Stanford University

Stanford University, located in charming Palo Alto, is a West Coast powerhouse when it comes to athletics and academics. The university’s graduate programs are highly sought after and very competitive, especially degree programs within the School of Law and the School of Medicine. Aside from its academics, the campus itself is an integral part of Palo Alto. The university’s Cantor Center is a renowned art museum in its own right, with an impressive collection of works by French sculptor Auguste Rodin.

Research has always been a strong component of Stanford University’s prestige. Current faculty members count an impressive number of prizes and awards between them, including four Pulitzer Prizes and 16 Nobel Prizes. Ideas as diverse as recombinant DNA and IQ tests came out of Stanford’s research labs. Continuing this tradition, the Bio-X research program was designed to facilitate cross-discipline research in fields such as biology and medicine.

Student Life and Academics at Stanford University

Athletics play a large part in Stanford University student life–in fact, 80 percent of students participate in campus sports. College football is the most visible of Stanford’s athletic programs, showcased in the annual Big Game against Bay Area rival Cal. Famous alumni in the world of sports include Jim Plunkett and John Elway.

In the world of the arts, Stanford University also fields an impressive set of programs. Most notable is the creative writing program, founded by Wallace Stegner. Cross-cultural studies are also an important part of Stanford’s humanities programs. Students interested in cultural studies may choose between programs offered through the Center for Comparative Studies in Race and Ethnicity, the Center for Latin American Studies, and the Institute for Diversity in the Arts.