The Ultimate Stanford Admissions Guide

Stanford University is one of the best universities in the world, home to world-renowned faculty and excellent STEM programs. Applying to Stanford can be intimidating, especially with the hyper-competitive Stanford admissions process becoming more difficult each year. That’s why we’ve outlined the best tips and tricks for conquering the Stanford admission requirements.

In this Stanford guide, we’ll provide a comprehensive overview of how Stanford admissions works. We’ll review the Stanford requirements, as well as what Stanford admissions looks for in an application.

The Ultimate Stanford Admissions Guide will cover: 

• Details about what makes Stanford so special 
• Statistics on the Stanford admissions process
• Information on the Stanford application dates and deadlines
• GPA/SAT guidelines for Stanford 
• The Stanford supplemental essay prompts, and more!

If you’re interested in applying to Stanford, it’s important that your application is focused and competitive. This guide will help you through the Stanford admission requirements, so keep reading to learn more! 

Understanding Stanford Admission Requirements

For students embarking on the Stanford admissions journey, it can be helpful to understand how the process works. Stanford admissions uses a holistic approach. This means that Stanford admissions officers will review each aspect of your application collectively. 

Crafting a well-balanced, captivating application is key in the Stanford admissions process. Your application will consist of your GPA, standardized test scores, extracurricular activities, Stanford essays, and teacher recommendations. Stanford admissions officers will consider everything when deciding whether you meet the Stanford admission requirements. 

So, how do you make sure you’re meeting the Stanford admission requirements? Understanding the Stanford admissions benchmarks can help you shape your application. Stanford’s three benchmarks are Academic Excellence, Intellectual Vitality, and Extracurricular Activities.

These three benchmarks serve as the foundation for the Stanford admission requirements. Therefore, finding ways to highlight them can help your application stand out. 

Where is Stanford?

Stanford University is located in Stanford, California, right in the heart of Silicon Valley. Stanford sits between San Francisco and San Jose, giving students the opportunity to take advantage of what each city has to offer. At just over 8,000 acres, Stanford’s campus has a large presence in the area. 

With Stanford ranking highly in various STEM fields, it can be helpful to understand how Stanford’s location influences its academic programs. Its proximity to Silicon Valley makes Stanford an excellent choice for students interested in technology and entrepreneurship. Moreover, the school’s focus on innovation provides students with an opportunity to explore new ways of thinking, preparing them to be leaders in their chosen field.

Researching what makes Stanford unique will help you in your Stanford admissions journey, allowing you to build your application around what attracts you to Stanford’s programs. For instance, the TeenLife Stanford guide on its School of Engineering can be a great resource for students interested in that particular field. Now, let’s see what else this prestigious school is known for.

What is Stanford known for?

With the notoriously competitive Stanford admissions rate, you might wonder what makes Stanford so special. Stanford is known as one of the best colleges in California and the United States—and it isn’t just because of its beautiful college campus. Here are a few reasons why.

Stanford’s rankings are consistently high across many different criteria. Stanford is home to many top programs, including computer science, engineering, and economics. It also ranks highly in more general categories, such as best value and most innovative schools.

Stanford is also known for its achievements in innovation and entrepreneurship, which have helped shape our modern world. Any Stanford guide will highlight its location near Silicon Valley and close connections with major companies like Google and Hewlett-Packard. For students interested in developing new technologies, or starting their own business ventures, Stanford is the gold standard. 

Beyond its proximity to the tech center of the world, Stanford is also home to world-famous faculty. With 20 Nobel laureates, 33 MacArthur Fellows, and 4 Pulitzer Prize winners, Stanford attracts some of the best academic talents. The school also boasts an impressive alumni network, including a wide-range of influential business leaders, actors, writers, and world leaders. 

With such an impressive roster of Stanford rankings, programs, faculty, and alumni, it’s no surprise that the Stanford admission requirements are so rigorous. Without specific Stanford SAT requirements or Stanford GPA requirements, gaining admission to Stanford can feel like a mystery. In the following sections, we’ll detail just how difficult the Stanford admissions process is, and how to best set yourself up for success. 

Is it hard to get into Stanford?

The Stanford acceptance rate is extremely low—around 4%. With such a low Stanford acceptance rate, you need to go above and beyond the Stanford admission requirements. If you are deeply interested in Stanford’s programs and opportunities, working hard to maintain a strong academic record, developing robust extracurricular activities, and honing your application can help set you apart. 

