Thanks for answering my previous question. I have some more questions:
From Stanford’s AP credit chart, looks like Stanford doesn’t take credit for Micro Economics, Macro Economics, Government, Statistics for example. Those are the courses I am taking in my senior year. Could I not take College Board’s AP exams for those subjects? I did list those AP courses as the one I am taking on Common App.
For a humanity kid, what a typical summer looks like for Freshman or Sophomore? I guess it's harder to get internship compared with STEM kid?
Do you know anything about the Symbolic Systems major? Is it a super heavy course load with requirements, etc or not? To people enjoy it? Is it respected? And if someone ended up wanting to go into Law after it would that still be feasible?
It seems to have quite a few requirements but strikes me as being a smattering of several fields; I don’t know whether people enjoy it—I’m guessing yes, since it seems quite popular. Yes, it’s respected, and yes, you could definitely go into law after majoring in it.
Is there grade deflation specifically in CS courses (I've heard that)?
From what I’ve seen as a parent of a freshman, I’m not sure. The courses aren’t walks in the park—you’ll have to work pretty darn hard and you still may not get an A. Plus finding a partner who has a good work ethic (or at least the time to do his or her share) isn’t guaranteed.
Do you know anything about the Science, Technology, and Society major (STS)? I've heard that it's something that all the athletes take and it has really ruined its reputation? is that true?
Don’t know. My impression, though, is that this isn’t as respected as Symbolic Systems.
Are there dry parties (no drinking)?
Yes—in fact, there’s a whole organization (Cardinal Nights) that provides alcohol-free social events and outings throughout the year, often 2–3 per week.
I know quite a few Sym Sys majors. They usually say their course load is average (not heavier or lighter than most other majors). It’s usually seen as a bit less intense than CS. From what they’ve said, it’s pretty flexible on the requirements because you get to explore so many disciplines. Unlike CS majors, who are mostly restricted to CS/engineering courses for their major, Sym Sys majors can take different types of courses (CS, communication, linguistics…) and apply them to the major. Most Sym Sys majors really enjoy the flexibility and diversity of subjects. Law school afterwards is completely feasible and many law schools will take into account your major when considering your GPA. I have a pre-law CS friend (not quite Sym Sys) and he’ll be working at a tech company to save up for law school (or eventually decide not to go). It’s a nice way to have options.
Not that I know of (and I have taken multiple CS courses). There might be less inflation, but I wouldn’t say that there’s deflation.
I’d say that it’s still plenty respected, just not as much as Sym Sys or of course CS. Unlike at some other schools, many athletes here have more intensive (and diverse) majors. I’ve never considered STS the “athlete major” here.
There are tons of dry events (see above poster). Cardinal Nights is awesome - they plan dry alternatives on weekends that are usually pretty great and very subsidized. This weekend they’re getting heavily subsidized tickets and transport to Wicked in SF. Previous weeks they’ve had $5 movie premier + transport deals, laser tag, crafts, bowling, etc. Transport is virtually always included. Almost every week they have a least a few events. These events are popular and not at all stigmatized for being dry. Students who do drink often will go (on a sober night) to Cardinal Nights events.
Many all campus parties won’t serve alcohol at the party itself. However, most people going to the party will have been drinking before. Smaller parties (e.g. thrown by someone in a dorm) usually will have alcohol there as well as “EANABS” (equally attractive non-alcoholic beverages). Dorm staff (RAs) will usually make sure that in-dorm parties have non-alcoholic options. Every year there have been some kids in my dorm who don’t drink and, at least that I’ve seen, they’re not at all pressured into it. There is also a “substance free” dorm that you can choose to live in after freshman year.
As long as you didn’t promise any college that you’d take the AP exam or are aiming for some award from getting a bunch of 5s or something like that then I wouldn’t worry about taking the exams. I chose not to take my AP exams for courses Stanford wouldn’t count. It was totally fine. Make sure your high school doesn’t require it or something strange like that (since I have heard that some high schools do).
I definitely think it’s easier for STEM kids to get internships (we are in Silicon Valley after all, and the tech companies recruit heavily at Stanford) but it isn’t particularly hard to get an internship for humanities kids depending on your interests or area of study.
