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Ask San Franciscans: Is it worth taking a 2 week holiday to SF?

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Re: Ask San Franciscans: Is it worth taking a 2 week holiday to SF?

#11

Post by marshray »

Speaking as one who lived in hip college towns for years and didn't attend. At the end of your stay, nothing about the town will be as memorable as the school itself (unless you get arrested or something).

Unless you have a spouse who won't be in the same univ, I'd suggest ignoring the city entirely. Plan to live (i.e., spend the entirety of your productive life) in the school. Avoid having a car if at all possible.

Of course there's a crapton of stuff to do in the area, it's a world-renowned city. But save it for when relatives come to visit!

Re: Ask San Franciscans: Is it worth taking a 2 week holiday to SF?

#12

Post by dotBen »

Nothing to do with startups, I think spending some time visiting campus before you apply is a wise idea. Like you said, it's 4 years you'll be here.

Just remember that neither Berkeley or Stanford are in San Francisco and if you attend either it is unlikely you would be living in San Francisco during your studies.

I'm assuming, therefore, you meant the SF Bay Area in which case definitely come and spend time in the East Bay (for Berkeley) and Palo Alto region (for Stanford).

The East Bay is known to be 'gritty' in (most) places and so if you've not lived in an inner-city area with social problems then its worth finding out if it is for you. Berkeley itself doesn't have quite those problems but many people who study there don't necessarily live in Berkeley itself.

Stanford does have a great campus, but for me the wider area is incredibly boring. If you just want to study for 4 years it's ideal, but if you see university life as a rite of passage as much as an academic experience you'll find yourself spending a lot of time in SF.

I should say, I'm envious (in a positive, good way) you are in a position academically and financially to be able to apply to either - I would have loved the opportunity to go but sadly never made it to university, let alone either of these fine institutions.

Re: Ask San Franciscans: Is it worth taking a 2 week holiday to SF?

#13

Post by mtviewdave »

Whether or not a trip to the SF Bay Area would be helpful or you is hard to say. But two weeks strikes me as a very long time just for the Bay Area. A day at Berkeley, a day at Stanford, a day or two hanging out at some startups, maybe going to a meetup or two. A week strikes me as plenty.

If you want to stay more than a week (and having done SFOSYD myself, I can understand if you would), you should think about visiting other cities.

If you're staying in San Francisco, you can get to either school, or anywhere in San Francisco proper, without a car. But a car starts to become necessary for anything beyond that. Note that many car rental companies won't rent to someone younger than 25, and those that do, will generally charge extra. And I suspect a lack of an American driver's license would further restrict your options.

Re: Ask San Franciscans: Is it worth taking a 2 week holiday to SF?

#15

Post by AndrewO »

bugsy wrote: post #9
bartonfink wrote: post #6

From Australia? Absolutely it's worth an extended visit, although 2 weeks is a long time. If you stay busy, you could probably explore the Bay area thoroughly in just one week. If you want to stay on the Pacific coast, I'd probably check out Seattle for another week just so you get the most bang for your visit.

If you do this, take the Coast Starlight train from SF and stop in Portland on the way.

Portland's one of my favorite cities in the country (and I'm a lifelong East Coaster) and it's definitely worth a visit.

That said, if Stanford and Berkeley are in the mix, I don't know if any schools in Portland can quite compete.

Re: Ask San Franciscans: Is it worth taking a 2 week holiday to SF?

#16

Post by mattdeboard »

marshray wrote: post #11

Speaking as one who lived in hip college towns for years and didn't attend. At the end of your stay, nothing about the town will be as memorable as the school itself (unless you get arrested or something). Unless you have a spouse who won't be in the same univ, I'd suggest ignoring the city entirely. Plan to live (i.e., spend the entirety of your productive life) in the school. Avoid having a car if at all possible.…

I'm sorry, what? Have you ever BEEN to San Francisco? I lived there for 2.5 years. It's unforgettable, and I miss it every day.

Re: Ask San Franciscans: Is it worth taking a 2 week holiday to SF?

#17

Post by georgieporgie »

Definitely consider couch surfing during your visit, as it will give you an instant connection to the area and local advice.

SF itself is heavily populated by hipsters, which is either your thing or very irritating. SF is foggier and cooler than the surrounding areas, particularly in the summer months.

Re: Ask San Franciscans: Is it worth taking a 2 week holiday to SF?

#18

Post by mdon »

bugsy wrote: post #10
gsivil wrote: post #2

I have visited SF only for a bit and I had the chance to visit Berkeley and Stanford. I really liked the city a lot and I want to give you my two cents about these two Universities. If you get accepted by these Universities (and let's say you do not have any offers from better places on the East side) do not hesitate in accepting it even for a second. Stanford stands out not only as academic institution in terms of r…

If he's doing engineering there's not much on the east coast other than MIT. Stanford, CalTech and MIT are the three on the top and there is a big gap before the next one down. Of these three, Stanford is the only one where a normal social life is possible, assuming that's desirable.

You clearly have no understanding of the enormity of the eastern time zone if MIT is the only engineering school you can think of.

Re: Ask San Franciscans: Is it worth taking a 2 week holiday to SF?

#19

Post by gsivil »

bugsy wrote: post #10
gsivil wrote: post #2

I have visited SF only for a bit and I had the chance to visit Berkeley and Stanford. I really liked the city a lot and I want to give you my two cents about these two Universities. If you get accepted by these Universities (and let's say you do not have any offers from better places on the East side) do not hesitate in accepting it even for a second. Stanford stands out not only as academic institution in terms of r…

If he's doing engineering there's not much on the east coast other than MIT. Stanford, CalTech and MIT are the three on the top and there is a big gap before the next one down. Of these three, Stanford is the only one where a normal social life is possible, assuming that's desirable.

I do not know what he is about to study but for example in CS there are very very good places on the east besides MIT.

http://grad-schools.usnews.rankingsandreviews.com/best-gradu...

The OP does not want to get details info in rankings and at such a top level I think being in Berkeley or Stanford or Cornell or Princeton is not so different.

Re: Ask San Franciscans: Is it worth taking a 2 week holiday to SF?

#20

Post by AndrewO »

There's plenty to see in the Bay Area, but if you need to get out, there's a lot of natural beauty elsewhere. When I visited, I rented a car and drove down the Pacific Coast Highway[1] to Big Sur and it was absolutely amazing. Dramatic views of the coast, beautiful canyons... Loved it. I definitely came away with a case of coastline envy (although I don't know how it compares with Australia).

You can get there and back in a day if you get an early start (or you can overnight).

[1] http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pacific_Coast_Highway_(Californ...

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