Your USC Short Answers brainstorm ideas:

Strong. Sincere. Silly. :P
Strong. Sincere. Silly! (Bonus points for alliteration?)
Intelligent. Athletic. Competitive. (Seriously - bring it on!)
Creative. Curiosophile. Neologistic.
Grit. Purpose. Passion.
Fun-loving. Creative. Indecisive. No -- wait...
Literally? Second-person. Singular. Objective. Pronoun. 

Since they're asking for five words (USC only wanted three), and you can enter up to ten, I would probably use some combination of these ideas -- which is efficient, since I've already put in the work for my USC application.

However, I would not put more than five words to describe myself -- do what the prompt says, and use the surplus space if and only if you can say something thoughtful/clever/cute about the five words you chose. 

Curiosophile. Neologistic. Compassionate. Playful. Competitive (seriously -- bring it on!). 

I like this answer because pairing "curiosophile" with "neologistic" is creative and intelligent and silly -- so instead of choosing one of those words to say what I am, I show all three with these odd word choices. (Not to mention the fact that probably more than 80% of applicants will call themselves "creative" and/or "intelligent." Much better to show it, somehow.)

(For those who don't get it, neologism means "new word." "Neologistic" may, itself, be a new word --  as is "curiosophile," a word I made up that means "one who loves curiosity.")

I chose compassionate, because that is pretty accurate for me -- I show that in my previous answer by wanting to make young Hitler an artist, rather than assassinate him. Plus, it kind of softens the whole powerful-and-competitive-female-athlete thing a little. Admissions officers want to build a community, and I want to make sure they know I am also a nice person. 

What 5 words best describe you? Let's figure it out!

​​So here is how my Stanford Short Answers could​ look:

1. Briefly elaborate on one of your extracurricular activities or work experiences. (50-150 words)
​
I am the captain of the Phillips Exeter Women's Basketball team. As a captain, it has been my responsibility to motivate my teammates, organize team bonding events (including brunches and dinners) and lead by example. Last year, I was voted MVP and played in the Boston Globe All-Star Tournament.

2. Name your favorite books, authors, films, and/or artists. (50 word limit)

Catch-22, by Joseph Heller
The Sword of Truth Series, by Terry Goodkind
John Steinbeck -- especially Cannery Row, Travels With Charley and East of Eden
Back to the Future (the whole trilogy)
Jesus Christ Superstar, by Andrew Llyod Weber
Fiddle on the Roof, Joseph Stein
Into the Woods, Stephen Sondheim

3. What newspapers, magazines, and/or websites do you enjoy? (50 word limit)

The New York Times
Psychology Today
Homestar Runner
Runners World
The Exonian

4. What is the most significant challenge that society faces today? (50 word limit)

Free speech on campus. It's an issue that will affect me personally, since I'm about to start college. It will also affect the developing minds of today's brightest youth. There’s no way to measure the damage that can be caused by the pending censorship of free speech on college campuses.

5. How did you spend your last two summers? (50 word limit)

​In 2003, I visited Alaska with my family for a week. Next, I trained for cross country and took care of our farm. I spent three weeks at ActionQuest, a scuba diving camp.

In 2004, I spent most of the summer in Ithaca, NY. In August, I returned to ActionQuest to continue my dive training

6. What were your favorite events (e.g., performances, exhibits, competitions, conferences, etc.) in recent years? (50 word limit)

​Cats Off-Broadway in Boston​
Several student rock shows (some of which I was also in!)
Crosby, Stills and Nash (!!!!!)
Lynard Skynard
Bob Dylan and Willie Nelson
John Kerry, John McCain, George W. Bush, Howard Dean and several other political speakers during the Iowa caucuses and New Hampshire primaries

​7. What historical moment or event do you wish you could have witnessed? (50 word limit)

The fall of the Roman Empire.

​8. What five words best describe you?

Intelligent. Creative. Silly. Athletic. Competitive.

Does this sound like your application? Let's spice it up!

OR! With a little more thought and creativity, you could write an application that does a much better job of showing your accomplishments, interests, perspectives and personality. You could write them a reading list... or several short essays that make them say, "I want to meet​ this person!"

1. Briefly elaborate on one of your extracurricular activities or work experiences. (50-150 words)
​
Everything I know about life, I learned from basketball. 

I learned that the most important thing… is to get in the game. The only way to improve is through experience. So figure out how to get in, and master that skill -- even if you never do it during the game. Because if you can't get into the game, nothing else matters.

The second most important thing… is to win the mental game. Anyone who knows me would say I’m among the sweetest people they’ve met. But the first thing I do when I play ball is convince the guy (or girl) I’m guarding that I am about to humiliate them. It’s all about posture, confidence, and starting explosively. The first five seconds can determine the whole game.

Third, fundamentals. Master them. Practice them every day.

Finally, if you don’t do it 100%, there’s no point doing it at all.


​2. Name your favorite books, authors, films, and/or artists. (50 word limit)

Encyclopedia of Recreational Diving. Despite growing up on a sheep farm in the landlocked state of Iowa, I'm obsessed with scuba diving. After two summers at ActionQuest, I completed my Rescue Diver, Underwater Navigator, Underwater Naturalist and Search and Recovery training. This fall, I read the entire dive encyclopedia, cover-to-cover.

3. What newspapers, magazines, and/or websites do you enjoy? (50 word limit)

I read The New York Times over breakfast -- and I unexpectedly stumbled upon a photo of myself one morning! Living in New Hampshire, I tried to meet everyone who ran in the 2004 primaries. A photographer snapped a photo of me with John Kerry... and now I’m a stock image.

4. What is the most significant challenge that society faces today? (50 word limit)

Free speech on campus. It's an issue that will affect me personally, since I'm about to start college. It will also affect the developing minds of today's brightest youth. There’s no way to measure the damage that can be caused by the pending censorship of free speech on college campuses.

5. How did you spend your last two summers? (50 word limit)

Studying, sailing and scuba diving in the Caribbean. It was luxurious… but not. We cleaned our own toilets and scrubbed algae off the boats. In AP Biology, I learned how complicated human physiology is. In Rescue Diver training, I discovered how well our bodies obey the laws of physics.
​
6. What were your favorite events (e.g., performances, exhibits, competitions, conferences, etc.) in recent years? (50 word limit)

Student rock shows. They inspired me to learn guitar and start my own band, Two-and-a-Half. Our rendition of “Be a Man” (from Mulan) earned us a standing ovation last spring! 

Paul Hawkin’s assembly, “Natural Capitalism: The Next Industrial Revolution,” based on his book of the same title. Talk about innovation!

​7. What historical moment or event do you wish you could have witnessed? (50 word limit)

​Hitler’s art class. 

After a broody adolescence, young Hitler found his passion: art. Sadly, he failed his art class, and eventually turned into a monster. If I could enroll in that class, I’d help him pursue his dream, no matter what the teacher said. This could prevent humanity’s darkest hour

​8. What five words best describe you?

Curiosophile. Neologistic. Compassionate. Playful. Competitive (seriously -- bring it on!). ​
​

Be honest -- which applicant would you admit?

***
​
If you need last-minute help on your Stanford application, feel free to contact me. I am available for both in-person and Skype sessions.