Very Urgent Stanford Info needed

[quake]

Please could someone tell me which airport I shd fly to?
The only thing I know is that Stanford is in California and that is a big state
Thanks

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[Diogenes]

San Francisco is probably your best bet, though San Jose is about the same distance/time away. Check for your best fares. San Jose is a lot smaller, so it will have fewer flights, though sometimes better prices. You could fly to Oakland in a pinch, but it is significantly farther away. If you don't want to rent a car, post a message saying so and I can give you info on how to get to Stanford using public transportation.

 

[meals]

I would say fly into either San Jose or San Francisco. San Jose is a much smaller airport and is actually a little closer to campus. Both airports have shuttle services that will take you where you need to go. Good luck!

 

[quake]

thanks bjc. I don't want to rent a car so what would be the cheapest way to get to stanford from the airport. BTW how far is Stanford med from the closest airport?

 

[quake]

Thanks ever so much bjc and meals. I just got a ticket to San Jose it was about $60 dollars cheaper than San Francisco.
Meanwhile, I understand from meals' last post that there is a shuttle service to the campus. That is simply sweet. Thanks so much. You guys/gals are awesome

 

[Diogenes]

Search on Yahoo for San Jose Airport, and you should find the website for the airport. I think that the website should have shuttle info.

 

[Esco]

When I interviewed I flew into San Jose...my sister actually is an undergrad there right now and she told me this was the most convenient airport for students because it has shuttles that will take you to and from Stanford(one way~$25) The only options you have from San Francisco are a ridiculously expensive taxi ride or a shuttle which she told me are extremely overpriced...but what else would you expect from SF

 

[Diogenes]

Now that I think about it, you might want to call some of the shuttle services and ask about rates, and then check out rental cars. San Jose airport is 20-30 minutes from Stanford (as is SFO), so the cost might be similar, if you can find a cheap rental car. That would give you more flexibility, if the costs are similar.

 

[Diogenes]

kjigga

yes, San Francisco is an expensive place to live, so your barb is appropriate, but for everyone's reference, SFO is not in San Francisco. It is a dozen miles south of San Francisco, in a town called Millbrae.

 

[Ceelo]

•••quote:•••Originally posted by kjigga:
•When I interviewed I flew into San Jose...my sister actually is an undergrad there right now and she told me this was the most convenient airport for students because it has shuttles that will take you to and from Stanford(one way~$25) The only options you have from San Francisco are a ridiculously expensive taxi ride or a shuttle which she told me are extremely overpriced...but what else would you expect from SF•••••Actually, there is one more option. You can take a free shuttle from either airport (SFO or SJC) to the Caltrain and then take the train to Palo Alto. It'll only cost you about $3. From PA, you can take the free Stanford shuttle to campus. Keep in mind that the Stanford shuttle doesn't run on the weekends and I believe the Caltrain has limited hours on the weekends.

 

[brandonite]

I was looking into this in the desparate hope they choose to interview me. Anyway, I read somewhere that the CalTrain didn't allow luggage, or something similar to that. Is that right?

Quake - where are you staying??

I'll have to fly into SFO, as that's where Air Canada flys into. I won't bother you now with my SFO questions, but hopefully in a week or two I might be back here....

 

[meals]

I'm pretty sure you can take luggage on Caltrain. Otherwise it would be pretty silly to have shuttles from Caltrain to the different airports.

 

[Diogenes]

Well, given that you can take bicycles on Caltrain, I don't know where the rumor got started that you can't take luggage. I've ridden Caltrain dozens of times with a duffel bag or two, so that rumor is total BS.

 

[SMW]

The CalTrain definitely allows luggage. I've done it many, many times, burdened down with WAY TOO MUCH luggage! The shuttle from the airport to campus costs around $23 and is very convenient, I finally learned.

DO NOT fly into San Jose, That airport wasn't designed to accommodate the volume of traffic that it gets now, what with Silicon Valley and all. I've nearly missed several planes out of there, waiting in traffic in the ill designed traffic pattern around it!

