[BostonCard]

AKA the friend lists "social environment" as one of the reasons. How much time is there for socializing at Stanford? Or is the "nose to the grindstone" a myth?

For most people, there is plenty. For athletes it might be harder, and there is a oft repeated quote among the athletes that between an academic life, a social life, and an athletic life one can chose two out of the three.

I would add that students at Stanford (and everywhere) the last couple of years have had their school lives, and especially the social aspect, turned upside down by the pandemic. A current sophomore has basically had most of his life at Stanford lived under a pandemic, and while this year is better than last, I don’t think we are quite back to the status quo ante.

BC

[BostonCard]

AKA the friend lists "social environment" as one of the reasons. How much time is there for socializing at Stanford? Or is the "nose to the grindstone" a myth?

For most people, there is plenty. For athletes it might be harder, and there is a oft repeated quote among the athletes that between an academic life, a social life, and an athletic life one can chose two out of the three.

I would add that students at Stanford (and everywhere) the last couple of years have had their school lives, and especially the social aspect, turned upside down by the pandemic. A current sophomore has basically had most of his life at Stanford lived under a pandemic, and while this year is better than last, I don’t think we are quite back to the status quo ante.

BC

[BobK]

Social environment could mean more than socializing. But that’s politics so no more

[BobK]

Social environment could mean more than socializing. But that’s politics so no more

[newguy]

Lol I was just sent this thread by a friend since I’m good friends with Noah.

It was a combination of factors, being dissatisfied with the social environment of Stanford was one, but the primary issue was he felt that he didn’t get enough playing time to show his potential— and that when he did show it, there was no reward in terms of playing time for that.

He loves basketball more than anything— which is why he was willing to sacrifice the degree for a place where he could get more playing experience.

Hope this helps settle all the speculation!

- tg

so he doesn't necessarily want to become a Jesuit?

[newguy]

Lol I was just sent this thread by a friend since I’m good friends with Noah.

It was a combination of factors, being dissatisfied with the social environment of Stanford was one, but the primary issue was he felt that he didn’t get enough playing time to show his potential— and that when he did show it, there was no reward in terms of playing time for that.

He loves basketball more than anything— which is why he was willing to sacrifice the degree for a place where he could get more playing experience.

Hope this helps settle all the speculation!

- tg

so he doesn't necessarily want to become a Jesuit?

[Madera86]

Well Holy Cow can you imagine that some other colleges offer a great experience? How can that possibly be?

In turn, it just blows me away that alumni on the CardBoard think highly of their alma mater at the expense of other schools.  Imagine!

[Madera86]

Well Holy Cow can you imagine that some other colleges offer a great experience? How can that possibly be?

In turn, it just blows me away that alumni on the CardBoard think highly of their alma mater at the expense of other schools.  Imagine!

[Goose]

Well Holy Cow can you imagine that some other colleges offer a great experience? How can that possibly be?

In turn, it just blows me away that alumni on the CardBoard think highly of their alma mater at the expense of other schools.  Imagine!

I think most people that attend Stanford like it. Some do not, but stay on to graduate anyway. Some leave. I also think most people who attend Stanford fully realize other schools have a lot to offer and are very open to the idea that some people will be better off going elsewhere. It is certainly true that if you attend Stanford you are very aware of certain things you consider as "warts". How important these "warts" are to an individual obviously depends on that individual.

My experience was that "faculty brats" and "legacies" in particular often really didn't like being at Stanford. They never really had a choice about where they were going to school. Faculty brats had already lived their entire life at Stanford. They wanted to "go away to college" but couldn't. Some were certainly not interested in a academic career and really had no idea what they wanted to do in life. They hung around to graduate because they had to, but would have (or should have) left in an instant if they could. This says nothing bad about Stanford. It says a lot about the "fit".

[Goose]

Well Holy Cow can you imagine that some other colleges offer a great experience? How can that possibly be?

In turn, it just blows me away that alumni on the CardBoard think highly of their alma mater at the expense of other schools.  Imagine!

