What is Stanford: Definition and 71 Discussions

Stanford University, officially Leland Stanford Junior University, is a private research university in Stanford, California. Stanford was founded in 1885 by Leland and Jane Stanford in memory of their only child, Leland Stanford Jr., who had died of typhoid fever at age 15 the previous year. Stanford is ranked among the best universities in the world by academic publications.Leland Stanford was a U.S. senator and former governor of California who made his fortune as a railroad tycoon. The school admitted its first students on October 1, 1891, as a coeducational and non-denominational institution. Stanford University struggled financially after the death of Leland Stanford in 1893 and again after much of the campus was damaged by the 1906 San Francisco earthquake. Following World War II, provost Frederick Terman supported faculty and graduates' entrepreneurialism to build self-sufficient local industry in what would later be known as Silicon Valley.The university is organized around seven schools: three schools consisting of 40 academic departments at the undergraduate level as well as four professional schools that focus on graduate programs in law, medicine, education, and business. All schools are on the same campus. Students compete in 36 varsity sports, and the university is one of two private institutions in the Division I FBS Pac-12 Conference. It has gained 128 NCAA team championships, and Stanford has won the NACDA Directors' Cup for 25 consecutive years, beginning in 1994–1995. In addition, Stanford students and alumni have won 270 Olympic medals including 139 gold medals.As of April 2021, 84 Nobel laureates, 29 Turing Award laureates, and eight Fields Medalists have been affiliated with Stanford as students, alumni, faculty, or staff. In addition, Stanford is particularly noted for its entrepreneurship and is one of the most successful universities in attracting funding for start-ups. Stanford alumni have founded numerous companies, which combined produce more than $2.7 trillion in annual revenue and have created 5.4 million jobs as of 2011, roughly equivalent to the 7th largest economy in the world (as of 2020). Stanford is the alma mater of one president of the United States (Herbert Hoover), 74 living billionaires, and 17 astronauts. It is also one of the leading producers of Fulbright Scholars, Marshall Scholars, Rhodes Scholars, and members of the United States Congress.

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  1. cellist542

    Admissions Carnegie Mellon, MIT, Purdue, Stanford Admissions - How to stand out?

    I am currently a sophomore in high school and will have taken 7 science and 7 math courses (including AP Physics, AP Chem, AP Bio, AP Calc AB, AP Calc BC, AP Programming in Java, AP Statistics) by the time I graduate. I am on the cross country team, indoor and outdoor track teams, orchestra...
  2. hyksos

    I What happened to Susskind's Quantum Field Theory lectures at Stanford?

    Susskind eventually curated his Stanford lectures onto a website called the theoretical minimum. https://theoreticalminimum.com/ But the website has sort of fallen into disrepair. Years ago I remembered watching one of his 13-part lecture series on "Quantum Field Theory". The title of...
  3. jedishrfu

    Psychology: The Stanford Prison Experiment was a Fraud

    In this VOX article, the author discusses several influential psychology experiments that were later found to be manipulated or outright fraudulent with some data purposely discarded and disclosures of prior experiments never mentioned in the conclusions. In the Standford case, some of the...
  4. Buzz Bloom

    New Cancer Research at Stanford

    https://med.stanford.edu/news/all-news/2018/01/cancer-vaccine-eliminates-tumors-in-mice.html Some quotes from the report. Activating T cells in tumors eliminated even distant metastases in mice, Stanford researchers found. Lymphoma patients are being recruited to test the technique in a clinical...
  5. fissifizz

    Schools Harvard vs Stanford: Which is Best for Physics?

    Hello everyone! I fortunately have been admitted to both Harvard and Stanford for undergrad, but I'm having an incredibly difficult time making a final decision. I will be visiting both schools very shortly, but in the meantime, I wanted to gauge your opinions on these two schools. Now I want...
  6. A

    I Stanford: objects in spacetime all move at constant speed c?

    In this http://web.stanford.edu/~oas/SI/SRGR/notes/SRGRLect6_2007.pdf, it is stated: Likewise, objects in spacetime all move at constant speed c in spacetime but if you change its direction, say by moving at speed v in the x direction, then spatial speed will change and so will the speed along...
  7. nmaganzini

    Electrical Engineering PhD application

    Hi guys, I am a senior EE undergrad at UCLA and will be graduating this spring, 2016. I am applying for PhD programs in EE with a focus on biomedical devices (implantable devices and/or sensor networks and embedded systems). I am choosing which schools to apply to and would like your advice...
  8. J

    Schools What schools would accept....

