How Filmmaking, Fitness, and a YouTube Comment Got Nicolas Berndt Into Stanford

Nicolas Berndt

30 students read this

7 min

Stanford

acceptances

The story

Nicolas didn’t apply to Stanford with a stack of awards or perfect GPA. He applied with a story. It started with a product: custom doorknob covers. To market them, he launched a YouTube channel and started posting fitness videos, leveraging what made him stand out—being unusually strong at age 15. But something unexpected happened. “The content became a lot bigger than the business itself. I found so much love in posting fitness content and just helping other teenagers find their purpose and self-improve.” As his channel grew, so did the impact. One comment in particular stuck with him—a stranger thanking Nicolas for changing their life. That moment reshaped everything. His application centered on that transformation: how a fitness channel became a vehicle for emotional vulnerability, personal growth, and eventually, a deeper love for film. “There was one comment that said: ‘Because of watching your content, I’m now working out, I’ve gotten out of depression, and I’ve started to find my purpose.’ I used that to show how real the impact was and that it wasn’t just one person. That was one of thousands of comments I was getting. I really tried to exemplify that, yeah, I’m actually making a pretty big difference. I wanted to reaffirm that what I’m doing is genuinely helping people.”

🎥 Turning a Camera Into a Calling

Nicolas’s application to Stanford was built around a real, personal discovery. It started with fitness videos meant to promote a business. But as he kept posting, he found himself drawn deeper into the craft.

"I started falling in love with the filmmaking process. I would constantly watch other people’s YouTube videos and study them. I was studying cinematography, directing, storyboard writing—all these creative aspects that go into it. That’s what really made me fall in love with film and media studies. That’s actually why I applied to Stanford as an intended Film and Media Studies major. It all came together from a bunch of different directions."

Nicolas used his application to explain how that curiosity became a passion. His videos evolved in quality and purpose because he was creating experiences that helped people feel seen. He didn’t apply as someone who always knew he wanted to be a filmmaker. He applied as someone who discovered it along the way, and took initiative to become what he wanted to be. That evolution, from vision to intentional action, became a central thread of his Stanford story.

🎯 Purpose by Doing

Nicolas’s college application had a clear why. Nicolas’s why—the driving force behind his Stanford application—was his desire to make a meaningful impact through storytelling.

"I connected it back to how I wanted to make a positive difference in the world. It turned into a newfound purpose: trying to make a greater impact through self-improvement and fitness content. And something I didn’t expect when I got into the YouTube process was just how much I would fall in love with it."

He used storytelling to explain both who he was today and who he was becoming. Nicolas’s story stood out because it was real. He built something from scratch, learned by doing, and reflected deeply on the meaning behind his work. When asked about how someone might seek out these passions themselves, Nicolas said:

"Honestly, especially if you’re in the earlier years of high school, I’d just recommend trying out a bunch of different things—whatever you’re curious about. For example, as a kid, I would pick up a camera and make my own YouTube videos. It was just having that playful, childlike spirit and being open to exploring different passions that really helped me get started. I’ve noticed that if I’m good at something, I tend to enjoy it more—because I feel more confident. So maybe you’ll find a few things you’re naturally talented at or that you improve in quickly, and those are the ones you should try to pursue. And don’t worry if your interests seem totally unrelated at first—because skills compound. Like, my passion for business and my doorknob cover company had nothing to do with content creation. But because I built that business, I had the skills to treat my YouTube channel like a business. That’s how I was able to grow it and start making money from it. So don’t be afraid to try new hobbies, get out of your comfort zone, and explore different directions. Even if your interests seem random or disconnected, those skills will eventually come together. And when they do, you can fuse them into a story—how one thing laid the foundation for another, and how it all pushed you forward."

🚀 Stop Watching, Start Building

Q: I’m guessing this entrepreneurial drive has been with you for a while. What got you into that mindset in the first place—wanting to be a business-focused person? And for someone who might also feel stuck in that “idea” phase, how did you actually take the steps to turn your idea into a real, physical product? What advice would you give to a student who’s trying to do the same?

"I was really tired of being a ‘watchpreneur’—someone who always wanted to start a company but never actually did. So one night at 3 a.m., I wrote down about 50 business ideas, just anything I could think of. I told myself that no matter what better idea I came up with tomorrow, I was going to pick one and commit to it. Out of all of them, cute doorknob covers was the one I went with. I ended up spending the next two years working on it. I even took a job at Chick-fil-A just to save enough money to pay manufacturers and make the product a reality. I think I’ve always wanted to be an entrepreneur—mainly because, like most kids, I just wanted to make money. I remember not being able to afford things like Pokémon cards, so I’d search online: “How to make money fast.” You’d find all these random options, and one that stood out was starting your own business. Something about that clicked with me—this idea that I could create something and make money from it. That felt exciting. When I was 12 or 13, I couldn’t get a job yet, so entrepreneurship was the only real option. At that point, I wasn’t even thinking about business as a passion—it was just the first path I saw to independence. But over time, I started consuming more entrepreneurial content, and that’s when the passion really grew. I realized I love working for myself. Long term, I don’t see myself working for someone else—unless it’s for the experience or to learn something new. As for how I actually made it real? It came down to giving up the “consumer” mindset. A lot of people get stuck just watching podcasts and videos—they feel productive, but they’re not actually doing anything. I did that too. At some point, you have to stop overthinking and start building. You just have to muster up the courage to forget your ego and that’s when things start to change."

