How to Get Into Stanford: Requirements + Tips (2024)

‍

Thinking about applying to Stanford? Let’s explore everything you need to know to get into Stanford University.

‍

Stanford University is one of the world’s leading teaching and research institutions, located in Stanford, California. Occupying over 8,000 acres, Stanford is one of the largest campuses in the United States. The university was founded in 1891 by Leland and Jane Stanford in the memoriam of their child, Leland Stanford Jr.

In the past century, the university has grown and flourished into seven successful schools. Three of these schools consist of 40 academic departments at undergraduate levels. The other four schools are centered around graduate programs regarding law, education, business, and medicine.

About Stanford

With 17,000+ students and almost 2,304 faculty members, Stanford is “a place for learning, discovery, innovation, expression, and discourse.” Stanford University—originally, and still legally, Leland Stanford Junior University—officially opened its doors on Oct. 1, 1891.

Its founders, Leland and Jane Stanford, built the university as a memorial for their late son. They invested a large fortune into the 8,180-acre Palo Alto stock farm, located in the traditional territory of the Muwekma Ohlone Tribe, that would later be Stanford University’s bustling campus.

In the last 130 years, Stanford University has evolved to be a flourishing and prosperous institution. Stanford now stands with seven schools and 18 interdisciplinary institutes, with more than 17,000 students, 2,300 faculty members, and 2,500 postdoctoral scholars.

The university is an international institution; it enrolls students from all 50 states as well as over 91 other countries across the globe. Athletics are also a popular extracurricular at Stanford. The institution holds over 800 student-athletes and has a history of winning over 150 national championships in a range of varsity sports.

Stanford has always valued education based on experience and observation and has provided generous funding as a result. This has continuously helped students with their financial needs during their studies. In recent years, two-thirds of Stanford undergraduates received a form of financial assistance and 86% of Stanford students were able to graduate almost completely debt-free.

Former President Barack Obama even commended Stanford University at the 2016 Global Entrepreneurship Summit, declaring the university as “a place that celebrates our ability as human beings to discover and learn and to build, to question, to reimagine, to create new ways to connect and work with each other.” Stanford prides itself on giving its students a robust, well-rounded experience while at their university.

Stanford Requirements

When thinking about how to get into Stanford, there are many factors to consider. Since Stanford practices a holistic admissions process, it’s important to remember that each part of your application is a “part of an integrated and comprehensive whole.” This means that there is no one determining factor that will dictate your admission; instead, Stanford looks for well-rounded candidates.

While Stanford’s admission requirements do not state a specific GPA, academic excellence is a significant criterion for admission to Stanford. Admissions officers look for students with the potential to succeed in their institution. The admissions committee might assume that students that have challenged themselves throughout high school are more likely to challenge themselves in their undergraduate careers. This is why a rich high school transcript is a strong application component for Stanford’s admissions officers to evaluate.

Although academics are an integral part of your application, applicants are not granted admission solely based on their ACT and/or SAT scores or their GPA. Stanford greatly values students’ commitment and interest in expanding their intellectual and social horizons. Extracurricular activities and non-academic interests help admissions officers analyze how potential students may contribute to the Stanford community.

This does not mean that students must be involved in ton of activities; if you are heavily involved in one or two commitments that you are passionate about, this is worth more to admissions officers than if you are minimally involved in a wide variety of clubs or activities. Plus, having a job or a family responsibility is just as important of an extracurricular activity as being a part of any school club. Stanford values viewing potential students’ impacts in any capacity that they may be present.

Stanford GPA Requirements

While academic excellence is a crucial factor for admission to Stanford, Stanford’s GPA requirements differ from other prestigious ivy league colleges. Thanks to its holistic approach, there is no minimum GPA or test score needed to be granted admission to Stanford. There is also no specific number of AP or honors courses required to be admitted to Stanford.

This, however, does not mean that your grades and test scores are not important. Through your high school transcript, Stanford will evaluate your academic records and assess your college readiness. In fact, in 2022-23, Stanford’s average GPA rate was 3.96, meaning that you will likely need to be top of your class to be admitted into Stanford.

