<p>I'm new here at this College Confidential thing. Just signed up today. See if I can get some advice...
My situation is different from others here. I'm taking a gap year before I go to college. I'm currently in Guayaquil, Ecuador, volunteering and learning Spanish. It's been a great experience, I'd definitly recommend it to any of you guys out there...</p>
<p>Here is my question:
I applied to colleges last year with everyone else. I was accepted to Notre Dame, Berkeley, UCLA, and BC. I really loved the camaraderie at ND and the spirit. Out of all the colleges, I felt like I really fit in with the kids at ND. I also liked the Catholic part of the University. I'd lived in California all my life (went to high school in San Diego) and I wanted to see what another part of the country was like.</p>
<p>I've been here in Ecuador for 3 months now, and I'm having second thoughts about ND. I'm realizing how much I'm missing California (going surfing almost everyday, the weather, the mountains, the beautiful women). I originally wanted to live another place, but I think this year is giving me that opportunity. I'm thinking about 4 years in Indiana and I'm not all that stoked. I'm planning on studying politics. Notre Dame has a reputation for being conservative, while I'm pretty liberal. I'm also kind of bummed about the lack of diversity at Notre Dame, both racially and economically.</p>
<p>Anyway, I've been thinking a lot about applying to Stanford. I got my AP scores back from the end of senior year, and I did pretty well. I think I would have a decent shot. Stanford has a lot of things that are lacking at ND. Stanford is more diverse, Palo Alto is awesome, the student body is active, and the athletics are great too. The only downside I see though, is Stanford is a lot more science/research oriented. What's Stanford's International Relations program like? I hear a lot about their computer science or biochem, but not a ton about econ or political science. </p>
<p>Any advice? I know ND will end up working at great for me. Do you think I should apply to Stanford and see what happens?</p>
<p>I don't know the policy for applying to other schools after skipping a year, but why not take a shot? That is if you are willing to finish the deathly long application by deadline.</p>
<p>You know you will be happy academically at Stanford. I'm not complaining cuz i'm a science/research guy, but look around the stanford forum and dig for answers. There is the search function you know... the 60 sec wait gets hella annoying.</p>
<p>I've heard very good things about Stanford's International Relations dept. Although Stanford's forte is definitely in math/sci/cs, it also does have strong programs in the humanities and imo is more well-rounded than Yale. You could also do SLE if you attend, which would put you in a more humanities-focused environment.</p>
<p>Go to Stanford, or at least apply. Stanford has a good everything program so you can't lose no matter what you major in. My friend is in polisci there now and loves it. Stanford's humanities may not be advertised as much as their sciences but they're just as strong.</p>
<p>As for ND, my brother went there and hated it. The weather is horrible so if that is going to hold you back at all then definitely apply to Stanford. The winters in the Midwest are ice-chilling cold and the summers are stuffy, humid, and hot. As for the camaraderie, it gets old after a while. The Notre Dame campus is known for its lack of diversity, and South Bend is really a dead-beat town. Also, everyone there is uber conservative. I have a very conservative friend who went to Notre Dame and said that he was the most liberal person there. You're better off trying your luck in Palo Alto.</p>
<p>No question about it. If you have the chance to go to Stanford, go there! One of the best schools in the country. Strong in your areas of interest (economics, international relations). Great mix of students, great weather. And Stanford is going to beat Notre Dame this Saturday at Stanford Stadium! (You can always let your decision rest on the outcome of the game.)</p>