It’s not uncommon to do research for psych/sociology/polisci and probably some other areas as well. There are a number of initiatives promoting research for younger students now as well. There are tons of departments and programs at Stanford that students can work for during the summer (e.g. intern at the business school, the law school, etc.). There are a number of teaching/tutoring slots for programs in the summer on campus. For these programs you can often RA on top of teaching to get free housing and pay. Other humanities majors may work for companies as an intern. Really there’s a ton of variety and a lot of it depends on what you’re interested in studying.
I should also add that Stanford has grants/fellowships/funding for many public service options you might want to pursue in the summer. There’s also a Sophomore only grant where you can propose a subject that’s humanities-oriented and get funding: https://undergrad.stanford.edu/advising/student-guides/sophomores-only-chappell-lougee-scholarship. I’ve heard of some really exciting projects students have taken on, usually in a specialized field of interest.
Is it difficult to join clubs as an absolute beginner at Stanford? I’m slightly worried that since all of the students are so amazing, all of the clubs are implicitly for students who are already really good at said activities.
@hellobeautii It can be an adjustment for many students, but some will fare better with this than others. Stanford offers plenty of support in this regard, including 1-unit Wellness courses on things like resilience/bouncing back.
My impression is that what helps students adjust to college life the most (not just at Stanford, but anywhere) is developing close friendships, finding academic pursuits and extracurricular activities that are engaging, and biding one’s time. It’s a big adjustment, but most students feel more comfortable by the end of the first year, if not before.
It depends on the club, but not usually! Clubs sports are the main type of club I can think of that you usually can’t join as a beginner (they’re usually people who played varsity in high school but weren’t quite good enough to be recruited for college-level). Within club sports though some areas do let you join as a beginner (ultimate frisbee, archery, etc.). Larger music groups (orchestra, jazz ensemble, wind symphony) also require prior experience since you need to audition to get into them. Dance groups usually have an audition type period where they work with you and teach you a bit and then if you’re good enough they’ll let you in. A cappella groups have auditions although some people do join who haven’t sang in groups before.
Most student groups do let you join as a beginner - they usually want to have people excited about whatever their activity is (student government, publications, service clubs, solar car, marching band, etc.). You definitely don’t have to be exceptional and experienced in a certain area to join most of the clubs.
It’s definitely a bit strange at first if you’re used to being the one in high school with the most achievements/extra curricular activities and best grades. I think the best way to go about it is to not compare yourself to other students here. Everyone is exceptional in some way.
I like the “big pond” much more than the small pond. It’s nice being challenged in classes and having other students engaged and passionate about their areas of interest. Within the first quarter I felt like I had adapted to being a “little fish” here.
I think the two big areas are social life (feeling like you have friends/community) and academics.
Join a student group or two (especially at the beginning of the year). Student groups recruit freshmen heavily and it’s one of the easiest ways to get to know people outside of your dorm who share some interests with you.
Participate in dorm life. Your dorm staff will plan and put on a bunch of events freshman year and being involved in those will help you feel like part of the dorm community.
Don’t expect to get all As. This is probably one of the main lessons for a lot of freshmen here. Most people will not graduate with that stellar GPA they had in high school. And it’s totally fine.
Ask for help when you need it. In hard classes you might feel like you’re the only one struggling with material. You won’t be the only one. Office hours are there to help so don’t be shy about going and asking questions or forming study groups in your dorm.
@Cornball I should also add that if you are into sports and do want to learn a new one we have intramural teams (which is basically where dorms play against other dorms) and you can join those without any experience needed. They’re a little more low-key and a lot of fun.
There’s not really a divide in the way that most other schools have it. From what I’ve heard, at some schools you’d never see athletes hanging with non-athletes. Here athletes are usually friends with non-athletes as well as other athletes.
Of course teams do hangout together as well. Many teams will have at least one meal a week where they all sit at a massive table for dinner together and football players get their own special breakfast no one else can go to. They sometimes have parties or social events with just the team. I’m sure teams do other things together as well. But in general there’s no clear division between athletes and non-athletes (besides the swank backpacks and swag that athletes get). Most athletes here aren’t obnoxious about it. You can be in class with an olympian and they’ll still treat you like the two of you deserve the same level of respect. I’m not an athlete here but some of my close friends are.
If you just mean athletic in general (not an actual recruited athlete) then there’s even less of a division I’d say. Even when it comes to IM sports (recreational dorm vs dorm competitions) anyone, no matter how inexperienced or un-athletic, is encouraged to play or cheer on from the sides. I’ve never witnessed anyone being picked on because of their weight or out-of-shape body. It’s a pretty inclusive place.