I think most people that attend Stanford like it. Some do not, but stay on to graduate anyway. Some leave. I also think most people who attend Stanford fully realize other schools have a lot to offer and are very open to the idea that some people will be better off going elsewhere. It is certainly true that if you attend Stanford you are very aware of certain things you consider as "warts". How important these "warts" are to an individual obviously depends on that individual.

My experience was that "faculty brats" and "legacies" in particular often really didn't like being at Stanford. They never really had a choice about where they were going to school. Faculty brats had already lived their entire life at Stanford. They wanted to "go away to college" but couldn't. Some were certainly not interested in a academic career and really had no idea what they wanted to do in life. They hung around to graduate because they had to, but would have (or should have) left in an instant if they could. This says nothing bad about Stanford. It says a lot about the "fit".

[BostonCard]

Why can’t faculty beats go elsewhere? The tuition benefit can be applied anywhere.

BC

[BostonCard]

Why can’t faculty beats go elsewhere? The tuition benefit can be applied anywhere.

BC

[McKenwood]

Why can’t faculty beats go elsewhere? The tuition benefit can be applied anywhere.

BC

They can. As a faculty "brat" I went to Stanford (and was happy by the way) whereas my brother went elsewhere for "free" as Stanford half-tuition benefit took care of everything.

[McKenwood]

Why can’t faculty beats go elsewhere? The tuition benefit can be applied anywhere.

BC

They can. As a faculty "brat" I went to Stanford (and was happy by the way) whereas my brother went elsewhere for "free" as Stanford half-tuition benefit took care of everything.

[Goose]

Why can’t faculty beats go elsewhere? The tuition benefit can be applied anywhere.

BC

True, but their parents expectations are what they are.

[Goose]

Why can’t faculty beats go elsewhere? The tuition benefit can be applied anywhere.

BC

True, but their parents expectations are what they are.

[JJJ]

Lol I was just sent this thread by a friend since I’m good friends with Noah.

It was a combination of factors, being dissatisfied with the social environment of Stanford was one, but the primary issue was he felt that he didn’t get enough playing time to show his potential— and that when he did show it, there was no reward in terms of playing time for that.

He loves basketball more than anything— which is why he was willing to sacrifice the degree for a place where he could get more playing experience.

Hope this helps settle all the speculation!

- tg

Thanks for the info.  Please wish Noah a great experience at LMU with lots of playing time!  
Cheers,
Pete F.

Yes, please wish him the best at LMU. Seemed like a fine young man who will do well anywhere.

[JJJ]

Lol I was just sent this thread by a friend since I’m good friends with Noah.

It was a combination of factors, being dissatisfied with the social environment of Stanford was one, but the primary issue was he felt that he didn’t get enough playing time to show his potential— and that when he did show it, there was no reward in terms of playing time for that.

He loves basketball more than anything— which is why he was willing to sacrifice the degree for a place where he could get more playing experience.

Hope this helps settle all the speculation!

- tg

Thanks for the info.  Please wish Noah a great experience at LMU with lots of playing time!  
Cheers,
Pete F.

Yes, please wish him the best at LMU. Seemed like a fine young man who will do well anywhere.

[old spanish trail]

How well? Just fine if he has what it takes.

[old spanish trail]

How well? Just fine if he has what it takes.

[MV72018]

Lol I was just sent this thread by a friend since I’m good friends with Noah.

It was a combination of factors, being dissatisfied with the social environment of Stanford was one, but the primary issue was he felt that he didn’t get enough playing time to show his potential— and that when he did show it, there was no reward in terms of playing time for that.

He loves basketball more than anything— which is why he was willing to sacrifice the degree for a place where he could get more playing experience.

Hope this helps settle all the speculation!

- tg

"...the social environment at Stanford..." What exactly does that mean? Too many/few parties? Too many/few frats? Too multi-cultural? Hard to meet women? Wanting to be at a Catholic school? Could you enlighten us about what Noah means by that phrase? As for, "he was willing to sacrifice the degree for a place where he could get more playing time..." Well, I hope he got some wise advice about the stakes of that major decision. Will the value of playing 20-30 minutes per game in 50-60 college basketball games at LMU in his junior and senior years and the value of getting a B.A. degree from LMU trump the value of having a Stanford B.A. degree over the next 4-5 decades? For Noah's sake, I hope it does, but I know that "sacrific[ing]" a Stanford undergrad degree to get more time on the hardwood is not something I would do.         

