Class of ‘14 Experiences First Social Event

Three weeks before New Student Orientation, Stanford hosted its annual Send-Off parties, bringing anxious, eager, and energized freshman together for an awkwardly entertaining meet-and-greet.  Through timid laughter and parental pestering, the parties facilitated new relationships to ease the students into their first year at Stanford. Incoming freshmen living around the South Bay attended their Stanford Send-off Party at an appropriate location: Stanford University. 

"We do Send-Offs to break Stanford University down into intimate communities," said Undergraduate Dean Julie Lythcott-Haims, a graduate from class of '89.  "To know Stanford requires you to know people.  The Send-Offs allow us to create a sense of community and belonging and also show that we prioritize that sense of community and belonging."

Though the South Bay Send-Off was located at Stanford's Arrillaga Alumni Center, "not a very far send-off," Lythcott-Haims joked, it gave new freshmen the opportunity to meet future peers, dormmates, and friends from around the area.  After the groups formed, the initial awkward silences passed, and introductions finished, the students found people in their dorms and bonded over common college life questions. 

"Who is my roommate?  I really want to know who my roommate is!" one freshman said. 

Unlike most universities, Stanford does not tell freshmen who their roommates are.  The students found out the day they arrived at school, which this year was Tuesday, Sept. 14. 

The mystery also heightened the excitement for the first day of New Student Orientation; an excitement palpable at the Send-Off as students shared their hopes for college.

One student exclaimed, "I can't wait to leave my high school bubble of 70 girls!" she explained of the small smothering community of an all girls college-preparatory school.

"I just hope my parents don't come visit me all of the time," continued another female student in a whisper.  

Some students confessed anxiety about choosing a major, registering for classes, and "hanging out with so many geniuses," while others are "so ready to have all-you-can-eat-dining three meals a day!"  

To quell the anxiety, answer questions, and advise new freshmen about Stanford, current students and recent alumni are invited and add energy to the Send-Offs.  Sprinkled throughout the groups, alums and current students talked to freshman about different major requirements, great courses and professors, and traditional, fun Stanford events.

"All the incoming frosh seemed very excited and they were full of questions about Introduction to Humanities (IHUM) and the Program in Writing and Rhetoric (PWR) [core classes in the frosh curriculum]," said current student Jordan Raymond ('12).  "A lot of the kids there are from local high schools, so they had been to Stanford before, but they all seemed ready and anxious for NSO." 

In one conversation a freshman noted, "I'm thinking astrophysics but that'll probably change.  I want to explore everything."  A current student then suggested that she fulfill the chemistry requirement in Autumn quarter, explaining that for the science-based majors, starting sooner lessens the stress of the core curriculum.

"Send-Offs are a way to give back, current students and recent grads sharing wisdom," said John Poon ('05), Cardinal Young Alumni Club President.  "Stanford is about giving back to the community and Send-Offs are a way to do that."

And give back they did, as students took home a little advice and a few new friends.  Filling the Alumni Center courtyard with a vibrant energy, the Send-Off armed freshmen with the tools they need to start off college on the right foot – some familiar faces, a dash of dorm pride, and an obvious enthusiasm for the new school year.