Stanford University
Stanford University
Stanford, CA 94305
Stanford University is a private university in CA, founded in 1891, and offers Bachelor’s degrees for undergraduates and Master’s and Doctoral degrees for graduate students. The undergraduate enrollment is 6,366, and the graduate enrollment is 9,595. Stanford University is a hyper-selective school, receiving 45,227 applications and accepting 4.3% of applicants. Stanford University’s athletics teams compete at the club, intramural, and varsity levels. Additionally, Stanford University employs 1,648 full-time instructional staff (80% of whom hold doctorate degrees) and has a 4:1 student to faculty ratio.
Empowerly Score®
98
University Score
- School Performance
- Extracurriculars
- Standardized Tests
- Essays
Empowerly Score®
At Empowerly, we prioritize data to customize our approach to student counseling. College admissions is becoming more selective by the year, so it’s never been more important than now to prepare in advance and give yourself the best chance for success.
Take the Empowerly QuizESSAYS
Applicants applying to Stanford University will apply through the Common Application or Coalition Application. Applicants will be required to write one personal statement based on a set of prompts within the application and be required to answer specific questions pertaining to the university.
Deadlines For Submitting Applications
Restrictive Early Action Application Deadline
November 1st
Regular Application Deadline
January 5th
ATTENDANCE FACTORS
- Extracurricular Activities - Very Important
- Character/Personal Qualities - Very Important
- Application Essay - Very Important
- Academic GPA - Very Important
- Rigor of Secondary School Record - Very Important
Average Acceptance Rate
4.30%
Empowerly Acceptance Rate
11.00%
STUDENT LIFE
Located in the City of Palo Alto, the Stanford University campus is organized around seven schools, with three undergraduate level schools comprising 40 academic departments. Stanford University offers on-campus housing for students, guaranteeing an engaged campus community. As a student, you’ll feel a steady blend of academic, athletic, and recreation activities throughout its semester-based academic calendar. Groups include careers/pre-professional groups, the arts, media and publications, political and social awareness, and religious organizations, many established with Stanford University’s founding. For instance, the student-run newspaper, The Stanford Daily, has been published daily since 1892. Expectedly for Stanford and its Silicon Valley setting, numerous pre-professional student organizations assist students with achieving everything from startup incubation to paid consulting.
Housing
- 93% of students live on campus
- Guaranteed housing for freshmen
- Freshmen required to live on campus
Only first-year students must live on campus, but 89% of undergraduates remain in on-campus housing, many for all four undergraduate years. As a first-year student, your “home away from home” can be on either side of the Stanford campus, East Campus, or West Campus. Many student residences are close to the campus center, so you’re only a ten-minute walk or bike ride away from your classes and other facilities, like the campus libraries. While most residences are co-ed, a few residence halls with men and women exist, grouped by individual floors. Undergraduate on-campus housing was devised for students from diverse backgrounds to live and eat together, learn about one another, and form lifelong friendships.
Life as a Student
Life as a Stanford University student revolves around its energetic residential campus, where you’ll meet a thriving community, not only in the classroom. Everyone on campus gets excited around late November/early December to anticipate the “Big Game” with the University of California, Berkeley. It’s not the only thing to get inspired about, though, as you’ll have a choice of over 600 student organizations to join, including 30 religious organizations and more than 100 committed to the arts, including a well-known theatrical group, the Ram’s Head Theatrical Society, and a capella group, the Mendicants. Additionally, numerous cultural organizations are dedicated to education, like the Asha for Education and Stanford American Indian Organization. On average, Stanford students join three groups during their time at the university. Of course, if you’re looking for something out of the ordinary like Stanford, there’s always the Stanford Solar Car Project!