"...the s"\\ocial environment of Stanford...". What exactly does that mean? Not enough parties at SU? People spend too much time studying, not enough "having fun"? Too many cliques? Too many fraternities? Too multi-cultural? Too far from a big city? I have no clue what that expression means. P.S. "...sacrificing the [Stanford] degree for a place where he could get more playing time" strikes me as an imprudent long-term decision. LMU is a minor-league educational institution. How well will a "communication studies," history, "business administration," "theological studies," or other B.A. degree from LMU set Noah up for long-term success?  
"...the social environment of Stanford...". What exactly does that mean? Not enough parties at SU? People spend too much time studying, not enough "having fun"? Too many cliques? Too many fraternities? Too multi-cultural? Too far from a big city? I have no clue what that expression means. P.S. "...sacrificing the [Stanford] degree for a place where he could get more playing time" strikes me as an imprudent long-term decision. LMU is a minor-league educational institution. How well will a "communication studies," history, "business administration," "theological studies," or other B.A. degree from LMU set Noah up for long-term success?  

[MV72018]

Lol I was just sent this thread by a friend since I’m good friends with Noah.

It was a combination of factors, being dissatisfied with the social environment of Stanford was one, but the primary issue was he felt that he didn’t get enough playing time to show his potential— and that when he did show it, there was no reward in terms of playing time for that.

He loves basketball more than anything— which is why he was willing to sacrifice the degree for a place where he could get more playing experience.

Hope this helps settle all the speculation!

- tg

"...the social environment at Stanford..." What exactly does that mean? Too many/few parties? Too many/few frats? Too multi-cultural? Hard to meet women? Wanting to be at a Catholic school? Could you enlighten us about what Noah means by that phrase? As for, "he was willing to sacrifice the degree for a place where he could get more playing time..." Well, I hope he got some wise advice about the stakes of that major decision. Will the value of playing 20-30 minutes per game in 50-60 college basketball games at LMU in his junior and senior years and the value of getting a B.A. degree from LMU trump the value of having a Stanford B.A. degree over the next 4-5 decades? For Noah's sake, I hope it does, but I know that "sacrific[ing]" a Stanford undergrad degree to get more time on the hardwood is not something I would do.         

"...the s"\\ocial environment of Stanford...". What exactly does that mean? Not enough parties at SU? People spend too much time studying, not enough "having fun"? Too many cliques? Too many fraternities? Too multi-cultural? Too far from a big city? I have no clue what that expression means. P.S. "...sacrificing the [Stanford] degree for a place where he could get more playing time" strikes me as an imprudent long-term decision. LMU is a minor-league educational institution. How well will a "communication studies," history, "business administration," "theological studies," or other B.A. degree from LMU set Noah up for long-term success?  
"...the social environment of Stanford...". What exactly does that mean? Not enough parties at SU? People spend too much time studying, not enough "having fun"? Too many cliques? Too many fraternities? Too multi-cultural? Too far from a big city? I have no clue what that expression means. P.S. "...sacrificing the [Stanford] degree for a place where he could get more playing time" strikes me as an imprudent long-term decision. LMU is a minor-league educational institution. How well will a "communication studies," history, "business administration," "theological studies," or other B.A. degree from LMU set Noah up for long-term success?  

[cctop]

Well Holy Cow can you imagine that some other colleges offer a great experience? How can that possibly be?

My firstborn son has to pick a college this week.

He & I have spent the past four years road-tripping to the Pac-12 schools and beyond.

Outside of Stanford I think my favorite campuses were Oregon State (Corvalis is really under-rated) and Colorado.  His favorites were Arizona State and Oregon, and it looks likely he'll pick Arizona.

Two schools that also rose in my opinion after visiting were San Jose State (lots of new construction, good energy) and Chico (pretty campus, good college town).

[cctop]

Well Holy Cow can you imagine that some other colleges offer a great experience? How can that possibly be?

