Stanford University.

So Zhong Ming has decided to get us to write a short writeup about each of our school (and he gave us a short template haha) so I will fill up the template and post it up here. I also realized that this is very timely because I have never written at length about what Stanford is like, so here goes.



Six words to describe the university (and the people in it):
HAPPY!, sunny, vibrant, laid-back, exciting(!), best sporting school in the country (i know this is 6 words in itself but we have many players who go to the NFL, NBA, WNBA, etc)

100 word summary of the university's history and any other stuff:
http://www.stanford.edu/about/history/

What makes this university special?:
It's a school that is supposed to be selective and highly ranked but people don't have that stand-off/stuck-up vibe here at all. Everyone encourages each other to do their best and to do what they like to do, everyone has their own niche and receives lots of support from the university and peers, it's not cut-throat at all, and everyone is always happy and friendly.

Special & star programmes:
Too many to describe. You will be so overwhelmed with opportunities that you can't believe it. Some keywords: Bing overseas programme (overseas exchange), Stanford in Washington, Hopkins Marine Station, etc

Downsides of the school:
Can only think of 1, and that is the Stanford bubble. GIven the ulu location of Stanford (well it's not that ulu but there are only so few places you can go without a car) you are very limited to the off-campus places that you can go so you are stuck on campus and its fringes and wherever the shuttle bus (the Marguerite) takes you most of the time. Sometimes it can feel very sian on campus. But the problem is easily circumvented by tagging along seniors who have cars and therefore often go out.

Why should a NUSHS student apply to this school? / How do you think a NUSHS student will fit into the school culture?:
I cant see why NUSHS students should NOT apply to this school. Well I'd say apply if you want to be in a happy place where diversity is encouraged and lauded and you are always encouraged to be who you are.
How does a NUSHS student fit into the school culture - er you won't if you are a chao mugger (which is like 90% of our school students). Ha okay I am contradicting myself so fine even if you are a mugger you will still fit in, but when you come you will find that mugging 25/8 means you dont enjoy your school life as much because there are so many other things to do here other than mug!

What goes on at this University?
Football events. Basketball matches. Athletic events - watch the prospective olympic athletes and nba players play and root for the cardinal! Cal-hate! Prominent speakers coming - Phil Zimbardo, Steven Chu, Walter Wooten. Famous professors - Condi Rice teaches a class, Professor James Gross teaches the intro psych class, Professor Douglas Osheroff a physics and photography class, etc. Lots of plays, theatre, weekly movie screenings, a capella performances. Too much goes on.

School demographics:
We have ~1200 students per year (check the website for more details on all these), 10% international students, about 50 UG Singaporeans total (Singapore had the 2nd most international students in the class of 2013, the first being korea)

Weather and food:
Weather is amazing, I dont know where else you can get such weather unless you are in California. It's about 16-23 C, not humid - ~40%, you can go a few days or a whole week generally (except summer) without sweating

Photographs of the Campus:
I have too many. Stanford is one of the most beautiful campuses in the world. It's also the 2nd largest one (to another Russian school). :D



Written by Ying Zhen, Psychology/Economics Major, Class of 2008