    Hello everyone, This is my first post on PhysicsForums. I am 23 years old and have graduated a CC with a 3.9 GPA. I am a Math Major and yes I have researched how the job prospects are for math majors. I am Hispanic and I am from Salinas Valley. I have been around gangs all my life, my dad...
  9. yeshuamo

    Average general GRE scores at Stanford

    Stanford's Physics profile on GradSchoolShopper.com lists their incoming class's GRE scores as: "The average GRE scores for admitted students in 2014–15 were: Verbal-171, Quantitative–176; Analytical–4.42; Physics Subject–928." How do we interpret these general GRE scores? Everywhere I look...
  10. P

    Becoming a Patent Agent: Can I Do It With Only a Master's from Stanford?

    I have a Master's in Biology with 11 years of industry experience, I want to become a patent agent. How hard is it to break into the field of patent prosecution without a PhD? My Master's is from Stanford University.
  11. J

    Stanford Engineering Everywhere

    Recently the Stanford engineering everywhere site (http://see.stanford.edu/) went down. This is quite unfortunate for me as I had been making extensive use of the material for EE263 and EE364 on linear dynamical systems and convex optimization. And, unfortunately I never downloaded the...
  12. S

    Engineering Nuclear Engineering vs Mechanical Engineering

    I have a bachelor degree in Mechanical Engineering and I am interested in CFD. I have an admit offer for MS in Nuclear Engineering at UIUC with RA and MS in Mechanical Engineering at Stanford without any assistantship. Which one is a better option to choose considering the fact that I am not a...
  13. Jimster41

    From black holes to superconductors: Stanford video

    Hope this Link works. I thought this guy was great, for the layperson looking for more than the usual fluff. Might nice to give SITP some heavy "likes". Maybe they will do more. Sorry not sure what forum this was most appropriate for...
  14. L

    String Theory, which is stronger, Caltech or Stanford?

    Hello everyone. I am an international student from China. Currently I received offers of a PhD position from both Caltech and Stanford. I applied for Hep-th and my main interests are formal field theories and string theory. I know both Caltech and Stanford are great schools in physics. And it...
  15. S

    Stanford (or any Ivy League) Graduate Program

    Hi, I have a few years left on my undergraduate degree but I wanted to see if anyone has experience applying to Stanford for graduate school. I started UCSD as a liberal arts major and then switched to physics about 10 months ago. I have about 130 community college units (you only need 80, I...
  16. icecubebeast

    Schools Elite Universities (Stanford, MIT, Harvard, etc.) downloads?

    Hello, I am interested in the free downloads that are publicly available on the main websites of elite universities. By "free downloads" I mean textbooks that are publicly available on the websites of the universities (in pdf or docx). That also includes public research documents from those...
  17. B3NR4Y

    Is there a point to being a theoretical physicist?

    When I started undergrad I was speaking with my lab professor, a theoretical physicist, and he asked what I wanted to do when I am done with school. I said I planned on being a theoretical physicist and he told me that about 3/4 of the students in his graduate program at Stanford wanted to be...
  18. ShayanJ

    Schools How to get scholarship from a leading university?

    I'm thinking about going abroad for my graduate school. I'm not sure about this and just trying to see whether it is a plausible plan for me or not. So I need some help. I'm pretty good in English. But that's the only foreign language I know. So can I say only England and US are my options? I'm...
  19. B

    Schools Senior Year Student -- What US universities are good for physics?

    Hello, I've been wondering about universities in the US. So what are relatively good universities in physics with a low tuition and good financial aid for international students? (Good universities in physics as in those that come in second or third after the "famous and prestigious"...
  20. C

    UK student wanting to do PhD in the US

    So first I will lay out my background, I am about to start QFFF (Masters) at Imperial College in the UK, I graduated from my undergraduate degree with a strong first class honours which I believe is a 4.0 GPA in the US (top 10% of my class) and first class project (from which I will be getting...
  21. zzzzzzzzzz0

    Schools College/Career Quandary: Electrical Engineering Advice

    Hi, all. I'm new here, though I've done some lurking, and I have finally decided to ask a question that's been kind of bothering me. You see, I've been interested in particle physics since I was a kid, and now that I'm entering senior year of high school, it's time to hash out what I really...
  22. M

