How to get into Stanford-Proven
Stanford is one of the most prestigious schools in the United States. Stanford has always been committed to excellence and innovation, and that’s why it attracts some of the best students in the nation. Stanford’s prestige is so high that pretty much any student who applies to get into Stanford will be accepted, but if you follow this guide and do your work, you should be able to apply and get into any university.
Stanford students are offered many different programs with different focuses ranging from science to humanities. Stanford University also has an undergraduate program for people who want to start college in their junior year. This allows them more time at home before they have to choose a career path.
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History of Stanford
Stanford has a rich history that dates back to 1885 when Leland and Jane Stanford purchased 820 acres of land, which is now known as the Stanford campus. They had big plans and wanted to create a great university that would serve California for years to come.
Stanford’s founding is very similar to Harvard’s. Private donors founded both these universities, and both had a religious background. Stanford has cultivated Presbyterians, who believed that the rich should give back to society by helping humanity through education, religion, and other functions.
It is said that Leland Stanford told some of his friends that he wanted to create a university “that will be worthy of the blessing of heaven upon the labor of men and women here below.” The school became a reality in 1891 when Stanford opened its doorway to applicants for admission.
Stanford had no dorms or other housing facilities, but it was committed to excellence in education. This leads him to push, so the institution managed to attract many students from all over the world who were willing to live off-campus. Stanford was more focused on providing a high-quality education for students rather than living conditions at the time.
The first student body consisted of 28 male students and 16 females (total of 44). The university started with only 3 academic classes: humanities, sciences, and real estate management. As you can expect from such a prestigious school, the degrees offered were at a high level of excellence.
Stanford’s first graduating class was in June 1892, and it only had two students. This was not something out of the ordinary for that time, considering that Stanford was still a young institution back then.
Stanford University gained a lot of notoriety during the years after its formation, and this was due to Stanford’s commitment to excellence. During these early years, the school offered high-level degrees in business, medicine, chemistry, law, from which it got many alumni that became successful in their fields.
In 1905 Stanford began construction on its first women’s dormitory on campus. However, Stanford was not the first school to build women’s dormitories due to a lack of funding. Many schools had built an all-men residence before Stanford even considered building housing for men and women students together. This may be understandable because, during those times, people were more worried about gender diversity than
The official operating name of Stanford University is Leland Stanford Junior University, after its founder and his heir.
Stanford University has made many significant contributions to the world on a global level. In addition to its academic achievements, Stanford is also recognized for its innovations in technology and inventions. It has produced many successful entrepreneurs and business people that have changed the way people live all around the globe.
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Why Pick Stanford?
- Stanford has a very prestigious name, and that alone will help you in the future.
- Stanford’s alumni network is huge, and this means people will be more willing to hire you if they know you are someone who went to the same school.
- Stanford offers over 600 clubs and organizations for any student, no matter what their interests are. With this, it means that you will always have something to do.
- Stanford’s history department is one of the best in the world. This has made them known for their depth of knowledge no matter what era they study.
- Stanford has a great science program. The science department has some of the best researchers in the world. With this, the brightest people across the globe are attracted to the institution. I am sure we all want to work with bright minds, and this is why Stanford should be your destination.
- Stanford is located on a beautiful plot of land; the college campus has everything you need with a great environment. This will offer a very conducive environment for studying.
- Finally, Stanford’s alumni base will open doors for you at any company in the future. This will be a step up, and the best thing about it is that having Stanford on your resume doesn’t make you look like an arrogant know-it-all.
Academics at Stanford


Stanford is located in Palo Alto, California, and has the main campus of 8,180 acres. There are also many satellite locations called “campuses,” including the Redwood Forest, Eucalyptus Grove, Dishman Hills nature reserve, Lomita Laboratory, and Jasper Ridge Biological Preserve.
Stanford’s academic offerings include many programs ranging from engineering to medicine. The university is one of the best in the nation and has produced some of the best minds in science, technology, economics, politics, and other fields.
Stanford’s academic prowess is well known and respected because it has produced outstanding graduates that have become leaders in all areas of life. By decreasing the age of entering college students, Stanford has provided more time for young people to explore and develop their talents before focusing on a specific career path.
Stanford’s academic lineup
- Education
- Engineering
- Science & technology
- Humanities & fine arts
- Law & legal studies
- Medicine, Nursing & health care professions
- Social sciences.
The admission process
Stanford University has a very selective admissions process that is considered quite rigorous by many students worldwide.
