“Asking Stanford” is a series of small stories from Stanford students that comes together to highlight the diversity of experiences and perspectives on campus.
From the ages of seven to 18, I slept with an unboxed Gabriella Montez Barbie on my nightstand. After watching the highly acclaimed “High School Musical 3,” attending Stanford became my dream. If Gabriella could do it, I could too.
Once I arrived on the Farm, I was overwhelmed by the constant opportunities to engage with new ideas, interesting people, and unique traditions. It seemed like everywhere I looked there was something to say yes to that was refreshing, exciting, and colorful. Manage the women’s basketball team? Yes. Write for The Daily? Yes. Stay up till dawn laughing with people I met 30 minutes ago? Yes. Go on a scavenger hunt in San Francisco? Yes. Take classes taught by a Nobel Laureate? Yes. Go fountain hopping? Yes. Meet people who are exceedingly passionate and fun and enthusiastic? Yes.
Upon reflection, Stanford has taught me the power of yes. Of trying new things. Of taking advantage of every unique opportunity that life provides you. I am eternally grateful for my four years here and for the countless people I have met who will be in my corner for the rest of my life. The people you meet here are people who you could not find anywhere else. – Chase Klavon ’25
There’s this idea in social neuroscience that humans rose to the top not because we memorize facts, but because we excel at sharing information. We are not the fastest, strongest, lightest or most sharp-nosed species on Earth. Yet, through language and attuned communication, we learn to organize and create new things.
I think Stanford reflects this idea perfectly. It is the ideal hub for absorbing and disseminating knowledge. In conversations with my professors, TAs, classmates and most often, my friends, I have learned about everything, from computer hardware to democracy in Latin America, consumer sociology to climate-change ecology. I spend most of my days thinking about linguistics and learning design — I may never be an expert in other things. Still, I know that if I ever need an answer, I can find one from someone who cares more deeply about that topic than anyone else in the world.
When I was in high school, I would downplay how much I cared about things so as not to tank my social credit. My love for Stanford practically seeps out of my pores, perhaps because I have never felt so welcome, challenged, seen or known by a place. It is imperfect and always in flux, but after three years, I still haven’t lost the feeling of profound peace and disbelief that I am here.
I chose Stanford because I wanted to be where great minds do great things; I’ve been even luckier to discover that it is where great minds exist within great friends. – Erin Ye ’26
When I came to Admit Weekend, already decided on STEM, I realized that — from the Bing Overseas Studuies Program, to the rich curriculum in SLE (Structure Liberal Education) to the centers on campus that focused on ethics, the Asian American experience or public service — Stanford could help me be a lot more. Stanford has the breadth and depth to equip me with the multifaceted and interdisciplinary skills I’ve needed and wanted as I’ve ventured out beyond its boundaries.
The beauty of Stanford lies not just in its academic excellence but in how it encourages cross-pollination between fields. I’ve found myself drawn to many classes outside of my major, from English seminars about the American Road Trip to ethics courses that challenged me to consider the value of disagreement in democracy. My friends study music, classics and math or art practice and CS. In a given week, I’ll work with the Ethics Center at Stanford Law, have a chat or a class in the Graduate School of Business (GSB) and go to my lab’s meeting in Stanford Medicine. I’ll meet an Olympian in my classes and a farmer’s daughter in my dorm. There’s a lot to be experienced and learn here. I think that’s part of what makes Stanford so magical. — Sonnet Xu ’27
As I write this, it’s 75 degrees, and the sun is shining brilliantly from a deep blue sky. I’m sitting on the front lawn of my dorm in a swimsuit top and flip flops. While the weather is an obvious plus of Stanford (and believe me, you’ll feel it when it’s January, and it’s 60 degrees and sunny), I think what I’m doing on the lawn is even more indicative of just how amazing Stanford is.
I’ve just sent an email coordinating logistics with the CEO of a global health nonprofit, whom I’m bringing to campus this week for a speaker event. Right after I finish writing this, I’m going to record myself speaking French for an assignment. Then, I’ll write the opening remarks for my Indian dance team’s spring showcase. I’ll finish coding a game based off of one that Steve Wozniak invented before he co-founded Apple, and I’ll work on some audio transcriptions for a psychology study I’m helping out with. If I feel so inclined, I may pop over to the pool and go for a swim —– I wanted to go after my run this morning, but my timing was off, and I needed to make it to my class about creating justice in biotechnology distribution. Later, I’ll finish editing my article for The Stanford Daily about running a half marathon, and I’ll go to my global health club’s study night with cookies (on Stanford’s dime) and then hang out with my roommates and dorm friends. This is a typical day for me at Stanford.
I can’t speak to what other colleges are like, but Stanford truly facilitates a culture of exploration and pursuing my passions and all things that bring me joy, even when they seem different and unrelated to one another. When I first visited here, I sensed that openness, and Stanford has proven me right and far outdone my expectations. There is no other time like college to find out what you enjoy and pursue those things. Do it here. – Anya Vedantambe ’28
On my first day at Admit Weekend, I told everyone I wasn’t sure where I was going yet. But as the days went on and I got to experience what days at Stanford were, I left that weekend telling everyone I was already committed to Stanford.
I came in as a sociology major but have changed my pathway more times than I can count since I’ve been here. But each time I changed my major, I was reminded why I chose to come to Stanford: there’s always encouragement to venture out into unknown territories. I’ve been able to explore computer science classes, creative writing courses and earth science laboratories while being supported for not yet deciding on a route to take. The ability to explore new courses, meet people you otherwise wouldn’t cross paths with and find new interests that would have remained unearthed is why I chose Stanford. – Sterling Davies ’28
When approaching this decision, I first built a pro-con list, but quickly realized that schools of Stanford’s caliber all offer similar stellar academic resources, networking opportunities and career development. Comparing cold statistical details was useless. What truly sets Stanford apart? As a pre-law student passionate about social sciences, I can attest that there’s no better environment than Stanford. Attending has pushed me beyond my comfort zone while nurturing my intellectual curiosities.
Stanford’s exceptional well-roundedness — from law to medicine, business to liberal arts — encouraged me to explore previously unimaginable paths. I tried my hand at Python programming and linear algebra coursework and even joined a neuroscience lab to study 3D human genome. At the same time, it’s been a dream come true as a prospective international relations major to meet Hillary Clinton during the presidential election, hear Andrew Yang’s perspectives on Universal Basic Income and receive funding for summer internship at a human rights non-profit in Geneva. These experiences shaped my goal to pursue double majors in international relations and bioengineering with a focus on biotechnology security.
Stanford is a place where you feel empowered to explore new areas because of the number of specialized introductory courses and innovative research programs. Most importantly, it’s a place where people embrace your ideas, where interdisciplinary connections form. Stanford isn’t just an option — it’s the future. – Jenny Wang ’28