Stanford SAT and ACT Requirements

Different factors go into determining what qualifies as a good SAT score. The same is true for what makes a good ACT score. And while there isn’t a minimum required SAT or ACT score to be admitted, Stanford’s average SAT score is typically between 1470-1550 while their average ACT score is between 34-35.

The SAT Middle 50% test scores revealed students in Stanford’s recent class scored between 750 and 800 on the SAT Math section. The average score for the SAT EBRW section was between 720 and 770. The ACT Middle 50% test scores showed that students in Stanford’s recent class scored between 34 and 35 on the ACT composite.

Stanford has extended their test-optional policy for the 2023-2024 admission cycle. Students can decide for themselves whether they would like to take, and submit, their SAT or ACT scores for the admissions committee to review.

We understand that the SAT and the ACT can be intimidating, but they don’t have to be. Check out our comprehensive guides on successfully completing the SAT or the ACT. By utilizing external tools like our guides, you are setting yourself up for success.

Academic Preparation

Although Stanford doesn’t follow any numerical formula in the admissions process nor does it have a required curriculum or set of high school courses, a solid high school transcript can tell admissions officers a lot about who you are as a student, peer, intellect, and individual.

Stanford has provided a recommended high school curriculum for those students who are curious about what their admission team may consider a standout transcript. The recommended curriculum is as follows:

• “English: four years, with significant emphasis on writing and literature.
• Mathematics: four years, with significant emphasis on fundamental mathematical skills such as algebra, trigonometry, and plane, solid, and analytic geometry.
• History/Social Studies: three years or more.
• Science: three years or more of laboratory science, including biology, chemistry, and physics.
• Foreign Language: three or more years of the same foreign language.”

The purpose of this recommendation is to set potential students up for success at Stanford since the university believes that students who can excel in this kind of intensive curriculum will be well-suited for Stanford’s rigorous undergraduate curriculum.

Stanford Acceptance Rate

Thanks to its prestige and reputation, in 2022-23, Stanford University’s acceptance rate was calculated at 3.68%. According to Stanford’s most recent class overview, a total of 56,378 prospective students applied to attend Stanford. A total of 1,736 of these students matriculated to Stanford. This brings Stanford’s acceptance rate to 3.65%. This means that prospective students should have a well-rounded application that showcases their personality, intellectual abilities, and potential to contribute to the school and community in order to be accepted.

Stanford Yield Rate

With a current yield rate of 84.4%, Stanford University has one of the highest rates among universities, indicating that a significant portion of students who are accepted end up choosing to enroll and matriculate at that university.

How Hard Is It to Get Into Stanford?

Although Stanford does has a low acceptance rate, this does not mean it is impossible to be admitted to the institution. Stanford emphasizes academic preparation as a vital part of their selection process. Stanford wants students that are thoughtful, highly engaged, and likely to make an impact at their institution. This is why their admissions process is so selective.

As long as students are diligent in their studies and extracurriculars, make conscious efforts to utilize opportunities and resources offered to them during their time in high school, and work closely with school counselors, they are setting themselves up for a strong foundation to show on their application to Stanford University.

Stanford Class Profile

Stanford provides a snapshot of their admissions statistics of the last thirteen academic years on their website. The purpose of this archive is to give potential applicants an overview of Stanford classes that were chosen after a thoughtful, wholly holistic review. Potential applicants can review this information at any time.

Stanford Demographics

Stanford University’s recent class consisted of 56,378 initial applicants. Of those candidates, 2,075 students were admitted, and 1,736 students were enrolled at the institution.

The class profile of first-year students for Stanford’s recent class revealed how diverse the cohort is. All 50 US states are represented, as well as 64 other home countries. Of the total number of enrolled students, 16% of these students are international students, representing 64 countries, with 21% of all students being first-generation college students. In terms of gender balance, the class is 54% female and 46% male.

Stanford Student-to-Faculty Ratio

Stanford University has a student-faculty ratio of 5:1. Almost 68% of the classes offered consist of fewer than 20 students, which is great for students who want to establish a close professional relationship with faculty. When compared to a lecture hall of hundreds of students, you have a much greater chance of forging meaningful relationships with your peers and professors in a smaller academic environment.

Approximately 20% of Stanford’s classes consist of 20-49 students, and around 12% of classes contain 50 or more students. The average freshman retention rate is a whopping 96%, which is an excellent indicator of student satisfaction. In addition to this, the four-year graduation rate is 81%.

