Overview of Stanford University

Stanford University, a private research institution, is situated between San Francisco and San Jose in California’s Silicon Valley area. This is not your ordinary institution, as it is consistently ranked as one of the world’s top universities. The institution has a large selection of undergraduate and graduate degree programs for students to choose from. A robust student/faculty ratio supports students, and professors take a personalized approach to the teaching and learning process. Outside of the classroom, students will find plenty of opportunities to engage with the campus community via the university’s many clubs and organizations.

Enrollment

• Total Enrollment: 17,381 (7,087 undergraduates)
• Gender Breakdown: 50 percent male/50 percent female
• 100 percent full-time

Cost of Attendance Information

• Tuition and Fees: $53,529
• Books: $1,245
• Room and Board: $16,433
• Other Expenses: $3,363
• Total Cost: $74,570

Financial Aid Information

• Percentage of New Students Receiving Aid: 68 percent
• Percentage of New Students Receiving Types of Aid
  • Grants: 54 percent
  • Loans: 8 percent

• Average Amount of Aid
  • Grants: $47,106
  • Loans: $5,726

Academic Programs Offered

• Most Popular Majors: Computer and Information Sciences and Support Services; Engineering; Multi/Interdisciplinary Studies; Social Sciences; and Physical Sciences

Retention and Graduation

• First-Year Student Retention (full-time students): 99 percent
• 4-Year Graduation Rate: 75 percent
• 6-Year Graduation Rate: 94 percent

NCAA Athletic Programs

• Men’s Sports: Baseball, Basketball, Crew-Rowing, Fencing, Football, Golf, Gymnastics, Soccer, Swimming and Diving, Tennis, Track and Field, Volleyball, Water Polo, Wrestling
• Women’s Sports: Basketball, Cross Country, Fencing, Field Hockey, Golf, Gymnastics, Lacrosse, Soccer, Softball, Swimming and Diving, Tennis, Track and Field, Volleyball, Water Polo
• The Stanford Cardinal play in the NCAA Division I Pacific 12 Conference.

Overview of Stanford University Admissions

Stanford University has a highly competitive admissions pool with a low acceptance rate. Students whose SAT/ACT scores and GPA are within the institution’s requirements have a good chance of being admitted. This institution has a robust admissions process that involves a multitude of academic measures. Applicants must complete an online application. A persuasive essay and glowing recommendation letters can bolster your application, along with being involved with student organizations and attempting a challenging course load. Students with unique talents and accomplishments can still receive strong consideration even if their GPAs are outside of the admissions offices mean range. Interested students should check out the university’s website, which has helpful tips and contact information for the admissions offices. Students should make a campus visit to determine if the institution is a good fit for them.

Admissions Data                        

During the 2018-19 admissions phase, Stanford had an acceptance rate of 4.4%. For every 100 students who submitted applications, 4 students gained admission, making Stanford’s admissions process highly competitive.

SAT Requirements and Scores

During the 2018-19 admissions phase, 69% of students provided SAT scores. This admissions data reveals that most of Stanford’s students score within the top 7% nationally on the SAT. 50% of students admitted to Stanford scored between 700 and 770 on the evidence-based reading and writing part, while 25% scored under 700 and 25% scored over 770. 50% of students scored between 720 and 800 on the math part, while 25% scored under 720, and 25% scored a perfect 800. Applicants with a cumulative SAT score of 1570 or higher will have particularly competitive chances at Stanford.

ACT Requirements and Scores

During the 2018-19 admissions phase, 55% of students provided ACT scores. This admissions data reveals that most of Stanford’s students score within the top 3% nationally on the ACT. The median 50% of students admitted to Stanford received a cumulative ACT score of between 32 and 35, while 25% scored over 35, and 25% scored under 32.

GPA

In 2019, Stanford University’s freshman class had a mean high school GPA of 3.95. Successful applicants have A grades primarily

Safety Net Schools: Easy to Gain Admission

If past admission data predicts that you would be a competitive candidate for Stanford University, it should be easy to gain admissions to the schools below. If Stanford University is currently out of your reach, then you are sure to be a competitive candidate for the schools below.

Boston College, Boston University, Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute

Same Tier: Just As Hard to Gain Admission

If you’re a competitive candidate for Stanford University, you should have an equal chance of gaining admissions at these schools.

Princeton University, University of Pennsylvania, Brown University, Tufts University, Northeastern University, New York University, University of Michigan

Reach Institutions: Gaining Admissions Will be More of a Challenge

These schools are more challenging to gain admission into than Stanford University. If you improve your GPA and SAT/ACT scores, then you’ll be a competitive candidate for these schools.

Yale University, Carnegie Mellon University, Columbia University

Applying to Stanford University

Application Deadline: January 2

Undergraduate Admissions Website:

https://admission.stanford.edu/

Undergraduate Application Link(s):

https://admission.stanford.edu/apply/freshman/index.html

Graduate Admissions Website:

https://gradadmissions.stanford.edu/

Graduate Application Link(s):

https://gradadmissions.stanford.edu/applying