We wouldn’t blame you for being interested in Stanford University, which ranks #4 among national universities in the 2026 US News & World Report annual college ranking. In 2014, Slate dubbed Stanford “the Harvard of the 21st century,” and for good reason! This private research university boasts one of the largest endowments in higher education (which most recently weighed in at $40.6 billion), a formidable range of world-renowned graduate schools and research facilities, and an entrepreneurial culture that has produced some of the biggest names in the tech industry.

What Is Stanford University?

Stanford is located in the heart of Silicon Valley, in Stanford, California. According to the 2025-26 Common Data Set, Stanford’s undergraduate student body consists of 3,604 men and 3,742 women, for a total of 7,346 full-time undergraduates. 38% of these students come from within California, while 16% are international.

Stanford University Admissions Requirements

Getting into Stanford is not a matter of simply meeting certain grade point and testing requirements, as many students with perfect or near-perfect scores face rejection each year. Still, it’s helpful to understand the baseline requirements necessary to be considered a competitive applicant.

Stanford University GPA Requirements

Stanford admissions counselors evaluate a student’s academic record in the “context” of their high school experience. No two high schools calculate a student’s GPA in the same way, so it would be disingenuous to claim that Stanford has a minimum GPA cutoff. However, students interested in Stanford should take the most rigorous coursework available to them.

Applications are reviewed through a holistic process. As Stanford Undergraduate Admissions puts it: 

At Stanford, we practice holistic admission. This means that each piece in your application is reviewed as part of an integrated and comprehensive whole. We want to learn how you would grow, contribute, and thrive at Stanford.

Does Stanford Look at Class Rank?

72.97% of students enrolled in the Class of 2029 had a 4.0 GPA, and 16.17% had a GPA between 3.75 and 3.99. 97% of enrollees were in the top tenth of their high school graduating class, while 100% were in the top quarter. The average GPA for an enrollee in the Class of 2029 was 3.94.

Stanford SAT/ACT Score Requirements

Stanford requires standardized testing for admission, reversing a short-lived test-optional policy.

Amongst members of the Stanford Class of 2029, 56% submitted SAT scores, and 21% submitted ACT scores. 23% did not submit scores under Stanford’s test-optional policy, which was in place at the time of their admission.

	SAT	ACT
Median	1,550	35
Mid 50% Range	1,520 — 1,570	34 — 36

Does Stanford Superscore Students’ SAT or ACT scores?

A superscore combines the highest section scores from each individual test sitting for admissions evaluation. Stanford only superscores the SAT, evaluating the highest scores reported for the Reading and Writing and Math sections. They do not superscore the ACT.

Submitting multiple test administrations shows Stanford that you had to work harder than many to achieve your scores when admissions officers much prefer students for whom great scores come naturally. Students should submit more than one SAT score report only for the purposes of superscoring.

What High School Courses Does Stanford Require?

Stanford Undergraduate Admission recommends the following high school curriculum:

• English: four years, with an emphasis on writing and literature.
• Mathematics: four years of rigorous mathematics, including calculus.
• History/Social Studies: minimum three years.
• Science: minimum three years in courses like biology, chemistry, physics, computer science, human anatomy, and environmental science.
• World Language: minimum three years of the same language.

Of course, it would be unwise to take only three years of science or history classes. Students interested in highly selective colleges across America, Stanford or otherwise, should excel in their core subjects for all four years of high school (and when it comes to foreign language, it is ideal to begin in eighth grade).

What Extracurriculars Does Stanford Look For in Applicants?

Stanford admissions officers prize students who demonstrate an “exceptional depth” of commitment to a singular pursuit, as opposed to students who are well-rounded. This depth could take many forms, from prize-winning illustration to extensive economics research, but we at Ivy Coach caution against portraying an applicant as a jack-of-all-trades. 

An incoming class at an elite university should be dynamic, diverse, and unpredictable. The last thing admissions officers are looking for is homogeneity. Sure, a competitive Stanford applicant has excelled in all areas academically, but they have kept busy pursuing a unique passion, which shines through on the application. The student who has dipped their toes in a variety of pursuits without specializing, and who is admitted on the basis of this well-roundedness, is a myth.

Stanford University Application Requirements

Stanford applicants must complete The Common Application, the Stanford supplement, a counselor recommendation, and two teacher recommendations.

Let’s focus on each individual component and discuss how students should complete them to give them the best shot of admission.

Who to Ask For Letters of Recommendation

Applicants to Stanford should ask two teachers, ideally two junior year teachers in core subjects, in addition to their school counselor for letters of recommendation.

Does Stanford Require an Alumni Interview?

No, any interviews conducted with Stanford alumni are optional. Students will only be given the option to interview with a Stanford alum if they live in a designated interview area. Whether a student accepts a proposed interview or not is not a reflection of the strength or weakness of a student’s application. Across all highly selective colleges, the interview component of any given application is one of the least important aspects.

What are Stanford’s Supplemental Essay Topics?

Essays, on the other hand, are one of the most important aspects of a competitive college application. In addition to The Common Application Personal Statement, Stanford applicants have to complete the Stanford supplemental essay questions, a.k.a. “The Stanford Questions.” 

The Stanford Questions are as follows:

Stanford University Short Answer Questions

There is a 50-word limit for each of the five short answers.

• What is the most significant challenge that society faces today?
• How did you spend your last two summers?
• What historical moment or event do you wish you could have witnessed?
• Briefly elaborate on one of your extracurricular activities, a job you hold, or responsibilities you have for your family.
• List five things that are important to you.

Stanford University Short Essay Questions

There is a 100-word minimum and a 250-word maximum for each of the three essays.

• The Stanford community is deeply curious and driven to learn in and out of the classroom. Reflect on an idea or experience that makes you genuinely excited about learning.
• Virtually all of Stanford’s undergraduates live on campus. Write a note to your future roommate that reveals something about you or that will help your roommate—and us—get to know you better.
• Please describe what aspects of your life experiences, interests and character would help you make a distinctive contribution as an undergraduate to Stanford University. 

Stanford University Application Deadlines

Stanford’s two admissions rounds are Restrictive Early Action and Regular Decision.

Restrictive Early Action applications to Stanford are non-binding and due on November 1st of each year (unless a student applies with the Optional Arts Portfolio, which pushes the deadline up to October 15th). Regular Decision applications to Stanford are due on January 5th of each year (and on December 5th with the Optional Arts Portfolio).

Stanford University Acceptance Rate and Statistics

So how competitive is the admissions process to The Farm? 60,646 students applied for admission to the Class of 2029, and 3.80% were accepted.

How Much Does Stanford University Cost?

In the academic year 2026-27, the full cost of attendance for undergraduates at Stanford will be $97,545, including their projected costs for personal expenses and allowances.

• Tuition: $67,731
• Housing and Food: $22,944
• Student Fees Allowance: $2,610
• Books and Supplies Allowance: $855
• Personal Expenses Allowance: $3,405

How Ivy Coach Helps Students Get Into Stanford University

Over the past five years, 78% of Ivy Coach’s package clients have earned admission in Stanford’s Early Action round.

If you’re interested in Ivy Coach’s assistance with your child’s case for admission to Stanford, directly with Ivy Coach’s Jose Magana, a former Stanford admissions officer, fill out our complimentary consultation form, and we’ll be in touch.