WHY I TURNED DOWN STANFORD

When you forget to take a thumbnail picture and have to use the only screenshot where is doesn't look like you're in the middle of saying something lol
Anyways, in this video I tell y'all about why I chose UNC over Stanford. I hope you find it helpful! If you have any additional questions, leave them down below or shoot me an email at [e-mail].
If you want admissions counseling or essay editing, I offer these services through my website: danielledupreez.com/
***MOREHEAD-CAIN SCHOLARSHIP: www.moreheadcain.org/
Thank you so much to this wonderful program that brought me to UNC! I highly encourage y'all to apply if you're juniors.
***NOLS (National Outdoor Leadership School): www.nols.edu/courses/?gclid=Cj...
NOLS is bae
Setup:
Camera: Canon Rebel EOS T2i (paid $280 for it used on Amazon)
www.amazon.com/Canon-T2i-Camer...
Mic: TakStar Shotgun Mic (paid $25 for it new)
www.amazon.com/TAKSTAR-SGC-598...
Tripod: Amazon's basic tall tripod (paid $25 for it new)
www.amazon.com/AmazonBasics-60...
Lighting: Natural, but I figured out how to do the aperture settings and stuff!
See you soon!
P.S. GO VEGAN!!

[@danielledupreez]

Hey guys! Shameless self promotion, but if you're interested in having me edit your college essays at an affordable price ($20 for a standard Common App essay), then please check out my website: danielledupreez.com/

[@narmislien]

Hi-site is down. Are u still editing essays? Thx

[@Nino-bu1cx]

I like this girl because she went with her gut lol

[@meaganharrington8287]

I saw this video, applied for the Morehead-Cain and will now be a freshman at UNC in the fall - Danielle, I owe you big time :)

[@alaura.444]

How many people do they choose for the scholarship?

[@jackhill2104]

What a savage! If I got into Stanford and Duke with a full ride, I would be paralyzed with indecision.

[@danielledupreez]

lol I was pretty paralyzed dude

[@swicheroo1]

Congratulations. I was faced with a similar choice--admission to Berkeley, Stanford, Columbia, Princeton, Harvard, Yale and UCLA. Almost all of the schools gave me full rides but, in the end, once I began to unpack the choices and moved beyond the cocktail-party-name-dropping quality of the institutions, I surprised myself and everybody else and chose UCLA.

[@danielledupreez]

Woah! How do you feel about that?

[@swicheroo1]

For the most part, I was happy. I had things to think about that were particular. I'm a refugee, so a priority was to be close to family--we'd spent so much time trying to be close and witnessed so many people torn apart--and so it was imperative to remain close to home. That said, I was ready to leave, until I heard from faculty that all those schools were the same...as far as where they might get you. Mostly, I feel bad because I can't power trip hard with an Ivy League name. But I have no loans. And UCLA was otherwise awesome. I also enjoyed the diversity, the food, and the closeness to the ocean (I don't go in the water but I like to look at it!). I'd mostly suggest to any person making a choice to consider the money issue--the debt issue--that debt should be the first category to winnow. Then, if you have a status school still in the mix, you really have to ask yourself if you give a darn (maybe a 2 week therapy session might help you there).

[@alaura.444]

Yikes !

[@TheWarriorSage1357]

MIT has a great linguistics program.

[@antoninmorin4564]

I'm schoked that you have to pay if you want to enter the best schools it s a shame...In France best universities and school are totally free

[@ashleydani9449]

Im in the same county!! Im a junior in highschool currently taking high school and college classes. My dream school is definitely UNC for nursing. Hopefully i can get in!

[@alaura.444]

Same here but now I’m a senior !!

[@harrisedsor8381]

Hi, Just wondering if you ever regret missing the great environment of Standford and the prestige you would carry after graduating from Standford.

[@connerpettit4384]

Will you still be doing essay editing next year? You are so cool and your videos have been so helpful. You are awesome!!!

[@danielledupreez]

Thanks a lot for your support! I'll see, but likely I will also offer essay editing in 2018. Good luck with your applications :)

[@_dtm116]

you're an inspiration :)

[@amandasun6677]

happy birthday!

[@Kickbackfool87]

You turned down full tuition + more from Stanford? Ho-le-shit

[@CurseTempo]

lee*

[@toluatilola6412]

You kinda sound like miley cyrus lol 😂

[@yousifarradbro]

Tolulah - can't unhear that...

[@veronicasoliman4310]

Tolulah - SHE DOES!!! 😂

[@ilikecartoons3543]

Like for real though!!!!!!!

