Stanford University is a highly selective research university and a popular destination for students from many academic backgrounds. Students are drawn to Stanford for its emphasis on discovery, learning, and innovation.
The university opened officially on October 1, 1891, and has educated generations of students since then. It is essential to understand the admission process because international students can miss important requirements or deadlines if they misunderstand the application steps.
We have collected the relevant information here so that international students can use it as a starting point when preparing an application to Stanford. Read the information below to learn more.
Admissions Process at Stanford University
The Stanford University admission process is holistic, meaning that each part of the application is reviewed as part of an integrated and comprehensive whole. The process includes several required steps, and applicants must make sure that all required materials are submitted correctly. Note that the admissions steps below are specifically tailored for undergraduate first-year degree-seeking applicants.
Step 1. Fill Out the Common Application
The first step is to fill out the Common Application. Stanford requires first-year applicants to apply online through the Common Application. It includes basic information about the student, such as full name, address, educational background, and other relevant information. The main Common Application sections may include the following:
- Personal and profile information
- Family background
- School and education information
- Academic honors
- Activities, family responsibilities, work experience, volunteering, and other commitments
- Testing information, when required by the college
You can add this information once the candidate has created a profile on the Common App website. Once the Common Application is complete, students should review it carefully to make sure the information is correct before submitting it.
Step 2. Prepare for Stanford Essays
The next step is writing essays for the application. Short essays help Stanford learn about students’ interests, experiences, character, and potential contributions to the university community. These essays are used as part of Stanford’s holistic review.
In addition to the Common Application personal essay, Stanford requires applicants to complete the Stanford Questions through the Common Application. Applicants answer several short questions with a 50-word limit each and write three short essays. Each Stanford short essay has a 100-word minimum and a 250-word maximum.
Step 3. Pay for the Application Fee
The next step is to pay Stanford’s $100 nonrefundable application fee or submit a fee waiver request. Students who meet the Common Application fee waiver guidelines can request a fee waiver in the application and may need a counselor or school official to verify their eligibility.
Step 4. Add ACT/SAT Scores
Stanford currently requires ACT or SAT scores for first-year and transfer applicants. Applicants should self-report their highest ACT and/or SAT scores in the testing section of the application. Official scores are not required for Stanford’s initial review, but students who are offered admission and choose to enroll must submit official scores that match their self-reported scores.
Step 6. Submit Official Transcripts
Official transcripts or academic results are required when applying to Stanford. These materials should be submitted by a high school counselor, school administrator, or another school official through the Common Application or the school’s system partner whenever possible. Regular Decision applicants, deferred Restrictive Early Action applicants, and admitted Restrictive Early Action applicants must also have a midyear transcript submitted by February 15 unless they have already graduated from high school.
Step 7. Fulfill Your Recommendation Letters’ Requirements
Stanford requires a School Report form and counselor letter of recommendation, as well as letters of recommendation from two academic teachers. Stanford recommends asking grade 11 or 12 teachers in English, math, science, world language, or history/social studies. A grade 10 teacher may also be appropriate if the coursework was advanced, such as Honors, AP, or IB. Applicants may also submit one optional additional recommendation if another person can provide new insights.
Tips to Get Into Stanford University
To prepare a strong Stanford application, students should focus on academic excellence, a rigorous high school curriculum, thoughtful essays, strong recommendations, and meaningful activities outside the classroom. In particular, you may find the following three tips helpful:
Tip 1. Obtain the Minimum GPA
Stanford does not list a minimum GPA requirement, and no GPA guarantees admission. However, Stanford states that academic excellence is the primary criterion for admission and that the strongest applicants present outstanding results in a rigorous program of study. Students should take challenging courses available at their school and perform at a high level across core academic subjects.
Tip 2. Improve SAT to Min. 1550 or ACT to 35
There is no minimum SAT or ACT score that guarantees admission to Stanford. However, strong test scores can help show academic preparedness. For students in Stanford’s Class of 2028 who submitted scores, the middle 50% SAT range was 1510-1570, and the middle 50% ACT range was 34-35. Students should aim to perform as strongly as possible while remembering that Stanford reviews applications holistically.
ACT or SAT scores are now required, but test scores are still only one part of the application. Stanford reviews every component of the application in context, including coursework, grades, essays, recommendations, activities, responsibilities, and personal qualities.
Tip 3. Cultivate Extracurricular Activities
Extracurricular activities can strengthen a Stanford application when they show depth, impact, leadership, or sustained commitment. Stanford notes that exceptional depth in one or two activities can demonstrate passion more effectively than minimal participation in many clubs.
Possible activities may include science competitions, arts achievements, athletics, community service, work experience, family responsibilities, research, entrepreneurship, debate, Model UN, or other sustained commitments. The key is not the title of the activity alone, but the student’s impact, growth, and contribution to their community.
FAQs: Studying at Stanford University
What is the Acceptance Rate of Stanford University?
According to the latest Stanford Common Data Set reporting available through Stanford’s Institutional Research and Decision Support office, Stanford University’s acceptance rate is about 3.8% for the Class of 2029, with 2,302 admitted students out of 60,646 applicants. The acceptance rate is the number of students admitted compared with the number of students who applied. This clearly shows how selective Stanford’s admission process is. Although the acceptance rate is not the ultimate indicator of institutional quality, it helps prospective students understand how competitive admission can be.
Stanford is an attractive option for students who want to study at a highly selective university in the United States. The application process is straightforward, but the selection criteria are extremely competitive. Prospective students should follow Stanford’s official admissions instructions closely and prepare each part of the application carefully.
We hope this article has been helpful! Start your academic journey at Stanford University and apply for scholarships. Feel free to visit our Available Courses for International Students and Guide to Studying in the USA!
