<p>I got into Stanford early decision, and I’m trying to get a feel for it. I’m torn between a bigger school, like Stanford, and liberal arts colleges like Carleton or Bowdoin. I love most of what Stanford has to offer–weather, some of the smartest students in the country, a huge reputation, etc.-- but my big concern about it is undergraduate focus. Are the classes small? Do the professors want to teach undergrads? Is it a really intellectual, “life of the mind” type of atmosphere for undergraduates? Please help!</p>
<p>Size of the class usually depends on what class you’re taking; for example, popular classes like CS106A will have an abundance of students (approximately 600 are enrolled in CS106A). Other classes though, in general, remain fairly small. Still, it depends on which class.</p>
<p>Professors are, from my perspective, very helpful and very open. They’re fairly enthusiastic about what they teach and their office hours are helpful in keeping contact with them. They’re pretty open about emails, too. You can be as involved or not involved with the professors as you like. It’s just a matter of you reaching out to them.</p>
<p>I don’t really understand what you mean when you say “life of the mind.” If the atmosphere is intellectual, I would say so. Everyone here works hard, likes to discuss things, are open to advice and help, etc. And, as you said, smart students are here at Stanford.</p>
<p>Yeah, I mostly just meant an intellectual atmosphere. A good friend of mine went to a small liberal arts school, and one of the things he recommended most about it was that it was a very intellectual atmosphere, which he thought might be lost a bit at a bigger school. I want that type of atmosphere. Would you say your typical class is pretty small, or not really?</p>
<p>@nahtan, I think you can find a very intellectual atmosphere at Stanford. While some classes are big, there are plenty of smaller classes and seminars with an intellectual focus. Also, you could look into the SLE or frosoco programs, where the program extends to your dorm, where there will be additional seminars and everyone in the dorm will have that desire and focus. I highly recommend you attend admit weekend in April so that you can ask about these things. Stanford will offer a much more varied experience than a small liberal arts college and give you the opportunity to expose yourself to many things, inside and outside of your major. I found that while Stanford sounds big, the undergraduate feeling is a lot more cozy, because the dorms are small and there is a residential education focus.</p>
<p>@TreeAlum , did you feel like if you wanted to be in small classes, and wanted to have personal interaction with your professors, that those opportunities were easily available?</p>
<p>Also @TreeAlum, I won’t be able to make Admit Weekend… I’m planning on taking a regular visit within the next month or two. Hopefully I can find someone to talk to about these things anyways.</p>
<p>Hi there! 
I’m a freshman at Stanford so I thought I might be able to help you out. </p>
<p>Stanford definitely values its undergrad population A LOT, and they’re continually working to improve undergraduate education even though it’s already some of the best in the country. </p>
<p>Professors are incredibly open to student interaction, and Stanford makes an effort to seek out professors who are not only researchers but who love to teach. In fact, professors will apply to teach Stanford introductory seminars, which are open to either only freshmen or sophomores. Often times, the smeinar topic will be taught by a professor who is a leader in the field (this year, multiple Nobel Laureates, as well as the President of Stanford, will be teaching seminars). I’m in my second introsem this quarter, they’re a great way to meet a faculty member as well as go in depth about some really interesting topics. </p>
<p>In addition to that program, it’s very easy to find small classes on campus, especially in the humanities, which explore interesting topics that the professor cares deeply about. </p>
<p>That said, there are definitely some bigger classes on campus, just because intro-level lectures need to satisfy the demand for the students. CS106A, the largest class on campus, has 600. Econ 1 had 370. However, after freshmen year more focused classes get much smaller. Discussion sections for all the lectures are also capped at 12-15, so you still get a lot of small-class experiences with your section leader, who is typically a PhD student. </p>
<p>As for the intellectual atmosphere, the humanities departments at Stanford definitely have that feel, within undergrad education especially. Stanford also has the thinking matters requirement, which is a required humanities course during one’s freshman year on topics such as science and philosophy, evil, american literature, etc. Thinking matters courses offer some really great discussion which I can say from experience often extends into the dorm (ResEd is great!). The section leaders for thinking matters also typically have their doctorates already and genuinely want to pursue discussion and learning with undergraduates. You can look up the thinking matters as well and the introsem program online and see some of the sample courses. </p>
<p>I really hope this helped, feel free to message me with any questions and I hope you enjoy your visit!</p>
<p>@littlebuilder How are the dorms at Stanford? Are freshmen able to get into suites or dorms with non-communal bathrooms?</p>
<p>As far as I know, all freshman housing has hall-style bathrooms and every freshman will share a room with a roommate except in one particular dorm on West Campus. The closest thing you could get to a suite would be a three-room quad, but the vast, vast majority of frosh housing is one-room doubles. </p>