<p>Well, I'm currently typing in the Meyer Library as I speak. I've been on campus for over a week and completely love it... except the dull nightlife... but that could be attributed to the fact that it is summer right now...</p>
<p>anyway, my question is... what are some of the negatives about Stanford?</p>
<p>does the school feel BIG?</p>
<p>It's hard to get into. :-</p>
<p>I asked a Stanford student about a negative of the school, and she said: the bikes. They aren't heavily regulated, and during 'rush hour' there are just hundreds of bikes streaming across the campus, and you might have to wait like 5 minutes to cross the street, simply because there are so many bikes passing. And she said she's been run over by bikers more than once (their fault, not hers).</p>
<p>hahaha yeahh that I've heard... but I love the big campus feel.. especially with everyone on bikes and all.... and under such great weather.. maybe it'd different during the winter...</p>
<p>How about their econ, music, and Chinese studies departments in general? Anything negative about them?</p>
<p>can't blame 'em really... the biking scene here is pretty awesome</p>
<p>You got into Stanford august or just visiting? And yeah I agree, Stanford's campus is amazing.</p>
<p>Also, bike theft is pretty common. When I was just walking around the campus, I saw wheels (and just that, wheels) chained to bike stands. And for some bizarre reason, some kids decided to throw their bikes onto the bushes. Not hidden. No, right on top of the bushes. I don't know why, but maybe they thought it wouldn't attract much attention. (The student I'd talked to said that happens many times.) Of course, bike theft is gonna happen no matter what campus you're on.</p>
<p>Another negative, and this is just personal preference: Stanford is too suburban. I want urban. Yeah, yeah, Stanford's real near San Jose and San Francisco, but they're too far away. I want to be able to step off the campus and immediately be in an urban city. 'Course, not insanely urban like New York, but urban enough -- something like Berkeley. The foods in Berkeley? Jeebus, all the different cultural restaurants, not to mention the tons of things to do (museums, etc.) and shops to go to (books galore!). I didn't feel the same about Stanford. But that's just me.</p>
<p>I would say that the academic schedule is pretty annoying. The fall quarter starts so late and the spring quarter ends much later than other schools.</p>
<p>I also don't like how suburban it is. I'm from NY so it's gonna be hard getting used to how flat and spread out everything is. But it'll be interesting at least.</p>
<p>I'm not sure if this is still happening, but for a while Stanford was housing some freshman three to a room (in rooms originally designed for two students). It was pretty crowded and stressful.</p>
<p>haha siliconvalleymom... yes that is so true! The freshman dorms in Stanford... as I've heard ... lags behind haha</p>
<p>but I guess all these things are not serious negs... like crime rate or horrible weather or inadequate sanitation that can make the college experience unbearable.</p>
<p>x20Deepx... how late does the fall quarter start? how late does it end?</p>
<p>we incoming freshman don't even have ORIENTATION until sept 18...first day of classes is sept 24 and last exam day of fall quarter is dec. 14. last exam day of spring quarter is june 11.</p>
<p>just an opinion for the OP: there are few negatives at Stanford and not nearly enough to outweigh the tremendous positives....</p>
<p>They no longer have three freshman to a room made for two students. They do, however, have rooms for two freshman that were designed for one student. </p>
<p>A few negatives:
1) If you want a really urban area or if you want to live far from civilization, Stanford probably isn't the best fit. You can go to San Jose or San Francisco, but you probably won't go that often.
2) The visual and performing arts programs aren't <em>that</em> strong if that's what you want to pursue in the future. If you want a strong academic background and to dance, sing, etc. on the side, then Stanford might be the right place. Basically any other major will be very strong, with the obvious exception of majors that don't exist at Stanford.
3) The draw, the lottery system that determines where you live, is needlessly complicated.
4) People always seem to be busy. This may not seem like a big deal, but if you love being with people and go a whole quarter without seeing your close friends, you may soon realize that this really does matter.
5) The food is ok, but after a while you get sick of it. I was happy with the food through end of freshman year, but by mid spring quarter was ready for a change. The good news is that I am able to eat at other dining halls, the bad news is that that just doesn't happen in the end for whatever reason.
6) One of my friends had a bad experience with pre-med advising. Other people have told me that the professional advisers on campus are great.
7) The advising system as it exists now is pretty useless. All advisers are full-time faculty and most of them don't know much about issues relevant to freshman.
8) In the spring caterpillars take over campus. It's crazy.
9) Stanford isn't an incredibly intellectual environment. There are intellectual students, but the overall campus culture is more "laid back" as people call it.
10) Stanford also isn't that politically vocal. If you really want a campus where everyone is constantly talking about politics, this might not be the place for you. There are people who care a lot about social justice issues, those who are very well informed about politics, etc.
11) The Stanford "duck effect" is, in my opinion, one of the most serious problems. Sometimes it seems you are the only person who is struggling. Some students aren't that willing to be open and vulnerable, do admit they are struggling. This is certainly the case in physics!
12) Palo Alto isn't really a college town. Many of the shops and restaurants are pretty expensive. They are some places that are reasonably priced, but there are also a lot that are super expensive. (If you are smart about going to happy hours, you may actually find some really good deals at the more expensive places!)
13) The dorms are pretty plain. They have a lot more space than I expected them to. I have been really happy with my housing, but some people who visit think the dorm rooms are small and/or plain. They aren't new or luxurious, but I would rate the dorms as "very good."
14) The hours in the dining halls aren't always super convenient. Some dining halls are closed on the weekend, and others have hours that might not perfectly match your academic schedule. (You can request packed lunches if necessary, so Stanford does a pretty good job with this I must say)
15) The points you get in the meal plan that can be used in other places to eat on campus can't be used at all the cafes on campus. Worse yet, even though these points work as dollars, the "exchange rate" between them and meals is awful. You get about 3 points per meal if you choose less than 19 meals in the meal plan, even though meals cost much more than $3 if you purchase just one lunch or dinner.
16) Restrictions about parties, etc. are a bit obnoxious. Some students are really frustrated with this. </p>
<p>Also, just a thought, if you look up the platforms of people running for student representatives (student body presidents, class presidents, etc.) you may get a sense of common complaints. </p>
<p>I think that's it... I love Stanford, and overall I think it's a great school. There are little things that are annoying, but they are so much less important than all the things I love about Stanford.</p>
<p>wow! thanks!!!</p>