"Ice. She needs ice," I repeat to myself. Sweat dribbles down my face. My arms pump to the steady beat of my mantra. My feet pound the dirty concrete. I have not sprinted this quickly for several months. My breaths have become short gasps, but I need to keep moving. After stumbling into the athletic trainer's office, I grab a plastic bag and rush toward the cooler. Working at a physical therapy clinic has taught me how to make expert...

What matters to you, and why? (100 to 250 words) I gently unwrap the packaging and hand Lu the McDonald's McDouble. He laughs ands says, “thank you,” before hungrily devouring the burger. Lu sits in a wheelchair on a daily basis, his crooked fingers holding a sign that reads: "Severe arthritis. Need money for hand surgery. Anything helps." I know some people think donating creates a perverse incentive for people to beg, but even still I buy his dinner every time I...

Stanford students possess an intellectual vitality. Reflect on an idea or experience that has been important to your intellectual development. (100 to 250 words) My work with a Nanoscience Lab at the California NanoSystems Institute this past summer left me with a voracious desire to learn, discover, and problem-solve. One of the most interesting topics we covered was superhydrophobicity. Fungi, which need moisture in order to thrive, are unable to grow on top of a superhydrophobic surface that repels water. We worked...

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. (100 to 250 words) Hi Roomie! Get ready for a STAN-tastic time, because you're in FORD a treat: your roommate has a wide-ranging sense of humor that includes even the cheesiest of puns. Just in case you cringed after reading the opening line to this letter, please understand that...

-Do your research on the school, particularly programs of interest, and reference them at least once during the interview -Jot down at least 3 quality questions you can ask the interviewer about the school -Reread...

I used a private college counselor. She kept me in line, bugged me about getting my applications done (which is...

Be as interesting as possible! Here's my college advice spiel: One of the admissions officers at Stanford quoted that if they chopped off the 5% that got in and took the next 5%, the new class would be much stronger academically. Grades matter, but what's more important are your outside activities. I would suggest developing...

Choose teachers that love you and you know will write YOU a fantastic...

Stanford was...