<p>Post your questions about life at Stanford here!</p>
<p>About average workload:</p>
<p>pacers asked:
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What is your average daily/weekly schedule? How much home work do you have?
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marlgirl answered:
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The average daily/weekly schedule varies a LOT between students. It depends if you're an athlete, how many classes you take, if you have a job, how into your ECs you are, etc. The average student studies/goes to class for a total of about 40 hours/week which isn't too bad. I feel like I probably did more than that freshman year, but provided you don't take 20 units/quarter where part of that is 60 series physics you should be fine.
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ajimmykid answered:
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This is just me, and it really depends on what classes you take. I took 20 units (the max). My classes were Chinese 1; IHUM: Journeys (which I highly recommend); an Introductory Seminar: Experimental Instruments; and Math 51H (which is Linear Alg + Differential Multivariable Calc, all in proofs). It's hard to talk about an avg day because usually certain days of the week are crazy, like my tues and thurs when I had all four of my classes meet. so I'll just talk about a day like Choose Your Own Adventure.
I woke up in the morning about 8 (most people aren't up by then, it depends on classes). went to breakfast where hardly anybody is there, went to Chinese by 9 (lectures are 50min, sections vary. IHUM section is 90min). after that, i took a nap in Green library or did some small work or something for an hour, went to IHUM lecture or my seminar, went to lunch, worked or napped until math at 2:15pm, then either went back to my dorm or went to IHUM section. So I was done with classes by either 3:05 or 4:45pm. after that, I either had archery or nothing... in any random week i would have like 6 possible band rallies/events to go to, but I would probably end up going to 1 or 2. Archery is twice a week, until the sun goes down. so like 4-6ish. (now 4-5ish). Note: you get very sleepy around 2:30... just naturally, so don't schedule a crazy class like 51H at that time. anyways. People usually eat dinner around 5:30-6:30pm, and then go back to the dorm to procrastinate some more. Nightly activities varied and so do bedtimes.</p>
<p>in terms of work... I seem to have managed in retrospect without sacrificing much socializing and other activities such as Band and archery. I always justify non-productivity by knowing this fun/relaxation will help me get through the math problem set. My math problem set took ~16hrs/wk. but that's 51H. it's as scary as it sounds, but try it out if you think you can do it. many of you can. I got lucky with my IHUM. Journeys was light reading (only short stories and the like) and we just had to write three 4-5 page papers. No midterm, no final, unlike some other IHUMs. Experimental Instruments just required some time and dedication to build our instruments. Chinese 1 took up much of my time just memorizing character and practicing. But in general, after classes/dinner/archery, I just laid out what I wanted to accomplish and did as much as I could, usually taking breaks to juggle or talk with my quadmates or hallmates. its very important to socialize and relax, I think. At times I knew I should be studying, but conversation seemed much more fun. things get done either way. most people at stanford are good with time management. So yea, for most people working on stuff from 6pm - bedtime is the norm (of course with breaks ranging from 10-60min). Everyone here has a lot of work. its unavoidable, but it gets done. everyone appears calm, but everyone's in the same boat. just relax, you'll get through it all. I usually go to bed around 1 or 2am.
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<p>Jobs for students:</p>
<p>pacers asked:
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What are the student jobs at stanford like? how much do they pay? are the jobs interesting? Do they get in the way of school work?
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marlgirl answered:
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The jobs vary a lot.... students to everything from working in libraries, the bookstore, the alumni center, tutoring students on campus, helping with computer tech stuff, driving students around on golf carts at night, etc. to super awesome jobs like working as a tour guide. I think most jobs pay somewhere around $10-12/hour. How interesting the job is depends on what job you choose. I only work 5-6 hours/week and it certainly doesn't get in the way of school work. If you work 20 hours/week or if you're crazy enough to have a full time job at the same time (I actually have a friend like that) then it might start to become a bit more difficult, especially if you have other activities too.</p>
<p>If you're interested in making money quickly, you could also tutor high school students. You can pretty easily ask for $30/hour, especially for calculus, advanced science, SAT prep, etc.
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calikent answered:
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you can also sign up to take surveys for the psychology department or business school. you only sign up when you're free, and only for the ones you want to take, then you get paid anywhere from $5-$10 for taking a half hour survey. I've found it very convenient and a nice way to make a little extra cash.
