SymSys Society Meets ProFros!

wish we took a pic of all our cute SymSys Zoom backgrounds together T_T  but here’s a masterful photoshop substitute

During Admit Week, SymSys Society had a blast talking to prospective freshmen. Our Activities Fair booth was a casual, interactive Ask Us Anything Q&A. 

Below are the most popular questions that ProFro’s asked us, so keep reading if you want to get the tea on SymSys at Stanford! 🍵

What is SymSys?

That’s a question we often ask, too. Everyone seems to have their own way of defining the major. We generally think about it as the study of artificial and natural intelligence – how do we define, understand, simulate or replicate the mind? These sorts of questions lead SymSys students to study fields like philosophy, psychological, computer science, and linguistics. We can then apply this knowledge to more fields, like human computer interaction, natural language processing, or any of the SymSys concentrations. With all the diverse subjects I just threw out in just this explanation, you can imagine how interdisciplinary and multifaceted the SymSys community is!

How can I get involved with SymSys Society--on Board or as a member? 

Yay! It’s great that you’re interested in joining us. You can apply for Board at the beginning of each school year. Applications are usually sent out in late September and are due in October. To participate as a member, just stop by our events and hop on the mailing list! 

Events calendar: link 

Mailing list: link

What roles are there on SymSys Society board?

We have co-presidents, a financial officer, social coordinators, events coordinators, alumni outreach coordinators, and more. If you’re curious, check out our Who Are We page!

Do you have to be a SymSys major to be involved?

Not at all! Students on Board (and the club) and within the community come from a wide range of majors. Whether you study hardcore STEM or humanities--or anywhere in between, there’s a place for you in SymSys Society. 

What’s the difference between CS and SymSys? 

CS and SymSys share concentrations, such as AI and HCI, so there are opportunities to develop the same technical skills from CS in the SymSys major. The difference is in the requirements! 

With CS, you’ll complete a slew of physics and engineering courses, whereas with SymSys, you’ll supplement your schedule with your choice of interdisciplinary courses, like psychology, philosophy, or linguistics. 

What’s your favorite event that SymSys Society has put on?

In in-person times, our annual Thanksgiving dinners are a splendid vibe, with professors, students, and mashed potatoes milling around and chatting (not the mashed potatoes though)!

In virtual times, we love our biweekly Sunday Socials (shoutout to Miles!) - they’re a casual hangout space for SymSys folks to drop by, listen to music, chat in breakout rooms, and study together.  

What are some cool opportunities that SymSys Society has provided?

This harks back to the days of yore, but Mark Tessier-Lavigne (Stanford’s president!) once sat down with a group of SymSys students to talk about his adjacent background in neuroscience and cognitive science. Tldr; join SymSys Society for coffee chats with Daddy MTL. 

We also regularly host coffee chats with faculty from a wide range of fields, from linguistics to design to CS and beyond. These are great opportunities to get to know professors in a small group environment! 

And of course, one of the coolest things about SymSys Society is our socials, where you can get to know the broader SymSys community at Stanford. You’ll make surprising connections and meet incredible peers! 

What do SymSys alumni do?

SymSys alumni have gone on to work in tech, healthcare, research, consulting, media, communications, and beyond. Many also move to grad school (law, med, business, PhD). The possibilities are endless! Read more here. 

What water do Stanford students drink?

This question created our most dramatic moment during Activities Fair. It revealed differing philosophies in the question: To tap or not to tap (water)? In virtual times, we’re getting (bougie and beautiful!) boxed waters, and in normal times, we turn to filtered tap water! There’s always a bottle refilling station available, and there’s also fruit-infused water in the dining halls. 😊