<p>Our D is a freshman and I will answer what I can for you based on what she has told us:</p>
<p>Would you make a different choice: No!!!
D had 13 schools to choose from including UC Berkeley and Carnegie Mellon. Wouldn’t change a thing.</p>
<p>Where would you rather have gone and why? I think the only other place on the planet that she would even consider is MIT. She applied and didn’t get in. When we visited, she felt like it was “the one”. Now I’m not so sure she thinks that anymore. There is always grad school.</p>
<p>Why Stanford? It was the best school that she was accepted to. Berkeley has housing issues and the UCs are struggling and it’s huge. Carnegie Mellon would have done well but their financial aid sucked. and it has snow. On paper, it seemed that Stanford would be the best choice. We live in California so we got in the car and went to see it after the shock of the acceptance wore off. We spent the day on campus exploring and she just knew she could be happy there. The Admitted Student Weekend sealed the deal.</p>
<p>Classes? D took 3 classes for her first quarter. Liked her classes and did well. She likes the fact that she can take what she wants. Doesn’t feel boxed in by requirements. There are plenty of options. Lots of information and resources through her Resident Academic Director and her Pre-Major Adviser.</p>
<p>Dorms? D is an all Freshman dorm on a co-ed floor- just like she wanted. Doesn’t even mind the co-ed bathroom. Loves the dorm!! Sleeps better at school than she does at our house and it certainly isn’t dull. Considers school home. Her room is plenty big and trust me, she did not pack light. Roommate situation is awesome. She was well- matched with a roommate. They are not friends, meaning they don’t hang out outside of their room. They are compatible in every way- even lending each other clothes. As D puts it, we have no drama. Issues are resolved before they become problems.</p>
<p>Food? Pretty good but not five star. Different dining halls are good at different things. Be sure to explore. Meal plans are flexible, based on how you live. Don’t feel stuck, it’s easy to change them.</p>
<p>Social life? It is what you make of it. Don’t expect people to come looking for you. You have to put yourself out there. She is having a great time and has figured out how hard she can play and still keep her academics at her high school levels. D likes to go to the parties and dance etc (I’m sure edited for parents)</p>
<p>Other students? D says there is every stereotype at Stanford. Not everyone will be what you think they should be and that’s a good thing. She has a large group of friends and is very happy. Her advice on friends is to keep your circle of friends expanding. You can always use more friends- more friends, more fun!</p>
<p>Palo Alto is a suburb. Nothing exciting but not unsafe-just dull. There are lots of things to do on campus but you have to be willing to try new things. </p>
<p>Biking is the most popular method of transportation but be careful. D has already been in one accident already and she is not a newbie on a bike. </p>
<p>She really doesn’t have any cons at this time. She tends to be a realist. If there is an issue, she figures it out. Example: One of her advisers accidentally had her drop a class instead of change to credit/no credit. He said he’d fix it and he did but it took a couple of days. She just followed up to be sure (like any of you would) and kept documentation. We didn’t even know until we picked her up for Xmas. </p>
<p>Stanford isn’t perfect but what place is? Her rating: on a scale of 1 to 10- it’s a 25.</p>
<p>Good luck.</p>