🧬 Archetype: The Narrator & The Unicorn

Narrator The Narrator is a storyteller. Their application reads like a memoir in motion, guiding the reader through moments of change, discovery, and growth. What sets them apart isn’t just what they’ve done, but how well they understand and articulate it. For Narrators, reflection is the superpower—they show you how the pieces of their life connect, and in doing so, make you feel something. Admissions officers don’t just root for them—they remember them. Nicolas told his story through both his application and his Youtube channel. His application followed a clear arc of transformation from selling doorknob covers to discovering a passion for filmmaking. His personal statement centered on a single YouTube comment that changed his perspective—and it became the emotional heartbeat of his Stanford story. Narrators are strongest when they write and reflect with clarity, vulnerability, and purpose. Nicolas brought admissions officers into his world not just by telling them what he did—but by showing them why it mattered. Unicorn The Unicorn is rare—not just talented, but exceptional in ways that are hard to replicate. They’ve already built something big: a company, a brand, a platform, a movement. Unicorns often operate on a level most students don’t reach until well into adulthood, and colleges see them as future industry leaders or breakout creators. The best ones, like Nicolas, pair their ambition with purpose. They don’t just show what they’ve accomplished—they show that they know why it matters. By age 18, Nicolas had already: • Built a YouTube brand with 450K+ subscribers and 100M+ views • Consulted dozens of companies and helped generate over 750M organic views • Set a world record in powerlifting • Created content for brands like Notion, Gymshark, and Skillshare • Led multiple business ventures as CEO and Co-Founder That’s not just impressive—it’s rare. Nicolas embodies the Unicorn archetype: a self-starting creator who’s already collected achievements on a level most people don’t reach for years. But what makes him truly stand out is how he grounded those accomplishments in purpose.

Engagement

Nicolas’s impact extended beyond the screen. He turned personal passions into real-world platforms—leading, creating, and collaborating with intentionality. 🎥 YouTube & Content Creation • Founded a fitness and self-improvement channel with 450K+ subscribers and 100M+ views. • Produced cinematic content mixing psychology, humor, and motivation. • Featured in Men’s Health as one of four teen influencers giving reliable fitness advice. • Highlighted in YouTube’s “Voices of Vlogging” APA Heritage Month campaign. • Earned the YouTube Silver Creator Award. • RODE Creator of the Year Finalist (Health & Wellness) 📈 Entrepreneurship & Marketing • CEO, Berndt Marketing: Created branded content for 16+ companies including Notion, Gymshark, Fiverr, and Skillshare, generating over 8.5M views. • Co-Founder, JRN Marketing: Consulted 28+ companies on brand storytelling, helping clients reach 750M+ organic views and 5M+ followers. • Founder, Cute Futures: Developed and sold innovative doorknob covers, generating 600,000+ impressions while managing product design, marketing, and logistics. • Social Media Director, Human Tonik: Contributed to strategy for a multi-million dollar brand, helping generate 500,000+ views as a marketing intern. 💪 Athletics • AAU World Record Holder in Bench Press: 292.1 lbs in the 132–148 lb class (age 16–17). • Trained as a competitive powerlifter for five years at state and international levels. • 4× Georgia State Champion in Taekwondo; Black belt and team captain. • Led Team Masters demo team, performing at community events. 🏫 School-Based Involvement • Co-President, Crochet Club: Grew membership by 400%, scaled social media 7×, and organized local pop-up markets. • Historian, Asian American Student Organization (AASO): Led cultural initiatives and produced films spotlighting Asian-owned businesses, reaching 75,000+ viewers. 🙌 Volunteer & Community Service • Volunteered with Open Hand Atlanta, Food Bank Atlanta, Chastain Park Conservancy, and One Ministry. • Packed and delivered food, led community cleanups, and served in a ministry for people with disabilities.

Closing Notes

Q: If you were starting over again at 13 or 14, what advice would you give your younger self—knowing everything you know now—to help navigate that journey more easily?

"Honestly, the biggest piece of advice I’d give my younger self is to stop worrying about what other people think. No one’s really judging you—everyone’s too focused on their own lives. You’re just one person out of 8 billion, and in the grand scheme of things, none of it is as serious as it feels. So just start, and try to be as consistent as possible. When I was younger, I chased perfection too much. I wish I had understood that progress matters way more. There’s this story I love about a pottery class: one group was told to make one perfect pot in 30 days, and the other group had to make a new pot every single day. In the end, the group that made 30 pots had the best work—because they learned by doing, not planning. That’s what I’d tell myself: focus on making, not perfecting. At 13 or 14, you’re in a stage of learning. You can make mistakes. You’ve got support. You don’t have major responsibilities yet. So take risks. Be consistent. And don’t let the fear of judgment stop you from getting started. Those would be the three things I’d tell younger Nick."

Key Themes

Purpose-Led Storytelling —Nicolas framed his entire application around a real transformation—showing what he did, and why it mattered. Growth Over Perfection —He evolved from a business-focused creator to an intentional filmmaker, driven by human connection and emotional resonance. Discovery Through Doing —His story was about discovering purpose through action. From doorknob covers to cinematic filmmaking, Nicolas showed how experimentation and iteration revealed what he truly loved.

Be bold, be Scholarly... like Nicolas