How To Get Into Stanford University | College Admission Guide

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Stanford University, ranked among the world's top institutions, blends academic rigor with California's relaxed vibe, offering a unique allure. It's one of the "S" in "HYPMS," denoting the top 5 U.S. schools, known for producing IT pioneers like Google's founders.


About Stanford University

Rankings

   - Tied 3rd with Harvard and Yale in the 2022 U.S. News & World Report rankings.

   - Ranked 2nd in U.S. undergraduate engineering, following MIT.

   - 2nd place in U.S. engineering Ph.D. programs.
 

Campus Diversity 

   - Student-to-faculty ratio: 5:1.

   - Gender ratio: 49% male, 51% female.

   - Asian students: 25% of the student body.
 

Career Outcomes 

   - Computer and Information Sciences grads start at $109,800 (17% of grads).

   - Engineering grads start at $79,100 (16% of grads).

   - Overall average starting salary: $73,900.
 
 

Stanford University Admission


Admission Statistics

   - Highly competitive with a 4% undergraduate acceptance rate.

   - Requires SAT scores around 1570, ACT scores of 35, and GPA above 3.9.

   - Super scoring available for multiple test attempts.

   - International applicants need TOEFL iBT 100+ or IELTS 7.0+.
 

Admission Process 

   - Fall semester admission (September) only.

   - Offers Early Action and Regular Decision.

   - Applying Early Action precludes other Early Action applications.

   - Holistic review includes ECs, essays, recommendations, and life experiences.
 

Essay Prompts

Stanford's application includes 3 short essays and 3 supplementary essays (as of 2022).
 

1. Stanford's Community and LearningStanford values curiosity and deep learning both inside and outside the classroom. Describe an idea or experience that genuinely excites your passion for learning.
 

2. Residential Life at Stanford: Nearly all Stanford undergraduates live on campus. Write a note to your future roommate or share a personal story to help them understand you better.
 

3. Personal Reflection: Share something meaningful to you and explain why it holds significance.
 

In these prompts, students' creativity, intellect, humor, and values can be included. Additionally, Stanford appreciates students who engage in adventurous activities. For STEM students, including experiences where they researched STEM topics and applied them to benefit society in their essays would be beneficial.
 

Extracurricular activities 

Stanford values students who possess distinctive strengths and individuality. It's essential to showcase specific achievements that highlight your ideas and expertise, rather than merely listing numerous extracurricular activities.

For STEM students, demonstrating confidence in future success through research papers, such as high school research, is crucial.
 

If you're uncertain about the number of EC experiences needed for Stanford admission, focusing deeply on 1-2 EC activities with meaningful participation is more effective than having many shallow involvements. It's important to translate your EC experiences into compelling essays that reflect the adventurous and versatile qualities Stanford admires.
 

At GIRE, we support programs like research paper consulting and internship experiences with renowned US university professors, helping you build your unique strengths for successful university applications.
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