My firstborn son has to pick a college this week.

He & I have spent the past four years road-tripping to the Pac-12 schools and beyond.

Outside of Stanford I think my favorite campuses were Oregon State (Corvalis is really under-rated) and Colorado.  His favorites were Arizona State and Oregon, and it looks likely he'll pick Arizona.

Two schools that also rose in my opinion after visiting were San Jose State (lots of new construction, good energy) and Chico (pretty campus, good college town).

[Goose]

Will the value of playing 20-30 minutes per game in 50-60 college basketball games at LMU in his junior and senior years and the value of getting a B.A. degree from LMU trump the value of having a Stanford B.A. degree over the next 4-5 decades? For Noah's sake, I hope it does, but I know that "sacrific[ing]" a Stanford undergrad degree to get more time on the hardwood is not something I would do.

Nor would I, but then I liked it at Stanford and basketball isn't that important to me, since I am not good at it at all. Which path is the "better" one for Noah Taitz, nobody will ever know because you only live once. He has his reasons, and good luck to him.

[Goose]

Will the value of playing 20-30 minutes per game in 50-60 college basketball games at LMU in his junior and senior years and the value of getting a B.A. degree from LMU trump the value of having a Stanford B.A. degree over the next 4-5 decades? For Noah's sake, I hope it does, but I know that "sacrific[ing]" a Stanford undergrad degree to get more time on the hardwood is not something I would do.

Nor would I, but then I liked it at Stanford and basketball isn't that important to me, since I am not good at it at all. Which path is the "better" one for Noah Taitz, nobody will ever know because you only live once. He has his reasons, and good luck to him.

[81alum]

Will the value of playing 20-30 minutes per game in 50-60 college basketball games at LMU in his junior and senior years and the value of getting a B.A. degree from LMU trump the value of having a Stanford B.A. degree over the next 4-5 decades? For Noah's sake, I hope it does, but I know that "sacrific[ing]" a Stanford undergrad degree to get more time on the hardwood is not something I would do.

Nor would I, but then I liked it at Stanford and basketball isn't that important to me, since I am not good at it at all. Which path is the "better" one for Noah Taitz, nobody will ever know because you only live once. He has his reasons, and good luck to him.

Yes I agree that Taitz deserves the freedom to make his own decision.  However, it does make we wonder about our recruiting strategy.  Is MBB capitalizing sufficiently on the offer of a Stanford degree if we are recruiting players who don't value it that highly?

[81alum]

Will the value of playing 20-30 minutes per game in 50-60 college basketball games at LMU in his junior and senior years and the value of getting a B.A. degree from LMU trump the value of having a Stanford B.A. degree over the next 4-5 decades? For Noah's sake, I hope it does, but I know that "sacrific[ing]" a Stanford undergrad degree to get more time on the hardwood is not something I would do.

Nor would I, but then I liked it at Stanford and basketball isn't that important to me, since I am not good at it at all. Which path is the "better" one for Noah Taitz, nobody will ever know because you only live once. He has his reasons, and good luck to him.

Yes I agree that Taitz deserves the freedom to make his own decision.  However, it does make we wonder about our recruiting strategy.  Is MBB capitalizing sufficiently on the offer of a Stanford degree if we are recruiting players who don't value it that highly?

[Goose]

Yes I agree that Taitz deserves the freedom to make his own decision.  However, it does make we wonder about our recruiting strategy.  Is MBB capitalizing sufficiently on the offer of a Stanford degree if we are recruiting players who don't value it that highly?

Well, Taitz did go to Stanford, so whatever they offered "worked". I think that he undoubtedly valued a Stanford degree, but as his friend said, he loves basketball more than anything. He undoubtedly expected he would play a lot at Stanford. Didn't work out that way, so making a move makes sense under those conditions. These days, anybody who doesn't play as much as they wish is liable to leave IMHO. If you restrict recruiting to guys who are OK with not playing and stay for the degree, you are going to miss out on lots of guys you will want to get. If they play, they stay, if they don't, that's life. In today's world, you can't take that hit.

