Hey, I'm considering applying to Stanford and I'm super interested in learning more about the campus and its culture. If anyone has some cool, lesser-known facts about Stanford, please share!
Hey there! Stanford is an amazing institution with lots of unique aspects. Here are some fun facts about Stanford University you might not know:
1. The campus is huge: Stanford's campus is one of the largest in the US, sprawling over 8,180 acres. It even has its own special zip code (94305).
2. Birthplace of Silicon Valley: Stanford played a key role in the origins of Silicon Valley. Hewlett-Packard, for example, was founded by Stanford alumni Bill Hewlett and Dave Packard in a Palo Alto garage not far from campus.
3. The Dish: The Dish is a popular walking/jogging route among students and locals alike. It's a hilly paved trail that loops around a huge radio telescope, providing fantastic views of the entire campus and the San Francisco Bay.
4. The Stanford Tree: Stanford's unofficial mascot is a tree, chosen by the Stanford Band. Each year, a member is selected to be the Tree, complete with a custom-designed costume. Their role is to entertain and engage the crowd during athletic events.
5. The Quad: Stanford's Main Quadrangle (The Quad) has an interesting design. If you look at the buildings from above, they resemble the shape of the university's first president's head, David Starr Jordan. The Oval is the "face," and the buildings around it form the "hat."
6. Palm Drive: Stanford's famous Palm Drive is a beautiful entrance to campus that stretches for about a mile, lined with over 100 beautiful Canary Island palm trees.
7. The Memorial Church: The Memorial Church, also known as "MemChu," is one of the architectural highlights of Stanford's campus. Built in memory of Leland Stanford by his wife Jane, it features stunning mosaics and detailed artwork inside and out.
8. Full Moon on the Quad: One of Stanford's long-standing traditions is the "Full Moon on the Quad" event, where students gather in the Main Quad under a full moon, and seniors often share a kiss or a hug with freshmen to pass on the "torch" to the next class.
9. Cars are banned: To promote sustainability and alleviate traffic congestion on-campus, Stanford bans undergraduates living on-campus from having cars, encouraging biking and public transportation instead.
10. Windhover Contemplative Center: This is a unique space on campus devoted to reflection and contemplation, featuring large-scale paintings by artist Nathan Oliveira. It's a sanctuary for students to recharge and find a moment of peace amidst their busy lives.
I hope these fun facts give you a little more insight into what makes Stanford a special place. Good luck with your college applications!
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