Let me provide you with a visual explanation of why I want to go to Stanford:
Oh my god, how could one place be so beautiful? I think I’ve been living in Indiana way too long.
Seriously though, I really enjoyed Stanford, and not just for the lovely weather and beautiful palm trees (but those were definite perks). The professors and students were super nice and easy to talk to, the research was really interesting, and I think it would be a good fit for me. I’ll find out if I’m officially accepted later this week! The major downside is the cost of living – the cheapest apartments there are more than twice than what I’m paying now, sheesh. At least in grad school I’ll actually have a pay check. If I can live off virtually nothing, I think I’ll be okay even on a grad student’s salary.
In addition to going through the typical interview process, I also was invited to AHA!‘s meeting at Stanford. It was basically a big Q&A session where I talked about my experience blogging and a little bit about being an atheist in the midwest. I had a blast, and really enjoyed meeting the club members! Depending on my grad school decision, I might be going to those meetings a lot more often.
Sea lions!
I had no idea that there were boat police that could actually pull over other boats. And with a mounted gun! …I am easily amused.
Alcatraz and San Francisco
Golden Gate Bridge
And meeeee, just to prove I’m not just making up my adventures.
Wow. It really is lovely there. I hope you get accepted!
Wow. It really is lovely there. I hope you get accepted!
I've grown up in northern California, currently live in SF and I have always thought Stanford was a very beautiful campus. You would enjoy it around here, the rent is just the price you pay for such a beautiful area. Good luck!
I’ve grown up in northern California, currently live in SF and I have always thought Stanford was a very beautiful campus. You would enjoy it around here, the rent is just the price you pay for such a beautiful area. Good luck!
Replace the palms with live oaks, and the lovely weather with searing heat, and you've got UT Austin. Just sayin. You've got options. :)
Replace the palms with live oaks, and the lovely weather with searing heat, and you’ve got UT Austin. Just sayin. You’ve got options. :)
David, don't forget the bats!
I really want to go to SF sometime it always looks beautiful.
David, don’t forget the bats!I really want to go to SF sometime it always looks beautiful.
It is a stunning campus and a beautiful area – but the East coast is nice as well. You will miss the snow.
It is a stunning campus and a beautiful area – but the East coast is nice as well. You will miss the snow.
Don't overestimate the graduate student pay. You'll likely have to work more than half time to be able to live comfortably – but until you know for sure how much you'll be receiving, keep in mind that you might want to start contributing to an IRA or something for retirement, or start saving towards new furniture or a car, etc etc. Basically, you'll have more expenses than you do now, so factor that into your decision.
Good luck!
Don’t overestimate the graduate student pay. You’ll likely have to work more than half time to be able to live comfortably – but until you know for sure how much you’ll be receiving, keep in mind that you might want to start contributing to an IRA or something for retirement, or start saving towards new furniture or a car, etc etc. Basically, you’ll have more expenses than you do now, so factor that into your decision.Good luck!
Welcome to super awesome Northern California, yea, and Stanford is cool too.
Kriss
Welcome to super awesome Northern California, yea, and Stanford is cool too.Kriss
Well hi there Kriss…
*ahem* Exactly right, Beamstalk, guano to spare! And you must visit SF. It's the second (third if you count Austin) most fantastic city in the USA. (NYC wins, but barely, and Austin is just too full of win to let either really claim the glory of #1).
Well hi there Kriss…*ahem* Exactly right, Beamstalk, guano to spare! And you must visit SF. It’s the second (third if you count Austin) most fantastic city in the USA. (NYC wins, but barely, and Austin is just too full of win to let either really claim the glory of #1).
That thing really does look bigger in person, eh?
… Sorry, architecture geek in me surfacing again. That really is one hell of a beautiful campus. Lucky grad students.
You seem more excited about Stanford one than any of the previous grad schools you’ve visited. I think you may have found your match?
That thing really does look bigger in person, eh?… Sorry, architecture geek in me surfacing again. That really is one hell of a beautiful campus. Lucky grad students.You seem more excited about Stanford one than any of the previous grad schools you’ve visited. I think you may have found your match?
I'm from the Bay Area and just moved out here to Chicago for grad school, so I'm tickled to see you considering the much more understandable choice of seeking WARMER climes. I think you'd love it. There's something for everyone in Northern California.
I'm also pleased to see that the sea lions are back… they've been chillin' there since the 1980s, and randomly disappeared a few months ago. They must have just been taking a vacation.
I’m from the Bay Area and just moved out here to Chicago for grad school, so I’m tickled to see you considering the much more understandable choice of seeking WARMER climes. I think you’d love it. There’s something for everyone in Northern California.I’m also pleased to see that the sea lions are back… they’ve been chillin’ there since the 1980s, and randomly disappeared a few months ago. They must have just been taking a vacation.
