Stanfuord

So Stanford...

I got to the inn they booked for us after an hour and a half of Google maps screwing me over (that's not supposed to happen, right?!?). It was dark and rainy on top of everything else, but I was still in good spirits when I arrived because of the performance. See my previous post :) Plus, I was singing gospel the whole time I was driving - it's hard to stay down that way.

It was about 11:30 when I arrived, and my roommate from Texas got there at about 1. We talked for a little bit, and then went to sleep because we had to wake up at 7 for a long day of lab tours, faculty and student panels, and interviews.

I don't wanna go into the boring details, but I gotta say that I was pretty impressed with the program. It's sooooo expensive, though, if you don't have any fellowships. Here are a few numbers:
Tuition: $8-12,000/quarter. Most candidates receive their M.S. in 5 quarters.
Housing: $600-1200/month
Stanford Graduate Fellowship (SGF): Covers tuition, health insurance, and gives you ~$30,000 stipend/year. I want it so bad, but I don't want to get my hopes up.

What I liked best is the fact that they have a bunch of professors who have projects exactly along the lines of what I want to do. I'm interested in biomechanics and medical implants, and there are experts there in fibrocartilage, bone, skin, etc. Plus, what's cool about the fellowship is that you aren't tied to any particular professor or lab (which is not the case if you get a research assistanceship). You have a quarter to shop around/rotate labs and see where you fit in best. And, there's extensive collaboration with other departments and the Med School there.

My interviews went well (all of the Professors were fascinating), and because we were among the top 5 to 10% of applicants (I didn't know that until I got there), about a third of us will get some sort of fellowship. *Crossing fingers*

Anyway, after the interviews we had dinner (GOOD Greek Food!), and went to a dive bar called the Nut House to wind down. A couple of the people I got to know played some pool, talked, and drank a little. Nothing crazy, just a good ending to a tiring day.

The next morning was cool too. I got coffee and talked with a grad student (thanks to a hookup from a former professor), and then drove through campus and downtown. The city is boring if you're looking for nightlife, but it seems like it's great for outdoor stuff.

Ok. I went into the boring details. It had to happen.

I dunno how I'm gonna react if I get a fellowship. I could hear back from the Professor/Coordinator anywhere between 2 and 4 weeks. :p When I got the email a month ago saying that I was accepted, I was in Evans basement and I totally stood up (my aisle was full) and did an air punch. I think I did the whole squinty-eye, bite-your-lower-lip thing too. I'm a dork, but I was really excited.

Oh. I bought a Stanford shirt while I was at the orientation, too. I've never bought Cal gear...haha. Btw, the whole Cal/Stanford rivalry is a lot bigger at Cal. No one seems to care about it at Stanford.

Lastly, that picture I posted is of a totem pole on campus. Apparently totem poles have butts. See, Stanford already taught me something new.