OFFICIAL Class of 2015 "Ask a Student Anything" Thread

Colleges and Universities A-Z Stanford University
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<p>Alondra is my old home! And I wasn’t in SLE either - not just that, but I probably would have died in SLE (the classics are not for me). Okay, I had THE GREATEST DORM EVER so I could talk about Alondra all day.</p>

<p>First let me say that when I got put in Alondra last year, I was ****ED. I was seriously considering getting a doctor’s note to get moved out of there. I really wanted to live in an all-freshmen dorm that wasn’t far away from all the other freshmen. I wasn’t interested in continental breakfast or a dining hall that closed. I really didn’t want to be one of few IHUM kids in a SLE dorm, etc. etc. It also hasn’t been renovated in a really long time. But I took as much of others’ advice as possible, and tried to just enjoy it.</p>

<p>I ended up loving it. Your dorm is all about the people who live in it, not the place where you live. Alondra is famous for having an extremely tight group of students, but it’s had off years just like any other dorm. And, there are always people who don’t end up being a part of the community - well, just try not to be that person. The RFs are really great, and as a result, you are all but guaranteed to get a great staff. We had so much fun this year. We even had a few great spats. I can’t speak for your year, but Alondra this year was really active - any campus event I went to was full of students from Alondra, and our dorm trips were always a blast. Plus, FloMo has really good food and continental breakfast will save you quite a few calories per day. We’re actually pretty well-located, all of the classes are downhill from Alondra and we’re right next to the most popular Marguerite stop. The rooms are bigger than the rooms in Stern or Wilbur, and we have full-sized, built in closets. We also have wall-to-wall portrait windows. Mine faced the street, and in addition to having a great view, my roommate and I were always cracking up over the things people were saying outside.</p>

<p>In short, don’t write off Alondra yet, if you’re concerned. Your dorm is about the people who live there, so it could be hit or miss - but if it’s hit, Alondra is the best place to be.</p>

<p>Oh yeah, and as for not being in SLE, it doesn’t really matter. I liked being in the SLE dorm because people were often talking about SLE stuff, which is actually interesting if you don’t have to read it. Also there are infinite SLE jokes. SLE unites people, and you’ll get to be a part of that - that’s a priceless freshman experience. The dorm was always fun during SLE papers and SLE finals - at least it was this year, since they didn’t take themselves TOO seriously and had a good time of it all. The only thing about SLE is that they invade the common spaces during section, so you can’t really use them - but half your dorm is in SLE, so it’s not like you’ll have that many people to use the common spaces with anyway. And they get a dinner break from 5-6, so dinner is madness, but it’s SO GREAT to have everyone in the dining hall at the same time. Also, EastFlo lounge spaces got a renovation last year, so we have smartboards, whiteboards, movable furniture, new carpet, etc. The conference room is great for doing technical homework, and the smartboards make great game screens.</p>

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<p>^ I actually know who applicannot is in real life, and…I have to say…Alondra this year was a mess (yep, one of those off-years…)</p>

<p>But yeah dude, just be open to everyone. you don’t wanna be that guy who starts a clique. nobody likes those people, ya know…</p>

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<p>To the guy asking about Serra.

  1. oh nooo. :frowning:
  2. Stern has the worst dining EVER. I am NOT making this up…ask any student.
  3. Stern is also all-frosh. That’s a lot of freshmen. Lots of freshmen in one place -> lots of parties in one place…
  4. What’s your son/daughter like? If he/she has frat/sorority potential, then all-frosh dorms are great. + for being a bro (although nobody likes the h0es).</p>

<p>Um…besides that. Meh. It could be worst.</p>

<p>/former SLE</p>

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<p>Wait, awkward, do I know you?</p>

<p>Also, I thought Alondra was great. But it all depends what you’re looking for. You win some, you lose some.</p>

<p>Stern definitely has the worst food, and I’m easy to please.</p>

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<p>Almost everyone I know who was in Alondra (from several class years) is rabidly in love with Alondra. And every year is an “off” year for Alondra, since every year is a **it-show. One year there was a staff member who was obsessed with one of her residents and had to leave early. Another year there were some serious alcoholics as residents who were nearly expelled. Another year Alondra became known for reefer madness. The reality is that every freshman dorm is “off,” even those that seem like nothing but happiness. Like Larkin (another dorm with rabid alums). Freshmen are wild, period.</p>

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<p>I definitely thought the **itshow parts were the best parts. I wonder what Alondra was known for this year? Although we did have our share of infamous residents.</p>

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<p>Me again! Can one of you guys please let me know how this schedule looks?</p>

<p>IHUM
Chem 31A
IntroSem
Athletic course/fun 1 unit course or 2 athletic classes
Total :12-13 units
(+possibly a math course, either math 19 or math 41 for a total of something closer to 17 units)</p>

<p>This would perhaps leave me time to do Econ 1A winter quarter, but I also have my PWR winter quarter and would have to continue chem (So then winter would be PWR, IHUM, Econ 1A, Chem 31B= 17 units). I’m worried about a really stressful winter quarter schedule!</p>