While there are no specific Stanford GPA requirements, it’s no surprise many applicants will apply with strong academic records. Taking the most rigorous classes your school offers, and maintaining high grades, will be key. Additionally, there are no formal Stanford SAT requirements, but it’s crucial to demonstrate high test scores. 

Keep in mind that the Stanford admission requirements are holistic, meaning that no single aspect of your application is more important than another. The Stanford requirements are rigorous, and are meant to attract the best applicants. In the following sections, we’ll outline how to get into Stanford University, with our best tips and tricks to help you conquer the Stanford admission requirements. 

How to Get into Stanford

It’s no secret that getting into Stanford is hard. The Stanford requirements are some of the toughest in the country, and there are no shortcuts for how to get into Stanford. Therefore, the best thing you can do to prepare yourself for the Stanford application is to start early.

Academics and extracurriculars

Your academics will be the foundation for your entire application. While there are no set Stanford GPA requirements, the hyper competitive Stanford admissions process requires that students earn the highest marks possible. Any Stanford guide will recommend that you take the most rigorous course load available to you, such as AP and honors classes.

Without formal Stanford SAT requirements, it’s hard to say what score you should aim for. Furthermore, most students with perfect SAT scores still do not get into Stanford—a testament to how competitive Stanford admissions really is. 

In addition to having strong academics, the Stanford admission requirements state that extracurricular activities are vital. Joining clubs and organizations early will help you build up a leadership profile.

Additionally, try to find hobbies and interests that set you apart, and be sure to take advantage of your summers. Stanford has some great summer programs for high school students, including one dedicated to women in STEM! The Stanford admissions officers want to see your personality shine through on your application, so work on building a strong extracurricular profile based on your interests and passions. 

Essays and recommendations

After working hard to maintain good grades and build an impressive resume, your next hurdle is the application itself. The Stanford essays are a key component of the Stanford requirements and the perfect opportunity to differentiate yourself from other applicants. Therefore, writing compelling Stanford essays is absolutely crucial to helping your application stand out.

Strong recommendation letters can also help set you apart. Picking teachers that can speak to your strengths in the classroom will help Stanford admissions officers understand how you’ll succeed on campus. 

Stanford Admissions Stats

Countless students are wondering how to get into Stanford University, so let’s look at the admissions numbers. Below, we’ve detailed a few important Stanford admissions statistics. These figures come from the 2023-2024 Stanford University Common Data Set, the official Stanford guide to their admissions data, and CollegeBoard.  

As you can see, while there are no formal Stanford SAT requirements or Stanford GPA requirements, most students are high achieving applicants. Additionally, you may notice the Stanford transfer acceptance rate is much lower than the first-year rate.

With the Stanford transfer acceptance rate so low, transfer students are not a large part of the Stanford student population. Additionally, you may be interested to know that 20% of the class of 2027 are considered first-generation, and around 15% are international. 

Stanford Admissions: Dates and Deadlines

Deadlines are a main component of the Stanford requirements. Therefore, making sure your application is polished before your chosen Stanford application deadline is key. Here are the three main Stanford application deadlines: 

• Stanford Early Action: November 1st
• Stanford Regular Decision: January 5th
• Stanford Transfer Application: March 15th

Note that the Stanford Early Action deadline is much earlier than the Regular Decision. We’ll detail the difference between applying to Stanford Early Action vs. Regular Decision in the next section.  

With the Stanford tuition currently at $61,731, many families will also need to apply for Stanford financial aid. To help families manage the cost of the Stanford tuition and fees, Stanford offers a robust financial aid program. Unlike merit aid, need-based aid does not have any Stanford SAT requirements or Stanford GPA requirements to qualify. Here are the deadlines to submit your Stanford financial aid application: 

• Stanford Early Action: November 15th
• Stanford Regular Decision: February 15th
• Stanford Transfer Application: March 15th

Families must submit both the FAFSA and CSS Profile to meet the financial aid Stanford requirements. If you’re planning to apply for need-based Stanford financial aid, you will need to complete these additional Stanford requirements before the posted deadlines.

Stanford Early Action vs. Regular Decision

Students wondering how to get into Stanford University will need to consider the different Stanford admissions plans available. While the Stanford admission requirements are the same for all Stanford admissions plans, the dates and deadlines differ. This section of our Stanford guide will detail the benefits of each plan, and what to consider when deciding between Stanford Early Action vs. Regular Decision. 

