1. STANFORD STUDENTS POSSESS AN INTELLECTUAL VITALITY. REFLECT ON AN IDEA OR EXPERIENCE THAT HAS BEEN IMPORTANT TO YOUR INTELLECTUAL DEVELOPMENT. Two years ago, I made the choice to step away from the lemonade stand business. At the time, I was playing so much tennis that I broke strings weekly, and they were such a hassle to string at Sports Authority. When my parents offered to buy me a stringing machine if I earned half of the cost back by stringing...

3. WHAT MATTERS TO YOU, AND WHY? The blustering draft buffeted against the tall, frosty panes, seemingly trying to snuff out the warmth saturating our cozy dining hall. Outside, the snowflakes swirled like dust across the neglected football field. "Is that a kid sitting in the bleachers or just a shadow?" I asked. "I think I see a kid too. Why?" replied my friend. I get asked that question quite frequently. Why do these things even matter? A little curious myself,...

ALWAYS, ALWAYS, have in mind who you want to write your recommendation letters early on, at least at the beginning...