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<p>About parties, drinking, and other craziness:</p>
<p>skatearabia asked:
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How's the party scene? I'm coming from a place with no enforced drinking age, and would be sorely disappointed to find a relatively dry campus...hah, I assume this isn't the case (it is college after all), but I'd appreciate it if somebody could elaborate. Is it mostly big, iconic, crazy frat parties...smaller, intimate "gatherings"...22 hour acid trips...or some combination? Also (you can PM me if you'd prefer not to post about this) how's the drug scene? It's California so I assume most everything is available, but how are prices (for the, er, more natural substances, if you catch my drift...and also the hallucinogens...trying to be coy here) on or around campus?
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calikent answered:
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as far as drugs and drinking, it's totally cool which ever way you prefer. my dorm has tons of partying on the weekend - alcohol and pot are the main substances - but i don't choose to use either of those, and i'm still totally accepted. people will offer you a drink, but if you say no they don't care at all. numerous times my friends have asked me to drink with them, and when i say no, they still insist i join the party. you will have company either way.</p>
<p>i would say about half my friends drink, maybe less, and the ones that do drink don't get drunk every weekend, although there are people that do. while the parties can be fun, the best times i've had have been playing games, watching movies, going out, or staying up all night talking with my friends. don't worry about being accepted if you choose to remain substance-free. then again, don't let this post scare off anyone who wants to drink/smoke/whatever: you will find plenty of company, too.
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ajimmykid answered:
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ditto with what calikent said about drinking. i don't drink/smoke/shoot, and i'd say 14 of the 16 frosh in my hallway don't either. We're not boring, we just don't need to drink to have fun. You'll find company whichever way you are. I'd say MOST of my friends don't drink.
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celestial605 answered:
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I'm surprised to hear what calikent said about his/her dorm. I will guess that you are in an all-frosh dorm. My all-frosh dorm was pretty crazy... I didn't hang out with them a lot, so I don't know about drugs, but I do know there was frequent drinking. There was also non-drinking craziness, such as watergun fights in the hallways at 3am. I am in a 4-class dorm this year, and I love it =] There is definitely drinking, but I have yet to encounter substance abuse. The partying is tamer this year than in the all-frosh dorm. The people are very tightly-knit and not too clique-y; even the upperclassmen hang out with the freshmen =] People will say that 4-class dorms are less social and crazy than all-frosh dorms; I agree with less crazy, but not with less social.</p>
<p>I'll chime in and agree that I've never felt pressured to drink. I've also never had trouble finding people to hang out with w/o drinking. I have always found people to be welcoming.
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frankthetank314159 answered:
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Stanford really doesn't do anything to restrict drinking. They did threaten to kick people out of the dorm for starting parties with lots of alcohol (i.e. keg), which is basically a 1-year suspension. But that's because it's an all-freshman dorm, and it came in the wake of some damage to the resident fellow's property. I would say that 30-40% of people either abstain from alcohol or drink sparingly, and maybe 30% get drunk regularly. There are big frat parties, and I'm not sure about the rest. I personally don't party much.
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calikent answered:
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I'm in Casa Zapata (4-class dorm, and Chicana/Chicano themed - even tho I'm white - it's awesome, but that's a different topic), and I may just think it's crazy because I live across the hall from the biggest partier in our dorm. most of the week it's not too loud, but on friday or saturday night it can get somewhat crazy, although it's not as crazy as some dorms.
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marlgirl answered:
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The drinking age isn't really enforced on Stanford campus provided that you're safe. Even if you are pretty drunk if you have friends with you it's usually ok. If you are totally wasted and alone, then you are in much greater danger of having the police approach you. There are definitely people who drink a lot on the weekend, but also plenty who don't. There is a very, very small drug scene. Mostly just pot, but probably some other stuff too. There's at least one dorm I can think of that has a reputation for having a drug scene (maybe it's the only one?) so it exists... but it's pretty small. Out of a dorm of 80 people last year there were maybe 30 or so who drank reasonably often, about 3 who did pot, and maybe 1 (if that) who did other drugs.
