“I think we’re doing students a disservice if we admit students who say, like ‘I didn’t sleep at all this week in order to get [my application done].’ If we hear that, I think that’s almost a red flag… We would definitely be contributing to the problem if we were advocating for students to lose sleep and sacrifice all these things,” Stanford admissions officer Rielly Wieners said. “Balancing mental health and schoolwork is so important. We want students to come to Stanford, or go [to whichever school], and be happy and able to engage in the community, instead of just working all the time.” 

Just like the students writing their college essays, the admissions counselors on the other side of the application process are thoughtful, multifaceted people as well. With silver piercings and sleeves of tattoos, Wieners (she/they) presents a different image than whom most students picture when they hear the word “admissions officer.” Beyond her outward appearance, Wieners also introduces a distinctive perspective to Stanford’s undergraduate admissions office. 

“I was [a] first generation, low-income [student] myself,” Wieners said. “I was an athlete— I played softball— so I was leaning towards coaching. I also have always loved writing, so I was hoping to write, or do communication in some way, maybe journalism. No one really goes into admissions thinking, ‘this is definitely something I want to do.’ It’s just a way to apply different skills.” 

Wieners first became interested in working as an admissions counselor after hearing from a friend employed at Amherst College’s admissions office, consequently realizing that it would be an impactful way to “reach diverse groups of students and push back oppressive social structures.” 

A passionate advocate for diversity and inclusion, Wieners views Stanford’s holistic admissions process as a way for students “to express their strengths in different ways, and not just through test scores, or [one single aspect].” 

For instance, “things like family commitments are valued in the process, as much as working or test scores,” she stated.

“We want to give people a chance to shine in different ways, and just let personality come through.”

Presenting themselves uniquely is a challenge students can find different ways to overcome each year, provided that they are not fabricating personal experiences.

“We can really tell when students are trying to say what they think we want to hear, versus what they want to give to us,” Wieners said. “It’s the introspection, the space to clear your head and not look for a particular topic or angle— that’s what makes essays good!”

To describe what a genuine application looks like as its elements fit together, admissions officers use a specific term: harmonizing.

“We start to see [the applicant] harmonize and come together, when we see the list of things they do outside the classroom, when we hear teachers talking about the presence they have inside the classroom or outside… and then we hear the student’s own words. We start to sit up and see them as a whole person, and understand what their angle is,’’ Wieners said.

When it comes to optimizing one’s high school experience, Wieners provides advice applicable both to seniors who are searching for essay-worthy topics and to freshmen who are seeking out ways to involve themselves in the community.

“Truly lean into the things you’re passionate about. Make time for things you actually care about, follow those passions, and take as much time as you need to write about them,” Wieners said. 

“Students worry about the quantitative— which is also important; we do need to know that you can do well in a rigorous course schedule, but what really stands out to us is the voice in your essays. If that’s not there, the other stuff doesn’t really matter. 

“We really want to hear you reflecting, being introspective, applying your interests, thinking about what changes you want to make in the world, and thinking about what your goals are. It’s deep emotional work.”

Wieners believes that an “openness to learning about yourself and the people around you” and “the ability to give yourself grace” are key to cultivating fulfilling experiences, whether in high school, college or beyond. 

“Take time to really put yourself on the page,” Wieners said. 

“But before that, you first have to live those experiences, right? So, open yourself up to opportunities around you in order to learn about yourself, so that you will have things to write about.”