Five application components, a six-month timeline, and a surprisingly short application form. Here is exactly what you need to do and when.
175 words each. The "improbable facts," "fell short," and "what matters" prompts.
Prompt 1: "Tell us about two or three improbable facts about yourself."
This is not about being impressive. It's about being interesting and genuine. The best answers reveal something unexpected that changes how the reader sees you.
Prompt 2: "Tell us about a time you fell short."
Requires genuine vulnerability. Not a disguised success story. The committee wants to see how you process failure, not how you spun it into a win.
Prompt 3: "What matters to you and why?"
This is where your civic mindset comes through. Be specific. Generic answers about "making the world better" won't cut it.
The most personal essay you'll write for any scholarship application.
This essay asks you to connect your past experiences, current work, and future aspirations into a coherent narrative. It should read like a story, not a resume summary. The committee wants to understand the thread that runs through your life.
At 550 words, every sentence needs to earn its place. Most successful scholars report rewriting this essay 15-20 times.
Read the full essay guide →Different from Stanford program recs. Peers OK. 5 specific prompts recommenders must address.
KHS gives recommenders five specific questions to address, plus a 9-characteristic assessment form. This is fundamentally different from typical academic recommendations. They want to know about your character, your leadership, and how you treat people — not just your intelligence.
Ideally, use different recommenders than your Stanford program application. One can be a peer — someone who knows you as a colleague or collaborator, not just a superior. Family members are not permitted.
Full recommendation guide →Standard resume. Max 2 pages. Should show leadership and civic engagement, not just career progression.
Your resume for KHS should emphasize different things than a typical career resume. Leadership roles, community involvement, creative projects, and service work matter more here than job titles and companies. Include any meaningful volunteer work, organizations you've founded, or communities you've built.
2 minutes. "Teach something to your cohort." Only ~500 of ~8,500 are invited. Recorded in-app.
If you make it past the essay review (roughly top 6%), you'll be invited to record a 2-minute video statement. The prompt is typically: "Teach us something — it can be anything." You record it directly in the application portal. No editing, no re-recording multiple times.
Production quality is irrelevant. Authenticity is everything. The committee wants to see who you are when you're passionate about something.
Complete video guide →Track your preparation progress. Click items to mark them complete.
Attend KHS webinars (they host several). Research Stanford programs. Begin brainstorming essay topics. Identify potential recommenders.
Write first drafts of all three short answers and the Connect the Dots essay. Ask recommenders. Begin Stanford program research.
Get feedback from people who know you well. Revise essays 5+ times. Finalize resume. Brief recommenders on what KHS is looking for.
Final essay revisions. Proofread everything. Complete the online application form. Confirm recommenders have submitted. Submit a few days early.
Early October (exact date varies by year, typically first or second week). No late submissions. No extensions. Then immediately shift focus to your Stanford program application.
Focus entirely on your Stanford program application. Different essays, potentially different recommenders. Most deadlines fall in December-January.
~500 applicants receive a video invitation. You have roughly 2 weeks to submit a 2-minute video. If you don't receive an invitation, your KHS application has been declined.
~180 finalists are invited to Stanford campus. Travel and lodging paid. Group interviews with fellow candidates. Read the immersion guide.
KHS results and most Stanford program decisions arrive in March. If offered KHS, the scholarship is conditional on Stanford admission.
The essays are where most applicants are made or broken. They deserve the most preparation time.
Essay Strategy Guide →