Undergraduate Admissions
Policy Statement
Stanford's undergraduate community is drawn from throughout the United States and the world. It includes students whose abilities, intellectual interests, and personal qualities allow them to benefit from and contribute to the University's wide range of teaching and research programs in the humanities, natural sciences, social sciences, and engineering. The University admits students who love learning for its own sake; who exhibit energy, creativity, and curiosity; and who have distinguished themselves in and out of the classroom.
Each year, in conformance with the law, Stanford aims to enroll a class with a variety of backgrounds, experiences, talents, academic interests, and ways of viewing the world. The University does not favor particular schools or types of schools, nor any geographic region, nor does it have any racial, religious, ethnic, or gender-related quotas. The University believes that a student body that is highly qualified and that represents a variety of perspectives, work and life experiences, and interests is essential to the educational process. This furthers Stanford’s educational mission in that it promotes understanding among those from different backgrounds, contributes to the destruction of stereotypes, prepares students to be positive members of the workforce and national and international communities, and shapes the next generation’s leaders. Applications are encouraged from those who take initiative and responsibility for their education and who would provide additional dimensions to the University and its programs.
In order to preserve the residential character of the University and to maintain a favorable student-faculty ratio, Stanford has a limited undergraduate enrollment. The anticipated size of the entering class is approximately 1,700+ first-year students who are admitted for Autumn Quarter enrollment. Approximately 50-75 transfer students, entering either the sophomore or junior class, are also typically admitted for Autumn enrollment if space allows. Each year, the University receives many more applications from qualified students than there are places available.
Stanford is committed to meeting the University-computed financial need of each admitted student. The University practices a need-blind admission policy for U.S. citizens, undocumented students, and U.S. registered permanent residents. Students are admitted without regard to their ability to pay, except in the case of international students who are neither U.S. citizens nor U.S. registered permanent residents. Undocumented undergraduate applicants with questions about admission or financial aid should visit the University’s Undocumented at Stanford website.
Implementation Information
Application procedures, requirements, and deadlines vary from year to year. See the Undergraduate Admission website for the most recent information; or call the Office of Undergraduate Admission at (650) 723-2091.