[Goose]

Yes I agree that Taitz deserves the freedom to make his own decision.  However, it does make we wonder about our recruiting strategy.  Is MBB capitalizing sufficiently on the offer of a Stanford degree if we are recruiting players who don't value it that highly?

Well, Taitz did go to Stanford, so whatever they offered "worked". I think that he undoubtedly valued a Stanford degree, but as his friend said, he loves basketball more than anything. He undoubtedly expected he would play a lot at Stanford. Didn't work out that way, so making a move makes sense under those conditions. These days, anybody who doesn't play as much as they wish is liable to leave IMHO. If you restrict recruiting to guys who are OK with not playing and stay for the degree, you are going to miss out on lots of guys you will want to get. If they play, they stay, if they don't, that's life. In today's world, you can't take that hit.

[MV72018]

Will the value of playing 20-30 minutes per game in 50-60 college basketball games at LMU in his junior and senior years and the value of getting a B.A. degree from LMU trump the value of having a Stanford B.A. degree over the next 4-5 decades? For Noah's sake, I hope it does, but I know that "sacrific[ing]" a Stanford undergrad degree to get more time on the hardwood is not something I would do.

Nor would I, but then I liked it at Stanford and basketball isn't that important to me, since I am not good at it at all. Which path is the "better" one for Noah Taitz, nobody will ever know because you only live once. He has his reasons, and good luck to him.

Yes I agree that Taitz deserves the freedom to make his own decision.  However, it does make we wonder about our recruiting strategy.  Is MBB capitalizing sufficiently on the offer of a Stanford degree if we are recruiting players who don't value it that highly?

Of course he deserves "the freedom to make his own decision." That wasn't at all the issue I was raising. It was whether he had gotten wise advice in the process of trying to decide whether to "sacrifice" a Stanford degree (and the doors it opens) for the sake of more time on the hardwood of a low-level basketball school when he's clearly lacks NBA potential, and because, according to his self-described friend, he didn't care for SU's "social environment," whatever Noah/his friend meant by that!

[MV72018]

Will the value of playing 20-30 minutes per game in 50-60 college basketball games at LMU in his junior and senior years and the value of getting a B.A. degree from LMU trump the value of having a Stanford B.A. degree over the next 4-5 decades? For Noah's sake, I hope it does, but I know that "sacrific[ing]" a Stanford undergrad degree to get more time on the hardwood is not something I would do.

Nor would I, but then I liked it at Stanford and basketball isn't that important to me, since I am not good at it at all. Which path is the "better" one for Noah Taitz, nobody will ever know because you only live once. He has his reasons, and good luck to him.

Yes I agree that Taitz deserves the freedom to make his own decision.  However, it does make we wonder about our recruiting strategy.  Is MBB capitalizing sufficiently on the offer of a Stanford degree if we are recruiting players who don't value it that highly?

Of course he deserves "the freedom to make his own decision." That wasn't at all the issue I was raising. It was whether he had gotten wise advice in the process of trying to decide whether to "sacrifice" a Stanford degree (and the doors it opens) for the sake of more time on the hardwood of a low-level basketball school when he's clearly lacks NBA potential, and because, according to his self-described friend, he didn't care for SU's "social environment," whatever Noah/his friend meant by that!

[akiddoc]

Or maybe he just dislikes Stanford? Strangely enough, there are people who do not enjoy Stanford, for many and various reasons. Some of those people stay and get the degree (while hating every minute) because of the doors it opens, some don't. I have no idea to what extent that applies applies to Taitz, but that would make leaving without a degree less inexplicable.

Or maybe he wants to play.  Not like he got a ton of minutes.

True, that makes sense. However, as others have pointed out, he isn't a "pro" prospect. He isn't going to play much (if at all) after college. It probably would make sense to decide whether continuing to play more minutes of basketball for two or three years is "better" than getting a Stanford degree. Either choice is possible, but IMHO you only go with the basketball choice if you aren't otherwise enthused with your Stanford "experience". That's me, and I never had such a choice to make, so YMMV.

Practically every college D1 player thinks they are a pro prospect if they only get a chance to show what they can do.