TOP MAJORS
Computer Science
Engineering
Biology
Economics
Cognitive Science
Mechanical Engineering
SERVICES
Health and Safety
- 24-hour trained security on campus
- Late night ride/safe escort service available
Student Services
- Health Center
- Legal Advice
- Psychological Counseling
- Women's Center
Athletics
Varsity
Varsity
Triathlon
Archery
Badminton
Baseball
Basketball
Cheerleading
Crew
Equestrian Sports
Fencing
Football
Golf
Gymnastics
Ice Hockey
Lacrosse
Racquetball
Rock Climbing
Rowing
Rugby
Sailing
Skiing (Downhill)
Soccer
Squash
Swimming and Diving
Tennis
Track and Field
Ultimate Frisbee
Volleyball
Water Polo
Wrestling
Cross-Country Running
Triathlon
Archery
Badminton
Basketball
Cheerleading
Crew
Equestrian Sports
Fencing
Field Hockey
Golf
Gymnastics
Lacrosse
Racquetball
Rock Climbing
Rowing
Rugby
Sailing
Sand Volleyball
Skiing (Downhill)
Soccer
Softball
Squash
Swimming and Diving
Tennis
Track and Field
Ultimate Frisbee
Volleyball
Water Polo
Cross-Country Running
Club
Club
Baseball
Basketball
Golf
Soccer
Swimming and Diving
Tennis
Table Tennis
Cross-Country Running
Basketball
Golf
Lacrosse
Soccer
Swimming and Diving
Tennis
Table Tennis
Cross-Country Running
Intramural
Intramural
Badminton
Bowling
Football
Racquetball
Rock Climbing
Sand Volleyball
Softball
Track and Field
Ultimate Frisbee
Volleyball
Water Polo
Badminton
Bowling
Football
Racquetball
Rock Climbing
Sand Volleyball
Softball
Track and Field
Ultimate Frisbee
Volleyball
Water Polo
FINANCIAL AID INFORMATION
Stanford will not expect a parent contribution toward educational costs for parents with a total annual income below $75,000 and typical assets for this income range.
*All costs below are estimates and may differ depending on your circumstances.
- Tuition - $57,693
- Room & Board - $18,619
- Student Fees Allowance - $2,145
- Books and Supplies Allowance - $1,305
- Personal Expenses Allowance - $2,355
- Travel - Varies
- Total Estimated Cost of Attendance - $82,162
CORPORATE PARTNERSHIP / AFFILIATES
HISTORY
Stanford University, known officially as the Leland Stanford Junior University, was founded in 1885 by American industrialist and politician Leland Stanford and his wife, Jane. The school was named after their only child, Leland Stanford Jr., whose death that previous year at age 15 inspired the couple’s philanthropy. The couple started the school with many non-traditional innovations ahead of their time, like a coeducational campus as well as non-denominational education. The university site itself in northern Santa Clara County was the Stanfords’ country estate, Palo Alto Stock Farm—which is why Stanford University continues to be called “the Farm” today. The school opened its doors in 1891 to 555 students, but Leland Stanford’s death in 1893, and the 1906 San Francisco earthquake, significantly jeopardized Stanford’s future.
Fortunately, the 1895 pioneer class alumnus and future 31st United States President, Herbert Hoover, improved Stanford’s operations. Hoover served as a university benefactor and trustee in the 1920s, giving the school a secure financial foothold. One of the successful organizations he established at Stanford University gathered political material worldwide; it is now known today as the Hoover Institution Library and Archives. Its invention led to the founding of the Graduate School of Business, which consistently earns a top spot in the Q.S. Global MBA Rankings. During the 1940s to 1950s, Engineering Professor Frederick Terman secured his legacy at the university by encouraging Stanford engineering graduates to develop their ideas and then commercialize them by starting their own companies. He is revered as the “Father of Silicon Valley” for mentoring future industry heavyweights like Bill Hewlett and David Packard, co-founders of Hewlett-Packard.
According to the U.S. News Best Colleges, Stanford University sits at #6 in National Universities. The school has a total undergraduate enrollment of 6,366 and a graduate enrollment of 8,021. With its 5% admissions rate, getting into Stanford is extremely competitive. But, as a Stanford University student, you’ll attend classes at its scenic 8,180 acres California Bay Area campus, 30 miles from San Francisco. You’ll cheer for the Stanford Cardinal, the athletic team that represents the university, which has won at least one NCAA team championship annually from 1976 to 2021. Additionally, the school’s famous entrepreneurial spirit heralds unprecedented success in attracting start-up funding. Noteworthy Stanford alumni include author John Steinbeck, entrepreneur Charles Schwab, and golfer Tiger Woods.