Stanford has two admissions plans: Restrictive Early Action and Regular Decision. Restrictive Early Action is a non-binding application plan that only allows students to apply Early Action to Stanford. The Stanford Early Action deadline is November 1st, so all your Stanford admission requirements must be completed before this deadline. 

Regular Decision is the other Stanford admissions plan. The RD deadline is January 5th. Regular Decision is also non-binding, and students will receive their Stanford admissions email in mid-March. Both plans will use the Stanford admissions portal to communicate any missing Stanford requirements. 

So, how do you know which plan is right for you? Applying early can have its benefits. EA decisions are released in December, and the acceptance rate tends to be a little higher than it is for RD. However, the compressed timeframe to complete all of the Stanford admission requirements can be stressful. Having the extra time with Regular Decision can help ensure your application is the best it can be. 

How to apply to Stanford

As you prep all of your Stanford admission requirements, you may wonder what the application process looks like. Our Stanford guide will help you each step of the way—just be sure to start well before the Stanford application deadline! 

You’ll first submit your core application via the Common Application, the Coalition Application or Questbridge. This is where the bulk of your Stanford requirements will be submitted (essays, teacher recommendations, Stanford GPA requirements, etc). You will also need to meet the Stanford SAT requirements by officially submitting your scores via CollegeBoard. 

After you submit your application, you’ll be connected to the Stanford application portal. The Stanford application portal will be the main way Stanford admissions officers will communicate with you. To ensure you’ve met all the Stanford requirements, you can check to see your materials have been successfully received on the Stanford application portal.  

Another one of the major Stanford admission requirements is the interview. While your application will be considered complete without an interview, we recommend that students take advantage of the opportunity if available to them. The interview allows Stanford admissions officers to learn more about you and how you’ll fit into the Stanford community. 

Once decisions are released, you will receive a Stanford admissions email, directing you to check your Stanford application portal. Your admissions decision will be posted there, as well as next steps if you’ve been admitted. 

Stanford Admissions Timeline

This section of our Stanford guide will detail the full scope of the admissions process, from taking the SAT to paying your Stanford tuition. We’re starting our timeline during your Junior year, but know that the prep often starts much earlier. Using the first two years of high school to take rigorous courses and build up your extracurriculars will be key! 

Stanford Admissions Timeline

Junior Year Fall

Start taking SAT prep classes, or otherwise studying for the SAT. While there are no formal Stanford SAT requirements, a high score will greatly benefit your application.

Junior Year Spring

Take the SAT for the first time, and see if your score matches up with the average Stanford SAT requirements. Make plans to retake the SAT if needed. 

Summer before Senior Year

Start your essays! If you’re wondering how to get into Stanford University, having stellar essays is key. Starting your essays early will make sure you have ample time to perfect them before your application deadline. 

Senior Year Fall

This is where the Stanford admissions real work begins. Be sure to ask your teachers for recommendations, perfect your essays, and re-take the SATs if needed. Submit your applications and hope for the best! 

Senior Year Spring

Keep on top of your Stanford application portal for any updates or missing documents. Check for the Stanford admissions email—it’s usually released in March for Regular Decision. If you’ve been admitted, congratulations! Keep an eye out for information regarding enrolling in classes, paying tuition, and selecting your housing. This information will become available towards the end of the school year.

Feel free to refer back to this timeline to help you prepare for admissions season. In the next section, we’ll discuss more in-depth what Stanford admissions is looking for in your application.

What does Stanford admissions look for?

Now, let’s take a closer look at what Stanford admissions looks for when reviewing applications. As previously mentioned, Stanford takes a holistic approach to admissions. That means that Stanford admissions officers look for students that are well-rounded. But, what does that mean in terms of your application?

For answers, let’s look to Stanford’s Common Data Set. The Common Data Set is a standardized report meant to provide accurate, quality information to students exploring higher education. This includes details like average GPAs and SAT scores, which we’ll discuss further when we talk about the Stanford admission requirements.

Within the report, there’s a section called Basis for Selection. This section highlights what factors influence Stanford admissions decisions. Here is a list of the “very important” factors:

As you can see, there are a lot of boxes to tick when it comes to impressing Stanford admissions. While some factors, like GPA, are easier to compare across an applicant pool, other factors are more individualized. Therefore, each student’s unspoken “it” factor will be up to them to define.