Stanford Essays

Essays are a vital part of any college application. Aside from transcripts, test scores, academic and extracurricular achievements, and personal information, this is your best chance to show admissions officers who you are and why you are a good fit in Stanford’s student community. It is for this reason that it’s vital you know how to write a strong admissions essay.

Applicants are given free rein to discuss what drives them and what has shaped them into who they are. This is great insight for admissions officers, so this space should be taken seriously and reviewed carefully before submission.

Stanford Essay Prompts

With every Stanford University Regular Decision and Restrictive Early Action application, applicants are required to complete a short personal essay on the following three topics:

1. “The Stanford community is deeply curious and driven to learn in and out of the classroom. Reflect on an idea or experience that makes you genuinely excited about learning.

2. “Virtually all of Stanford’s undergraduates live on campus. Write a note to your future roommate that reveals something about you or that will help your roommate—and us—get to know you better.”

3. “Tell us about something that is meaningful to you, and why?”

In addition to the personal essay, students will be asked to answer several short-form questions. Applicants must adhere to a 100-word minimum and a 250-word maximum for each prompt.

If you are a student applying as a transfer, in addition to the first and third prompts listed above, you will be asked to answer a second prompt as a part of your essay question. For this part, you will choose between one of the two prompts (below) that you’d like to write about:

1. “Virtually all of Stanford's undergraduates live on campus. Write a note to your future roommate that reveals something about you or that will help your roommate—and us—get to know you better.”

2. “Stanford’s community is an essential part of the undergraduate experience. We come from all walks of life, share our own traditions, take care of one another, and think of ourselves as family. How do you define family and what contributions have you made to yours?”

If you are, indeed, looking to transfer colleges, check out our helpful article detailing all you need to know about writing a strong college transfer essay.

Each essay question is unique and designed to allow applicants to explain why they would be a good fit for Stanford, and what they could contribute to the Stanford community. It is extremely important for applicants to take the essay portions seriously and make sure they are communicating exactly what they want admissions officers to know when considering their applications.

How to Write the Stanford Essays

Essays are arguably one of—if not the—most important aspects of Stanford’s application process. This is the only time that admissions officers get to hear your voice and get to know who you are.

Your essays are where you can highlight your strengths, discuss your weaknesses, express your goals, share your passions, and consider your potential as a future Stanford undergraduate.

This is the perfect opportunity to show admissions officers why you deserve to be a part of Stanford’s next incoming class. It is crucial that you prepare for these essays because they can make your application captivating and interesting. Consider the following while working on your Stanford application.

Practice, Practice, Practice

As silly as it may sound to “practice” writing an essay, it is necessary during the application process. There is a strict word limit that must be followed: for the Stanford questions, no more than 50 words, and for the short essays, no less than 100 words but no more than 250 words. Use tight, concise language to efficiently get your point across without wasting essay space on filler words or unnecessary phrasing. Answering the question to the best of your ability is what’s important.

Make an Outline for Each Question

While outlines are typically used to structure long papers, they can be very useful when it comes to writing your short essays. With an outline, you will be able to map out your ideas and pinpoint what subjects you feel are most important and necessary to include. Plus, having structure in your essays will also make it easier for admissions officers to follow and understand. As long as you are clear, concise, and direct about what you want to cover, your points and ideas will be easy to decipher and discuss.

Take Your Time

Even though your personal essays are required to be relatively short, it’s important to take time to think about your answers and what they will communicate to the admissions committee. Ask yourself, “What are the most important things that Stanford admissions officers need to know about me?” After, make a list of the things you are sure you want to include in your essay responses. If you are unsure whether or not something should be included, don’t hesitate to ask your school counselor or an admissions consultant for their opinion - they help students every day with college applications!

Proofread Your Essays

It’s in your best interest to have a second set of eyes proofread your essays prior to your final submission. Whether that be a counselor, teacher, or admissions consultant, it is always a good idea to get a different perspective from your own. Proofreading your essays also gives you the opportunity to strengthen, change, or reword your essay response. Plus, having someone edit your work will help you get an idea of how admissions officers will potentially perceive your answers.

