A Day in the Zinch Life- Palo Alto, CA
Recently, we visited Stanford University. If you didn’t know, Stanford’s campus is huge. We grabbed a Jamba Juice and split a powerbagel for breakfast, then took a bad turn en route to the admissions office. I was driving and Nathaniel (Than) was manning MS Steets and Trips on his laptop. Who do you blame? Than of course! Anyway, eventually we got there.
In a meeting with Densil (an associate director in admissions) we were schooled on Stanford admissions. I’ll share the best parts….
On the notion of “well rounded”-
“When we talk to our students and families- we are really trying to get at the ‘essence’ of students. Kids must be able to communicate their essence and express who they are. In admissions people talk about the ‘well-rounded’ student. We really don't talk about that. Certainly many well rounded students are here... but we are really seeking a well-rounded campus- one with students bringing viewpoints and perspectives that resemble the real world. You're not going to enter a world with the same viewpoints.
On Stanford recruiting and outreach-
“Traveling is the big thing for us. With Rick (Stanford’s Dean of Admissions) coming onboard- it's been a real drive for us to get out there and get to know the students and their counselors. It's about outreach. Our aim is to talk about the college admissions process in general- not just Stanford University. We really want to make sure we are being as transparent in the process, but letting you know we are really here for you- and to let you know who we are.
On Zinch.com-
“We see new companies all the time. It was just the presentation of Zinch that was the best. Zinch doesn't just play into the frenzy of college admissions and exacerbate the problem. College admissions should be a fun time- looking into the options that exist- and communicating who you are. The ease, the music- it was all well created, well crafted. We realize that there is heart in it.”
(Than and I have pretty big heads already- I wear a 7 3/8 hat size for real- and I think they grew a little at this point in our visit)
More on Zinch.com (in case you wanted more)-
“It seems like there is no pressure- there is just this air of openness and fun about it. I think a student is going to see this and think, ‘this is great.’ It's much like visiting the right college campus- when you visit Zinch you just feel ‘this is where I need to be.’ Other sites can be a little cold and not as inviting. You feel like you're gonna have fun on the website… elements of the Myspace and Facebook. It's also very different in its approach. The people behind Zinch are different too...
On the future of college admissions-
“Staying ahead of the game is heavily based on relationships- connecting with counselors and non-profit organizations... Technology is a key part of moving forward, but relationships will be just as strong. A lot of students are looking at community colleges and 2 year colleges. Students realize they can get a great education and then transfer to the 4 year institution.
On kids applying to college-
“You don't have anything special to do here- no special hoops to jump through. You don't have to be a physicist. We want to see that you have an intellectual passion. We want to see what you'll be able to bring to our campus, and what we can provide to you. We want students that will see benefits both ways. We’re looking for intellectual vitality and the essence of who you are. Get at the heart of who you are. Don't create an application of what you think I want you to be- get at who you are. Use your language- use your words, and present who you are. We are finding different pieces of the puzzle to create our campus. I think that is part of what creates the stress- is trying to do everything just for the sake of being "rounded." Have a passion and do what you want to do. I'm not saying don't do anything. Get up and do something- it doesn't have to be everything- but just do something other than sitting at home and watching television. There has to be something engaging.
“The admissions process is a straightforward process. When we say something, we mean it. For us at Stanford it is a very human process. We want to make the best decision. Even if this means adding to our staff so that we're able to read adequately.”
All in all, I came away with a good feeling- it’s nice when people call a spade a spade, and that’s what I felt from Densil. I will say this- I don’t know what Mick (Zinch CE-yO) means when he refers to college admissions people as “grey-hair dudes.” I was surprised at how young so many within the offices are. I guess it’s all relative. Mick’s a pup. A cool pup with some serious pup game, but a pup.
I will add this- as we took a quick look around campus, we had a very nice Stanford employee actually walk us to the building we were looking for. And again, this campus is big, so it wasn’t just a short stroll. Way cool. She even spoke Chinese, so we busted out our dusty Mandarin skills on her. I think she got most of it. Than speaks way better than I do.
Ping-An.
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Posted on August 13, 2007 under Updates |
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Comments (19)
Everytime we get on the basketball court I break you down like a Chuck Norris karate chop. So I have no problems being a pup.
:)
Posted on August 13, 2007 9:41 AM
u guys are so funny..
:D
everytime i check out this website it's like it answers all my questions or tells me exactly what i want to know. great work and thanks ALOT!!
Posted on August 13, 2007 9:37 PM
This is great!! Stanford is one of my dream schools, so it was very helpful to read this article. Thanks!
Posted on August 14, 2007 8:44 AM
This is great!! Stanford is one of my dream schools, so it was very helpful to read this article. Thanks!
