Stanford Parent Group

Hello everyone. This thread is so quiet!
Does anyone know whether there are any parent events at Stanford during drop off for freshman year? I’m trying to decide on travel plans. Thank you.

On Move-in day, there was a flurry of activity all over the campus. Student events, Parent/Alumni organizations were spread around Tresidor/bookstore area as an information hub for new students and their parents. It was an exciting day, lots to see and do other than move your student in, and I believe they gave out a schedule of events and times so you could attend whatever interested you on this day, even to getting bikes registered. The busy day was capped at the end with Convocation, welcoming the new students. Afterward, parents said goodbye to their kids. It was a happy day for all.

On move-in day, I believe you can start arriving around 8:00 a.m. You are allowed half an hour of parking in front of the dorm to unload. There are many volunteers helping with this. Dining halls will be open for purchasing lunch. The Stanford Parents Club will have a table set up. There is a parents’ lounge open to mix and mingle. There are some other “open house” type things that you can drop by and visit, but we didn’t have time. We used afternoon time to pick up and register the bike. Opening Convocation is in the afternoon (it’s hot - wear sunscreen) followed by a brief meeting with your child’s residential staff back at his/her dorm. By around 5:00 - 5:30 they expect you to depart. There is a Parents’ Dinner after that (you need to purchase tickets in advance and early if you want to go as seating is limited) that is optional. We had tickets, but decided to skip it to return for the free happy hour back at our hotel.

More than you asked for, but in general, you move-in, have lunch, wander around a bit, attend Opening Convocation, meet the dorm staff, say your good-byes and can then attend the parent dinner if you so choose. I believe it started around 6:30 or so??

HTH.

There is a full calendar of parental events for NSO (New Student Orientation). NSO is only one day, but it is a full one. Plan to start at 0800 and go until 8 or 9 pm.

Here is a link for you, OP:

https://undergrad.stanford.edu/advising/freshman/new-student-orientation-nso/nso-parents-events

Thank you very much.

Do we have to send in final transcripts? I don’t see the requirement anywhere, but saw some students rescinded fir such failure.

Perhaps there is a better thread for this question but I will try here.

My daughter was accepted to Stanford during the early admissions round last week. The estimated financial aid award was very generous in comparison to the full-pay cost and we are very happy for her. Stanford is her top choice.

However, she is also planning to apply to a few Ivy league schools that are closer to home. The reason I mention this is because the Net Price Calculators for these other schools return a net price/parent contribution of approximately 25% less per year than we would pay with the estimated award we received from Stanford.

We realize there is a very small probability of her also gaining acceptance to one of the Ivy league schools she is considering. So, my question is understandably a bit presumptuous. But if she does, and the Net Price Calculators are accurate, then finances will likely be a consideration.

Any other Stanford parents encounter a similar issue in which an assumed “peer institution” (if there is such a thing) offered a significantly better financial aid package?

I noted the QA below from Stanford’s financial aid website.

Will Stanford match another university’s award if I receive a significantly better award from another school?
Stanford does not match merit-based awards from other universities. However, if you receive a need-based award significantly better than Stanford’s, the other university may have new information about your circumstances. In this case, you may consider submitting a Request for Revision to our office.

Ok.Here is the truth. Stanford will not match, but get you close-ish and only if they perceive the other school a threat. So Harvard and MIT for sure, maybe Princeton and Yale. If your child wants to do Bio Medical Engineering and gets into Hopkins’ highest rated BME program or has written a best seller maybe. You will probably get better aid from Harvard or Princeton.
Now my opinion. Harvard FA is sterling IMHO.