why Stanford REJECTED me | a 'star' student

why Stanford REJECTED me | a "star" student

This video is a reflection of things I would change if I had to re-apply to college, using Stanford as a specific case study. I wanted to share in case it might help anyone applying now. Also, definitely check out wAmy's video if you haven't already!

Also don't worry, I'm super at peace and incredibly happy with where I ended up going! This video was meant as a reflection to help other people applying and serve as a "what not to do" video of all my "mistakes" looking back - where I could have done better, and what I would tell someone to avoid if they came and asked for my advice, using my experience applying to Stanford as a specific example.

I’ve also received many comments saying that I would definitely have gotten in if I was a different race, or that colleges “only want a certain race these days,” and wanted to say a few things. I specifically never mentioned race in my video as I viewed this video as a “what not to do” video, and if I were to go back and redo this process, being Asian is not something I can or would ever want to control, change, or “not do.” I also firmly believe in the importance and necessity of policies like affirmative action, and believe it to be separate from things like the effects of stereotyping and biases on Asians in education, ex. Harvard’s “personality scores.” As such, I find comments along the lines of “colleges only want a certain race these days”, and “you were the wrong race” to be offensive, unproductive, lacking in nuance, and targeting the wrong issues.

On a significantly less important note, relating to this video's title, I also want to make it clear that I never in my life have considered myself a "star," and in high school and while applying to college, was honestly depressed at times to the point I sincerely believed I had very very little worth, both as a student and a person. I hope it is obvious that I do not refer to myself or think of myself as a "star," and that I just meant it, somewhat sarcastically, as a generic description of having hit some benchmarks typically associated with high academic achievement in high school.

~ Inspo ~
wAmy - Why Stanford REJECTED me, the "perfect" student
^ definitely go watch! full of good information

~ High School Stats ~
I didn't go too much into my high school extracurriculars and leadership experiences but I talk about everything here:

how I got a full tuition scholarship to Vanderbilt

~ music ~
frumhere, kevatta - warm feeling
Mr. Chase - Heaven

[loeng]

Honestly, my son rejected from Stanford in 2018.He graduated from MIT 6 months ago in Mathematics and Computer Science (applied early action and 100 % scholarship) and now pursuing master degree in Computer Science.( 100% Scholarship from Gates Millennium Foundation).Good luck for future applicants. God Bless!

[isaiahdoble]

Stanford, and schools like it, deny more than 19 in 20 of their applicants. If you don't get into Stanford, and you are a perfectly qualified applicant (like Joy was), it is WAY more a reflection of the ridiculous level of selectivity of these schools than it is of your qualifications and "mistakes." The reason you were rejected, Joy, is quite simple. 

They have a 4% acceptance rate.

[cassidymiller]

Thank you for making a video like this! Sometimes it’s way more discouraging to only hear the success stories because it feels like you’re the only one who “failed” when you don’t make the cut. I feel like people forget that schools with really small acceptance rates admit people nearly arbitrarily and you can be a perfectly qualified student and still not be accepted. It takes a lot of strength and self-awareness to break through the mindset that a lot of high-achieving students (like myself) have and recognize where you could’ve improved. I appreciate this vid and also hope that you got into a school that you’re finding much more success and happiness at!

[scottjackson]

As a Stanford graduate, I’m embarrassed that they rejected you. You would have made a phenomenal Stanford student and alumnus.

[Valence]

Stanford thinks they don’t need Joy but it is Joy who doesn’t need Stanford 💪 You’re already one of the most competent people out there

[wolfmangoland]

Stanford lost an amazing human being and an intelligent student. It is their loss. Stanford's director must fire their admission staff.

[CMV]

I'm a recruiter at a top Fortune 500 company. The reality: like top universities, we get thousands of highly qualified applicants for only ONE position. Top universities, like Fortune 500 companies, have to turn down many qualified applicants simply because they have no space for all of them. You're a very smart young lady. Keep your head up. You're going to go far in life.

[matthewvilaysack]

I like how realistic you are in this video! There really is no one thing that we can pinpoint in the admissions process as applicants, so it really does come down to luck.

[contraryword]

Keep your head up sister, everything happens for a reason and a real great student can shine everywhere. Like we learned in Ratatouille, not everyone can become a great artist. But a great artists can come from anywhere 🙏. Bless you 🙏 and so wish you the best luck wherever you go.

[vtrandal]

In reality you probably tried to hard to get into Stanford by overstating your achievements in every area possible. Your application was literally incredible and Stanford cannot afford to sort through such applications that demand so much more attention than the average application.

[nabi]

Sorry you got rejected...My sister (also Asian 🙂) got accepted to Stanford plus just as yourself, her dream school ... Her stats & numbers were similar ... We think it was actually due to a few huge factors hardly anyone ever mentions is the reason why she was accepted

Sorry I didn't mention what they were on previous comment ...The factors that got her in were: Besides the obvious perquisites ...My parents hired a PHD Stanford Alumni(very expensive!!) to coach and mentor her once a week, she was accepted to Stanford's HS Summer program, kept a daily journal online, mastered a musical instrument(NOT Piano or Violin), and founded her own charity organization in the area of her study and ran it and scaled it up successfully for 3 years straight during HS

[danikhan]

To be honest, would've been better to see you getting accepted, you were most deserving.
I mean your videos have helped me so much as a senior in their final year and your advice is so practical.
Just wanted to say thank you for the videos you make, they're awesome and practical.

[junedea]

Joy, if it's any consolation, your life journey is long so regardless of what school you go to, it'll be only a small portion of your life and in some ways not as important as you think. I went to University of Maryland but in the course of my career ended up working at the State Department with people all around me from ivy league schools. Good luck with your academic pursuits and enjoy the journey!

[djeffersonaaa]

I really appreciate you taking responsibility.

[eden]

you're incredibly self aware wow, but this is scaring me lol...

[iWontTry]

make more vanderbilt content!!! I'm attending in the fall and I want to know more about the school :)

[Mjz]

Don't worry you deserve something too better.

[WayneLynch]

C'MON! We ALL know EXACTLY why you were "rejected"...and so do you.
I think you're an angel. My brother is a Professor of Medicine at Vanderbilt;
that's why I'm so upset for you.

[michaelvrbanac]

My daughter visited Stanford years ago and could not stand the vibe of campus. Loved UC Berkeley, UCLA, Washington, and other schools. Came down to UC Berkeley and Washington. She chose Washington.

[whosenameisitanyway]

You didn’t share your financial situation. Schools are not blind to how much money your family could pay. In fact, some kids get admitted without even applying due to their family wealth.