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<p>Dungaredoll:

  1. Introsems are more focused and generally less work than IHUM/PWR. Some are more legitimate than others.<br>
  2. It makes sense to have a decent idea of what the courses are going to be. You can already pencil in IHUM, some have PWR in there, and others are all but required to start on things like math, chem, physics, econ, etc.<br>
  3. If it’s painful for your son, he should probably get them out sooner right? I would not recommend getting them out while he’s at school. Right now would be a great time, but also thanksgiving and winter break would be all right too.<br>
  4. As mentioned earlier, Eric Roberts is really great. I haven’t taken any classes from him, but I’ve read stuff he’s said at senate meetings and, for a CS professor, he has a very strong general-intellectual background. Frenchsilk was mentioning the petition process. I’m not positive if you can petition your actual IHUM selection (I think you can), but you can petition the section you were assigned into. Regardless, you have to still take IHUM.</p>
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<p>@appicannot,</p>

<p>the carpet burning, the cliques o_o.</p>

<p>ANYWAYSSS, back on topic.</p>

<p>FrenchSilk. 12-13 is too easy, even for the fall quarter. i did 16, and i feel like i shoulda done more…</p>

<p>do add a math class.</p>

<p>also, my obligatory condolence for you not doing SLE. those IHUM kids are miserable… :(</p>

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<p>Stillwater:</p>

<p>Pushpins are great. I use them, but I use nails more. Last year I even put 1/4 inch screws in the wall to hold up a shelf. But then again I did spend an hour or so covering them over with tissues/toothpaste. </p>

<p>For posters, I recommend really clear scotch tape. Even though it sometime shows, it looks a lot more professional than putting tape or putty behind the poster (it also holds really well that way too).</p>

<p>Decals I’m not sure about. Painting is not a great idea, although the fine is a (potentially manageable) couple hundred dollars if I recall. Probably cheaper just to buy a canvas. </p>

<p>Yes, the bookstore sells a ten dollar 5x1 mirror that you screw into a door. It’s pretty easy to put up. Dry erase boards are also common, although I’ve noticed that removing the ones attached with adhesive often removes paint from the door, so be careful. </p>

<p>Risers? You can loft your bed to any height if you go to housing and get the lofting materials (your RA or someone else will know where to get these). You can go wild with this one. You can put your bed low, but put another frame above yours to create a canopy. You can put your bed high and slide a couch or desk underneath. And so forth…</p>

<p>For locks, the desks have a hole in them, so in essence you are locking the laptop to your desk. Many people have locks. It’s something that’s good to start out with and then maybe stop using if you deem your room safe enough. Laptop and bike thefts are the most common things stolen at Stanford.</p>

390

<p>What is Soto like in Wilbur?</p>

391

<p>frenchsilk:</p>

<p>That winter quarter schedule will most likely be fine. Winter quarter is when students take the most classes, so it’s not much of a party-adventure quarter. And it will rain outside a fair amount. So unless you’re a winter-quarter athlete or a frequent skier or something, you won’t be much busier than your peers. </p>

<p>For autumn quarter, your courseload is on the lighter side. You could add math in there. When thinking of classes, try not to think in terms of units. I’ve had 20 unit quarters that were pretty light. I’ve had 17 unit quarters that were pretty intense. Instead I’ve used Courserank to (fairly accurately so far) judge how difficult and enjoyable my quarter will be. The more enjoyable it will be, the more you can get away with increased difficulty.</p>

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<p>Thanks for the input! I revised schedule to this…
MATH 41
CHEM 31A
IHUM
Introsem
Fun Class
Total: 17 units, 20 hours a week</p>

<p>But now for winter quarter…
Chem 31B
IHUM
Econ 1A
Math 42
PWR
Total: 22 units, 17 hours a week?? Isn’t the maximum 20? Would I have to petition?</p>

<p>And Code H, I considered SLE for a little bit but I hate the Classics and the classes didn’t look interesting so I ended up going down the good ol’ BHUM route!</p>

393

<p>You should really aim to take a light first quarter. This was the advice I was given but didn’t take it and I regretted it. It’s also much better to take a light load and wish you took more than to take too much and wish you took less, which would lead to your spending little time doing fun things and might also lead to your withdrawing from a class (which leaves an ugly “W” on your transcript that wouldn’t be a good start to your undergraduate career). Believe me, adjusting can be hard, and taking on 5 classes would be killer. In general students don’t take 5 real classes (they’ll take 3-4 and maybe an activity course). Also, I hope that by “20 hours a week,” you’re talking about class/section time only. Including homework and studying would add at least 20 more hours, likely more.</p>

<p>Your winter quarter is also too heavy - again, rarely do students take 5 academic classes. If they do, one of them is a music class or something that won’t require significant effort (if you’re good at an instrument already). 20 units is the maximum. You can petition to take up to 21, never 22, and IIRC you can only do it once, unless it’s an activity course that puts you at 21 units, in which case it will always be approved. (You want to save the 21-unit petition for senior year, in case you need to take certain classes, etc. to graduate on time.)</p>