[@kelechinwosu5571]

I don't know if you'll see this but what type of laptop do you receive with the morehead-cain program

[@victorialim]

Could you please share your activities/essay etc? Would love to know what you did to get in :) I'm a senior applying this year so obviously I'm not going to be copying any of your details and I know everyone is unique, but would just like to know the general calibre of amazing students (like you!) And sorry - didn't catch your name, could you please spell it out? :) Anyway, I'm sure you will have an amazing time at UNC! After all, your experience is a lot more about what you make of it than where you go to study. Cheers and congrats on all your accomplishments!! PS So cool you're vegan too xx

[@dogmaticuncertainty2670]

^

[@thatPSNguy99]

Victoria Lim she did literally everything

[@danielledupreez]

noah LOL

[@danielledupreez]

Sorry for the delay in responding to this comment! It just gets old sharing resume-type things, so I was lazy oops... If you want a copy of my essays, my email is in the description! I ask that people email me directly for essays because I am cautious to make them publicly available for various reasons but I'm happy to share them with anyone who asks. I have a pretty generic overachiever EC profile, nothing too stand-out I would say. I was president of my school's HOSA club and service club, and also was involved in service-learning management at my school. I volunteered at various hospitals and at the library. I obtained my NC EMT Cert which was really important to me personally. I also read linguistics literature and started learning a couple random languages. And I self-studied for a bunch of AP exams. I also worked at Domino's, and various (boring) odd jobs on the internet like captioning. Oh and I went to NC Gov school. There were definitely other little things but nothing unachievable and since Stanford doesn't accept a resume through common app, they didn't know about them. I definitely don't think my ECs are unachievable but I also don't think anything in particular stood out about them, because I read A LOT of profiles of kids who were rejected from the same application pool as me with what seemed like far "better" ECs. It's really a combination of luck and creating a narrative that gives the admissions office an idea of who you are authentically, or at least who you want to be. But I should note that Duke sent me a note describing why they liked me, and it was none of the reasons Stanford seemed to like me, but instead they focused on the fact that I emphasized the changes I made while I was in leadership positions. So if you talk about leadership, be sure to mention any unique contributions or changes you made to the organization. :) Hope this helps!

[@victorialim]

AP Queen thanks for your reply!! So descriptive and really helpful:) I got into Yale actually haha but I think this Info will defo help people in the future. Hope college life is going great for you!:) xx

[@TheLadyPlantagenet]

So proud wow

[@andrewallen1135]

Keep learning and leading! An education really is what you make of it, no matter the circumstances.

[@danielledupreez]

Wise words!

[@shalar01]

What are some of the changes you made in your leadership positions? Also, did you mean that Duke or Stanford liked that?

[@at9417]

Hey there! On one of your videos(I can't find which one) you said you went to a middle college high school....if memory serves right. I had a question or two but I wanted to first make sure that was correct.

[@mehnazt4801]

Awesome video! You're so smart. :)

[@MH-sy1xt]

I am confused - Morehead Cain gives out stipend to cover tuition or does they give out stipend in addition of tuition?

[@miapapageorge6495]

AHHH I LOVE NOLS IVE DONE TWO WHICH COURSES DID U DO!!??

[@bittersharp3686]

She turned down Stanford to let someone off the waitlist. Be happy.

[@sarahcoull669]

I put in my governor's school application for natural science not too long ago and I'm really hoping I'll get the chance to go! I'm currently a junior and I'm debating whether or not I want to apply to any prestigious schools but Chapel Hill is definitely one of my first choices :)

[@danielledupreez]

Awesome! Have you heard back from gov school yet?

[@sarahcoull669]

AP Queen sadly not yet, but the final decisions come out on March 10th!

[@danielledupreez]

How about now?

[@sarahmccliver7885]

+AP Queen Im going to GSW this summer!!

[@danielledupreez]

Awesome!

[@danielledupreez]

Duke is the reason why I'm at UNC lol

[@roykliffen9674]

Choosing a "lesser" institute over the really top-schools is a very wise choice; just watch this Malcolm Gladwell presentation how very bright students fail to achieve their potential because their self-confidence is shattered in the competition with even brighter students. Choosing a "lesser" institute over the really top-schools is a very wise choice

[@fastdollar1]

I think she's saying that she didn't like Duke. On my visit to Duke, I felt like that there was too much of a pompous old money vibe imo.

[@AliKhan-ip9cj]

AP Queen what high school did you go to?

[@iloveasailor23]

What does UNC stand for? There are a lot of schools that have those initials.

