Admit Week

[living_ink]

What is Admit Week like, and how important is it to go? I was planning on visiting the school some time in April, but if I go next week it coincides with my April Break and I don't have to miss any school. I am timid by nature, and Admit Week seems a bit overwhelming and too "scheduled" to me. (I kind of like to do my own thing and am not so

Comments

[spamchang]

Sounds like you're leaning away from Admit Weekend. I enjoyed Admit Weekend because I met a lot of people there (and I was only there for half of it). The weekend is not entirely structured, but it is a good time. (Also, it's one weekend, so you wouldn't have to miss too much school, I'd hope...)

[starinatdasun]

In terms of atmosphere, Admit Weekend is a pretty blown-up version of the happy California sun, and everyone will be excited to see you (except, perhaps, the upperclassmen who hate the foot traffic it creates). In that sense you don't really get a good representation of what campus is *really* like, but when I went I just wandered around and met people off the marked path, which worked well for me. You could also come on an off-weekend to see what campus is like normally

[inaseaofeight]

there's no booze

[adrian1698]

already pretty good responses here.

just my point of view: i thought admit weekend was great. i met people that i still keep in contact with even though i ended up going to a different school in the end.

chances are, even if you consider yourself timid, you'll meet some people in the same boat as you.

and, what seems to be missing from the other responses: congratulations! you clearly worked hard to get in. admit weekend kind of feels like one big "thank you" for working your ass off. there's a lot of intellectual stimulation that you can get during admit weekend that you won't get another time, also. lots of lectures you can go to and whatnot. i remember i went to a really interesting lecture on human biology and sex that i don't think you could just go to anytime. granted...that was (oh my god) seven years ago. excuse me while i go feel old now.

[rabow]

If it's reassuring at any level, Stanford is always going to be a school for geeks. Cool geeks, social geeks, amazing geeks, but first and foremost geeks. I would say a significant percentage, if not an outright majority, of current students also share your dislike of "structured programming."

That said, the programs that happen during AW are pretty useful in terms of getting a heads up about some of the slightly odder (and cooler) opportunities at Stanford. You can read up about certain things on the 'net, but every now and then something comes along the grapevine...

No matter what, if you're deciding between schools, I'd definitely recommend visiting. You'll be on campus for a minimum of two years (depending on how quickly you want to go, and study abroad opportunities) -- get a feeling for the campus vibe!