The Stanford ranking is #4 in National Universities according to U.S. News. Therefore, it’s no surprise that plenty of qualified applicants apply to this prestigious school each year. With the Stanford acceptance rate so competitive, it’s crucial that applicants do more than simply complete the Stanford requirements. You’ll need to present the best version of yourself, showcasing who you are, what you’ve done, and what you hope to accomplish in the future.

In the following sections, we’ll answer your questions about how to get into Stanford University, including a detailed look into the Stanford GPA requirements and the Stanford essays. But first, let’s start with a comprehensive overview of the Stanford requirements for admission.

Stanford admission requirements

No “How to Get Into Stanford” guide would be complete without a thorough review of the Stanford admission requirements. Here is the complete list of required materials, courtesy of the Stanford admissions website:

Stanford Required Materials

Common Application

The majority of students apply to Stanford via the Common App. This portion of the Stanford admission requirements includes your basic information, personal statement essay, Stanford application questions, and all of your Stanford essays.

Application Fee

The Stanford application fee is $90. If you are unable to pay the application fee, you must submit a fee waiver request.

Standardized Test Scores

Although Stanford went test-optional in 2020, the admissions team has decided to reinstate the Stanford SAT requirements and/or ACT requirements. This requirement will start again in 2025. 

School Report Form and Official Transcripts

These official forms must be submitted directly by your school on your behalf. School officials can use the Common Application to submit required documents. The Stanford admission requirements also include a midyear transcript which is due by February 15th.

Letters of recommendation

As part of the Stanford admission requirements, you must submit three recommendations: one counselor recommendation and two teacher recommendations.

All of these materials are due by your chosen Stanford application deadline. If you’re applying to Stanford Early Action, that will be in November. If you don’t feel like you can pull together a strong application by then, you may be better off applying Regular Decision. 

With Stanford tuition being well over $60,000 per year, the majority of applicants also end up applying for financial aid. In order to be considered, students must complete both the CSS Profile/IDOC and FAFSA. If you’re relying on financial aid to attend Stanford, you’ll want to consider these financial aid applications as part of your Stanford requirements.

If you have any questions about the Stanford admissions process or any of the Stanford requirements, you can send a message to the Stanford admissions email. However, be sure to explore the admissions website and all official Stanford guides and resources before doing so. If there’s an answer to your question online, you may not get a response.

Up next in this Stanford guide, we’ll take a closer look at Stanford GPA requirements and Stanford SAT requirements.

What GPA do you need to get into Stanford?

There is no minimum GPA required to get into Stanford. However, just because there aren’t official Stanford GPA requirements doesn’t mean you don’t need a competitive GPA to get in. 

The majority of successful applicants have incredibly high GPAs, creating “unofficial” Stanford GPA requirements. For instance, 75% of enrolled students in 2023-2024 had a 4.0 GPA. So, while a minimum GPA is not part of the Stanford requirements, having a high GPA will put you in a better position as an applicant.

When considering your academic performance, Stanford admissions officers will also be looking at the types of classes you’ve taken. Taking rigorous courses, like AP, IB, or honors courses, showcases your interest in challenging yourself academically. Your grades in these classes also demonstrate your ability to succeed in the challenging courses offered at Stanford.

If you’ve worked hard to improve your GPA and are doing well in your senior fall courses, you may not want to apply to Stanford Early Action. By applying Regular Decision, you’ll have the added benefit of having your senior year courses reflected on your transcript.

What SAT score is required for Stanford?

Similar to the Stanford GPA requirements, there are no official Stanford SAT requirements. That is, there is no minimum SAT score required for admission. That being said, it can be helpful to know what scores successful applicants have had. 

Looking back at the 2023-2024 Common Data Set, the majority of students earned between 700-800 on both the SAT Evidence-Based Reading and Writing and SAT Math sections. Overall, that translates to 96% of students earning at minimum a 1400 on the SAT. However, it’s important to note that SAT scores were not required for the 2023-2024 admissions cycle. In fact, only 47% of enrolled students submitted SAT scores that year.

While previous applicants had the choice of deciding whether or not to submit test scores, that will soon no longer be an option. After the 2024-2025 application cycle, Stanford admission requirements are changing, and Stanford will no longer be test-optional. That means you’ll need to make a plan for taking the SAT, or the ACT, if you’re planning to apply. 

If you’re worried about the new Stanford SAT requirements, keep in mind that Stanford does allow superscoring. Essentially, this means that Stanford admissions will focus on your best scores on each section, even if your scores are from different testing dates.