You will not miss the snow. It is only 3.5 hours away in beautiful Lake Tahoe. I'm a california native the reason the rent is high is y'all come and never leave! I think you'l miss having creationists to talk with most of all. Good Luck love your blog!
You will not miss the snow. It is only 3.5 hours away in beautiful Lake Tahoe. I’m a california native the reason the rent is high is y’all come and never leave! I think you’l miss having creationists to talk with most of all. Good Luck love your blog!
I am deeply offended that there is no picture of me under the heading of Stanford's beautiful campus. :-)
I am deeply offended that there is no picture of me under the heading of Stanford’s beautiful campus. :-)
shac – Oh, I don't think she'll have to look too hard for ignorant people in California. I ran into more passive/aggressive homophobia during my stays in San Diego and the San Fran area than I ever have here in Indiana. At least here they're open about it, instead of making snide little comments to my fiance about "watching your ass" while in the Castro.
Jen – Still got you beat with St. Kitts. I can actually swim in my ocean without risking hypothermia, and the rent is cheaper. =P
shac – Oh, I don’t think she’ll have to look too hard for ignorant people in California. I ran into more passive/aggressive homophobia during my stays in San Diego and the San Fran area than I ever have here in Indiana. At least here they’re open about it, instead of making snide little comments to my fiance about “watching your ass” while in the Castro.Jen – Still got you beat with St. Kitts. I can actually swim in my ocean without risking hypothermia, and the rent is cheaper. =P
Yes, California!! My kids and I donate blood products at Stanford twice a month!! It's a beautiful campus with lots of friendly people. (Especially when they are taking your blood. :D )
Yes, California!! My kids and I donate blood products at Stanford twice a month!! It’s a beautiful campus with lots of friendly people. (Especially when they are taking your blood. :D )
You didn't know about boat police? Just out of curiosity, what did you think the Coast Guard did before your trip?
You didn’t know about boat police? Just out of curiosity, what did you think the Coast Guard did before your trip?
Ride around looking sexy while thwarting spies and things explode? Not pull over people for passing on the wrong side. Hey, I'm from Indiana, everything I know about bodies of water is from movies.
Ride around looking sexy while thwarting spies and things explode? Not pull over people for passing on the wrong side. Hey, I’m from Indiana, everything I know about bodies of water is from movies.
Was that the sculptures of Burghers of Calais in the green?
SQUEEEEE!
Was that the sculptures of Burghers of Calais in the green?SQUEEEEE!
To be fair, Purdue has a pretty beautiful campus as well. Although Standford totally trumps Purdue because it has palm trees =P
Jealous!
To be fair, Purdue has a pretty beautiful campus as well. Although Standford totally trumps Purdue because it has palm trees =P Jealous!
Yes those are the Burghers. Stanford has a large collection of Rodins and much other art. A couple of the engineering buildings even have rotating exhibits by current artists.
The palm trees are not native and are rumored to cost a fortune (apparently a college legend though at $2-3,000 for a new big tree not cheap either).
Yes those are the Burghers. Stanford has a large collection of Rodins and much other art. A couple of the engineering buildings even have rotating exhibits by current artists.The palm trees are not native and are rumored to cost a fortune (apparently a college legend though at $2-3,000 for a new big tree not cheap either).
Nothing beats the ability to go surfing in the morning then snowboarding that afternoon, followed the next day by a hike in the dessert or a forest! There is so much stuff to do and all so close you will find it hard not to go off on adventures every weekend. I have been teaching on the east coast for 2 years now but am headed back to my California home to return to school in the fall and I can't wait!
There are religious extremes but they are a minority usually, but still plenty of ignorance at times. The woo can get a little overwhelming (especially in the bay area!) so watch out :)
Nothing beats the ability to go surfing in the morning then snowboarding that afternoon, followed the next day by a hike in the dessert or a forest! There is so much stuff to do and all so close you will find it hard not to go off on adventures every weekend. I have been teaching on the east coast for 2 years now but am headed back to my California home to return to school in the fall and I can’t wait!There are religious extremes but they are a minority usually, but still plenty of ignorance at times. The woo can get a little overwhelming (especially in the bay area!) so watch out :)
Whoa, you were in my neck of the woods. San Francisco… It's great here. Apparently all the sea lions left the Bay due to El Nino weather patterns. The ones you saw there at pier 39 are the slackers. There are usually more than 100. Coming from a sailor… beware the boat police. Actually, I've never seen them really do anything, but there are some giant Coast Guard cutters in the bay with real guns…
Whoa, you were in my neck of the woods. San Francisco… It’s great here. Apparently all the sea lions left the Bay due to El Nino weather patterns. The ones you saw there at pier 39 are the slackers. There are usually more than 100. Coming from a sailor… beware the boat police. Actually, I’ve never seen them really do anything, but there are some giant Coast Guard cutters in the bay with real guns…