It is the most productive, accepting, safe, and fun environment I have ever known. I gained a surrogate family in the community and all the students there. I feel incredibly fortunate to have met the people (students, faculty, and staff) I have met here and have had the opportunities I've had to mature and expand my understanding.
Do you have any tips for prospective students?
You only will have to pull all-nighters if you are irresponsible with your time management. Do not be afraid to challenge yourself. Find your own way to learn and study to the best of your abilities instead of constantly comparing yourself to others. Make sure to thank the people who helped get you here once you do. You will meet people who will treat you like you are an amazing super-hero that got here all by yourself, but getting you here was a team effort and you should acknowledge that with grace and gratitude.
Do you find there’s enough academic rigor at your school?
One of my good friends once said I remember when I was good in school. [look of nostalgia]. The classes are not impossible and most of the truly difficult ones are graded on curves or a similar accommodation but they are challenging. Overcoming those challenges, though, and passing classes with fairly decent grades are accomplishments in and of themselves. If you are used to straight As, do NOT expect to get them here with the same with which you did in high school. The classes are tougher and until you learn to accommodate your study habits to that new level of academic rigor, you'll have to settle for getting B's and C's and focusing on improvement and understanding instead of a specific letter grade to make you happy in your classes.
Describe the dorm life at your college.
The housing department does a fantastic job of matching you in your freshman year to a house that fits your needs best and they usually find you a good roommate as well. They might not become your best friend but they put you in an environment of great people with different strengths, weaknesses, cultures, and perspectives. That diversity is invaluable.
Describe the food and dining at your college.
The food here is great and the dining staff are some of the sweetest, friendliest people you'll ever meet. Please take the time to get to know them. Know the hand that feeds you and every time you go to eat you'll have a greater appreciation for all the effort they put in, with good grace, just for you to be happy.
What’s there to do for fun at your college?
There is Always something going on on campus. The CoHo (Coffee House) almost always has some kind of entertainment in the evenings. The Axe and Palm (a hang-out/study area/ fast-food source on campus) is also a great place to meet up with friends. On Wednesdays at the axe and palm they have free salsa classes with the salsa group on campus. You can join various dance, music, sports, or hobbies clubs. You can go to a salsa/bachata social or a regular party. The community centers will sometimes hold mixers or barbeques for all students to come to. Trust me, there's Always something to do. Just ask around. =)
Do you feel you’re getting value for the money you’re spending on college?
Stanford is definitely worth all the effort, money, time, and energy. It is worth every penny, every smile, every tear, and every breath of beautiful California air. I love this school and all it has given me. I've grown up more the past three years than I can remember growing up in any other time in my life.
Share any unusual traditions or locations on campus
During the week of Big Game (the game against our arch nemesis Berkeley) we have a bear-ial, in which the band dresses in black and plays dirges while a procession of people follow them and a little teddy bear to the claw (our main fountain). When they get to the Claw, the band leader proceeds to kill the bear by impaling it upon the Claw's top, which is quite pointy, and we all celebrate our coming football victory against Cal (Berkeley).
Which types of students will excel at your college?
willing to learn, hard workers, good to talk to, persistent, strong, resilient, humble, loves to help others
Are you involved in any clubs or activities?
There are SOO many groups, it's often hard to choose from. I used to be in the Mexican folk dance group (Ballet Folklorico) And Mariachi Cardenal, but I ended up just staying with Mariachi because 2 groups plus pre-med and psych courses proved too much. I love seeing the various dance and music group performances that my friends are in, though.
Are you involved in any clubs or activities?
I don't know much about Greek life at Stanford other than the fact that they exist and the people who participate in it keep it going at a healthy level.
How would you describe campus safety? Do you feel safe on campus?
It's one of the safest places I've never been in. As a woman, it's nice to feel safe walking home at night, alone. Also, the men here are definitely respectful and do not force women to go through unwanted cat-calling, whistles, and other rather annoying/ borderline harassing behaviors
It is the most productive, accepting, safe, and fun environment I have ever known. I gained a surrogate family in the community and all the students there. I feel incredibly fortunate to have met the people (students, faculty, and staff) I have met here and have had the opportunities I've had to mature and expand my understanding.
You only will have to pull all-nighters if you are irresponsible with your time management. Do not be afraid to challenge yourself. Find your own way to learn and study to the best of your abilities instead of constantly comparing yourself to others. Make sure to thank the people who helped get you here once you do. You will meet people who will treat you like you are an amazing super-hero that got here all by yourself, but getting you here was a team effort and you should acknowledge that with grace and gratitude.
One of my good friends once said I remember when I was good in school. [look of nostalgia]. The classes are not impossible and most of the truly difficult ones are graded on curves or a similar accommodation but they are challenging. Overcoming those challenges, though, and passing classes with fairly decent grades are accomplishments in and of themselves. If you are used to straight As, do NOT expect to get them here with the same with which you did in high school. The classes are tougher and until you learn to accommodate your study habits to that new level of academic rigor, you'll have to settle for getting B's and C's and focusing on improvement and understanding instead of a specific letter grade to make you happy in your classes.
The housing department does a fantastic job of matching you in your freshman year to a house that fits your needs best and they usually find you a good roommate as well. They might not become your best friend but they put you in an environment of great people with different strengths, weaknesses, cultures, and perspectives. That diversity is invaluable.
The food here is great and the dining staff are some of the sweetest, friendliest people you'll ever meet. Please take the time to get to know them. Know the hand that feeds you and every time you go to eat you'll have a greater appreciation for all the effort they put in, with good grace, just for you to be happy.
There is Always something going on on campus. The CoHo (Coffee House) almost always has some kind of entertainment in the evenings. The Axe and Palm (a hang-out/study area/ fast-food source on campus) is also a great place to meet up with friends. On Wednesdays at the axe and palm they have free salsa classes with the salsa group on campus. You can join various dance, music, sports, or hobbies clubs. You can go to a salsa/bachata social or a regular party. The community centers will sometimes hold mixers or barbeques for all students to come to. Trust me, there's Always something to do. Just ask around. =)
Stanford is definitely worth all the effort, money, time, and energy. It is worth every penny, every smile, every tear, and every breath of beautiful California air. I love this school and all it has given me. I've grown up more the past three years than I can remember growing up in any other time in my life.
During the week of Big Game (the game against our arch nemesis Berkeley) we have a bear-ial, in which the band dresses in black and plays dirges while a procession of people follow them and a little teddy bear to the claw (our main fountain). When they get to the Claw, the band leader proceeds to kill the bear by impaling it upon the Claw's top, which is quite pointy, and we all celebrate our coming football victory against Cal (Berkeley).
willing to learn, hard workers, good to talk to, persistent, strong, resilient, humble, loves to help others
There are SOO many groups, it's often hard to choose from. I used to be in the Mexican folk dance group (Ballet Folklorico) And Mariachi Cardenal, but I ended up just staying with Mariachi because 2 groups plus pre-med and psych courses proved too much. I love seeing the various dance and music group performances that my friends are in, though.
I don't know much about Greek life at Stanford other than the fact that they exist and the people who participate in it keep it going at a healthy level.
It's one of the safest places I've never been in. As a woman, it's nice to feel safe walking home at night, alone. Also, the men here are definitely respectful and do not force women to go through unwanted cat-calling, whistles, and other rather annoying/ borderline harassing behaviors