Stanford Admissions Testing Requirements

Although Stanford went test-optional in 2020, the school is reinstating their testing requirements. Starting with the 2025-2026 application cycle, students will be required to submit standardized test scores as part of the Stanford admissions process.

Stanford admissions officers have taken the position that test scores are indeed a valuable indicator of future academic success. So, depending on your Stanford application deadline, you’ll need to test by a certain date. If you’re applying to Stanford Early Action, the latest you can take the SAT is October. If you’re applying for Regular Decision, the last acceptable SAT date is in December.

With the newly reinstated Stanford SAT requirements/ACT requirements, test prep is going to once again be an important step in your “how to get into Stanford University” gameplan. To minimize stress about the Stanford admission requirements, we recommend testing early and giving yourself plenty of time to study and retest as needed to maximize your score.

Now that we’ve covered the academic side of the Stanford admission requirements, let’s turn to the more personal. Next up in our Stanford guide, we’re reviewing the Stanford supplemental essays.

Stanford Supplemental essays

While many students are intimidated by the thought of writing college admissions essays, they are an opportunity to show off an applicant’s greatest strengths. You have full control when it comes to your essays, so long as you address the prompts in their entirety. Therefore, giving yourself the time you need to reflect on your experiences, and get those experiences down in words, is one of the best methods for strengthening your application.

In addition to a Common App personal statement essay, students must complete Stanford supplemental essays. These supplemental essays give you the opportunity to address Stanford admissions officers directly and in your own unique way. 

There are two types of Stanford essays: short questions and short essays.

Stanford Short Question Prompts

Part of the Stanford requirements include five short questions. Your responses must be 50 words or less. The prompts are as follows:

Here’s a quick tip for completing these short answer prompts: the more specific you are in your responses, the better. With limited space, every word counts, so use each and every one as an opportunity to express yourself.

Stanford Short Essay Prompts

In addition to the short questions, you must also respond to three short essay prompts. Your responses to these prompts must be between 100-250 words.

These questions are all about gauging your character and the qualities that make you, you. Try to showcase your intellectual curiosity alongside other positive qualities, like compassion, creativity, or leadership. Choose to highlight aspects that are central to who you are. Though the final essay emphasizes this the most, all three of these essays are about showing Stanford why you’d be a valuable addition to their undergraduate community.

Stanford essay tips

Writing essays is one of the most time-consuming parts of the Stanford admissions process. However, your essays are arguably the most important part of your application. Let’s say, for example, that the Stanford admissions officers are deciding between two applicants. Both have strong GPAs, high test scores, and impressive academic records. If one has a more compelling set of essays, it may just be enough to tip the scales in their favor. 

Here are a few tips to help you write essays that will impress any team of Stanford admissions officers:

Interested in an in-depth breakdown of the Stanford essays? Check out our most recent Stanford guide to the 2024-2025 supplemental essays and some stellar Stanford essay examples here.

Stanford admissions: Interview and Portfolio Requirements

Interviews at Stanford are optional; students will be offered an interview based on availability. So, if Stanford admissions does not contact you regarding an interview, don’t worry! An interview isn’t among the necessary Stanford admission requirements.

However, if you are selected for an interview, be sure to prepare. You’ll want to research the university, especially the particular program you are interested in. Additionally, you’ll want to practice personal storytelling and prepare questions for your interviewer.

Students who excel in art may choose to submit an optional Arts Portfolio in Art Practice, Dance, Music, or Theater and Performance Studies. Each area has their own particular Stanford requirements, so be sure to check online to find the Stanford guide for your chosen area. To submit your portfolio, select the “yes” option in your Common Application. Then, login to your Stanford application portal to upload your Arts Portfolio form and portfolio materials.

If you do choose to submit a portfolio, it’s important to realize your application will be due earlier than normal. For Stanford Early Action, your application is due October 15th and the materials for your portfolio are due October 20th. For Regular Decision, the deadlines are December 5th and December 10th. 

Stanford requirements for international students

In general, Stanford admission requirements for international students are the same as Stanford requirements for domestic first-year applicants. That means international students have the same Stanford SAT requirements, Stanford GPA requirements, and Stanford essay requirements as their fellow applicants.

However, there are a few additional considerations for international applicants. For one, you may need to provide translations for transcripts and other important application documents. Plus, though English proficiency exams are not required, you’ll need to somehow demonstrate your fluency in English.

Another consideration for international applicants is financial aid. If, as an international student, you can’t afford the Stanford tuition and choose to apply for Stanford financial aid, this could lower your odds of beating the Stanford acceptance rate. Due to limited financial aid resources for international students, Stanford admissions is more selective when it comes to international applicants who need institutional support.