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<p>Wow.. props for the nice looking bold/quote formatting =D</p>
<p>bump......</p>
<p>I have a question...I've been hearing a lot about the "duck effect" and "closet studying" at Stanford. Is it very serious? I mean, do people actually lie about how much they study, as in "Oh I'm so smart I didn't study at all and get straight As" but actually practice closet studying, or do people only generally don't talk about how much they study?</p>
<p>Sorry if this question is silly, and thanks for any response. :)</p>
<p>I absolutely do not know of people who are ashamed of studying and do it in hiding. I suppose that if they were really good at hiding, then I wouldn't know about it...</p>
<p>It's true that there's a generally happy and relaxed attitude, but people do complain about having a lot of work (I hear complaints at every meal... we vent to each other which is nice). There are also lots of study groups or people who will turn down a party because they have to work. I don't mean to imply that people are working ALL THE TIME, but I hope to show you that there is no "closet studying" attitude as far as I have seen in my 3 years here. If anything, I think people are very supportive of each other.</p>
<p>Thanks, celestial! That's wonderful to know! :)</p>
<p>I guess I was misinformed...:p</p>
<p>Most of the time, people don't BS you about their classes or the studying/work they do. If they do, then they're dumb/weird and haven't realized that there's no point, if anything it negatively affects them.</p>
<p>Ok, two questions! Hopefully someone will be answer them...</p>
<p>Question 1: I REALLY want to be a part of Dil Se, which is the Hindi Film Dance team on campus. I heard it's a tough audition, so are there any recommendations on preparation from anyone who knows about the team? I've been wanting to be on a college Bollywood dance team forever (no joke)!</p>
<p>Question 2: I also really want to continue my Indian singing (I do all types). There's an Indian a cappella team, but it's only for guys (Raagapella). They're great, but I was wondering if they don't have any girls because no girls ever tried (Indian singing isn't very common amongst girls my age...) or because they just don't? I don't know much about a cappella singing and if it's always all-male, but singing is my absolute passion. I don't want to seem too in-the-face, so I haven't contacted anyone myself...but if anyone here has any info, it'll be greatly appreciated!!! Otherwise, I can always try performing casually solo... :( But I also love competition, hence my interest in both teams...</p>
<p>Anyways, thanks for actually reading, and I really hope someone has info/recommendations for both! :D</p>
<p>I was looking at Raagapella as well and I love it!</p>
<p>Looks like the Indian community at Stanford is way more active than at other top schools/Ivies.</p>
<p>wow this sounds awesome! thanks for this
how many dorm buildings are there and which ones are good? and do we get to pick which one we live in? heh...thanks in advance</p>
<p>i have no idea how many dorms there are but there are a decent amount. For freshman there is:
Branner
Wilbur
FloMo
Lagunita
Roble
FroSoCo
Ethnic theme dorms (Uj...)</p>
<p>In terms of nicest rooms they rank:
Branner
Wilbur
FloMo/Roble not sure kinda subjective because Roble is Quads for freshman
Lagunita (Including Ujamaa)
?FrosoCo never been to a freshman room there (it's far removed)</p>
<p>However here's the catch: You can't decide which dorm you want! Other than a few special cases (Sle all go to FloMo, You can choose ethnic themed dorms and FrosoCo) you only choose between:
single sex all frosh
single sex four class
Co-ed all frosh
Co-ed four class</p>
<p>I think the only four class single sex is Lagunita which has tinyyyy rooms (but they do have sinks). I'm not sure about the others. Good Luck!</p>
<p>ive been on the admit student website and there seems to be two types of students..those that love Branner and those that cant stand it..Can someone clue me into y this is?</p>
<p>So would it be a smart choice to ask for coed, all freshman dorm? Erg, I don't think I would want the FroSoCo then...agh. So would it be wiser to ask for coed and all grades dorm? thanks in advance</p>
<p>In FroSoCo's defense it does offer you a unique privilege. Usually as a student you get 2 years preferred housing and one year unpreferred (freshman year doesn't count). If you go to FroSoCo you live there for two years (hence its name Freshman Sophmore College) and then get 2 years preferred. The rooms for sophmore are two room doubles which is of course a pretty good offer but the drawback of it all is that FroSoCo is pretty far away...</p>
<p>I don't think anyone honestly dislikes branner... it's just kind of a running joke that "branner sucks" there's really no reason why we rag on it so much ... we just do. It is the biggest all frosh dorm.</p>
<p>I don't think there are any single-sex dorms, there are single-sex FLOORS, but not dorms.
Four Class dorms are nice if you like peace and quiet, and you will probably have more experienced people to go to for advice. All-frosh dorms are alot more spirited and social.</p>
<p>hmmm the choices...I'm not much of a partier, but I would want to be a bit more social as in I would want to make alot of friends from my grade</p>
<p>^I'm the same way. I haven't been a big partier in high school, but I can't wait for some Stanford parties (with the exception of drinking, which I won't do until I'm at least 21). I'm aiming for a FloMo 4-class dorm, since I'm SLE. I tend to have great relationships with upperclassmen, so I'm looking forward to the 4-class dormlife. :)</p>