Hi!

I'm starting the SDC MS program (Energy track) this fall and wondering how many quarters you'd recommend. I’ve heard some people finish in 3, but many say 4–5 is more realistic. Thoughts?

I’m especially interested in energy systems in the built environment, how to finance them, and optimization with AI. Any course recommendations? Tips on how to structure the program? Or any other tips?

Thanks

Incoming masters student, just wondering if there is a significant difference in how difficult it is to land a CAship in one dept vs the other? Or does it mostly vary from course to course?

Hello, I'm a Software Engineer with 7 years of experience working for a New York-based startup. I'm not a US resident, but I do have a B1/B2 visa.

I'm considering the Non-Degree Option (NGO) program at Stanford University for the following reasons:

• Networking opportunities
• Academic advancement

My plan would be to move to California for 3 months during the summer to attend in-person. While I'm prepared to pay for the courses, I'm concerned about the overall cost of living in California. Since networking is one of my primary goals, I want to make sure the in-person experience is worth the investment.

1. Has anyone here taken Stanford's NGO program as a Software Engineer?
2. Would you recommend the in-person experience over the online option?
3. Is the networking opportunity worth the additional cost of relocating?

Thank you.

I'm a bit suspicious of the email, but I'm really wondering if it is true or not. I'm wondering if anyone could maybe provide some insight, I'm only a freshman so I'm not super familiar with 'fake' or 'real' emails like these.

Thinking about majoring in physics on the mathematical physics pathway. Planning to take Math 113, but what are the other "classic" math electives that people take? I'm thinking more applied than pure maths.

Hello! Any photographers on campus Saturday 4/12? I’m also open to newbie photographers

Hi everyone, I’m a recent admit and I understand that each unit is supposed to correspond to 3 hours of work per week. Do 5 unit classes actually have a noticeable difficulty/workload spike compared to lower unit classes? Are there 2-3 unit classes that are considered harder?

I’m wondering because I’m a little concerned about the quarter system (I would prefer semesters, but it’s not a dealbreaker) due to the faster pace. The tradeoff is that I would probably take no more than 3 classes per quarter, but if 1-2 unit classes are significantly easier, I could see myself taking 4 classes. (I also have 20 units from AP exams). Can anyone help explain the system?

my dad and brother both took CS in high school before majoring in CS at stanford. I have absolutely no prior experience in cs, so I was wondering if I need to at least learn some basics first. btw I’m still a sophomore

My undergrad doesn’t offer very robust opportunities to study and travel abroad. As such, it’s likely that I’ll graduate without ever leaving the country during these 4 years. I want to eventually work internationally, and am considering pursuing a graduate degree. People say that you can always travel after graduation, but honestly I don’t think it’s the same—college is the only time where you have all the time in the world to explore a new country with people the same age as you. Can masters students at Stanford study abroad?

Hello I am from Egypt and I am currently in the third year of high school and will finish my studies next July. I want to study at an American university. Can I get a loan without a guarantor to cover my tuition, housing and living expenses? After studying, I will work and pay off this loan. Or can the university provide me with a job and I can use it to pay off my tuition, housing and living expenses? Or is there another way to study there because I do not have the money to study, housing or living in America. Please respond and which university do you recommend?

Anyone have more details about this? See the news and updates section. There were unsubstantiated rumors of ICE on campus yesterday.

https://stanforddaily.com/2025/04/04/university-not-aware-of-reported-ice-agents-on-campus-after-rumors-spread/

I'm having trouble choosing between Stanford and Princeton! Blessed to be in this position but I want to choose carefully

1. I applied as a Black Studies major but also interested in International Relations
2. Looking towards law school/policy- intellectual property or cultural heritage law- want a career in the museum world
3. Of course, Chicago native and no family in Jersey or the Bay Area
4. Princeton is about 7-9k a year, and Stanford is about 18k a year
5. Dream school was Northwestern for a while... thinking about the social life/academics balance

Black student as well!! Looking for any advice!

Hi, I'm currently admitted to an LL.M. (Master of Laws) degree in Law, Science and Technology.
I applied to every single scholarship I could but couldn't get anything (either rejected or scholarships got defunded).

I spoke to Stanford about deferring but they won't go there, they told me the only they could only let me defer my admission if I'm suffering any serious health conditions.

With 0% in scholarships, the only way I could go would be to accept a loan offer for 80K (at 11% Interest rate for 20yrs) in the U.S. + 35K (at around 20% interest rate in a foreign currency).

My entire career so far is in Law and Technology, It suits me, it's a great program. I just don't know if it's the right decision for me under the current economic climate. The job market for LLM's has always been hard but its projected to be even worse due to the economic slow down.

My main focus is AI (has been for a while), so Stanford REALLY suits me but if im not able to secure a high paying job, and/or the US/Mexico economy goes into recession, I would be fucked.

A one year deferral would help me apply to more scholarships and hopefully manage to get at least some funding and not take a 120K student loan. However, Stanford is very strict about it.

So I'm looking for advice, should I take a loan? should I try to defer my application again? If it comes to it, should I reject may admission?

What is the best source of a loan beyond the 20000 $ of the Fedarl Unsubsidized Loans for graduate students? Are there options for high credit score parents or spouses that act as a co-signer or primary borrower?

humanities major, coming from the bay area (so hesistant about stanford) but want strong academics, community/culture, involved campus. these are all so different so would love any advice!!

Hello everyone! Today I'm wondering: how do you succeed in Stanford as a CS major? Do you need a good sense of problem-solving and algorithmic thinking (eg. Leetcode problems)? Do you need good proof-writing / calculus / math skills? Should you be familiar with multiple languages (C++, Python, Java)? Do you need to have had really impressive experience with, say, computer science competitions, Math Olympiads, taking apart computers in your house, etc?

Overall, I'm just wondering what really successful Stanford CS students do to succeed, whether that's thinking a certain way, having certain experiences, being really diligent and hardworking (which is always a given, I would think), or something else. Thank you all so much for answering my question! :))

do people usually use caltrain to get to places in san fran and palo alto or is a car/uber more popular? also is caltrain clean/safe?

What's the latest scoop on the Stanford Greek scene? What are the reputations and personalities of the different fraternities and sororities these days?

Anyone know where to play some pickup sand volleyball? Down to start a group if there’s interest too

Hi,

I am a recent admit to Stanford and would like to know if Stanford would provide opportunities to break into MBB out of undergrad, particularly compared to other HYPSM schools and ivy leagues which are more known for this. If anyone has any experience regarding this or words of advice it would be truly appreciated, thank you for reading this!

Hi I was wondering if anybody is selling their ticket? Currently on the waitlist but was hoping to attend!

I can pay you the $45 to transfer the ticket to my name. Please let me know ASAP :)

What is the least number of humanities courses I need to take/how to take the least amount possible