Inside View: Stanford University

Stanford University doesn't need much introduction. It's one of the most visible universities in the U.S., and also one of the most competitive in terms of admissions. What's it like to be a student at Stanford? I asked Michael Tubbs, who just completed his freshman year at Stanford, for an insider's review.

When you were looking at colleges, what were the three most important things you were looking for?

Prestige, social life, and minority percentage

What other schools did you consider or apply to?

Columbia, Harvard, Yale, Princeton, University of California-Los Angeles, University of Southern California, University of California-Berkeley, University of Virginia, American University, Morehouse, and the University of Pennsylvania

What were the main reasons you decided to go to Stanford over other schools where you were admitted?

Location-Stanford is only 1 hour and 30 minutes from where I live, but is still a top-notch university with unrivaled academics, an international student body, and sunny weather.

Minority Communities- At some prestigious universities, minorities are marginalized, but that's not the case at Stanford University. Additionally, Stanford has amazing support systems for minority students with community centers and ethnic theme dorms.

What has been your biggest surprise about Stanford, something you either didn’t know about before you started, or that you expected but that didn’t prove true?

The people at Stanford. I came in thinking they would be all brilliant, rich, and somewhat pompous. Although all are brilliant, they aren’t socially awkward nor conceited. The majority of the students that I have interacted with are passionate about something and it’s contagious. Additionally, the atmosphere here is collaborative, everyone wants to help everyone. Furthermore, although the work is challenging the resources here make it impossible to fail! Finally, Stanford is a serious university that doesn’t take itself too seriously; our traditions really illustrate this- Full Moon on the Quad, Gaieties, Fountain Hopping, and Wacky Walk!

How would you describe the "typical” Stanford student to a prospective student who hasn’t had the chance to visit?

Stanford students work hard, play hard, and enthrall themselves in extracurricular activities. They are all amazingly accomplished, talented, and for the most part social. Stanford students are those that enjoy debating philosophy, world issues, and the latest pop culture gossip. Additionally, Stanford students for the most part are concerned about using whatever their thing might be to better the world. Public service is such a huge thing here that we have the Haas Center for Public Service, which provides all kinds of public service resources including organizations to get involved with, fellowships, leadership development courses, and opportunities to write a public service honors thesis.

Can you discuss in greater detail what the environment at Stanford is like for minority and students from low-income families?

Stanford is very serious about its commitment to maintaining undergraduate diversity in socio-economics status and ethnicity. To that end, the environment is great for low-income students. There is an employee who is assigned to work low-income/first-generation college students, there’s a mailing list to avail the students of opportunities or resources peculiar to them, and there is also is a student group called Next Generation that helps support low-income and first generation students during the college process. Additionally, there are community centers that every minority group has (including women and LGBT students) that provide counseling, leadership opportunities, programming, and support. To be low-income or first generation at Stanford is to be empowered to bring your experience with you and to grow!

How would you describe the academic climate at Stanford?

Stanford is a top tier academic university on a quarter system so the work is indeed challenging, but nothing too difficult unless you’re an engineer or pre-med. The quarter system is 10 weeks though so every 3 weeks it’s a paper, a midterm, or a final for your classes. Although it moves quickly the quarter system has definitely been my favorite part about academic life at Stanford because it allows me to take up to 15 classes a year so I get depth as well as breadth of knowledge.

How are the dorms at Stanford? How's the food?

The dorms at Stanford are being renovated this year, so they’ll all be big and spacious. Last year, my freshman year, I lived in Ujaama, a four-class dorm and the African American theme dorm, and it was a great learning experience because all of Stanford’s theme dorms can only be 50% one ethnicity. The dining hall food is not bad and every dorm has a dining hall. Besides the dining hall, there is Subway, Jamba Juice, the Coffee House, The Tree House, and The Axe and Palm.

What is your favorite place on campus?

My favorite place on campus has to be the Claw across from the bookstore and the HAAS Center for Public Service.

What do people do at Stanford do for fun?

For fun, Stanford students party and do extracuriculars! For example I’m involved with the Black Student Union as the High School Conference Coordinator, the NAACP, the Associate Student Body as Co-Chair of Diversity and Tolerance Initiatives, serve on the University Committee on Admissions and Financial Aid, do admissions panels for the admissions office, am a Tutor Coordinator for Stanford College Prep (tutors at EPA High Schools), and am an Oral Communication Tutor. Stanford also has many traditions, but it is better to wait until you get here to find out!

What do you like best about Stanford? What would you change?

Stanford is an all around great institution, especially when compared to other top colleges. The weather is amazing, the academics are top notch, the people are wonderful, and the atmosphere is one of, “Yes, I’m going to change the world but I’m going to have fun in these next four years while doing so!” The only thing I would change is the advising system, although upperclassmen are great resources for that as well.

Do you have any advice for high school students about the college search and admissions process?

Research, Research, Research! Write a compelling personal statement! Apply to a range of schools, and if you don’t get into your first choice (I didn’t!), trust that you WILL find the college that is right for you.