Posted on August 14, 2007 8:44 AM
It's so cool that you just went there. Stanford just sent me some love! Very nice.
Oh, by the way, I just wondering if you were all working on a way for all us zinchers to talk to each other, besides in the replies of the blog posts. I don't know many people using Zinch personally and I'd love to be able to commisserate over zinch editing, scholarship woes, and pre-college jitters with someone.
Posted on August 15, 2007 1:58 PM
I agree with Regency. It would be cool to talk to other Zinchers. Sometimes you just gotta vent to someone who's in the same boat as you!
Posted on August 15, 2007 5:45 PM
Regency and Fatema. Yup, we've definitely got some features in the works that will allow for Zinchers to communicate and interact. Check back in early September. It'll be tight!
Posted on August 16, 2007 8:58 AM
While we're on the subject of cool features, is pdf compatability for the z-folio coming any time soon?
Posted on August 16, 2007 10:35 AM
Jacob- yes, we will have pdf compatibility in 3 weeks or less.
Posted on August 16, 2007 10:39 AM
Jacob- yes, we will have pdf compatibility in 3 weeks or less.
Posted on August 16, 2007 10:40 AM
awesome article. i like the insight.
seriously.. how does this website just keep getting better?
good job guys. keep it up.
i've really taken advantage of the schoolzeeker. that thing's got to have taken a lot to put together. are they going to have printable versions at some point? it's pretty good when printed already, considering that the page isn't full of annoying ads..
Posted on August 16, 2007 10:16 PM
This was a great article! The more I work my way through the ways of Zinch, the more inspired and enlightened I am about the whole idea of college and the process of deciding where to go. I recently visited Stanford about 2 weeks ago and fell in love with the campus, but I'm getting disappointed because I want to major in liberal studies and become an elementary school teacher, and I feel like if that is what I want to do then I can do that anywhere and maybe Stanford isn't the place for me. But really, I can't stop thinking about it!
Posted on August 16, 2007 10:21 PM
This was a great article! The more I work my way through the ways of Zinch, the more inspired and enlightened I am about the whole idea of college and the process of deciding where to go. I recently visited Stanford about 2 weeks ago and fell in love with the campus, but I'm getting disappointed because I want to major in liberal studies and become an elementary school teacher, and I feel like if that is what I want to do then I can do that anywhere and maybe Stanford isn't the place for me. But really, I can't stop thinking about it!
Posted on August 16, 2007 10:21 PM
Awesome! I can't wait to see these new features. I'm sure they'll be great. Zinch is enough to make me feel secure about college and I'm sure adding stuff will make it even better. ;)
And about this blog, that's really helpful! Stanford is in my top 5 choices for schools. Knowing more info from the inside really helped! :)
Thanks.
Posted on August 17, 2007 2:46 AM
This was such a good article. Stanford has contacted me through "the love" so I'm trying to learn as much as I can about it. Right now its one of my top 3 choices! Thanks Guys!
Posted on August 17, 2007 8:39 AM
Great job with blog. It couldn't have come at a better time since i just got some love from Stanford.
I knew i wanted a school with home great history behind it, but i wasn't sure Stanford was it since i hadn't heard much about it. Now it sounds like the perfect school for me. Thanks for visiting and letting us know what it's like. You guys are great.
Posted on August 17, 2007 12:42 PM
Its funny. Since reading this post, I feel so much better about Standford than I did before. I feel like I stand a chance at getting and before I wasn't sure I did. It's sort of like, I see that they're are human being behind the admission process, not just a faceless board of Ivy-leaguers out to make sure I don't get it.
I know that's silly, but I always feel that way whenever I get within shooting distance of an Ivy-league school.
Posted on August 17, 2007 2:17 PM
Regency ,
I totally understand where you are coming from! Sometimes during this crazy college process , I feel like the whole world is against me ( mostly just the admissions officers! ). But I've talked to a few admissions officers and I was so amazed by how natural they are and how much they are willing to help and offer advice. Don't be afraid of the "elite - ivy league" admissions deans , its true that most of them are out to help not hurt. After talking to some deans , I got the feeling that they were just looking for the best and the brightest students which does not mean highest test scores. They just want people who will make the best of their school!
So everyone , don't fret , YOU CAN DO IT !
♥
Fatema
Posted on August 18, 2007 9:58 AM
This is my dream school that I want to go to. It's on the top of my list. This has really been stressful, being able to balance school and sports, while stressing about colleges. It's so hard and its really scary. Thank you so much for this article. It caught my eye and since I am a new user to this Zinch site, I am beginning to love it. It's better than myspace!!!!
Posted on September 9, 2007 12:38 AM