Stanford’s high admission rate has made it quite difficult to enroll because many other people worldwide dream of attending this institution. Consequently, Stanford University receives thousands of applications from prospective new students every year. This flood of applications is addressed by the Office of Undergraduate Admission, who are responsible for making decisions about admitted applicants.
However, the Board of Trustees has the final say on whether a student is to be admitted or not. The accepted students are notified through either US mail or an email. The email includes their admission status at Stanford University and an acceptance letter when they successfully complete the online application form.
This notification process occurs within 3 weeks after the regular decision deadline in early-mid March. Prospective students are still encouraged to follow up until they receive a final decision letter.
- The Video Application form
Stanford University is one of the few universities that allow prospective students to submit their applications through video format. The applicant’s experiences, ideas, and opinions will be interpreted and translated into a 3–5-minute video that the admissions board will later review.
A comprehensive video application form is not only considered an additional way of expressing oneself. The video is also something that can increase one’s chances of getting accepted into Stanford University. This is because it increases your exposure before the admission board.
It allows admission officers to get acquainted with prospective students and thus gives them a chance to express themselves much better than they would have with a written essay.
It is highly advisable to use one’s best video camera when recording the application form to get noticed by the admission board. One should also ensure that they have a background that will enhance and bring out their features to avoid looking boring before the board.
- Admission process – timeline
The initial process of applying for admission into Stanford begins with the submission of an online application form.
The student is required to pay a $90 fee before their application can be accepted. This money will be used to pay for the processing and evaluation of the applicant’s application form. The funds are non-refundable and are only meant to be used in the applicant’s first year at Stanford if they are admitted.
If the applicant qualifies, there will be a video interview with the admission board member via Skype. The university sends out interview invitations on a rolling basis throughout April and May. Students are expected to schedule their interviews within two weeks after receiving their invitation. The best time to schedule an interview is on weekdays (Monday – Thursday) between 12:00 noon and 1:30 pm Pacific Standard Time.
The applicant should treat the video interview as seriously as a traditional on-campus one. This is because the board member is trying to get a sense of who you are. Additionally, the applicant should be on time for the interview, and ideally, they should have completed the application by this stage.
The Video chat is a very useful way of communicating with an admission officer in a non-conventional manner. It gives one a sense of what Stanford University would be like and whether it is suited to their personality, academic preference, and lifestyle.
The applicant may also want to take advantage of the fact that the board member will be looking at them. The applicant should take advantage of the video. They should use it as a marketing strategy by introducing themselves more professionally and presenting their best self before an admission officer.
Stanford accepts two types of applicants: early action (EA) and regular decision (RD). Early action applicants are notified of their admission status around December 15. By contrast, regular decision applicants usually find out about being accepted or rejected in mid-March.
The application process is highly competitive, and students should ensure that they do everything to ensure that they have what it takes to get into a prestigious institution such as Stanford University.
Requirements to get into Stanford university


The Stanford University admission board usually looks out for applicants with exceptional academic records. These include their class averages as well as grades on standardized tests. A lot of students who get accepted into the university are screened using these requirements.
A student’s application will thus be automatically considered incomplete if they fail to meet any of the minimum requirements necessary to qualify for admission into the university. The minimum requirements to be considered for admission are as follows:
— 1250 or higher on the SAT (must have all booklets of both sections) — 800 or higher on two sectional parts of an advanced placement test
— 4.0 GPA or better in a set of 5 courses that include English, mathematics, and foreign language
— 3.5 GPA or better in a set of 4 courses that include English, mathematics, foreign language, and social science
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Clubs and Housing at Stanford


Stanford University has more than two hundred clubs, such as the African Students Association (ASA), the Asian Pacific American Student Association (APASA). Each club also offers a range of services to the student body ranging from tutoring to leadership opportunities.
There are also over 200 on-campus student organizations at Stanford University that vary depending on the interests and hobbies of students. Total enrollment in these organizations stands at over 2000 students, which means that there is an organization for everyone on the campus of Stanford University.
These organizations include a heavy representation of ethnic groups and special interest groups such as the International Economics Organization, Right to Know Group (RTKG), and Alternative Break.
The housing options available to students are also huge as they stand at approximately 83% of all undergraduate and graduate students at Stanford. The housing options include dorms, fraternities and sororities, co-operative housing, apartment living, and on-campus married apartments.
Athletics at Stanford
There are over 35 varsity teams and nearly 600 student-athletes on the campus of Stanford University.
