How to get admission to Stanford | A comprehensive guide

Stanford Institution is a private research university in Stanford, California, USA, with a global reputation. Stanford is dedicated to academic achievement and innovation via its major focus on research. The university is also ranked third among the greatest worldwide institutions. Stanford University in the United States comprises seven schools, three of which provide undergraduate and graduate programs, while the remaining four provide graduate programs. Keep reading to know how to get admission to Stanford!

Top ranking schools of Stanford University

Stanford’s top-ranked schools include – 

• The School of Engineering.
• School of Education.
• The School of Medicine. 
• School of Law.
• Graduate School of Business.

How hard is it to get admission to Stanford University?

Stanford does not publish its acceptance rate, but a fast computation using the common data set puts it at 5.18%.

As a matter of fact, it is an extremely selective institution. In 2018, Stanford’s overall admissions rate was only 4.3%, which means that nearly 96 out of every 100 applicants didn’t qualify. The total rate includes Stanford’s early action acceptance rate, which is greater than the ordinary decision rate. That suggests the regular acceptance rate at Stanford is closer to 3%.

Stanford is known as the “Ivy of the West.” Stanford, like some of the Ivy League colleges, is exceedingly selective and draws some of the country’s most talented candidates.

The following are the criteria to get admission to Stanford University

To get admission to Stanford, like its Ivy League peers and most other universities, you need to have the SAT or ACT. 

Additionally, for students admitted to Stanford, the average SAT score totals and ACT composite scores vary. To guarantee you’re optimizing your chances of admission, your SAT/ACT score should be closer to the 75th percentile unless you fit into specific favored groups (athletes, legacies, benefactors, etc.).

How to get admission to Stanford | Eligibility

You must meet one of the following conditions to get admission to Stanford University – 

• Before enrolling, you must have the requisite level of education from a regionally accredited US college or university.
• International candidates must have completed the course with the US equivalent level of study from an approved institution or university.

The application processing time

An application is typically processed in 3 to 4 weeks by Stanford University. Furthermore, it is suggested to connect with the authorities via the official website to get answers to your query. 

In addition to your completed application, you have to submit the following documents –

• Submission of an online application
• Payment of the non-refundable application fee 
• Letter of recommendation from a counselor (LOR)
• Certified electronic transcripts from all educational institutions attended
• Personal Statement
• School report cards are required to study in any US college or university.
• Statement of purpose (SOP)
• Financial certification (scholarships, grants, loans, etc.)
• Valid Passport 
• Valid Visa 
• Passport Size Photos
• Resume

Application

Even if you match the Stanford eligibility requirements, if there are loopholes in the application process, your chances of securing admission will diminish drastically. As a result, before submitting your online application, you should review the university website for needed information on courses, eligibility, deadlines, required documents, and examinations.

So, to enhance your application and get admission to Stanford University, make sure you have all the documentation requested by the institution for a certain course. Furthermore, candidates can visit the alumni website to contact any of them to get clarification on any queries about the admissions process.

Preparing for the application

So far, Stanford University has considered your high school record. Hence, it is not just important for you to plan early and maintain excellent scores; it is also important to prepare for a stellar application. If you end up preparing later in high school, you will have fewer chances of scoring better GPAs.

Further, you need to have a precise idea about your strengths and weaknesses. This will allow you to focus on improving your weakest areas while also enhancing your strengths. You may construct a goal plan with clear,  actionable tasks after you’ve selected them. If you’re having problems coming up with a strategy on your own, working with a college admissions counselor can help.

However, if you need a boost in your GPA, consider attending summer school or enrolling in a local college or university.

Key takeaways

• Stanford is one of the prime institutes that attracts students from all across the world. 
• Interactions between students from various backgrounds and experiences can help create a dynamic learning and living environment.
• Stanford University has also produced some of the most distinguished alumni. These include tech entrepreneurs, Supreme Court justices, famous actors, noteworthy authors, astronauts, inventors, and even a US President.

Comment below and share your thoughts with us!

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FAQs

Q1. Do you need to submit official transcripts?

Answer – No, Stanford University doesn’t require you to submit official transcripts.

Q2. What if you want to include multiple additional documents with your resume?

Answer – You need to add a link in your resume for the same instead of uploading full documents.

Q3. Will it be a problem if your full name and department are missing from the uploaded documents?

Answer – No, there won’t be a problem as your documents will be attached to your electronic application record.