Stanford University Visit Report by diginetgod

Visit Activities:

Campus Tour: Yes - The campus tour was excellent. We had a massive tour group that was shoved on this one guy named Brian at the last minute, but he carried around a microphone so we could hear. See bottom.

---

Campus:

---

Everyone was so cordial and nice! I did not see a single unhappy person, and everyone we saw had a smile. The Memorial Hall information staff was very friendly, and our tour guide was friendly.

---

We didn't meet many staff members (students abound, though), but the staff members we did meet we equally friendly and helpful.

---

The entire scene was breathtaking. As soon as I stepped out of the car I gasped. The buildings are gorgeous, and the foliage is phenomenal during Spring. The best campus I have seen. See the fountain!

---

Everything was very clean and tidy. Little to no garbage on the ground.

---

We didn't see much of the dorms, but every building on campus was superb. The themed houses were very cool too (NatAmer, Biology-majors, etc.). Great accommodations.

---

Has a good security system and campus police, but the only thing that ever occurs is bike theft, which makes sense since EVERYONE rides a bike. Seriously, the students are too nice to do anything bad.

---

I fell in love very quickly. I had barely even considered Stanford until my family was scheduling its trip to SF. I am so happy I visited.

---

Off-Campus:

---

The area surrounding is really nice, and there are lots of trees. A high school is nearby, but its all smart kids. Haven't heard too many fabulous things about Off-campus dorms.

---

Palo Alto is pretty cool, but I didn't see much. I know its very expensive living, and its safe. You can catch a movie, but most of the shops are expensive.

Campus Visit Notes for Stanford University

Visit Description:

My family arrived on a Saturday and took a late morning tour. The tour guide was very informative and answered all questions regarding academics, SAT, AP, housing, and more. He was very nice, had a few friends in the crowd, who added to the feel, and he had remarkable skill walking backward. He briefly discussed all the extracurriculars on campus. There are HUNDREDs to choose from, and if you don't find any you like, you can easily start one! We traveled throughout the campus and I visited the bookstore before we left. Even the bookstore is beautiful! Books in all subjects (both textbooks, nonfiction, and literature), plenty of review materials, and a good tech area. I stopped at the central fountain in front of Hoover tower a few times, because I loved it so. I found the campus easy to navigate, and after a couple of hours I had a good mental map of the campus, despite its size. The academics are superb, and if you can, make sure you visit SLAC (a linear particle accelerator). Stanford is known for its Physics and Chemistry programs, as well as a host of others. The Graduate Business school is great and the Computer Science center was well equipped. If you get a chance, just explore. There's so much to see. It is a big campus, so be wary, but if you like a laid back atmosphere ("floating duck syndrome") alongside intense academics this is the place for you. Oh, and the weather is so much better than at places like Harvard and Yale. You actually get plenty of sun! There is a stage near the bookstore that we saw people using for Senate campaign speeches. One kid had his friends do a ten-minute dance. Another had some music playing over huge speakers. There is plenty of life in this campus, even if it seems so calm at times.

Hotel/Lodging Recommendations or Comments:

We stayed in Southern San Francisco at a Holiday Inn. It was all very nice, but I would suggest staying closer to Stanford to reduce your commute.

Dining/Restaurant Recommendations or Comments:

The Stanford cafes are superb, and theres a bunch of food )snacks/drinks) in the student store. Vegan/Veg food too! :)

Other Comments (Transportation, local attractions, parking, etc.):

We easily found parking, and because it was Saturday, parking near Memorial Hall was free! Stanford has the Marguerite shuttle and you can take the CalTrain to SF, for some fun when your not studying.