what is Stanford socially like? What kinds of people are mostly at Stanford? What is everyday life like there?
Stanford is extremely liberal. I think most of the people would be accepting of conservative views during discussions, but a substantial minority would likely be intolerant of your views. Read up on the Stanford Duck syndrome as well. The stereotype is extroverted jocks who like to party; and it’s especially true freshman year. Also a very (psuedo)-intellectual air on campus, read the Stanford online newspaper to get a taste of that.
First get in.
Are you in or not in yet? Worry about that when you get in.
i agree that there’s no need to worry about things like this before you get in…getting in is the big hurdle.
That said, I really can’t agree with the statement that a person who goes to church would made to feel uncomfortable at Stanford.
Here are podcasts of religious services and speeches at Stanford. https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/university-public-worship/id499992806
You could contact the Office for Religious Life at Stanford, which also provides a list of the various religious organizations on campus:
https://web.stanford.edu/group/religiouslife/cgi-bin/wordpress/students/sar/
Not knowing what you are seeking as a Christian on a college campus, Stanford is accepting of all creeds, cultures, etc… I’m not aware of anyone feeling excluded or unwelcome there. It really comes down to your own preconceptions of what ‘fitting in’ would be about?
Socially, Stanford is, I am convinced, the best option out of all the “elite” schools in the country. There is something for everyone, but overall students are characterized by a light-heartedness, openness, and an absurd amount of personal humility.
There is a small but strong christian community on campus, and a variety of groups from different denominations that have weekly events and generally attend church together off campus. If/when you get in, do a lot of exploring and find a place where you feel home.
However, you will find significantly more push-back and perhaps feel more isolated for being (if you are) socially conservative than you will for being christian. As a highly liberal christian, I experience almost no judgement. My conservative friends, on the other hand, sometimes feel quite isolated
@brownie789 thanks for the awesome feedback! I am more economically/ fiscally conservative than I am socially. I believe that gay marriage is fine, and all that other stuff that goes with more on the socially liberal side. I am going to be posting on my ECs and was wondering if you could give your opinion since you go there :-))))