Real stanford student taking questions

Colleges and Universities A-Z Stanford University
21

<p>FroSoCo definitely does have a negative image among the more partying dorms, such as Branner. The anti-social stigma is highly exaggerated though. I'm sure you've heard enough about the negatives, but let me talk a bit about the positives:</p>

<ul>
<li>many special priviledges : BBQs, huge DVD library, etc.</li>
<li>quiet when you really need it to be : final exam time for example</li>
<li>TWO ROOM DOUBLES (basically two singles connected to each other): all sophomores and most freshman get this combination, which is splendid if you spend a decent amount of time with your significant other</li>
<li>second year you get to pick your own room AND roommate!!! and to make it even better, it counts as a "non-priority" year</li>
<li>getting to know Dean Bravman (a very important person on campus)</li>
<li>an above average dining hall</li>
<li>much closer to the stanford shopping center than east dorms</li>
<li>closer to science and engineering buildings (if that's your thing)</li>
<li>mostly freshman, so you almost get the all-frosh experience, but also a bunch of sophomores for advising</li>
<li>dorm tightness</li>
<li>quiet during the week, so you can get your assignments done, and on the weekends go to every frat party out there</li>
</ul>

<p>That said, if you are a VERY social person, I won't recommend FroSoCo. Unless you make the effort to get out to the more partying dorms</p>

22

<p>"Are there a lot of ambitions students who want to start something?"
Depends on who you hang out with. There are plenty of people like that here, though. For instance, I was talking to this quiet, unassuming guy that I'd known for a while and I found out he had a website that made him a few thousand dollars a month in advertisements. We're going to start the next big internet scam (not really, though). That's the cool thing here - people don't brag so they seem pretty normal, but once you get to know them better you find out they've done ridiculously cool things.</p>

<p>"What do Stanford students usually do for fun?"
It's really completely dependent on who you hang out with. I hang out with music dorks and occasionally go to San Francisco for shows on the weekends. Some people just party or drink/abuse substances. Others chill and play video games. You'll find pretty much whatever here.</p>

<p>"How is the party scene in Stanford?"
People love to complain about it, but I think it's pretty good. Naturally, it beats the hell out of high school. There's usually one or two really big, crowded frat parties on the weekends. However, all major parties have to shut down at 2. </p>

<p>"How is the mechanical engineering, chemical engineering department?"
We have one of the highest ranked engineering departments in the world. But on this note - when I was applying, I was always critical of people who thought finding colleges was about matching. I looked for the best colleges I could get into. Luckily, I feel that Stanford's a very good match. I think it makes a lot more sense to think of the US News rankings in blocks of 10 - 20 schools. Because the opportunities are there at any decent school - your education depends more on you.</p>

<p>"If so, is there any way to do a biophysics major there?"
See Lisa's (Marlgirl's) comment - "you don't have to major in every field that interests you." If you're interested in that, you could major in physics, biology, or even a random major, and then focus on biophysics in grad school.</p>

<p>"How is the dating/getting laid scene?"
Not too many people date, because not many people have the time. I think the Daily pretty much summed up Stanford's general attitude about it: "dating is like a 5 unit class" :-). Most people who date are in long-term, marriage-like relationships. But if you want to date, it shouldn't be too much of a problem. There are plenty of other people out there who do, too, and meeting/getting to know a lot of different people here is pretty easy. As for "getting laid" - I'm not really into the random hookup, but it seems pretty easy to do here, or at any college campus. So, I'd think if you wanted sex it wouldn't be too hard to find - but be careful out there.</p>

23

<p>Is there an application to get into FroSoCo? Is it difficult to get in?</p>

24

<p>There is an application, but I don't think it's too hard to get in.</p>

25

<p>How difficult and how common is it to double major (esp. in unrelated subjects--like economics and bioengr.)?</p>

<p>Can engineering students stay at FroSoCo?</p>

<p>And how prevalent is drinking outside of frat parties? Like, my impression of U of Penn is that the ppl there drink a whollle lot.
Thanks!</p>