If you have more questions regarding the admissions process or applying for Stanford financial aid, the Stanford guide for International Applicants has plenty of FAQs that may address any outstanding concerns.

Up next, we’ll review some key Stanford admission requirements for transfer applicants.

Stanford admissions for transfer students

While the Stanford admission requirements for transfer students isn’t drastically different compared to other first-year applicants, there are key eligibility guidelines to consider. Transfer applicants are any students who have completed coursework in a program at a degree-granting institution. Students must also have a high school diploma/GED/equivalent and cannot have previously earned a bachelor’s degree.

According to the Stanford guide for transfer applicants, transfer students will need to fulfill the newly reinstated Stanford SAT requirements/ACT requirements. Additional Stanford admission requirements for transfer students include writing transfer-specific supplemental essays and providing transcripts from both high school and college. All Stanford transfer applications are due March 15th. Applying early will not help you beat the Stanford transfer acceptance rate, nor help you get an admissions decision sooner. All transfer applicants will receive their decision by mid-May.

There aren’t Stanford GPA requirements for transfer applicants. However, in order to transfer credits, students will need to have earned at minimum a C- in their courses. Students who are considering transferring should take some time to explore Stanford’s transfer credit policies and requirements before applying.

As you research the Stanford admission requirements for transfer applicants, it’s important to recognize the Stanford transfer acceptance rate is quite low. In 2023, Stanford received 3,285 transfer applications. Of these, only 67 were admitted. That puts the Stanford transfer acceptance rate at about 2%, making transfer admissions even more competitive than first-year admissions.

What to do after submitting your Stanford application?

At this point, you’ve made it through most of our Stanford guide to admissions. Now, let’s talk about the final steps of the Stanford admissions process. Once you have submitted your application, you can expect to receive a Stanford admissions email. This email will contain instructions on how to log into your Stanford application portal.

Students should use the Stanford application portal to confirm that the admissions team has received all of their required materials. After that, you’ll have to play the waiting game. Eventually, you’ll receive an official Stanford admissions email notifying you that the admissions team has made their decision.

To view your admissions decision, you’ll need to log into your Stanford application portal. If you applied to Stanford Early Action, you can expect to receive your decision by mid-December. Regular Decision applicants will receive a decision by early April. If you are admitted to Stanford, you’ll need to confirm your enrollment by May 1st. In the Stanford application portal, you’ll also find your official Stanford financial aid package, so be sure to review this thoroughly and make sure you have a plan to pay for Stanford tuition before enrolling.

If you applied to Stanford Early Action, you may be accepted, denied, or deferred. A deferment means your application will be reconsidered in the Regular Decision cycle. When Regular Decisions are released, you may be accepted, denied, or waitlisted. Waitlisted means you may be offered a letter of admission if a space becomes available. In this case, you might consider writing a letter of continued interest.

The Ultimate Stanford Admissions Guide- Takeaways

In this guide on how to get into Stanford University, we talked about what it really takes to gain admission to this prestigious school. The Stanford rankings reflect the excellence of the school itself—and the excellence it looks for in its students. Therefore, simply meeting the Stanford GPA requirements or getting a great SAT score isn’t enough to gain admission. In fact, the 4% Stanford acceptance rate makes it a reach school for just about every student who applies.

Whether you’re applying to Stanford Early Action or Regular Decision, there’s no cheat code for how to get into Stanford. Depending on where Stanford ranks on your college list, you’ll need to decide which of the Stanford application deadlines are right for you. Then, you’ll need to make a gameplan for tackling each of the Stanford requirements.

Stanford admissions officers take a holistic approach to their admissions process, so every component of your application matters. While your transcripts and standardized test scores serve as your academic track record, your Stanford essays and letters of recommendation provide a more personal touch.

If you need help navigating the Stanford admissions process, CollegeAdvisor can help. Our Stanford alumni are pros on how to get into Stanford University and can guide you through everything from fulfilling the Stanford SAT requirements to writing the Stanford supplements.

This article was written by Stefanie Tedards and Jessica Klein. Looking for more admissions support? Click here to schedule a free meeting with one of our Admissions Specialists. During your meeting, our team will discuss your profile and help you find targeted ways to increase your admissions odds at top schools. We’ll also answer any questions and discuss how CollegeAdvisor.com can support you in the college application process.