 

[Diogenes]

SMW

I must respectfully disagree about San Jose airport. Although it is small, and may handle more flights and people than it was originally designed to handle, I have never had a problem there. In fact, I prefer San Jose to SFO because it is easy to use. SFO is a zoo. But each person's experiences will differ.

 

[meals]

I will agree with bjc. SJC is a lot easier for me to use than SFO -- I've used it for almost all of my interview trips so far and have had no problems. But that's just my personal experience.

 

[SMW]

That's what I had heard, but it certainly didn't work out for me the three times I've tried it. Always at the beginning or end of a school year, so probably a busy time. Spring break time is probably equally busy, if not more so.

 

[Ceelo]

•••quote:•••Originally posted by brandonite:
•I was looking into this in the desparate hope they choose to interview me. Anyway, I read somewhere that the CalTrain didn't allow luggage, or something similar to that. Is that right?
•••••The CalTrain does allow luggage. Each train usually has about two cars with luggage racks.

 

[brandonite]

OK, OK. I stand corrected. Perhaps it was one of the other transportation things I read about. Not too sure. What about the Marguerite? Or is the shuttle the better way? Do you need to make a reservation?

Anyway, I need to get an interview before I get too worried! Going into this whole process, ironically, Stanford was my top choice. And they're the only school I'm still waiting from. <img border="0" title="" alt="[Eek!]" src="eek.gif" />

 

[SMW]

The Marguerite is just the intra-school and Palo Alto shuttle. Maybe that's what doesn't allow luggage. You can just pick up the shuttle at the airport, no need for a reservation. They'll take you wherever you want to go. I've got my fingers crossed for you.

 

[quake]

Bradonite, I hear that Stanford will be interviewing through May so sit tight your miracle is on the way
Cheers.

PS. Brandonite, I live in the midwest.

 

[brandonite]

Ya, I spent about three hours Saturday afternoon at work on Stanford's website, so I'm familiar with the Marguerite. They said the best way from SFO was to take the CalTrain to a certain point, then get on the Marguerite to go the rest of the way...

And Quake - I was a bit curious where you were staying in Stanford. Did you get a host, or are you hoteling it?

Any advice from you guys that might increase the chances of me getting an interview?? How about sending a letter their way? I've never done anything like that before. I don't want to send a letter of intent, because I did really like Duke, and I don't want to tie myself to any school (though, I guess with only two interviews, I shouldn't get picky ).

Sorry to intrude into your thread, quake... :wink:

 

[SMW]

•••quote:•••Originally posted by brandonite:
•Any advice from you guys that might increase the chances of me getting an interview?? How about sending a letter their way? I've never done anything like that before.•••••I got an interview by writing to a school and telling them all about my ties to the place. Obviously, this won't work for you with Stanford (unless I missed something), but you have nothing to lose, so why not send them a letter explaining (briefly) why it's your number one choice, and then (in much greater detail) how you would uniquely contribute to the entering class? I would think they'd love your astronomy stuff. And send it FedEx, 'cuz time's a-wasting!

 

[quake]

Brandonite, I sent them an email earlier today requesting a student host but I haven't heard anything yet. I'll keep you posted
Cheers

 

[brandonite]

Thanks, SMW and quake! If I do get an interview, Quake, I wouldn't mind talking to you about things. I'll send you a PM, maybe.

I'll try and put together a letter, and send it off tomorrow. I don't know if it makes a difference or not, but it's worth a shot. Normally, I don't like doing things like that, but I can swallow my objections if it'll get me an interview.

I have no ties to Stanford. I just love Stanford because I like San Francisco, I like the idea of the hospital being on the undergrad campus, I like the five year plan, and I've heard the campus is more laid back than other schools, which is a great fit for my personality. Of course, I don't speak Spanish, which I've heard is a problem...

 

[BOOYAH]

hey, the easiest way to get to stanford from the airport (sfo or sjc) is to take the commercial airport shuttle, which is about 20 bones. i've taken the caltrain/marguerite and it's way slower. for $20 it's not too bad. it will take you door to door too.