Stanford University Top Questions

Students at Stanford come from around the world and will likely be some of the most interesting people you will ever meet.

Stanfordites are a diverse group in every way: ethnically/racially, politically, socially, and in almost any other way imaginable, so your experience is really about finding your own niche (which you undeniably will) and who fills it.

Eager, intelligent, and hardworking students who are open to new ideas and perspectives.

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Very diverse, very lame, incredibly low social IQ

Stanford University is among the most liberal universities in the country. San Francisco lifestyle definitely had its influence on the collage life. The gay community is very active and well accepted. All religions are present and can be practiced without intimidation and racial diversity is one of the mane emphasizes of the university. Students usually wear flip flops, t shirt and shorts. The only way people could not fit in is by wearing a Rolex to class. But even then: just take it of and be part of the casual and fun Stanford community.

What do most students wear to class? Flip flops, casual summer clothes. Where are most Stanford students from? California (~40{4a082faed443b016e84c6ea63012b481c58f64867aa2dc62fff66e22ad7dff6c} I think). But there are many international students, and lots of opportunities to meet people from diverse backgrounds. A lot of my friends are international, which is great for broadening my world perspective (and also places to stay when I travel :) Political leanings? Left mostly. But actually, many students would qualify for center because a lot of us can be apathetic about politics (pre-Obama, that is). Do students talk about how much they'll earn one day? Definitely. This is possibly more a hallmark of Generation Millenium than Stanford students. But common themes seem to be both making a lot of money, as well as saving the world (not necessarily incompatible goals). Stanford has an especially entrepreneurial environment, given it's location in the heart of Silicon Valley. It's not uncommon here for people to start their own companies while they are still in school.

Students seem not to care about many issues and are usually so busy with academics that they don't become very involved in important activism. There appears to be a lot of on-campus apathy.

Lots of diversity on campus- from theme houses to social awareness programs. All lifestyles are accepted, and whatever group you fit into there will be plenty of people like you. There are students from all over the world. I like to say that I could go anywhere in the world and be able to stay with someone I know or someone they know. Most people are liberal. Very few people brag or boast about backgrounds. One of my very good friends/drawmate is a millionaire, but I didn't know it for an entire year. Very few are stuck up. It seems that everyone did some sort of sport in high school, even if they aren't an athlete at Stanford.

We are diverse and accepting I would say, for the exact stats, check the Atanford website.

The student body generally leans left politically, but debate is always encouraged and civil. Lots of different types of students definitely interact and I feel like this is a very open place. Nobody ever talks about how much they earn and the environment is invariably supportive.

As students, I think we're pretty diverse in any direction you care to take it. Religious, political, racial, socio-economic, geographical, sexual, party style, interests... There's a reason we have a large amount of student groups on campus! Most students are accepting of differences and seem to look past them completely. I've definitely made friends for life.

I met my best friends in the world at Stanford. We are a very multi-culti mix: half christian-half jewish, bangladeshi american, chinese american, and white christian. We came from differing financial backgrounds, but our interests definitely overlapped. I don't know that we are stereotypical Stanford students, but I don't think we're too far off.

Politically, you should expect that Stanford students tend to lean left, as do most bright, well-educated people, especially in the Bay Area. However, there are plenty of conservatives both among the student body (certain fraternities, for example) and at the now-infamous Hoover Institution. At Stanford, I even had a few Evangelical Christian friends. There are many Mormons at Stanford, and many Muslims as well. One of my favorite classes was on Buddhist philosophy. You get the idea.

I realize that nobody can influence US News and World Report, so it's best to educate prospective college students with the facts. I've been there, and done that. Don't go to Stanford for your undergraduate degree, but DO go there for your graduate degree

The students here are incredibly diverse, like a mini U.N. With the recent changes in financial aid policy, the school will become even more socio-economically diverse.

Stanford is a very relaxed place and is ostenstatiously diverse, with lots of minority representation and a small but growing LGBQ community. However, this superficial tolerance often conceals serious tension between different religious and ethnic groups. There are plenty of rich kids and children-of-the-famous, but also lots of students from middle- and lower-class socioeconomic backgrounds. Everyone mixes pretty freely. Campus style is pretty bland, with a lot of sweats and flip-flops, though people have been getting more stylish over the last year or so. People tend to be friendly, relaxed and pretty egalitarian. People who care about art and style may initially feel out of place; they find their scene, but often more slowly. There are a fair number of attractive people, but dating is hard and people tend to be hesitant about relationships. Also, though the LGBQ scene is improving, attractive gay men and women are hard to come by and dating is near impossible.

I love the people at Stanford! People are so open, friendly, and accepting. As an international student, I was really worried about fitting in, but it was never a problem for me. I never got asked "if I ride an elephant to class in India." People were very knowledgeable, and also very interested to learn more about my culture. Something I'll always be grateful to the Stanford community is for never making me feel like an outsider. I have met great people at Stanford, and have made amazing friends.

The bulk of students are pre-professional, apathetic and wealthy. That being said, there are tons of interesting people and a moderate, but fun, counter culture. It's known as having a cliquey campus and that's true to the extent that people break off in different social groups, but the student body is wholly unpretentious and to use a term many would describe themselves with, "hella chill."

One of the things that struck me about Stanford was its diversity and how I immediately felt comfortable being myself here. Everyone talks to everybody, and there isn't really separations between "groups" of people. It's really easy to feel comfortable here.