[@bernicezhu]

iamquasi the university of North Carolina

[@weilaizhao5807]

Hey Danielle I am wondering of I can made a request for common application esssys？I cant enter your website ……………

[@shivaniparepally]

How do students from India apply for this scholarship?

[@jillgraham2076]

This seems like a pretty common dilemma at first glance - paying for "elite" education vs going to a public school virtually for free. In your case, though, the money issue didn't seem to play a key role, with Stanford's fin aid and Duke's full ride. I'm not sure this video offers a clear explanation of why you chose, for example, UNC over Duke. UNC has fun vacation trips, sure, but can that really be a valid reason to give up on significantly more reputable schools with stronger faculty, more resources and greater outreach? I'm genuinely curious.

[@danielledupreez]

+Jill Graham I think you're overestimating the difference in quality of education between the two schools. Overall prestige of a university has little to nothing to do with that university's actual quality of education or a student's day-to-day experience with the university's faculty, for a number of reasons. And in the south, UNC is almost equally as reputable as Duke, because although Duke is an "elite" school, a far greater number of southerners and North Carolinians espescially have personal ties to UNC. Not to mention, coming from a solidly middle class to lower middle class economic background, the difference in my experience of the campus atmospheres at both universities is immense. To me Duke feels like an intense microchosm of socioeconomic elitism, whereas, although the college population in general is far more priveleged than the overall population, at least UNC feels like a part of the rest of the world. At risk of sounding judgemental, it is sometimes difficult for me to stomach being around such a large amount of people who I know are paying AT LEAST $30k+ a year (and many of them paying the full $70k) for something they could get for significantly less money, when my family has $30k in total assets from the 15 years we've lived in America, AND it's obvious to me that I am already an overprivleged individual in my economic position. There's nothing wrong with having money...but it's hard to not feel disillusioned by an enviroment such as the one on Duke campus and even Stanford's campus as someone who grew up counting pennies, and realizing even still only a small degree of the immense socioeconomic disadvantage that exists in the world...anyways, I'm on a tangent. But as a final point, I also think you're devaluing the "fun summer trips." How often do you get the opportunity to literally make your dreams come true, or pursue some of your wildest goals to improve yourself and the world, and are offered virtually unlimited financial and intellectual support to do that? At the Morehead Foundation there are several employees whose entire job descriptions are just to help the scholars achieve whatever they want to achieve. Quality of education of a school does not give it its prestige--the quality of the students is what does that. And the best way any institution can grow the quality of their students is by genuinely making an effort to help them do what THEY want to do with their lives. I decided that this kind of support was much more tangible and more valuable to me than the vague idea of university prestige, with the added benefit of a more socioeconomically diverse environment.

[@dongleiyan9306]

Hi there, my son got the scholarship a few weeks back. He is an international student from Asia. We are still struggling between UNC MHC and others. Would you mind sharing how they helped your career placement differently from other UNC students? And if the scholarship helps in job searching at all? Thank you so much

[@AlfredSchw]

hey I would love to ask you some questions about college, is there a way i can message u privately? btw congratulations on your college choice

[@Mrfunandcrazy1]

Hey! I am currently a senior from Chapel Hill, NC! If you don't mind me asking, where did you go to high school?

[@danielledupreez]

+chaley122 DM me. Sorry for the late reply~

[@shwnceline]

love your video Danielle!

[@danielledupreez]

You found me!

[@kirstiemoore9925]

What kind of questions did they ask you during your semifinalist and finalist interview, and how should I prepare?

[@danielledupreez]

+Kirstie Moore Are you a semifinalist? In state?

[@bluetremz4091]

AP Queen just got notified I was a semi finalist, could you give me any tips? Interview is in two weeks and I’m nervous as hell!

[@saranshverma6099]

i hope you don't mind me asking your standarzied test scores? thanks :)

[@CorbinTinnon]

You’re welcome 😊

[@kirstiemoore9925]

What type of laptop do you get as a Morehead Cain scholar, and do you have to give it back?

[@danielledupreez]

+Kirstie Moore I got a macbook pro 2015 because thats the way I budgeted my laptop grant, and no, we get to keep them

[@felicitasosborn9146]

What is you GPA and what courses did you take in high school

[@daphnemartinez-cruz3321]

I am currently a Morehead-Cain semifinalist, tomorrow is my interview. I am so ECSTATIC for this opportunity!!

[@danielledupreez]

Congratulations! Good luck 🍀

[@KayKay8190]

Did you also apply for the Parks scholarship? If so, did you win it?

[@danielledupreez]

I wasn’t a US citizen at the time, so I wasn’t allowed to apply!

