[Redrum]

So many of my favorite posters weighed in...and they aren't lightweights.  I love reading stuff by literate, expressive people.

I believe the 40-year decision is true because it has worked for me.

Not the way most ideal Stanford grads might view their destinies (and parts of society view them),  but I'd characterize it as a 40-year tailwind. Not a hurricane, but a very present, if variable, force helping me along.  Stanford finally helped me grow up, wake up out of a youthful daze of sorts [sadly, too late for stellar academic achievement].  It got me my first job, in journalism.  It offered me the opportunity to change my life in my second job that also got me out of California and into the wider world.  Along the way it provided my best friend (still is)  and, eventually, my wife (still is).  It took a fabulous, introverted daughter and nurtured her into an adventurous, even daring, world-traveling, accomplished person I hardly recognize at times.  Stanford has been a 43-year blessing.

I will add that Stanford football is the thread that runs through all the above.  Shallow me, but... well, there it is.  When I'd just transferred in, not knowing anybody or which way was up, sitting in the stands watching Stanford football helped me feel part of the place.  It allowed the just-hired  me to go toe-to-toe with the lead sportswriter at the paper, who had totally sold out to the myth of Rex Kern and OSU invincibility.  A chance, shared ride with another Stanford grad to a Stanford/ U$€ game in SoCal got me my real life-changing job.  Stanford football and a late (CST) night victory dance after the Greatest Upset Ever keeps me more interested in Stanford as a whole than all the undergrads phoning me for donations or the glossy, high production-value solicitations that arrive in the mail.  Hail Stanford, Hail... but beat U$€, Kal and the University of Dead Fake Girlfriends.

[Redrum]

So many of my favorite posters weighed in...and they aren't lightweights.  I love reading stuff by literate, expressive people.

I believe the 40-year decision is true because it has worked for me.

Not the way most ideal Stanford grads might view their destinies (and parts of society view them),  but I'd characterize it as a 40-year tailwind. Not a hurricane, but a very present, if variable, force helping me along.  Stanford finally helped me grow up, wake up out of a youthful daze of sorts [sadly, too late for stellar academic achievement].  It got me my first job, in journalism.  It offered me the opportunity to change my life in my second job that also got me out of California and into the wider world.  Along the way it provided my best friend (still is)  and, eventually, my wife (still is).  It took a fabulous, introverted daughter and nurtured her into an adventurous, even daring, world-traveling, accomplished person I hardly recognize at times.  Stanford has been a 43-year blessing.

I will add that Stanford football is the thread that runs through all the above.  Shallow me, but... well, there it is.  When I'd just transferred in, not knowing anybody or which way was up, sitting in the stands watching Stanford football helped me feel part of the place.  It allowed the just-hired  me to go toe-to-toe with the lead sportswriter at the paper, who had totally sold out to the myth of Rex Kern and OSU invincibility.  A chance, shared ride with another Stanford grad to a Stanford/ U$€ game in SoCal got me my real life-changing job.  Stanford football and a late (CST) night victory dance after the Greatest Upset Ever keeps me more interested in Stanford as a whole than all the undergrads phoning me for donations or the glossy, high production-value solicitations that arrive in the mail.  Hail Stanford, Hail... but beat U$€, Kal and the University of Dead Fake Girlfriends.