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<p>Despite phantas advice, I’d say you look fine for autumn quarter (assuming I interpret your “fun class” correctly as a 1-2 unit class). It will depend a lot on your introsem, but if it is something that doesn’t require much work than that leaves you at virtually three classes, which is totally fine fall quarter freshman year. That seems like a good starting point, if it’s too easy than that’s good, and if it’s too difficult than you can drop one of the classes or change your introsem grading to pass/fail. </p>

<p>Winter quarter looks a bit rough. Anyways by the time you enroll for winter classes you will be a ways through fall quarter, so you should have a decent idea by then what you can and can’t handle. </p>

<p>20 hours of work outside class per week seems about right for the autumn quarter, but your winter quarter is looking like 25 or so. And remember that’s the average so some weeks would probably be nearing 35. Yeah there would probably be a couple two week stretches where (in the two weeks) you’d have two papers, three midterms, three problem sets, and some IHUM reading. Taking away that third midterm and pset really works wonders. </p>

<p>Also I hear 31X is easier than 31A and B. Quicker pace = less in depth, from what I’ve heard.</p>

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<p>Senior0991 and others,
Thank you for your time and more specific advice about walls, mirrors, beds and locks. It’s a tremendous help (in addition to official mailings) in planning what to bring/buy. I’m a parent who has been a little worried about flying in from Montana with D and not having enough opportunity that move-in Tuesday to get some of the shopping done. This helps- to get the basics and then to know she can do the rest.</p>

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<p>@FrenchSilkPie: For your winter quarter, I recommend petitioning to move your PWR to Spring. Then, your schedule would be a bit more manageable, and you would be under the 20 credit limit. I would also recommend NOT taking 31A/B. 31A/B might be some of the worst classes offered at Stanford. 31X is not much better, but at least you are done in one quarter. And a lot of people in 31X have no idea what 31A/B people are doing by the end of the quarter.</p>

397

<p>I have the same problem as FrenchSilkPie – Could I receive some feedback on a potential schedule? I’m planning on IHUM, MATH 51, CHEM 31X, and an Introsem (16 units). Does this seem like too much? I also have a few questions about the classes:</p>

<p>1) I took AP Calc BC during junior year and scored a 5 on BC and AB, but I don’t know if going straight into MATH 51 would be a good idea/doable since I haven’t done any calculus in over a year. Should I just review/refresh the material by taking MATH 42 instead?</p>

<p>2) The only chemistry class I have taken was regular honors chemistry (again, during junior year) so I will have to take the chem placement exam. Does anyone know what is specifically tested on the exam? (I’ve heard a lot that it’s basically “PV=nRT” but there has to be more material covered…?)</p>

<p>3) Also, I received a 5 on the AP Physics B exam and I want to take physics again for the biology track. I was thinking of taking PHYSICS 41 in the winter – does this seem like a reasonable class to take given my background in math/physics? </p>

<p>Thank you for your time!</p>

398

<p>My S isn’t sure what he wants to major in. He is contemplating physics, econ or material science engineering. As of now he is thinking of physics with and econ minor or vice versa. Because he isn’t sure about his major it makes choose classes. I want him to becareful during the first quarter and not over load so we were thinking of the following classes:</p>

<p>Math 51
Econ 1A
Physics 59 (He only took honors Physics senior year)
IHum
Gym class </p>

<p>That totals 16 units (Of course, 2 of them are Physics 59 and gym)</p>

<p>We thought that was a manageable load for a first quarter. In addition, they were classes that would work with all the curriculums.</p>

<p>Any thoughts?</p>

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<p>neyougounslia:</p>

<p>Your schedule seems fine. If you feel overwhelmed, you can always change the grading basis of the introsem to pass/fail or even drop it entirely.</p>

<ol>
<li><p>Math 51 is linear algebra, not calculus, so you would be adequately prepared for that (it’s tough though, regardless). I think as long as you remember the fundamental areas of calculus, you should be fine for the 52 and 53 as well. </p></li>
<li><p>Sorry can’t help you here. </p></li>
<li><p>So I was looking at the chart and your 5 on Physics B places you in Physics 25. In other words, you get credit for 21 and 23. There doesn’t seem to be much of an equivalent for physics 25 in the 40 series, although 45 is probably the one most similar. If you have an option of 41, 43, and 45 for biology, I’d take 45 followed by 41. 45 will be the most relevant in my opinion, and it’s probably a lot of stuff you haven’t covered much in depth before. I would not hesitate to take 41 or 45 given your background. 43 is tough from what I’ve heard, and it probably involves the most calculus.</p></li>
</ol>

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<p>Dungareedoll:</p>

<p>That looks like a pretty good schedule for autumn quarter. I like the idea of having physics 59 in there- it will give your son an idea of what it will be like to pursue the physics major. Math 51 is one of the safest classes for those who aren’t sure of a major.</p>

<p>Edit: If there is an equivalent of physics 59 for materials science, that may be worth looking into.</p>