    Schools Need Help with Advanced (Past AP) High School Courses

    I'm going into Senior year. I live I have taken 9 (3 I paid for so they don't count as dual enrollment) dual enrollment courses and next year I'm taking 4 more. I've reached my limit on college dual enrollment courses yet I have 2 spots in my schedule. I would like to use these to take...
  23. W

    Schools University of Alabama Tuscaloosa

    Well, I qualify for free everything and entrance into honors college. But it's University of Alabama, and isn't ranked very high. I'd be going there for undergrad, and my dream is to go to a big school like Stanford or MIT for graduate studies.
  24. H

    Schools Selecting a College (Physics undergrad)

    I am in the process of selecting colleges to apply to this fall. I plan on majoring in Physics or another STEM related career. I am interested in receiving the best undergraduate education in Physics possible (tuition is not a consideration). For me, quality of instruction and professors'...
  25. S

    Schools Electrical engineering grad school

    Hi guys and gals, I'm an EE major working towards my bachelor's degree, I would like to apply to PhD programs when I'm close to being finished or finished with my bachelor's. I need advice for some schools to consider and if I'm on the right track to an alright school. Reader's digest at end...
  26. Entanglement

    Schools Are the top universities just names?

    Are Oxford, Harvard, Stanford, Princeton, Columbia, Pennsylvania, Cornell, Yale universities just names ?? Certainly the most successful people graduate from these universities, is this because they somehow attract only the bright students, or is it because the quality of education and teaching...
  27. interhacker

    Schools How high a GPA is necessary for grad school?

    I am planning to attend the National University of Science and Technology (NUST) in Pakistan starting this September for my undergraduate degree in engineering. I understand that getting into a grad school ranked in the top 50 after getting my BS would pretty difficult, if not impossible. I also...
  28. H

    Schools Is a Degree in Engineering Physics Viable for Graduate School?

    I am a rising Senior in high school, and planning to major in Physics, with the intent of pursuing a Doctorate in Physics. Recently I received a "golden application" to the Colorado School of Mines (http://www.mines.edu/)... a school that I was not previously familiar with. Apparently this...
  29. E

    Schools What Can I Do to Improve My Chances of Getting Into Top Universities?

    Hello everyone! So I am from India and my name is Sarthak. I am giving SAT this June and my approximate score will be near about 2150, or that's what I am expecting at least; that or more. Apart from that I scored 95% in my 10th class and am among the top 10 students in my class. I have also...
  30. Dishsoap

    How much does it matter where you went to undergrad?

    Hey all, I'm looking at my third year of university here, trying to narrow down what I want to do. As far as graduate schools, I'm pretty confident I can get into at least a low-tier school somewhere. I have a few publications and talks, and found out yesterday that I'm a Goldwater scholar as...
  31. teroenza

    Schools Engineering Graduate School Competitiveness

    Hello, I'm a recent physics graduate (BS) who is having second thoughts about spending the next 5-6 years of my life in a physics PhD. program. I thought I wanted to do applied physics, but to keep options open I would like to include some engineering schools in my mix (will be applying...
  32. T

    Schools Graduate school rankings and non-academic jobs

    What do you peeps think of the ranking of one's PhD-granting institution and non-academic jobs? We all know that academic jobs are biased in favor of the prestige of one's school first and foremost. I met a recently-granted PhD student from a low-ranked university with eleven relevant...
  33. S

    Schools Grad School Decision Europe

    Greetings, I am going to get my bachelor's degree in physics from Middle East Technical University(Ankara/TURKEY) this year. I would like to continue my graduate studies in applied physics areas and especially photonics. Up to this date I have applied to the physics department of the...
  34. M

    Research Proposal for Postdoc in Geophysics: Tips & Guidelines

    I want to apply for postdoc(Europe),so I need to write a research plan.I do not know how much should I go into details.The subject is geophysics,also it will be different from what I have done for my PhD.Should I cite the people from Stanford for example.Like Mavko shows this ,I am going to...
  35. L

    US departments active in Solar physics?

    I am looking to add another school to my list of grad school applications that is active in Solar physics. Gradschoolshopper has only revealed a total of 6 schools in this field, only 2 of which I know actually have established groups in the field (Montana (already applied) and Stanford). Can be...
  36. A

    How Can I Stay Ahead in Academics at a Top Undergrad Program?