These sports include:
1.Football
2. Men’s basketball
3. Women’s basketball
4. Synchronized swimming
5. Beach volleyball
6. Baseball
7. Softball
8. Wrestling
9. Tennis
10. Track and field
11. Cross country
12. Volleyball
13. Water polo
14. Fencing
There are many more other school teams. These sports are taken very seriously by the students of Stanford University. This is because it is a way for them to interact with other students from all across the university.
The sports also give the students a chance to learn valuable lessons that they can take with them even after leaving the university. The main thing that students will learn while in school is working hard and getting what one wants out of life.
They are also able to observe different aspects of teamwork and leadership development skills as they play alongside their teammates.
Campus life at Stanford University
The campus of Stanford University is a lively and vibrant one. It has thousands of students from all walks of life who live on the campus and meet regularly to chat, have fun, exchange ideas, and attend classes.
A student’s best opportunity to interact with the academic staff at Stanford University is during office hours available Monday through Thursday between 9 am and 5 pm.
The main campus of Stanford University is located in Palo Alto, California. The scenic environment around the university is well maintained and carefully planned to enhance students’ learning experience through its landscaping and architecture.
There are also numerous conference rooms where students can attend both on-campus and off-campus conferences ranging from study sessions to workshops by either Stanford University or other outside agencies.
There are also many student-run activities held throughout the year on campus, which help provide students with an outlet for stress relief and entertainment.
Social life at Stanford university
Stanford’s undergraduate program has a unique system, including the “Freshman-Fall program,” Students do not take any classes during the first semester of college and must “discover what they are passionate about” while taking on various extracurricular activities.
Students begin to take classes for their majors until the “Spring semester,” which starts in January. These programs are highly competitive and have admission rates of less than 20%. Students choose from 156 undergraduate majors and more than 170 graduate degree programs across a diverse range of departments.
These include science, engineering, humanities, social sciences, arts, and the professional schools at Stanford.
Stanford’s seven libraries with collections totaling more than 9 million volumes establish it as one of the leading research institutions in North America. Stanford’s academic strength is very widely recognized. Stanford students have won several prestigious fellowships and awards.
Some of these awards include
- The Rhodes Scholarship
- Marshall Scholarship
- Truman Scholarship
- Boren Awards
- Gates Cambridge Scholarship
- Fulbright and Mellon Scholars.
These awards are handed out annually to the most academically eminent students at Stanford University.
The university has produced Fortune Global 500 companies, including some of the most successful in the world. The list includes Google, Hewlett-Packard/Compaq, Cisco Systems, Sun Microsystems, Yahoo!, Tesla Motors, and Electronic Arts.
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Stanford’s Acceptance Rate
Stanford’s admission rate is among the most selective in the United States.
According to Stanford’s official web page, there were 5,050 applications for first-year students and transfer admission for the class of 2012. This translates to an acceptance rate of 4.7% for the undergraduate program and 8% for said transfers.
The university considers other factors besides the GPA and SAT scores of its applicants. These include:
- The rigor of their secondary school record in terms of courses taken as well as those planned to take
- Their academic interests,
- Extracurricular activities,
- Personal circumstances
- Whether they have demonstrated “exceptional personal achievement” in light of their circumstances.
Stanford has seen a rise in the number of applications for the class of 2015. There were 6,495 applicants for freshman admission and 2,395 transfer students vying for spots. This marks an increase from last year’s numbers, where there were 5,037 applicants.
These numbers are even more impressive when one considers that Stanford has a 7.15% acceptance rate for incoming newcomers and an 8.6% acceptance rate for incoming transfers. This translates to roughly 1 in 13 students gaining admittance to the university each year. The applications of the class of 2015 have also increased by 4%.
With Stanford’s acceptance rates being so low, each applicant can be assured that they will have a competitive advantage amongst the other applicants in terms of their chance for admittance into Stanford.
Stanford is ranked highly by many sources. Some rankings are as follows: Preeminent National University (US News and World Report), 2nd in the World (Global University Ranking), 1st in the United States (Times Higher Education World Reputation Rankings 2013). Stanford has made a strong mark on the world and is likely to continue to do so.
5 Biggest myths about getting into Stanford
1.”You need to have good grades, take the SAT/ACTs, and win a few trophies.”
This is not true. You don’t just get into Stanford with good grades alone. Many other factors go into being accepted here, each of which will be explained in this article.
2.” Only straight A’s will admit you into Stanford.”
