Stanford's Dean of Admissions on getting into college

According to Richard Shaw, dean of admissions and financial aid at Stanford, there is no formula to a successful college application - but it hinges on much more than a stellar transcript.

“It isn’t just about the courses or the grades,” he said. “It’s about the human being behind all of it.”

Students who rise to the top of the applicant pool, he said, are those who have embraced their education in a way that shows a sense of their love for what they do.

“In a lot of cases, it’s the first-generation kid who hasn’t had any resources, but you see the glimmer, you see the grit, you see the possibilities of that young person,” he said. “You realize that if they have the resources in college, they’ll take it the distance.”