[Leftcoast]

I know several of those unhappy alums. 

To cite one, we lost a good fan the other day.  My ex roommate's son was a big fan from the first day he could toddle up the steps of the old stadium or walk to a loge seat at Maples.  Both of his parents were grads as well as many uncles, aunts and family friends and he learned Stanford fandom from them.  He knew every player by number and could cite their stats by middle school.  If I saw a great play made by #28 he was the one I'd ask to get his name (yeah, I can't keep them all in my head).  He wore Stanford gear on every football Friday and it was a rare social media week that didn't include some mention of Stanford sports or Stanford arts (he also spent time in the performing arts departments).  He was more nervous than any of my friends before the recent Oregon games and more excited with our recent wins.  A good student from a good school who also played in a local orchestra but in these tough admittance days his whole family was holding their breath when he applied. 

He announced his admittance status by changing all his profile pictures to Michigan gear and skipping Stanford Basketball games for the first time in recent memory.  For the time being he's sworn off all things Stanford.    He will have lots of other good college choices so his prospects remain rosy but remember ....

That 5% figure represents a lot of broken hearts for a lot of good kids who love Stanford.  I'm not celebrating.

[Leftcoast]

I know several of those unhappy alums. 

To cite one, we lost a good fan the other day.  My ex roommate's son was a big fan from the first day he could toddle up the steps of the old stadium or walk to a loge seat at Maples.  Both of his parents were grads as well as many uncles, aunts and family friends and he learned Stanford fandom from them.  He knew every player by number and could cite their stats by middle school.  If I saw a great play made by #28 he was the one I'd ask to get his name (yeah, I can't keep them all in my head).  He wore Stanford gear on every football Friday and it was a rare social media week that didn't include some mention of Stanford sports or Stanford arts (he also spent time in the performing arts departments).  He was more nervous than any of my friends before the recent Oregon games and more excited with our recent wins.  A good student from a good school who also played in a local orchestra but in these tough admittance days his whole family was holding their breath when he applied. 

He announced his admittance status by changing all his profile pictures to Michigan gear and skipping Stanford Basketball games for the first time in recent memory.  For the time being he's sworn off all things Stanford.    He will have lots of other good college choices so his prospects remain rosy but remember ....

That 5% figure represents a lot of broken hearts for a lot of good kids who love Stanford.  I'm not celebrating.