Stanford Dean Explains Selection Process

Stanford University Dean of Admissions Rick Shaw spoke at a recent Faculty Senate meeting about how his office recruits and selects undergraduates in an increasingly competitive admissions environment.

Stanford's acceptance rate fell below 11 per cent this year, with 2,430 applicants out of a record-high pool of 22,322 being offered admission. Shaw fielded questions about admission decisions were made in such a competitive environment.

Shaw explained that the admissions office had adapted a new system under which each applicant's file is reviewed by several readers. “In the past, decisions were very individualized, with one person reading and passing competitive applications up the line all the way to the dean," he said, according to a report in the Stanford Daily. Under the revised system, 'territory managers' identify competitive applicants from the regions they cover and forward those files to other readers, who rate each applicant's strengths in several various areas. A committee then discusses the applicant pool and makes its recommendations for admission.

Shaw characterized the revised system as “a democracy...There is great opportunity for discussion of relevant qualifications, for checks and balances and for having more eyes on the process.”

The criteria that readers rate applicants on include high school academic performance, standardized test scores, non-academic achievements, and recommendations. Students are also judged on the basis of their self-presentation and evidence of having overcome or managed academic or personal difficulties.

Shaw said that readers also look for applicants with strong intellectual vitality. “We want applicants with passion, depth and breadth beyond the academic experience, who learn and engage in the subject material with maturity,” he told the meeting.

Source: "Faculty Flesh Out 2010 Admissions," by Leslie Georgatos - the Stanford Daily, April 21, 2006

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