<p>So, I'm at the point of filling out my Approching Stanford forms, and one of the vital questions I have to answer is whether or not I want to enroll in SLE (Stanford's Structured Liberal Education). </p>
<p>It definitely sounds like my kind of thing - I'm all about the intimate-community-discussing-intellecutal-topics kind of environment. I intend to be an English Major with a concentration in Philosophy, so the curriculum seems right up my alley. I'm fully aware of the intensity and inevitable stress the workload will bring, and as an avid reader, I don't think the intensive reading will be TOO much of a shock. Also, I'm not all that bothered by the apparent lack of a "social life" enrolling in SLE will bring. As long as I have close friends, I'm fine. </p>
<p>What I AM worried about is how SLE will affect the amount of other classes and extracurriculars I can be a part of. The class times are wierd (3:15-5:00 or 6:30-7:00 or 8:00), and I'm afraid that might interfere with things like clubs or dance classes I might be interested in taking. I want to explore during my freshman year too, not just sit in my dorm studying all year. I hear that it's typical to take an average of 2 classes outside of SLE, but is it possible to do that AND enjoy clubs, plays, and other campus activities?</p>
<p>If somebody who has been in SLE, or knows somebody in SLE, could give me any insight at all on this, that would be great.</p>
<p>Yeah, I’ll also be a freshman next year and am considering SLE. I’D love to hear the answer to these questions also. ALso, how much more work is SLE than the IHUM and the PWR classes?</p>
<p>No personal experience, but from what I’ve heard, SLE is a unique “immersion-type” opportunity. It still leaves you time to take 2-3 other classes, so no problem there.</p>
<p>Don’t know about clubs, etc, but I think SLE is a club in itself. It is only one year long, so you can do the other stuff later if you find it difficult to combine.</p>
<p>Every SLE kid I know is in at least one type of extracurricular. Most of them are in multiple extracurriculars, these include campus politics, photography, plays, musicals, improv shows, human rights campaigns, band, the dollies, cultural clubs, frats/sororities, and charity fashion show. I’m listing these not to show off, but to point out that SLE really does not hinder you from participating in clubs or a social life, especially as most clubs actually meet later at night in order to accommodate the crazy student schedule that most Stanford students have. There are also a ton of SLE kids who took dance classes this year (these are usually offered at multiple times during the day/week and at different times). </p>
<p>One correction: the class times on Tuesdays and Wednesdays are 6-7:00 and Thursdays 6:00-7:00 or 8:00 though it rarely goes on for that long. </p>
<p>And honestly, the work isn’t that different from IHUM or PWR if you think of the fact that you get all your requirements out of the way in one year. Plus, the fact that you have an individual tutor really makes a huge difference. IHUM kids often complain about the fact that they don’t actually learn how to write in IHUM, while SLE definitely pushes you to become a better writer.</p>
<p>Kudos to darling for capturing the spirit of SLE so well! I’m currently in SLE and I have to say that it has been one of my best experiences here at Stanford. </p>
<p>And taking two classes in addition to SLE is totally doable. I took three classes outside of SLE last winter and was also involved in several extracurriculars.</p>
<p>^I heard from another member of the class of 2013 who just completed SLE that all but one person who requested the program had been admitted. So unless this past year has been an anomaly, it seems like the ratio of applicants to slots may be closer to 1:1.</p>