[@user-bz8pq5fw7q]

My friend turned down stanford and chose uc davis instead . Because it had better research facilities for his major

[@frogjames3847]

answer to make a you tube video about why

[@sarareyes6]

What was the name of the scholarship program? SayGuest??

[@audramosley4946]

Sara Reyes Say yes to education

[@abhishekgrewal8906]

Ahhhh !! How can u turn down Stanford 😭

[@audramosley4946]

Are you from Guilford county? Did you go to ECG ?

[@audramosley4946]

I go to Penn Griffin I really want to go to Duke (but I’d need that scholarship 😂) or State for aerospace engineering !

[@MapleStoryXll]

May I know what's your SAT score ?

[@danielledupreez]

+MapleStoryXll 2310

[@beko____]

Whoa! Yeah, I really like your point about considering special programs at these schools ;). I’d love to see a video about how you knew the schools you were applying had a good program for your major (linguistics).

[@cameronbrotherton2962]

did you by chance go to ncssm in durham?????

[@danielledupreez]

+Cameron Brotherton Nah I'm too cool for SSM lol jk

[@gymnast121397]

We have the same birthday

[@danielledupreez]

twinss

[@tyrdunbar]

Well I'm stupid and got rejected from every law school I applied to because I had a 3.0 and a 176. I am a depressed failure 😔

[@danielledupreez]

Rejection can be so hard to deal with. Take it one step at a time until you get your motivation back. Remember the internal difference between success and failure is usually dramatically smaller than the perceived difference. In other words, there is probably only a small mental/environmental difference between you and someone who has already achieved all the things you want. You are capable of overcoming this difference and you shouldn't let yourself believe that you are significantly less capable than anyone who has already overcome it. Best of luck

[@tyrdunbar]

thank you so much. I will try to build my resume a little more to make up for my grades in undergrad. haha i cant imagine my life without going to law school. coming from someone so academically successful that means a lot.

[@danielledupreez]

No of course. My academic success is what has been highlighted on this channel of course, but it's not like their haven't been failures and hopefully I will get a chance to talk about them soon! But I've seen many people just as "smart" or smarter than me struggle academically--enough to make me certain about the fact that there's not much difference between the successful kid and the kid who "failed." If you want to go to law school, do it. Law is one of the most interesting and potentially rewarding professions in my opinion. I believe in you.

[@curiousgeorge6921]

Whats ur major

[@syedhasan7195]

Can a resident of Florida apply for the Morehead scholarship?

[@danielledupreez]

+Taukir Hassan Yes, but your school has to be a nominating school. You can ask them to become a nominating school if they are not currently!

[@syedhasan7195]

How do I do that? And I have a question. I have had terrible and excruciating life experiences till now. I'm a junior in high school and permanent resident in Florida. I moved here in 2014 and started high school. I have been a decent student till now with honors and AP classes along with mostly A's. I live here alone with my brother and I feel like I have the potential to write compelling essays! I don't, however, have done that great of any extracurricular activity. Starting from January till I graduate in 2018, I will be volunteering at Florida Hospital Tampa. I'm in NHS, BETA and Muslim Student Association. Do you think I have any chance at Ivy League schools or Stanford? I am confident that I will make it to state schools but please offer some suggestions to me?

[@ellam.3134]

What UNC do you go to?

[@danielledupreez]

university of north carolina chapel hill

[@afeaddeh2203]

how did you get full tuition?

[@danielledupreez]

+afe addeh At Stanford? Need-based. The other two were merit-based.

[@afeaddeh2203]

do they offer any other scholarships than need-based?

[@afeaddeh2203]

do they give any not financial based?

[@danielledupreez]

Don't think so. Why would they? Few people able to afford it pass up Stanford to go somewhere "better" so they don't need to entice people who are able to pay.

[@ABC-uy4fw]

If you want to raise venture capital to start your own Company. I will say Stanford will be the best in the world.

[@himanibhat9054]

Omg I went to governor’s school for science!!

[@unknown-fu3iy]

You would love to live in California one day? :)

[@asturiasra]

Should have gone to a top 10 school for free(Duke) and in your home state!🤔😪😪

[@danielledupreez]

+asturiasra UNC is a fantastic school, and I honestly feel that I have just as many, if not more (and more unique), opportunities with the Morehead at UNC. I'm confident I made the right decision!

[@bpxl53yewz29]

video is too long

[@seanseanery8991]

1st world problems eh

[@danielledupreez]

ikr

[@lauriegriggs9363]

UNC??????? Duke was my choice 1976-1980.