[akiddoc]

Or maybe he just dislikes Stanford? Strangely enough, there are people who do not enjoy Stanford, for many and various reasons. Some of those people stay and get the degree (while hating every minute) because of the doors it opens, some don't. I have no idea to what extent that applies applies to Taitz, but that would make leaving without a degree less inexplicable.

Or maybe he wants to play.  Not like he got a ton of minutes.

True, that makes sense. However, as others have pointed out, he isn't a "pro" prospect. He isn't going to play much (if at all) after college. It probably would make sense to decide whether continuing to play more minutes of basketball for two or three years is "better" than getting a Stanford degree. Either choice is possible, but IMHO you only go with the basketball choice if you aren't otherwise enthused with your Stanford "experience". That's me, and I never had such a choice to make, so YMMV.

Practically every college D1 player thinks they are a pro prospect if they only get a chance to show what they can do.

[JeffInCorvallis]

Well Holy Cow can you imagine that some other colleges offer a great experience? How can that possibly be?

My firstborn son has to pick a college this week.

He & I have spent the past four years road-tripping to the Pac-12 schools and beyond.

Outside of Stanford I think my favorite campuses were Oregon State (Corvalis is really under-rated) and Colorado.  His favorites were Arizona State and Oregon, and it looks likely he'll pick Arizona.

Two schools that also rose in my opinion after visiting were San Jose State (lots of new construction, good energy) and Chico (pretty campus, good college town).

Two l's but we'll take it. Not a lot of night life in Corvallis but otherwise a pretty good place.

[JeffInCorvallis]

Well Holy Cow can you imagine that some other colleges offer a great experience? How can that possibly be?

My firstborn son has to pick a college this week.

He & I have spent the past four years road-tripping to the Pac-12 schools and beyond.

Outside of Stanford I think my favorite campuses were Oregon State (Corvalis is really under-rated) and Colorado.  His favorites were Arizona State and Oregon, and it looks likely he'll pick Arizona.

Two schools that also rose in my opinion after visiting were San Jose State (lots of new construction, good energy) and Chico (pretty campus, good college town).

Two l's but we'll take it. Not a lot of night life in Corvallis but otherwise a pretty good place.

[Phogge]

Chico? Party school, at least in the 60’s. Party Friday night, maybe a trip to Cadillac Flats at 2am. Wake up crushed and we sweep a doubleheader with a fight at second base after a spikes high slide by a pissed off Chico guy. What a weekend.

[Phogge]

Chico? Party school, at least in the 60’s. Party Friday night, maybe a trip to Cadillac Flats at 2am. Wake up crushed and we sweep a doubleheader with a fight at second base after a spikes high slide by a pissed off Chico guy. What a weekend.

[doubledub]

People who go to schools other than Stanford also get into grad school and/or get good jobs. Why would anyone assume that Taitz got anything other than good advice? Let's assume he is smart. Let's assume that he was recruited to Stanford he heard the 4 to 5 decade sales pitch, value of the degree, etc. Let's assume for 2 years he has seen other basketball players (and other athletes) who didn't play much graduate and perhaps get into mediocre grad schools and/or mediocre jobs. Maybe he said "I'm really smart and will be top of my class at LMU and will end up in the same place as those average Stanford athlete AND live my hoop dreams." Maybe he wants to be a school teacher when his playing days are over and so it really doesn't matter where his degree is from. I loved Stanford, but there are LOTS of other options out there to get you where you want to go on life.

[doubledub]

People who go to schools other than Stanford also get into grad school and/or get good jobs. Why would anyone assume that Taitz got anything other than good advice? Let's assume he is smart. Let's assume that he was recruited to Stanford he heard the 4 to 5 decade sales pitch, value of the degree, etc. Let's assume for 2 years he has seen other basketball players (and other athletes) who didn't play much graduate and perhaps get into mediocre grad schools and/or mediocre jobs. Maybe he said "I'm really smart and will be top of my class at LMU and will end up in the same place as those average Stanford athlete AND live my hoop dreams." Maybe he wants to be a school teacher when his playing days are over and so it really doesn't matter where his degree is from. I loved Stanford, but there are LOTS of other options out there to get you where you want to go on life.