alishaz,
Stanford
B.S., Political Science and Government
A Cameron Impact Scholar, aspiring human rights lawyer, committed hiker, and proud tree.
Features Included
13
Essays
10
Schools
5
Scores
11
Advice
4
ECs
2
Sports
Background
Hometown
Portland, Oregon
GenderFemale
EthnicityAsian
Class of2021
First Gen College StudentNo
Results, Essays, and Advice
Accepted
Waitlisted or Withdrew
Denied
-
Tap/click a school logo above to view essays and advice specific to that school.
Stanford University (Stanford, CA)
Applied for a B.S. in Political Science and Government
Accepted and Enrolled Legacy: NoSchool Specific Essays
Personal Statement653 WordsIssue of personal significance, Leadership experience, Volunteer/public interest workWhen I began high school in the heart of downtown Portland, my daily commutes revealed something I had never noticed before. Nestled in the shadows of Chinatown was a thriving homeless camp, sharply juxtaposed with the abandoned buildings right next door. Although the camp was surrounded by a rainbow of vibrant signs, I saw adults huddled underneath what looked like oversized tables protected only by tarps. What I found most shocking was that despite living along Portland’s busiest road...Read more...Personal Statement333 WordsExtracurricular passion, Leadership experience, Reaching a goal, Volunteer/public interest workLast May I decided to take on leading Oregon’s Global Youth Service Day, a feat that I knew was no simple task. At the time, I had been fixated on the idea of intersectionality within human rights, a realization that nothing is truly independent and every issue instead overlaps in constant flux. Aware that there were other youth-led initiatives addressing different needs outside of my nonprofit, *, I wanted to host an Intersectionality Workshop as a way for all of...Read more...Personal Statement332 WordsCreative personal story, Development of personal values, Extracurricular passion, Story central to identitySlow down. Predict. Strategize. Trust your gut. These are the steps you have to take in order to win a game of chess. Growing up, my Saturday nights consisted of an eight by eight chess board, managing to captivate me for hours on end. Through eight hour tournaments and even longer days spent honing in my skills and analyzing different plays, I developed an ability to predict up to ten moves ahead during a game. Even though I only thought...Read more...Supplemental Essay: “Why us” school essay674 WordsI’m looking for a school that makes me tick. For a place that thrives on interdisciplinary learning. For a think-tank bustling with leading experts and mentors. For somewhere that encourages me to apply my knowledge beyond the classroom. And, most importantly, for a community that truly understands the power of service-learning and collective impact. As I went through my college search with this checklist in mind, I found that there’s only one school that surpasses what I hope...Read more...Supplemental Essay: Unique question posed by school205 Words"This is your chance to take a risk." While experimenting with cooking in middle school, I realized that the ingredients within my pantry did not have to follow a recipe book—I could skip the milk and create lactose free ice cream using a single banana. With just the right blend of ingredients, the condiments of the latest recipe I’ve created will give you one serving of me. Ingredients 1 ounce of curiosity 2 cups of passion fruit 2 leaves from the...Read more...Supplemental Essay: Strong beliefs/principles229 Words"What is something about yourself that is essential to understanding you?" CE 400-500. My family legend holds that over hundreds of years, my ancestors immigrated through mountainous terrain from Mongolia to China. In the last few generations, no single family remained in one area, constantly venturing out into unfamiliar worlds in search of nothing but new perspectives and experiences. Resilient, my family continued on, eventually settling over a thousand miles away in the city of Dalian. 1989. Amidst the shouts and...Read more...Supplemental Essay: Other354 Words"What would you say is your greatest talent or skill? How have you developed and demonstrated that talent over time?" Slow down. Predict. Strategize. Trust your gut. These are the steps you have to take in order to win a game of chess. Growing up, my Saturday nights consisted of an eight by eight chess board, managing to captivate me for hours on end. Through eight hour tournaments and even longer days spent honing in my skills and analyzing different...Read more...Supplemental Essay: Other167 Words"Briefly elaborate on one of your extracurricular activities or work experiences. (150 word limit)" As the first youth to serve on Portland’s Human Rights Commission (HRC), I was nervous. Despite feeling a strong commitment to the invisible homeless population and vocal youth in my community, I questioned what impact I could have alongside experienced adults. However, I began to realize that each commissioner spoke through their own experiences. Our personal voices were just as important as the decisions we made...Read more...Supplemental Essay: Amusing anecdote265 Words"What matters to you, and why? (100 to 250 words)" On an ordinary Saturday morning three years ago, I was with my Hope For Homeless Club serving home-cooked breakfasts. As I delivered plates piled high with steaming sausages and cereal, I was surprised when a man beckoned me to sit down. “What would you do if you had a brain tumor and no family or friends left?” I couldn’t look up, struggling to imagine having to constantly search for ways to...Read more...Supplemental Essay: Unique question posed by school301 Words"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)" Dear future roommate, Because it’s impossible to have too much chocolate, the plate of double chocolate chip cookies (my favorite recipe!) beside this note is for you. Anyway, my hometown’s motto is “Keep Portland Weird.” I promise you that although I may not...Read more...Supplemental Essay: Scholarship application495 Words
