Stanford University
Stanford, CA, USA

Admissions

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Key Admission Stats

Institution Type
Private
  • Coed

Need Blind

This school does not consider an applicant’s financial situation when deciding admission

Level of Institution
4 Year
Campus Setting
Suburb or town
0
100
4%
Acceptance Rate
55,471
Students Applied
1%
Transfer Acceptance Rate
47
Transfer Students Admitted

Admissions Requirements

SAT
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No
ACT
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No
SAT Subject Tests
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Yes
AP Course Credit
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Yes
Dual Enrollment
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Yes
Transcript
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Yes

Important Deadlines

Application TypeApplication DeadlineReply Deadline
Early Action Acceptance is not binding, but student will receive admissions decision earlier.November 1
Fall Regular DecisionJanuary 2
Test Optional
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Yes
Application Fee
$90
Fee waivers available
Rolling Admissions
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No

Admitted Student Stats

In-State Students
35%
Out-Of-State Students
61%
US States Represented
52
Countries Represented
76
11%
Submitting ACT
15%
Submitting SAT
Average ACT Composite: 35
0
36
Average SAT Composite: 1497
0
1600
SAT Percentiles

Math
25th
750
75th
800
Reading
25th
720
75th
770
4.00
Average GPA
Students Enrolled By Class Rank

Top 10%
96
Top 25%
100
Top 50%
100

Admissions Resources

Admissions: visit page
Admissions Email: [email protected]
Admissions Telephone: 650-723-2091
For International Student Services: visit page
For Students with Disabilities: visit page
For Veteran Services: visit page

What Students Are Saying

Be yourself in your application. Stanford really is looking for students that will bring something unique (themselves!) to campus
Charlene from Sandy, UT
I recommend applying Early Action if Stanford is your first choice. Your chances of being accepted will not be significantly better (so they tell us, and I believe them), but if you get in, the notification comes early enough that you may be able to skip some of the more arduous college applications. Harvey Mudd and Caltech were on my list, and I was very glad not to have to answer their tricky essay questions.
William from Reno, NV
Don't change your lifestyle to fit the mold you think Stanford wants. Do what you're passionate about, and do it well.
Elise from Portland, OR
BE YOURSELF in your application. If you're quirky, you're quirky. If you're not, you're not. Be deeply honest about your life goals. Getting into college isn't just about meeting their standards but also playing a part in their student body, and if you're not going to be a good fit, you're not going to be happy. Luckily, Stanford's students are diverse in every possible way... except maybe in level of intellectual vitality.
Also, if you're a fantastic student but are still not sure about your chances, APPLY. Trust me, pretty much everyone wonders how they got here, and when everyone feels like that, everyone feels NORMAL—a utopia-like normal!
Tonya
Do not be discouraged to apply. They are looking for uniqueness and dedication into whatever you do. I had no hopes of actually making it, but I got in! I have an SAT score of 1810, which is lower than a lot of my friends who did not make it in.
Lloyd from Oxnard, CA
don't panic, be real and accept the fact that if you are accepted you will no longer be the top student or top athlete because you will be surrounded by greatness but you will be accepted and it will be your family before the 1st quarter is over.
Dahlton from Jackson, CA
Stanford wants passionate people. If you can show that you have something that no one else does and that you're passionate about it, and you have good grades, then you have a chance of getting in.
Vivian
Dig deep.

Both into yourself to find out what type of school you're looking for, what you want out of college, how you want these crucial years to go, etc, as well as into what the schools you're considering espouse as their own priorities and atmospheres. Visit, if you have the chance. Look up student reviews, websites beyond the university's official website. Be persistent. Get in contact with professors, students.
Sarah from Stanford, CA
You only will have to pull all-nighters if you are irresponsible with your time management. Do not be afraid to challenge yourself. Find your own way to learn and study to the best of your abilities instead of constantly comparing yourself to others. Make sure to thank the people who helped get you here once you do. You will meet people who will treat you like you are an amazing super-hero that got here all by yourself, but getting you here was a team effort and you should acknowledge that with grace and gratitude.
Laura from San Fernando, Ca
Write exceptional essays
Get personal recommendations that reflect your willingness to mentor peers
Become oblong rather than well-rounded: be exceptional in one or two extracurriculars
Illustrate your passion for them
Josh from San Antonio, TX