26

<p>Anyone ever get hassled by the cops out there or are they generally a non-issue?</p>

27

<p>Double majoring in unrelated subjects happens, but it's probably not easy. I'd suggest you go through freshman year, take PWR and IHUM, maybe some of the base requirements for both majors, and find out your tolerance for work - I mean, even though you probably are very well prepared, Stanford's a different experience than high school. Once you know that, you'll still have room to decide without penalty. </p>

<p>I don't know why engineering student's couldn't stay in frosoco.</p>

<p>Drinking depends on who you're with. The guy across the hall from me has beer pong in his room every night, but the guy next to me usually has a large group of people in his room who never drink. Drinking is very easy to do here - I'm a freshman, and I could stumble in drunk to my RA's room and she'd just ask me if I'm having a good night - but it's not central to the campus culture like I've seen at some places.</p>

<p>As a matter of fact, although the campus seems very safe, I think I've only seen a cop on campus once. No one gets hasseled, and I've never heard of anyone getting MIPs (minor in possession [of alcohol]).</p>

28

<p>Getting into FroSoCo can range from 25% to about 75%. It depends on how many sophomores stay, and how many freshmen indicate it as number one choice.</p>

29

<p>Paulhomework, what are some of the negatives of FroSoCo? Do people majoring in certain fields tend to live in FroSoCo? About how many people live in FroSoCo?</p>

30

<p>hey this is a really random question, but it's been bugging me for a while... where do you get your haircut? like, what's the nearest place, and how much does it cost? the reason im asking this is cuz my hair grows back really really fast, and i usually need to get it cut about every 3 weeks, but i don't know if that's feasible without a car...</p>

31

<p>thanks unclefeezus. oh, and I love your question, juznam ;)</p>

32

<p>There is a haircut place on campus in Tressider. It has a reputation of being expensive and mediocre, so I haven't been there. It might be $20. </p>

<p>I suggest you go into Palo Alto, where you can get there by bike, walking or Marguerite.</p>

33

<p>I heard that Stanford is on a quarterly schedule. Do finals come really fast and there's little time to study? Is that a strain for a lot of people?</p>

34

<p>What am I a fake student?! What do you take me for?!!!</p>

35

<p>Hey Tor1017, are you talking to me? I have an honest question here.</p>

36

<p>thx zerphyr, and im glad you liked my question mlee (it was sincere btw :)</p>

37

<p>


</p>

<p>It's easy to get <em>lots</em> of places without a car, on Caltrain. I could easily think of a dozen places in downtown Palo Alto, or nearby places (Hillsdale mall about 20 minutes away by train, for example) that would give you options in a variety of prices. </p>

<p>I know people say "Stanford is in the middle of nowhere" or say it's in the burbs, but it's <em>very</em> well connected, compared to many schools I know of. Between the free shuttles and the train and bus routes, there is plenty of nice, air conditioned, convenient transportation. I have lived in the bay area for 6 years without a car!</p>

38

<p>ah, thanks trinsf
yeah, the "middle of nowhere" aspect was the only thing i was worried about, its nice to hear that the trasnportation issue isn't a big deal</p>

39

<p>The question about finals is a good one. Finals do creep up on you pretty quickly. A lot of other top schools get a week off, usually called a "reading period." In theory we have a week before finals called dead week where we review, but some classes still present new material. Quarters go by really quickly and it's easy to get behind. Once you get used to it it's not so bad. Quarters also allow you to take more random/fun classes which I like. Most people are up for the challenge and get through finals. Of course it's harder than if we got a reading period, but since everyone else is in the same situation it's ok in the end. Tests are usually curved so if the average is 17/100 (believe it or not, not an unheard of average for 60 series physics!) everyone's grades will be boosted significantly.</p>

40

<p>The quarter system can also keep you ahead - you can't go like a month without doing the reading/studying in a certain class, because there's usually a midterm/final/paper due pretty soon. It keeps you on your toes.</p>