It’s important to take challenging classes, so you are prepared for university. They do not expect straight A’s, although that is a good goal to have set. If you want to go here, try working hard and be confident in yourself.
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3.”You need to be involved in the club scene.”
Many people think that to get into Stanford, you must be involved in certain activities, such as joining clubs or sports teams. While it’s always good to have a bit of extracurricular activity, it is unnecessary, so don’t worry too much about it. Just do what you enjoy doing the most!
4.”You need to have a good SAT score of over 2400.”
This is not true. People with very low SAT scores get accepted, and even the highest rank doesn’t mean you will be admitted automatically.
5.”If your family goes to Stanford, it’s easier to get in.”
Similar to colleges, Stanford will not discriminate on the basis of your previous family’s history. It is, however, great if they know and are supportive of your dreams to become a Stanford student.
However hard it is to get into Stanford, it is still possible. I mean, the school has over 6000 students. They all got in, and there is something they did to get in. Here are some of the tips they used to get into the institution.
- Excel in extracurricular activities
- Participate in prestigious summer programs
- Letters of Recommendation
- Interview Preparation
- Supplemental Essays
- Prepare for the SAT and ACT and pass them.
1. Excel in extracurricular activities
Participate in various activities like sports and other extracurricular activities. The majority of us immediately think about the GPA or course scores when we hear about joining an institution of higher learning. This is not the case; Stanford is very strict on extracurricular activities.
Get involved with extracurricular activities like clubs or sports. This is the best way to learn something new. It also helps us understand ourselves better while demonstrating leadership abilities, which universities love. If you want to show your true potential, then a club or sport is the best way. This will also look good on your application.
You will need most of your time doing these things because they take up most of the time during the school year. This will help you get into this prestigious school as it indicates that you can work well even under pressure and still do well academically and in your other activities.
The school will be happy to bring in a new student who is a prolific team player or a great debater. These activities will tell the school board that you are a valuable asset to their teams and academics. Having you will mean they have killed two birds with one stone.
2. Participate in prestigious summer programs
Stanford offers summer programs for the students to participate in, some of which are highly competitive. Consider participating in these during your high school years, and you might have a chance to get into this school.
When at home in the summer, you don’t need just to relax and blow away time. These programs are none academic, but they will add some advantages when applying for Stanford.
Some excellent programs to get into:
- Stanford Institutes of Medical Research (SIMR)
- UCSB Research Mentorship
- Garcia Lab in Stony Brook
3. Letters of Recommendation:
Have teachers or coaches you think would be willing to act as your reference write letters for you. They will give you a clear picture of who you are and what you have achieved.
They should put in their own words how well they think you did that year, so your recommenders need to be specific about your achievements.
The talks with the teacher before asking for the letter are important because you would want them to say certain things about you in their letters. You don’t want them to say something that is not true about you or your achievements. That would be bad and can negatively affect your chances of getting into Stanford.
4. Interview preparation:
If you have the opportunity to visit the school, even if it is just for a day, then go for it. Visit the school and see what it would be like being a student there. You will get to interact with freshers, people in your department, and also the professors. All these contacts that you make are important for when it comes time to apply.
After you have visited this place, ask yourself if this is what you want? Where do you see yourself fitting in here? These questions will clarify your mind and make it easier for the interviewers to read you.
Be confident. Having a positive attitude can get you far. When you’re confident in yourself and your abilities, it will show. Everyone has their bad days, but on the day of your interview. On this day, be your best self. Don’t make excuses because they won’t get you anywhere. You have to want a spot at Stanford more than anyone else. This is by far the most important tip.
5. Supplemental Essays
The institution will give you some essays to write, and these essays should be written very keenly and be the best. You need to impress the school and sell yourself to them. Use of the essay is one way to convince the school to accept you.
Here are some topics you can include in your application essays or go deeper into if you already included them. Look into these areas and see what you come up with.
Questions meant to help you get some ideas.
- What have your parents taught you?
- How has their journey influenced you, if at all?
- Who has inspired and impacted your life?
- The debate for the arts or STEMM in general (this is a question asked of everyone who applies here) Why Stanford?
- What makes Stanford unique to you?
How to prepare for the application essay
Tips on what schools want from applicants and how they evaluate them (e.g., “Stanford wants students who have taken challenging courses that will push them out of their comfort zone”). The application essay is very important for the schools to get to know you. They want to know what you’re passionate about and what your goals are. This will give them a better idea of how you would fit at their school. The essay should be about 500 words long. Make sure it has correct grammar, punctuation, and spelling because this can make or break an application. Once the essay is written, find someone who can read it and give constructive feedback so that you can fix any mistakes.
