Stanford Essay Examples from Admitted Student
ANANYA
The Stanford community is deeply curious and driven to learn in and out of the classroom. Reflect on an idea or experience that makes you genuinely excited about learning.
“Transvalvular ventricle unloading,” “immediate reperfusion,” and “venoarterial extracorporeal membrane oxygenation.” My brain was bombarded with complex cardiovascular vocabulary. After hours of research, I finally understood these terms, which were essential to my internship at Tufts Medical Center.
Spending the summer studying heart failure and the affectability of different treatments, I was pursuing questions that dated to middle school when I set up a lab in my kitchen to see the effect of blood coagulation on blood flow rate. Using sodium alginate as my clotting factor and graphing paper as my measuring device, I began to understand the system.
My mentor suggested that I explore the Ingenuity Pathway Analysis, a tool for identifying genes that were expressed differently as a result of heart failure. Hoping to find novel biomarkers to target and improve treatment, I was motivated to be precise and detail-oriented. But, above all, I dreamed of discovering something new.
After analyzing hundreds of graphs, I realized that my knowledge of biology was not enough. To evaluate the diagnostic potential of my biomarkers, I turned to computer science and constructed machine learning prediction models to use the genes identified to analyze disease severity. Then I employed another discipline: physics. I applied my understanding of pressure and volume to the context of the heart, which helped me understand the genes’ functions.
Happy to have found novel biomarkers for heart failure, I looked forward to my next adventure in interdisciplinary research.
Virtually all of Stanford's undergraduates live on campus. Write a note to your future roommate that reveals something about you or that will help your roommate -- and us -- know you better.
Dear Roommate,
Remember to bring your sunglasses and poncho! Oh, and water bottles, too. I am bringing season passes to Six Flags! Addicted to the adrenaline rush of roller coasters—my favorite is Goliath, whose drop is 190 feet—I have been to Six Flags in six different states. Are you scared of heights? Don’t worry, rides such as the Scrambler are also fun.
I will not pack my Harry Potter cutout, which didn’t fit in my suitcase. Instead, I will bring my muggle kid poster, dozens of witch hats, Hermione wand, and Ravenclaw shield. I hope you don’t mind the decoration or my three BTS posters; I am obsessed with K-pop. I also hope you enjoy the sounds of K-pop music blasting and don’t mind the sight of me dancing.
I’ll definitely bring chips and crackers with an array of condiments. I love guacamole, queso, salsa, spinach-artichoke, bean, cheese, onion, and even eggplant dip. But, of course, I couldn’t live without dressings—my absolute favorite is ranch. Like who eats chicken wings for the chicken? You eat it for the sauce! Right?
My love for flavor has led me to explore different cultures’ flavors. I’ll bring ddukbokki, dim sum, and yakitori bought from my local South East Asian store; chaat, pakoda, and dhokla that my mom made; and gansitos and churros that my Spanish teacher gave me.
Super excited to meet you, and I’m sure we’ll become best (taste) buds!
Please describe what aspects of your life experiences, interests and character would help you make a distinctive contribution as an undergraduate to Stanford University.
“Stealing my dreams and my childhood with their empty words” is how Greta Thunberg called out the UN Climate Action Summit for their inaction. Inspired to fight inaction in my community, three of my friends and I co-founded Climate Strikes.
To increase awareness of climate change, we have hosted fifteen community events. Through advertising, I recruited 500 people for one of our strikes. As I led the march around our town, it was heartwarming hearing people chant, “climate change has got to go” from their dorm rooms; the line of strikers seemed to be never-ending.
Climate change skeptics attended many of the events we hosted. I remember one person stating, “climate change is normal. It has been happening for hundreds of years now. Like always, we can learn to adapt to these changes.”
“I understand. However, carbon emissions are increasing in an upward trajectory now,” I responded, “Evolution can’t solve this.”
Seeing people dismiss climate change influenced my group to participate in political change, specifically by supporting renewable energy growth. I started by advocating against the local windmill ban . Encountering resistance, I reached a compromise with my legislators and shifted to advocating for a solar ordinance. After gaining support from 1,000 residents, I presented the solar ordinance to the City Council, and it was passed unanimously - a win in our book!
Through this experience, I have learned about the power of integrating science and policy to contribute to environmental progress.
What is the most significant challenge that society faces today?
Even in the 21st century, only 28% of women make up the STEM workforce. Many girls dream of being astronauts, engineers, and physicians, but their confidence often fails to develop. The challenge is to destroy gender stereotypes and expose girls, especially from minority groups, to women working in STEM.
How did you spend your last two summers?
Undergone rigorous paper reviews by scientific journals; ate a green chili for Wacky Olympics; became friends with a State Senator; conducted qPCR for a professor; hosted a research camp ; fed chickens in Kauai; asked Dr. Feng Zhang about CRISPR’s advances; launched Buzz Online; endured typing injuries.
What historical moment or event do you wish you could have witnessed?
William T.G. Morton used sulfuric acid to help ease the pain of Glenn Abbott during neck surgery. Previous painkillers were not as strong, and many had to suffer the pain of amputation. To witness the surgery that revolutionized healthcare would help me understand the potential of medical innovation.
Briefly elaborate on one of your extracurricular activities or work or family responsibilities.
Hip shakes. Loose hands. Extravagant energy. Bollywood dance sends bolts of energy through my body. The feeling from the music is energizing yet calming. The concentration and repetition send me into a trance where all that matters is movement.
List five things that are important to you.
The twinkle of ‘When You Wish Upon a Star’.
My dad’s face when he realizes our monopoly deal was in fact not beneficial to him.
The click of pressing “publish” for a research paper.
Warm cocoa in December
The blisters on my fingers from my guitar strings at midnight.