<p>I’ve worked w/ Stanford undergrads on some things, and honestly, they were the reason I fell in love w/ the school. The people are amazing. And from my limited experience working w/ these students, I’d have to say that everything in the post is completely off, especially the first part. The post seems like it’s coming from a bitter person who decided to just ramble about everything false on the university.
But. I don’t go to Stanford - although I hope to! - so I don’t have the firsthand experience of the reviewer. I doubt, however, that the reviewer goes to the school. “Everyone is from SoCal”… my goodness.</p>
<p>OLD Information: Your reference to Coach Willingham tipped me off to the fact that I was reading information that over 7 years old. He was the Stanford Head Football coach from 1995 to 2001. Since the time he left Stanford, he has been the Head Football Coach at Notre Dame and the University of Washington. Can you please revisit your review and give me an update for 2008? I appreciate the research you’re doing. Thanks.</p>
<p>OLD Information: Your reference to Coach Willingham tipped me off to the fact that I was reading information that over 7 years old. He was the Stanford Head Football coach from 1995 to 2001. Since the time he left Stanford, he has been the Head Football Coach at Notre Dame and the University of Washington. Can you please revisit your review and give me an update for 2008? I appreciate the research you’re doing. Thanks.</p>
<p>I have to wonder if the reviewer even attended Stanford because of this bitter and warped report…</p>
<p>Let me address the activism complaint. In my frosh dorm of just 80 students, I know of 2 who later served in the Peace Corps and 1 in Teach for America. These kids practiced what they preached, beyond just recycling their paper and plastics.</p>
<p>From your description of yourself, you sound like me! I think what you have to realize about Stanford (or anywhere else) is that it must be judged against other places like it for the criticism to have meaning. My guess is that whoever wrote that review came thinking Stanford was going to be heaven on earth and was then disappointed when it was only pretty great. </p>
<p>Activism - I come from somewhere where nobody cares about politics and everyone is republican. To me, Stanford is a hugely liberal and active campus. When prop 8 passed, everyone was shocked and appalled and there were immediately like 3 emergency rallys. People here recycle and compost and use energy efficient light bulbs. This is a false complaint.</p>
<p>Conformity - I would agree that there are a lot of Californians here and that people have a lot in common, but I don’t see it as conformity or elitism. People tend to be happy fun people. This isn’t put on, it is real. </p>
<p>Social scene - I would agree that not a lot of dating goes on, but there are more parties each weekend than I have time to attend. A lot of drinking goes on, but hey it’s college.</p>
<p>If your concern is too much pre-professionalism or elitism, you have to realize that other schools on the same level as Stanford (HYP and whatnot) are much worse, especially on the east coast. Nobody really talks about grades and people don’t really seem to spend too much time thinking about them. There are plenty of people that love to learn here, although it’s possible there are more at a liberal arts school. The compromise is that if you are a techie, someplace like Stanford (a research institution) might be better academically. I would also say that you are much more likely to find people who learn for its own sake in fuzzie areas (and for that matter, even physics) than in engineering, as the engineers tend to be much more about practicality (although as a physics major I’m biased.) That being said, I think this is the big advantage of Stanford over the likes of MIT/Caltech because Stanford attracts all types of motivated passionate students where techie schools can have too many of one type of student for an environment of philosophical discussions and intellectual passions. </p>
<p>Stanford really makes an effort to accept students that they feel have this intrinsic intellectual curiosity. When I talked to my admissions officer he said that the most important thing they look for in students is passion and a love of learning. Other schools don’t place that same importance on it. This is one of the reasons I decided to come to Stanford. They are really good at picking students who are genuine and aren’t elitist snobs looking to further their careers.</p>
<p>Weather - it’s relative. If you are from San Diego you will think Stanford’s winter weather is kind of cold and rainy. If you are from Boston or Minneapolis or some other four season place you will think Stanford’s winter weather is quite warm and sunny.</p>
<p>haha neurochick im right there with you. academics are great, but i’ll be very bothered if the social scene is lacking. i need to balance work and play and finding myself bored with a college makes me nervous.</p>
<p>
Most of the projects (at least in CS) are group projects, so the cooperation is a given. Sometimes the groups compete with each other (like if the project is to make a program that plays a game, the groups play against each other at the end. The group that wins gets an automatic A+ in the class, or something like that), but it is “fun”, not mean-spirited competition.</p>
<p>To answer the OPs original question, I don’t think that review has much validity at all. Just the weather review is ridiculous, so I figure the rest is too. The weather in Palo Alto is GORGEOUS almost all year long and there is not enough rain. If the author of that review is not dating or being invited to parties, I can see a very good reason for that. I have a few friends at Stanford and they don’t report any academic competitiveness. They are all thoroughly enjoying their time at Stanford.</p>
<p>“Does anyone know about Stanford’s academics though??”</p>
<p>@@ What do you think?</p>
<p>Stanford is great. It is really up to you to make it of what you will.</p>
<p>Stanford isn’t cut-throat competitive unless maybe for premeds. The campus is gorgeous, and the atmosphere is friendly. It’s an incredible place to live and learn.</p>
<p>No student actually “hates on” Stanford, in contrary to situations at Harvard and elsewhere… lol</p>
<p>Be aware, Stanford is a liberal arts university so most people aren’t “passionate” about math/science. If you’re really a nerd seeking great challenges and nerdy camaraderie, then you should go to MIT or Caltech.</p>
<p>I agree that Stanford is a great school, but too many people have been told it was heaven. You have to at least visit the school and see if it’s right for you. I also disagree about Stanford basketball, what do you mean 3 pointers all day, have you seen the Lopez twins last year?</p>
<p>Dunno bout Stanford, but water polo is definitely not a garbage sport :p</p>