What Stanford Admissions Looks for in a Prospective Student

Stanford University is the only West Coast university to make U.S. News & World Report’s list of the top 5 universities in the country (tied for #3). Located in the heart of Silicon Valley, Stanford is known for its academic excellence, world-class faculty, and influence on technology and innovation.

Many successful companies, including Google, Yahoo, and Hewlett-Packard have roots at Stanford. It’s also an innovation hub for start-ups and cutting-edge research—and many globally recognized brands. 

The admissions committee at Stanford University reviews stacks of applications from highly accomplished individuals who possess top grades, excellent test scores, and exceptional personal achievements.

If you’re hoping to get in, you first need to know what Stanford looks for in a prospective student. 

Ultimately, Stanford is looking to admit applicants who excel at academics, are intellectually curious, and will contribute to the Stanford University campus life. In short, Stanford looks at a variety of factors, approaching each applicant as a unique individual.

On a basic level here is what Stanford admissions generally looks for:

It should come as no surprise that Stanford student services look favorably on high academic achievement. 

What does a successful prospective student’s academic record look like, by Stanford standards? During the 2022 admission cycle, Stanford reported median scores of 1540 out of 1600 on the SAT and 35 out of 36 on the ACT. Over 70% of accepted applicants had a perfect GPA, with an average GPA of 3.95 on the 4.0 scale.

With these scores in mind, the first thing you should do to increase your chances against the low Stanford admissions rate is to focus on your academic performance in high school. Keeping your GPA up and scoring well on the SAT or ACT are two key ways you can show you’re a strong prospective student for Stanford 

While academic excellence is required for admission to Stanford, high grades aren’t enough on their own to get you in.

Stanford is looking for mature students who have mastered skills and passions outside the classroom—and will positively impact Stanford University campus life as a result.

Interested in public service? Join your school’s student government. Want to express your artistic side? Connect with an artists’ group in the community and start building your portfolio. Looking to get into the world of start-ups? Intern with one in your area.

Whatever extracurriculars you choose, make sure they are activities that are of true interest to you. Stanford’s student services want to see not only that you express an interest in something, but that you are devoted to its pursuit. 

The essay portion of your application is the perfect opportunity to positively and memorably stand out from the crowd. Here is where you can let your personality shine while providing Stanford student services with biographical information that might not be evident in other application sections. Of course, you’ll want to highlight information that is advantageous from an acceptance standpoint and do so with style. 

Are you a first-generation college student? Do you speak a foreign language? Did you start a business at a young age? Have you overcome adversity to get where you are? Did you have a unique childhood experience? Use the essay to highlight the things that will tell Stanford exactly what you’ll bring to the community. 

If you’re applying to Stanford, there’s a possibility you’ll get invited to the Stanford interview. While optional, Stanford is known to call early and regular decision applicants who live in one of their interview areas to meet specifically trained alumni. 

This is an incredible opportunity to impress a Stanford alum and gain their recommendation. 

For these reasons, you’ll want to be prepared in case you get a call from Stanford student services. Make sure you know how to succinctly and clearly explain the experiences that led you to apply to Stanford. Talk about your academic interests and extracurricular achievements and what you’d bring to the Stanford community. Don’t forget to ask questions! An engaged and interested applicant could get the alumni review that makes all the difference.

Stanford practices what they call “holistic admissions.” In simple terms, it means they weigh a variety of factors when deciding who to admit. This approach builds the Stanford University campus life that the institution and students value. 

In addition to a strong academic record, a vibrant extracurricular life, an attention-grabbing essay, and a strong interview performance, they will also consider:

• The rigor of the courses you took in high school
• Class rank
• Recommendation letters
• Character and personal qualities
• Talent and ability
• Future goals and plans
• Personal history and experiences
• Background
• Educational pathway
• Work and family responsibilities

If you’re applying to Stanford University, you’re up against steep competition and a low Stanford admissions rate. As a prospective student who wants to impress the admissions committee, focus on what you can control. 

Maintain a high GPA, take rigorous courses, study for standardized tests, explore your interests outside of school, and submit thoughtful application essays. 

Alongside enthusiastic letters of recommendation, a demonstrated commitment to contributing to the Stanford University campus life, and various individual factors, these elements combine to make a strong prospective applicant. 

But don’t take it just from us. Here’s one message Stanford gives to prospective students, via its website: “In a holistic review, we seek to understand how you, as a whole person, would grow, contribute and thrive at Stanford, and how Stanford would, in turn, be changed by you.” 

Check out these 3 tips to keep in mind when you begin your college journey. 

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