Before you arrive on campus
1. Pick a major.
“Choose a major early. It’s ok to later switch, but the process of choosing one will force you to dedicate time to thinking deeply about it.
Even if you plan to explore upon arrival, come in having selected some potential majors and having made a four year plan for 1 of those majors. You can google around for sample four year plans for different majors at Stanford. Here's a link to Stanford's sample engineering plans” Yaya
Some ways to go about picking a major:
"Reflect on what you want in your life. Which major will best allow you to get there?" Yaya
“Decide in what way you would like to make an impact in the world and choose the major that would allow you to achieve that.” OT
“Google Stanford research guides and see which professors’ research looks interesting to you. Consider a major that’d allow you to work on such projects. Here’s the research guide for engineering.”
“Go through explore courses, and pick out classes that sound interesting to you. Under which major do the majority of your choices lie?”
“Google 'Stanford explore degrees'. They list every major in every department. Jot down the ones you find interesting.”
By taking such steps, you’ll ensure you don’t overlook any cool majors. “I have a lot of friends who discovered late that a particular major would have really fit them.” Karl
You don’t have to look at every single resource listed above. Don’t overwhelm yourself :P.
2. Learn about Stanford
“Show up on campus knowledgeable. Learn Stanford traditions, which professors you’re interested in. Know that we have a center for public service. There’s so much to learn once you get here that you should learn as much as you can before your arrival.”
3. Plan and set goals
“Come in with a plan, e.g. I’m going to join or lead organization x. It’s ok if your plan changes. My major leadership didn’t come from NSBE as I had planned, but it’s important to think ahead in order to optimize your short four years. Setting goals, ‘I’m gunna get a 4.0, destroy my classes, kill the game', is great too." Phil
“Once you arrive on campus, you’ll be fairly busy - buying books, staying up late with your new dorm mates, etc. - so make as many decisions as you can before your arrival. You have access to most of the information you need. You can choose extracurriculars, a major. Then once you arrive on campus and talk to people to gather a little more info, you may slightly alter your plans, but at least you’ll have done most of the work.” Yaya
4. Preparing for classes
“I knew I wanted to take a physics course (physics 61) outside of my comfort zone my freshman fall. So I read the textbook before coming. Doing so allowed me to keep up. I would recommend preparing for your fall classes.” Mark
Woah, woah, woah that was a lot on preparation. But hakuna matata. Just do as much as you can, when you have time. Countless numbers of Stanford students have arrived on campus with no prep, and they’re all just fine.
5. Stanford programs
Participate in programs like admit weekend, the Stanford Summer Engineering Academy (SSEA), or Leland Scholars. They allow you to get to know your future peers before you officially live here. “Knowing too many people has never been an issue. It’s always, ‘I wish I knew more people so I could do things like sit down with different groups at the lunch table without feeling awkward.’” Mark
SSEA
“During my year of SSEA we had a daily math class, computer science class, and talk from an engineering research professor. SSEA gave me a fuller understanding of what engineering is and what’s possible in the field. It also gave me the chance to interact with professors. If I ever want to connect with them now, I start by mentioning, “I don’t know if you remember me, but I met you during SSEA x years ago.” It helps because we aren’t starting a relationship from scratch. SSEA’s also fun – you meet a great group of fellow Stanford students. We went to Great America, had water balloon fights, a casino night..” Yaya
5. People
“Get rid of high school notions of people and stereotypes. People here at Stanford don’t fit stereotypes; they’re unique.” Jordan
“Figure out when you’ll communicate with parents and home friends, as most other schools’ schedules don’t align with Stanford's.” Jordan
6. Packing
“Do pack a coat for winter.” Yaya
“Bring old Halloween costumes and old funky clothes. Stanford students often dress up in rally (really loud/weird-funky clothes). If you don’t own any outlandish clothing, don’t worry. You can always buy once you're here and have a better idea of what rally is.”
1. Pick a major.
“Choose a major early. It’s ok to later switch, but the process of choosing one will force you to dedicate time to thinking deeply about it.
Even if you plan to explore upon arrival, come in having selected some potential majors and having made a four year plan for 1 of those majors. You can google around for sample four year plans for different majors at Stanford. Here's a link to Stanford's sample engineering plans” Yaya
Some ways to go about picking a major:
"Reflect on what you want in your life. Which major will best allow you to get there?" Yaya
“Decide in what way you would like to make an impact in the world and choose the major that would allow you to achieve that.” OT
“Google Stanford research guides and see which professors’ research looks interesting to you. Consider a major that’d allow you to work on such projects. Here’s the research guide for engineering.”
“Go through explore courses, and pick out classes that sound interesting to you. Under which major do the majority of your choices lie?”
“Google 'Stanford explore degrees'. They list every major in every department. Jot down the ones you find interesting.”
By taking such steps, you’ll ensure you don’t overlook any cool majors. “I have a lot of friends who discovered late that a particular major would have really fit them.” Karl
You don’t have to look at every single resource listed above. Don’t overwhelm yourself :P.
2. Learn about Stanford
“Show up on campus knowledgeable. Learn Stanford traditions, which professors you’re interested in. Know that we have a center for public service. There’s so much to learn once you get here that you should learn as much as you can before your arrival.”
3. Plan and set goals
“Come in with a plan, e.g. I’m going to join or lead organization x. It’s ok if your plan changes. My major leadership didn’t come from NSBE as I had planned, but it’s important to think ahead in order to optimize your short four years. Setting goals, ‘I’m gunna get a 4.0, destroy my classes, kill the game', is great too." Phil
“Once you arrive on campus, you’ll be fairly busy - buying books, staying up late with your new dorm mates, etc. - so make as many decisions as you can before your arrival. You have access to most of the information you need. You can choose extracurriculars, a major. Then once you arrive on campus and talk to people to gather a little more info, you may slightly alter your plans, but at least you’ll have done most of the work.” Yaya
4. Preparing for classes
“I knew I wanted to take a physics course (physics 61) outside of my comfort zone my freshman fall. So I read the textbook before coming. Doing so allowed me to keep up. I would recommend preparing for your fall classes.” Mark
Woah, woah, woah that was a lot on preparation. But hakuna matata. Just do as much as you can, when you have time. Countless numbers of Stanford students have arrived on campus with no prep, and they’re all just fine.
5. Stanford programs
Participate in programs like admit weekend, the Stanford Summer Engineering Academy (SSEA), or Leland Scholars. They allow you to get to know your future peers before you officially live here. “Knowing too many people has never been an issue. It’s always, ‘I wish I knew more people so I could do things like sit down with different groups at the lunch table without feeling awkward.’” Mark
SSEA
“During my year of SSEA we had a daily math class, computer science class, and talk from an engineering research professor. SSEA gave me a fuller understanding of what engineering is and what’s possible in the field. It also gave me the chance to interact with professors. If I ever want to connect with them now, I start by mentioning, “I don’t know if you remember me, but I met you during SSEA x years ago.” It helps because we aren’t starting a relationship from scratch. SSEA’s also fun – you meet a great group of fellow Stanford students. We went to Great America, had water balloon fights, a casino night..” Yaya
5. People
“Get rid of high school notions of people and stereotypes. People here at Stanford don’t fit stereotypes; they’re unique.” Jordan
“Figure out when you’ll communicate with parents and home friends, as most other schools’ schedules don’t align with Stanford's.” Jordan
6. Packing
“Do pack a coat for winter.” Yaya
“Bring old Halloween costumes and old funky clothes. Stanford students often dress up in rally (really loud/weird-funky clothes). If you don’t own any outlandish clothing, don’t worry. You can always buy once you're here and have a better idea of what rally is.”