ex-Stanford affiliate here. Regarding grad school, one of the simplest ways to get in is to simply get hired as a full-time employee (FTE) of the department an

ex-Stanford affiliate here. Regarding grad school, one of the simplest ways to get in is to simply get hired as a full-time employee (FTE) of the department and be favored by one/more PI's. It's not strictly assured, but it helps because they'll at least help you make your application better, if not show some unconscious, preselection bias. For undergrad, don't try too hard too look like an overachiever with a million surface, common extra-circulars... focus on a select number socially-redeeming clever hacks for low-income or third-world countries, and really hustle hard. Start a profitable social venture startup also. Do something badass like donate platelets every week, liver lobe or a kidney. A clever art installation project would help too, especially with pictures. - These will kill it. Take every AP test you can to get 5's. - Study your a55 off for the ACT / SAT. - Do dorm life. It's the best part. - Join a greek society. - Arrange classes to graduate in the least time possible. Also out-of-state tuition: charging based on ability to pay or whether a foreign country is picking up the tab, rather than just out-of-state, would be ideal. This way, lower- and middle-class out-of-state students aren't penalized.