Stanford Interview

During the freshman application process, Stanford offers an optional interview to some—but not all—applicants. This is an opportunity for Regular Decision and Restrictive Early Action applicants to sit down with a Stanford alum and engage in a meaningful conversation. These optional interviews are informal to encourage genuine and unique conversation. Because of this, there is no set list of questions.

If you are a potential student and did not get contacted for an interview, do not panic! Your application is still considered complete, and you will not be negatively affected by not being offered an interview. There are simply not enough Stanford alumni in each interview area to interview all applicants.

Declining an interview will not negatively affect your application status, and you do not have to provide any reasoning for declining. This is, however, a fantastic opportunity to speak with Stanford alumni, make a great impression, and learn about Stanford.

How to Apply to Stanford

When applying to Stanford, you must first decide whether you are completing a Coalition Application or a Common Application. Though different, both applications are great options; both help potential students navigate their college application journey. Truly, then, there is no right or wrong choice! It is all about what is the best fit for you.

After deciding the avenue through which you will apply, next you should familiarize yourself with Stanford’s list of application requirements; which includes:

• A $90 nonrefundable application fee;
• Potential students are also welcome to fill out a fee waiver request if they are deemed fit.
• ACT and SAT scores (if you decide to take them).
• School report form;
• Official transcripts;
• Counselor’s letter of recommendation;
• Letters of recommendation from two teachers; and,
• Midyear transcript (must be submitted by Feb. 15th).

Potential students may also submit an optional arts portfolio to highlight any extraordinary talents regarding the arts. This, however, must be submitted by an earlier deadline.

If you are feeling a little lost or intimidated by the application process, consult with your school counsellor! They are there to help and will be able to keep you on track.

Stanford Application Deadlines

One quality Stanford looks for in their future students is being organized, therefore, it is paramount that you know the deadlines for each part of your application. That being said, Stanford application deadlines do vary depending on the type of application, like, for example, Restrictive Early Action application or Standard Decision application. See the table below for a quick breakdown of Stanford’s application types and their different deadlines:

Transfer applicants follow different deadlines. This is why it is important to know what kind of application you are submitting, so you are sure that you are adhering to the correct deadlines regarding your application.

Tips to Get into Stanford

You may still be wondering how to get into Stanford, and while being granted admission is no easy feat, it is not impossible. Here are some tips that can help you to get accepted to Stanford.

General Tips

In order to start potential students on the right track for their future application process to Stanford, the institution recommends for all candidates to:

• take advantage of the opportunities and resources available in high school;
• work hard and achieve at a high level in a full complement of academic subjects throughout high school, including during the final year; and,
• consult early on with your secondary school counselor.

Find Extracurriculars You Are Passionate About in High School

While strong academics are an essential component of your application, Stanford admissions officers also want to see what you are like outside of school and as a person. Familiarize yourself with some of the more impressive extracurricular activities that ivy league colleges are looking for.

Whether it is a club, organization, sport, charity, family responsibility, or a job, if it has helped shape you as a person, it is a great way for admissions officers to learn about you outside of academics. This can help them gauge whether or not you would be a good fit at Stanford.

Do Your Research and Practice Writing for Your Admissions Essays

Since word count in Stanford’s admissions essays can be limiting, it is a good idea to write and rewrite your essays several times. This way, you will be able to notonly reflect on what you want to write about but edit your work so that your writing is concise and effective. Thinking about your admissions essays as an incredible opportunity to show admissions officers what drives you, what you are passionate about, what you would like to accomplish, and how you would contribute to Stanford’s institution and community.

Take Advantage of the Optional Interview

During the freshman application process, an optional interview may be offered to applicants if your high school is located in an interview area. The optional interview is an opportunity for applicants to have a conversation with a Stanford alumnus. It gives potential students the opportunity to learn more about Stanford and enables admissions officers to learn more about potential students.

Acquire Your Letters of Recommendation Early

When asking for letters of recommendation, spend some time thinking about what teachers or faculty members had a significant impact on you during high school. Then, go about asking for letters of recommendation early to give your recommenders plenty of time to chat with you about what you are looking for in a letter. If possible, try to find a Stanford alum to provide you with a letter of recommendation, this is an excellent addition to your application!

Should I Apply to Stanford?

