Will you get into Harvard, MIT or Stanford?

Know from an Admission Officer of a Top US College

I've been on the admissions committee of a top ten university (not Stanford but one of its major "competitors") for over 20 years and on the committee deciding finalists for the most prestigious scholarship at arguably the top public university in the country.

Why Perfect Credentials Don't Guarantee Admission

The reason is that the very top schools could fill ten classes with qualified applicants from each year's pool, so to get it down to the number for acceptance in a single year means making judgment calls about making a great CLASS, not just a bunch of great individuals.

We want every class to have musicians, inventors, politicos, scientists, policymakers, writers, philosophers, religious and atheist, from all over the world who have demonstrated a love of learning, of new experiences, of challenging themselves in every way.

If you fit that model, then you certainly have a chance of being admitted; however, it depends on who all the other applicants are and how Stanford (or Harvard or Princeton or Duke or MIT …..) sees you as fitting into the class they are creating.

Will Perfect Grades and Great ECs Guarantee Admission?

Let me share a vivid example that perfectly illustrates this reality:

I interviewed her in person and she was amazing. However, she did not get in (she ended up at Princeton, so she's fine), while other students who may not have looked as impressive on paper were admitted. She was a very strong candidate and made it to the "final round" of discussion, but the admissions committee ended up taking other applicants with different talents and experiences because, among other reasons, it had already admitted, on Early Decision, several students with credentials similar to hers.

Best Advice from an Admissions Officer

1. Apply Early Decision to Your #1 Choice

My best advice would be to apply Early Decision to your #1 choice school. It is easier to get in on Early Decision because:

• Less competition: There isn't as much competition in the early round
• Demonstrated interest: The school knows that you will come there if admitted, making their yield numbers higher

2. Spend Time on Your Essays

Spend a lot of time on your essay — it is very important at the top schools. They look for:

• Creativity
• Deep self-examination
• Critical thinking (including about one's self and one's beliefs)
• Excellent writing skills

3. Choose Recommendation Writers Carefully

Take care with those you choose to write your recommendations; a great recommendation from your chemistry teacher is more valuable than a merely good recommendation from a Nobel Prize laureate or a famous person who doesn't know you as well as your teacher does.

The Most Important Bit

It's also really important to keep your mind open to other great schools with similar qualities to Harvard, MIT or Stanford. What is it you love about those colleges — the entrepreneurial culture, the weather, the campus, the alumni? Or is it just the name/brand of them that attracts you?

More than one school exists at which you would be very happy and successful, so please try not to be so focused on just one. Admissions officers can spot the applicants who are only drawn by the brand very quickly.

Questions to Ask Yourself

• What specific programs or opportunities attract you to these schools?
• Are you interested in the research opportunities?
• Do you love the campus culture and environment?
• Are you drawn to specific professors or departments?
• Or are you mainly attracted to the prestige and brand name?

Your Journey Matters More Than the Destination

Whether you end up at Harvard, MIT, Stanford, or another excellent institution, what matters most is how you take advantage of the opportunities presented to you. The most successful people I know didn't necessarily go to the most prestigious schools—they went to schools where they thrived, grew, and made the most of their college experience.

Best of luck on your journey.