    Does anyone have advice on how to stay on top of things academically when at an excellent (but not top) undergrad program? How do you remain competent in the face of peers at places like Harvard/Stanford/MIT who are allowed to take far more rigorous classes? Any ideas on what/how to learn...
  37. C

    Is my Stanford math PhD statement of purpose good enough?

    Hello! Stanford math PhD application deadline is coming up, and I have my SOP ready, but I am not sure whether it is mediocre or good. Can you guys read over my statement of purpose? I will not post it as public, but I can send it to you via email. Thank you.
  38. S

    Accelerator physics advice

    Hello! Next year I'm going to be freshman at Czech Technical University, in degree of Experimental Nuclear and Particle physics, oriented on Accelerator Hardware and Detectors. If i look at my past, i find myself always interested in accelerators. I would like to get my Bc. degree here, in...
  39. P

    Does School Name Really Matter for Joe Student?

    School names matter!? I need help bad. I'm stuck in the college mentality and I'm hoping someone can snap me out of it. I'm so stressed about which school i should get into that it's eating my time up studying physics. Here's my situation. I'm ready to transfer to San Francisco State...
  40. I

    Schools Submit grad school applications earlier or wait for higher PGRE score?

    I have a GRE score of 6.0 writing, 170 reading, and 168 quantitative, and a 4.0 GPA. I also have 4 semesters of soft matter theory research and 1 summer of particle physics theory research. I'm applying to do theory to many schools, including MIT, SUNY Stony Brook, Stanford, Harvard, UMass...
  41. F

    Is a PhD in the USA worth for an european Master student?

    Hello! My name is Federico, a physics student from Italy who is thinking to apply to some universities in the USA for PhD program in theoretical particle physics. I have a couple of questions since I don't understend really well how the higher educational system works in the USA. I have...
  42. F

    Programs Physics Major: Stanford, MIT & Berkeley | Jobs & Advice

    Hey guys, I am a high school senior and the time has come for me to apply to schools and start making some big life decisions. Since I took my first physics course, I have been in love with the subject. I know that I want to do something with physics in my life but I a having trouble choosing a...
  43. B

    Schools Grad School Letters of Recommendation: Professors only?

    I recently did an internship at my university in which I worked more closely with the engineer in charge of the lab rather than the professor. Would it be okay to ask the engineer in charge to write a letter of recommendation for grad. school since he is more capable of detailing my performance...
  44. I

    How's the Cambridge Tripos for undergrad Maths?

    My kid is considering going to Cambridge to read maths. I've been reading everything I can find about the University, especially all the official stuff on the web. I've also looked at Tim Gowers's blog, comments from MIT people on their exchange program, and other stuff (including posts here)...
  45. C

    Charlie Johnson: Finding Research Area for PhD Programs

    Hello PF community, My name is Charlie Johnson. I just graduated from Stanford where I did a B.S. in Engineering Physics. I am studying for the Physics GRE and planning to apply to PhD programs this Fall. I have many interests both in and outside of school, and so I find it difficult to choose...
  46. Chemicist

    Schools Are big name schools really that different?

    I've been working hard academically to meet the requirements to go to Caltech for a while now, though I was recently thinking, other than the benefit, albeit a major one, of having a big name school on your résumé, are there any benefits to going to universities like Caltech, Stanford, Harvard...
  47. K

    Schools Community college student at El Camino college

    I currently am a community college student at El Camino college (it's a community college, I was late to liking school, especially the subjects involving math and science). I have kept a 4.0 for the three semesters I have been there. I have been taking "college" courses. I really want to go...
  48. C

    EE/PHYS 3.2/3.4 With GRE what are my chances?

    Hey everybody, I am an electrical engineering and physics double major with a math minor coming out of a small liberal arts college. I take the GRE/PGRE in November and was curious about where I could realistically be accepted (I am aiming for physics graduate programs). I've heard extremely...
  49. S

    Schools Stanford EPGY University Level Math courses?

    Hi - I am interested if taking the Stanford EPGY uni-level math courses would be a good choice. It seems like they teach university level math courses and you receive stanford college credit for it. Does anyone know much more about their program? I've been accepted to be able to take classes...
  50. M

    Susskind lectures on Quantum Physics

    Are the susskind lectures a good way to learn quantum physics? I am doing just the introduction to quantum physics in high school and we have done: Black body radiation, photoelectric effect, Rutherford, Bohr's, Compton effect, pair production, a lot about de Broglie wave-matter duality...
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