Academics
There are few universities that can match the prestige and caliber of Stanford University. At “the forefront of [nearly] every field of study,” it’s easy to understand why so many students are attracted to the school. Of course, far more than simply offering access to highly rated departments, Stanford strives to “expand your creativity, challenge and deepen your world view, and make you a passionate and informed citizen of the world.” Moreover, the opportunities for research “are incredible” and “the support for students (residential, emotional, academic) is unrivaled.” And while the university is certainly “academically rigorous,” it is “without the competitive edge that many top-tier institutions are known for.” Inside the classroom, undergrads are privy to “dynamic” professors who easily “draw [students] into the material because they are so excited to share their passion for the subject.” Though instructors are “at the top of their respective fields,” most are also “engaging and approachable.” A mechanical engineering major supports this sentiment sharing, “I play basketball on Friday mornings with my major adviser and will often bring my homework with me in order to talk to him about problems I’m stuck on afterward.” Ultimately, as this senior boasts, “At Stanford, anything is possible; I’ve lived on a schooner with faculty studying sharks, snorkeled on the Great Barrier Reef, hiked in the Australian rainforest, studied Antarctic phytoplankton with world-class scientists, and spent countless nights discussing philosophy, politics, film, and art until sunrise.”
Student Body
Stanford undergrads speak glowingly of their peers: “Everyone here is smart and has some story that will blow you out of the water if you ask, but are very humble and really just looking to have a good time.” They also steadfastly assert, “There really is no typical Stanford student.” And, thankfully, that “makes it easy to be an integrated and diverse student body.” That being said, most Stanford undergrads are “very driven, independently motivated and willing to seek out opportunities.” One senior elaborates by sharing, “Everyone fits in because we’re united by a fire that drives us all to be excited about what we do. The trends you’ll see will be along the lines of leadership and crazy intellect.” Ultimately, students at Stanford are “ridiculously friendly and you can meet new people all over campus at almost every type of event.”
Campus Life
Undergrads agree that “it’s pretty much impossible to be bored” at Stanford. Though students “work insanely hard during the week,” they “also make it a priority to have a great time.” And with so much to take advantage of, having fun is pretty easy. For example, the university sponsors “Cardinal Nights,” a nonalcoholic program that hosts a number of events including “trips to Great America, a local amusement park, The Great Gatsby movie pre-screening, and Stanford’s Got Talent. All of the events are either free or extremely cheap for students.” Undergrads also look forward to “special dinners...a common event in upper class housing.” These are “nice on-campus dinners that are catered by house chefs. The meals usually have themes, such as Saturday Night Live or Moulin Rouge.” Moreover, while there is certainly a drinking scene, it’s pretty laid back. A sophomore explains, “you can find as much or as little of a party culture here as you’re looking for. There’s always a frat party to attend on the weekends, and there’s always people to just hang out with at the dorm.” Finally, students love the fact that hometown Palo Alto leaves them in close proximity to San Francisco. “A trip to the city is a short trainride or car-ride away, so going to concerts and events in the city is always a fun option. Same goes for the nearby beaches.” However, “there’s always so much going on on-campus that sometimes it’s hard to leave!”
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