How to write an application essay
- Plan ahead for the application process! This is important because it can take months or even years before you hear back from any college you applied to. Keep in mind that some colleges are more competitive than
- Make sure to include your name and address on every page.
- Begin with an attention grabber such as “Can a person be born a superhero?”
- Introduce the conflict that is being discussed in the essay (Stanford wants students who have taken challenging courses that will push them out of their comfort zone)
- Write about your personal experiences (I have taken challenging courses, i.e., AP European History and AP US Law and Government.)
- Tell readers what your main idea is and how the examples given show that you are qualified to apply to Stanford (“My experiences in these advanced/honors classes prove that I have taken challenging courses at
6. Prepare for the SAT and ACT and pass them
Study hard and make sure to follow through. This shows your determination. Plan all summer for the SAT and ACT. To be accepted at Stanford, you must take these exams, so be prepared and remember that a good night’s sleep is important.
When getting into the university, this is a test you will have to take. Here the only option you have is to ace the test. If you fail the test, you automatically don’t qualify for a spot in this elite school.
How to prepare for the SAT or ACTs
- Take a practice test and find out your strengths and weaknesses. Study accordingly for the areas where you need help. If you don’t pass, use that information to study harder the next time around. Studying right before the SAT/ACT is not suggested as it might take longer to process everything or remember what you were studying. Do some light studying the day before and take care of any last-minute details. Finally, relax the night before your exam.
- Study accordingly for the areas where you need help. Look at topics that cause confusion or have errors. If you don’t pass, use the information to study harder and retake the exam.
If you don’t get in on your first try, don’t lose hope and apply again! Don’t let anything hold you back. Keep applying until it is your turn. The spirit is to never give up on what you want.
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7. Application (this is a year-long process)
Apply now and start working on it right now! The application is broken down into several parts, each requiring its preparation-
Three essays: These are about your personal identity, experiences, and your ideas for the future.
The personal identity section should outline your passions, interests, or hobbies.
You can include information about any clubs, activities, or jobs you are involved in.
Other ways to describe yourself could be included, such as your career goals and how this school lines up with them. Be creative!
One of the essay parts is about what you have done well; another is about your life and the final one being about where you see yourself in the future.
Having these essays will show that you can think of things from different angles and that you can be self-reflective, which is a skill that most people lack.
Your essay will also portray who you are, so make sure you double-check for mistakes such as grammatical and spelling errors.
Don’t let these essays turn into a bit of an assignment because if it does, your essay will be the least of its consideration. As you progress through your application, what you have written in your essays will guide them forward on whether or not to accept you.
You don’t need to be a genius to write these essays. All you need is a little research, time, and effort.
These essays will help them get an insight into how your mind works and even how you see yourself as an individual. It’s frightening, but it will just show who you are.
Stanford Facts
Location: Stanford, California, United States of America Attracted Students:
Undergraduates — 6 591
Graduate/Professional — 10 187
Enrollment:
Undergraduates — 16 013, Graduate/Professional — 2 757
Degrees Offered:
Bachelor’s, Master’s, and PhD
Collaboration Opportunities are available for all undergraduate students as well as many graduate students. These opportunities include summer internships, tutoring fellow students, and an opportunity to study abroad.
Students can choose from over 500 student organizations. These organizations provide leadership development opportunities for those interested in taking on a leadership role within the university community.
Stanford University requires that incoming first-year students live on campus unless they have a close relative or guardian nearby. Students who have a sibling living within a short distance can opt to live with them instead of an on-campus dormitory.
Based on Stanford University’s web page, the total cost for attending the university per year:
Undergraduate students — $51 300
Undergraduate tuition and fees — $43 500
Financial aids you can get for Stanford University
Academic merit aid — more than 50 percent of undergraduates are offered financial assistance based on their excellent academic performance and potential.
Stanford University offers need-based scholarships and grants for eligible undergraduate students, as well.
All Freshmen applying to Stanford by December 1st are guaranteed a room in one of the campus residences because it’s a requirement. Also, some students are given their housing requirements based on what program they’re in and what major.
Some of Stanford University’s strongly sponsored majors include Computer Science and Engineering, Human Biology, Economics, Environmental Design, and Mechanical Engineering.
Stanford is one of the most expensive universities globally, with a financial aid average of $43 500 per student. Therefore, financial aid can be very helpful for those who need help.
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