<p>Being a very prestigious school, are there many snobby rich kids? Or is this just a stupid Stanford stereotype?</p>
<p>Also, I'm planning on applying to Berkeley as well. I know it is known for being a pretty funky, liberal school. In this sense, how does Stanford compare?</p>
<p>Stanford is not as funky or liberal as Berkeley, but then again that's not saying much as Berkeley is known for being extremely liberal. There are very few snobby rich kids, though of course, there are some-but they're at every college. I think it's one of those stupid Stanford stereotypes considering Stanford's efforts to diversify its class with a world class Financial Aid program. Furthermore, Stanford is generally considered to be less elitist than HYP. But the only way you can know for sure if you'll fit in is if you visit Stanford.</p>
<p>Stanford is not "funky" (nor is Berkeley, I'd say), but it is very liberal. I believe student surveys have shown something like 60% liberal, 10% conservative, the rest moderate.</p>
<p>I'd say there are a few snobby rich kids. This is true at any school, really, and Stanford is no exception. They are not in higher concentration at Stanford, though. Previously, 77% of Stanford's students were on financial aid. With the recent aid reform to improve financial aid for middle-income students, I daresay that figure will rise in the future (not to mention Stanford is steadily enrolling more low-income students--I believe it has 2x the number of low-income students as Harvard). I'd say very few are "rich." It's just a stereotype: "Elite private school? Oh, it must be full of rich snobs." Stanford is committed to socioeconomic diversity, which is why it continues outreach efforts to disadvantaged students, and participates in QuestBridge, an organization that links low-income students to full scholarships at top schools like Stanford (in fact, it's based in Palo Alto and was started by Stanford grads). There are no development cases in Stanford's admissions, contrary to popular belief. Stanford also gives little preference to legacies.</p>
<p>definitely not as snobby as HYP, but slightly more snobby than UC schools. however, snobbishness isn't necessarily a bad thing--snobbishness often comes through as demanding more of their university, and as a result stanford students get treated quite well in a lot of ways that berkeley students don't.</p>
<p>How liberal is Stanford? I am conservative to moderate, but for the purpose of argument let's say I'm mainstream conservative who isn't planning to vote for Obama and is socially conservative and religious (wow, that's a lot of qualifiers). Not an extremist or fundamentalist, but say I was Christian. Would I fit in? Would I be able to share my views and meet at worst the need to debate? Or would I face hostility? This is largely hypothetical, but I would rather err on the side of caution here.</p>
<p>^no worries Baelor stanford students in general are liberal but not closed minded. I have some friends who are conservative and they voice their opinions just fine. The only person I know who's ever complained is extremely conservative and very vocal about it. I think in general people are pretty tolerant about different opinions.</p>
<p>Thanks. I know most campuses at least lean to the left, but there are a few that I hear are extremely dogmatic and closed-minded about political issues. There are, of course, conservative campuses that are the same way. I'm glad to hear Stanford is not either.</p>
<p>Agreed with superwizard. Stanford is diverse politically, and though it's liberal on the whole--as are most top colleges--it does have a home for those whose political preferences are more to the right (and of course for those in the middle). :)</p>
<p>Stanford is pretty liberal, but then again so are nearly all other top schools. There are quite a few conservatives at Stanford, and there is the Hoover Institution right smack dab in the middle of campus lol. But Obama is basically a celebrity at Stanford from what I can tell, but no one is going to be like "you better vote for Obama". But definitely Christians can fit in, indeed I consider myself one and I'd say a lot of students at Stanford are Christian. Stanford also has Memorial Church (Memchu) which is non-denominational but you will be able to practice as a Christian. Everyone here is pretty accepting and tolerating of beliefs. There is also a Conservative newspaper called The Stanford Review if you want to write and associate with like-minded students.</p>
<p>Cervantes, thanks for the additional feedback. It sheds more light on the political situation at S. </p>
<p>I'm not the person who shouts out about stuff. It's odd, but I would like well-informed students who are active politically but don't accost everyone who disagrees with them. I love open discussion and a forum for the exchange of ideas, but I want it to be civil. </p>
<p>Taking your example, what do you mean "question you?" Will they simply appreciate the difference, as I do, and try to open up a two-way discussion, or would it be in a more...confrontational manner. In other words, would the questioning be with the intent to understand or to discredit?</p>
<p>I actually changed my post because it was sort of unclear when I read it over. What I meant was civil discussion is certainly what you will get. There's no denying that there are more popular beliefs than others at Stanford. By question you I mean they will appreciate the difference but some kids will likely want to open up a two-way discussion. In no way would it be a confrontational manner. Though, when it comes to the people who shout out stuff, (I went to a high school with people on both sides of the spectrum who are defined as such) it will definitely be a two-way discussion. My host whom I spent an overnight with at Stanford said that even though people don't have a lot of political discussions, when they do its pretty interesting and enlightening, but always respectful.</p>
<p>Thanks! aaaaaaa</p>
<p>During AW I did encounter some students who were outspoken about their family finances (e.g. how many houses they owned, how the housing situation has increased their family net worth) as well as about their status (one guy talked about getting in through double legacy, and was openly arrogant about it). But you'll find this at pretty much every elite private school, even some public. I think overall the students are very down-to-earth. Hopefully the change in financial aid policy would attract a different cohort.</p>
<p>As far as politics go, I've heard that at Stanford there aren't many profound, late-at-night talks. I don't think students are vehemently one way or the other. You'll find at most top schools, the general political spectrum tends to weigh more heavily on the liberal side.</p>
<p>^^ that sucks to hear. Not exactly "snobbish," but I was talking to some students who were talking about SAT scores, and one bragged he got a perfect score, others were like, "I got a 2340 on my first try," etc. It was only a few students, but it was off-putting. I hope they chose Yale or Harvard instead. :)</p>
<p>Ooo I know what you mean. Kids were talkin about how colleges were all over them and what not, and how many phone calls they kept on getting. But I guess it was on the onset of admissions decisions so they were excited. I hope they're not like that throughout the year.</p>
<p>How can any half intelligent person vote for Mcain over Obama. I mean do they care about the future of this country....sorry I had to get that out. Mcain would be another four years of bush, can you imagine the damage?</p>
<p>Yeah. In all fairness it was that time of year and if there was an ice-breaker everyone was very familiar with the college admissions process is it. Indeed I overheard many discussions about colleges and other admissions related stuff, and can't say I wasn't involved in a few. From the students I talked to, that kind of attitude only exists during the pre-Stanford events: parties, AW, dinners,etc because everything is so awkward at first. After that, no one cares.</p>
<p>Bescraze,</p>
<p>Can you imagine the damage when Obama doubles the capital gains tax and changes a few other investment tax laws? This is a death sentence to already floundering Wall Street firms. The profits from every investment, even a house, become worth 15% less overnight. I hope your parents' 401k is all in cash, because if any of it is still in stocks or mutual funds then you might as well have lit a good portion of it on fire if that happens.</p>
<p>GeoffreyChaucer- yes, the tax changes under Obama will be terrible for many of the so-called wealthy..... bringing the top bracket to an effective 60%... (including state, ss, etc.). Seems excessive to me...</p>
<p>Ok lets not make this into a political debate, there's better places for this...</p>