Are Stanford People Special?

800 meter man wrote:

john utah wrote:

So what? That's where the top performing students come from.

I have no issue with it; I'm only responding to the comment that "nearly everyone [at Stanford] received financial aid."

I went to a school in the same group as those I mention in my previous post and many of my classmates were some of the smartest individuals I've ever met. I'd almost certainly prefer a school take the most intelligent and qualified students rather than prioritizing other factors (including economic diversity).

understood

Depends how you think about awkward. Some of the more awkward people were the most successful later on after graduating. I don't know what became of at least half of the people. Would you consider someone who was socially awkward but went on to get a PHD in physics or an MD or a successful website a failure even if they were socially awkward?

I think only a handful were socially awkward and crashed and burned.

Many top high school running recruits choose Stanford because of academic reasons, but the pressure to succeed in both athletics and academics might be one of the reasons many of those top recruits end up on the injury list.

Stanford alum wrote:

Depends how you think about awkward. Some of the more awkward people were the most successful later on after graduating. I don't know what became of at least half of the people. Would you consider someone who was socially awkward but went on to get a PHD in physics or an MD or a successful website a failure even if they were socially awkward?

I think only a handful were socially awkward and crashed and burned.

Good question. I think the measure might be success outside of academia. For example, some of the sharpest guys I've met at work were some IT guys operating seemingly well below their potential, whatever that means. They were extremely sharp but weird and kind of abrasive in that nerdy, superior, exasperated-with-everyone-else's-stupidity way. Their attitudes didn't do them any favors.

The smartest person I have ever met in my life was a kid I grew up with. By technicality he finished #2 in the class rankings (to a kod who became a doctor at 27) but had a perfect SAT and a 35 ACT. Plus he could run 47.6 in the 400 and was 2x all state in soccer.

Why didnt he do sports in college? Meh, just wanted go concentrate on school and didnt want to become a 1500 runner which, trust me, he would have been very very good. Turned down d1 soccer scholarships and became a TA at UCSD as a freshman. In the current day he has obtained a PhD and is on faculty at a major university with 40-some research publications at 31 years of age. He is a professor as well and lectures thousands of students. This is pretty good in my opinion. Genius that fit in but didnt believe he fit in so he seemingly holds himself back to become more social at tines. He feeld he has to "concentrate" on being more social if that makes sense despite the fact it comes naturally.

The part that was unique about him was not just his brain power but his memory. I think he had a photographic memory.

HS class rank #5, our Malaysian-American class president who in retrospect was very attractive but I didnt think so at the time, got into stanford. No sports but wanted to work for the world bank which i think she does. My friend from above was denied. Always scratched my head at that. I have met many Stanford people and yes they are special. So are Duke, Harvard and Yale people. Usually all stars all around. My friend from abovr was accepted at all of those schools but wanted to be in California still. So he took the best package he could to be in a similar situation. It was all paid for regardless.

Smartest person I have ever met. All of my high school peers would suggest the same.

Stanford alum wrote:

I agree on the mental issues and that it isn't all blue skies and rainbows but I think it is unfair to say three of four struggle to hold a job. Maybe you just have a bad sample set.

This is just a general guess but I would say out of ~100 people in my freshman dorm, 5% are doing well enough that they are semi-famous in their fields, another 15% have prestigious and / or high paying careers...most of the rest are doing just fine but just in more low-key way due to personal choice / life events.

No way near a real average. Just people I personally know. I am aquatinted with many more successful Stanford grads. Most do very well. A few struggle.

I was just saying everything isn't perfect for you graduating Stanford. But most (99%) are solid.

Omly me, but I am biased of course :-)

one who's hiring wrote:

They are probably special in that they have, on average, wealthier and more established parents than the overwhelming majority of students in the US.

If you show me two identical resumes, except one with college at Stanford and one at UCB, I will take Berkeley every time.

UCB (Berkeley) is not the learning institution it once was. Not even close, Stanford is a special place for extremely talented, gifted, creative, and curious of mind.

Berkeley is so far to the left that counter debate is not acceptable throughout the campus, in the classroom, and partially within the community. Really sad actually.

No. For one thing, the career you choose has a lot to do with how wealthy you can get.

Lebensborn wrote:

Yes we are

This.

On the contrary, Stanford students have a reputation for being somewhat social while also being very intelligent. Berkeley actually tends to have a lot more of the "smart but no social skills" types.

Also, it is a lot harder for East/South Asian men and women to get into these top schools than someone white.

People who go to Stanford are typically Economically Gifted. A few are not, but they are the minority. That Gift allows them the luxury of studying without having to work part time jobs to pay the bills or worry about gang violence in their neighborhoods. They can take enrichment courses in the summer. That luxury allows them an big educational advantage. That educational advantage leads to getting into better colleges. These are real world things that allow the upper middle class and rich to maintain an advantage over the less Economically Gifted.

This is not a criticism. It is a fact of life. I am one of these people, but I recognize I had an advantage.

It is hilarious on college football recruiting forums every year when posters are baffled that any of the top prospects are choosing Stanford.

Beyond academics when you tell them Stanford does fairly well...cough...in athletics all year long and they actually debate the point. I've been challenged on that. These geniuses don't know anything beyond who won the recent football or basketball national titles.

Klown Kollege alum wrote:

Otherway around. They don't get in because they're wealthy. They get in because they're smart. Being smart brought their parents wealth.

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