My former lacrosse coach, advisory board member for *, and mentor, Shannon, has made a significant impact in my life because she has mentored me and served as an inspiration through a critical stage in my life. I first met her when I played lacrosse my sophomore year in high school. Most of my coaches in the past emphasized how practice and teamwork would lead to winning a game or becoming the best team in the league. However, Shannon was a...Read more...Supplemental Essay: Other55 Words
Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie (Author)—publicizes the dangers of a single story Moana (Film)—journey to save her village and culture + best music track Stephen King (Author)—storytelling mastermind The Rape of Nanking by Iris Chang (Book)—gripping perspectives To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee (Book)—empathy is human natureRead more...Supplemental Essay: Other50 Words
Poverty and its intersections with education and human trafficking around the world—while developing solutions for China’s urban-rural gap at the Yenching Social Innovation Forum, I was shocked when I realized how similar poverty’s effects on migrant children in Beijing are with youth experiencing homelessness in Portland.Read more...Supplemental Essay: Other49 Words
Throughout history, the most successful reforms to improve human rights have been a result of persistent peaceful protests. I wish I witnessed the drafting of the United Nations Declaration of Human Rights in 1948, but I would have added in the right to peaceful protest without threat as Article 31.Read more...Supplemental Essay: Scholarship application137 Words
As an ENFJ, I am driven to learn when I know the material can be applied and developed into solutions that will help others. Outside of Constitution Team, I used my IB math and economics independent research projects to explore the learning curve relationship between poverty and childhood development as well as the intersectionality between human trafficking and poverty, respectively, as ways to explore my passions. My discoveries in my math project allowed me to present it to human rights...Read more...School Specific Advice
How to increase chances at my school98 WordsStanford is by far one of the most holistic schools out there. Rather than focusing on increasing that 32 ACT score or taking subject tests just because it is "highly...Read more...What might make for a good “Why Us” essay topic at my school133 WordsBecause Yale only gives you 100 words for the "Why Us" essay, rather than listing a ton of different aspects you like about the school, focus on one that aligns with your interests and what you will bring to them. While...Read more...5 adjectives that describe a typical student at my school (Feel free to elaborate!)6 WordsEntrepreneurial, intellectual,...Read more...5 adjectives that describe a typical student at my school (Feel free to elaborate!)5 WordsPassionate, thoughtful,...Read more...Why I ultimately chose my school173 WordsI'm writing this as I go into my sophomore year at Stanford. Looking back, I know that I made the right choice. I'm sure that I would be happy at any of the schools I got into, but Stanford has given me opportunities that made my first year one that I will...Read more...Research, job or internship opportunities available to students at my school179 WordsI can speak to internship opportunities because I was able to do one through Stanford's Haas Center Cardinal Quarter program this past summer. Stanford offers students two options: to apply for a placed internship or find your host organization and apply for funding. All internships provide students with $5000 - $5500 worth of funding. I lived...Read more...My favorite course thus far, and why133 WordsNeuroethology! I initially enrolled in the class to complete the science ways requirement, but it became my favorite class for so many reasons. First, the professor who teaches the class is fully invested in his students and was one of...Read more...My extracurricular activities in college, and why I chose them196 WordsI am currently involved in Stanford Housing Justice, Stanford Social Entrepreneurial Students' Association, Stanford in Government, Stanford Women's Club Lacrosse, and the Handa Center Student Advisory Board. I chose these activities because they all represent a different interest that I have that I'd like to remain engaged in while in college. I've found that they're all great ways to...Read more...More Essays
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General Admissions Advice
What set me apart from other applicants200 WordsWhen I began receiving mail and notes from my admissions officers from the schools that I had been accepted to, I noticed that all the AO's commented on my passion for human rights and dedication to my work on youth homelessness. Showing passion and commitment is definitely important in college admissions and can often make up for subpar grades...Read more...What I’d change about my application process225 WordsFirst: Start. Your. Essays. Early. Especially before you become stressed with senior year and approaching deadlines! I wish I had worked on and finished my common app essay over the summer so that I could focus on finishing up standardized testing and all the supplementary essays each school requires. I started brainstorming my essay in September and edited my common app essay up until January 1st, which...Read more...Whether I took out loans or applied for scholarships, and my advice213 WordsI applied to most of my scholarships during the fall of senior year. While it's the most stressful period because of first semester grades and college applications, it's the window for the best-valued scholarships. Because I prioritized scholarship applications over my college applications in September, I ended up receiving the full tuition, merit-based Cameron Impact Scholarship and several other smaller scholarships. I think...Read more...High School Performance
Weighted GPA4.50(equivalent to 4.00 unweighted)RankTop 1%
Academic Performance in High School Steady
Test Scores
Highest ACT33ACT Score DetailsOther ACT ScoresACT Prep
AP / IB Classes and Scores
Details4 classes and scoresSports
SportsLacrosse, Cross Country
Extracurriculars
ActivitiesNational Honor Society, Community Cleanup / Service, Nonprofit, NGO or Charitable Organization, Student Council / Government
Elaborate on Extracurriculars or Work
Experience & Awards
Volunteer Experiences
Awards Received
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