If you have an unabridged passion for learning and expanding your intellectual horizons, you could be a great candidate for applying to Stanford. Stanford values a passion for learning in its potential students. This is why Stanford’s Admission Office utilizes a fully holistic approach when reviewing students’ applications. Although academic success is a large criterion in the application process, Stanford values students with a passion for learning and those who will significantly impact Stanford’s campus and community.

FAQs

Since there are many factors that go into deciding if someone will be accepted to Stanford or not, students will likely have some questions. Because of this, we have provided some answers to those important questions in order to best help applicants during the application process.

1. What Does Stanford Look for in Applicants?

Stanford looks for innovative students with an acute passion and eagerness to learn. They want students that have the potential to contribute to their prestigious school and positively affect their culture.

Many notable people have come from Stanford, which is a tradition the institution would like to continue. Some of these notable alumni are Reese Witherspoon, Tiger Woods, and 31st U.S. President Herbert Hoover. If you have consistently succeeded academically, and are eager to learn and make changes in your community, you could be a great candidate for Stanford’s next incoming class.

2. Does Stanford Accept Transfer Credit?

Yes, Stanford accepts transfer credit. Potential students simply must be aware of what Stanford does and does not accept in transfer credits.

Stanford recognizes that many transfer applicants have taken a unique path to their undergraduate academics, and therefore have created eligibility guidelines for transfer credits. These guidelines can be viewed on Stanford’s website.

3. Is Stanford an Ivy League School?

Stanford is not one of the eight Ivy League Schools (Brown University, Columbia University, Cornell University, Dartmouth College, Harvard University, the University of Pennsylvania, Princeton University, and Yale University); however, it is just as great of a school. It has an acceptance rate of 5.2%, making it the most selective university in the country.

4. Can I Get Into Stanford With a 3.5 GPA?

Stanford University utilizes a holistic approach when reviewing applications: they review applications as a whole. Still, academic success is a significant criterion in the application selection process. Applicants should have a thorough, rigorous high school transcript that shows that they have been successful. There are wonderful resources available to students to set them up to earn a 4.0 GPA during their time in high school.

That being said, it is important to remember that a 3.5 GPA is still a competitive GPA. If, however, you are wondering which colleges will accept you, check out our list of colleges that admit students with a 3.5 GPA.

5. How Do You Stand Out in the Stanford Application Process?

The best way to stand out in the Stanford application process is to utilize the essay portions to the best of your ability. This is your chance to speak to admissions officers and humanize your application: what has shaped you, how you have grown as a person, and why you deserve to be a student at Stanford.

This is the perfect opportunity to show Stanford how you would contribute to their institution in your own voice. This is the most personal part of the application and possibly the only opportunity for admissions officers to assess your character as a potential student, so it is vital for applicants to take advantage of this space.

6. When Should You Prepare for Stanford?

As early as possible! If you are serious about attending Stanford, it is vital to invest time and effort during your high school career to reflect that. Invest in a rigorous, challenging curriculum, and make time for meaningful extracurriculars.

Consider a Coalition Application so you can prepare for applying to Stanford as early as ninth grade. Working with a secondary counsellor at your high school and utilizing your school’s resources is a great way to prepare for applications.

7. How Much Does It Cost to Attend Stanford University?

On average, Stanford University’s tuition cost is $61,731 per year. If you add the estimated cost of residence, student meal plan, textbooks, and general student fees, this yearly cost rises to $87,833. While this may seem like a daunting amount, Stanford works hard to help financially support their students - undergraduate and graduate students alike.

Final Thoughts

Stanford University is an incredible school that is constantly looking for students with innovation, passion, and drive. In order to ensure your success when applying, it’s important you utilize all the help you can get while you’re still in high school. Dedicate yourself to excelling in your studies as well as your extracurriculars and practice your essay writing skills so, when the time comes to apply, you know how to accurately convey your thoughts, points, and ideas concisely. Remember, college applications are all about showing and telling; demonstrate your achievements and show Stanford all you have accomplished so far.

Although it can be a complicated process, that does not mean that it cannot be done. Our Stanford admissions consultants are here to help you! If you are dedicated to putting in the hard work to gain experience and academic success, as well as tailoring your application to perfection over time, you are on your way to being a great candidate for Stanford’s next incoming class.