About

See what students say:

Academics

As one of the preeminent institutions of higher education and research on the West Coast, Stanford University is a magnet for both aspiring and established scholars looking to learn in a place where "the support for students (residential, emotional, academic) is unrivaled." Research opportunities abound for Stanford students. As one student says, "At Stanford, anything is possible; I've lived on a schooner with faculty studying sharks, snorkeled on the Great Barrier Reef, hiked in the Australian rainforest, studied Antarctic phytoplankton with world-class scientists, and spent countless nights discussing philosophy, politics, film, and art until sunrise." The location in the Bay Area also puts the school in a prime location for access to Silicon Valley, which is highly populated with Stanford alumni.

The school's reputation for being at "the forefront of [nearly] every field of study" draws talented faculty that are "at the top of their respective fields." And with an extremely low 6:1 student-to-faculty ratio, students have the ability to forge close relationships with their professors. Even though Nobel Prize winners walk the halls, faculty remain undaunting to students, who find them "engaging and approachable" and "so excited to share their passion for the subject." In giving students access to every resource they need to become lifelong learners and societal contributors, Stanford seeks to "expand your creativity, challenge and deepen your world view, and make you a passionate and informed citizen of the world."

Student Body

While students are adamant that "there really is no typical Stanford student," it is generally agreed that they are all "very driven, independently motivated and willing to seek out opportunities," making for an ambitious environment that is "without the competitive edge that many top-tier institutions are known for." One common thread does emerge in that "everyone here is smart and has some story that will blow you out of the water if you ask." One student reiterates: "Everyone fits in because we're united by a fire that drives us all to be excited about what we do. The trends you'll see will be along the lines of leadership and crazy intellect." All say it's easy to find your niche, as everyone here is "ridiculously friendly and you can meet new people all over campus at almost every type of event."

Campus Life

With so many students living on campus, housing is broken up into "neighborhoods", which incorporate shared houses and themes and allow for students to live and eat with others who share their lifestyles and interests, creating a community of communities that "makes it easy to be an integrated and diverse student body." Stanford's campus teems with activities to keep students engaged and entertained"there's always so much going on on-campus that sometimes it's hard to leave!" The social scene is California relaxed, and students say "you can find as much or as little of a party culture here as you're looking for. There's always a frat party to attend on the weekends, and there's always people to just hang out with at the dorm." In addition, there are university-hosted "Cardinal Nights," including "trips to Great America, a local amusement park, a movie pre-screening, and Stanford's Got Talent. All of the events are either free or extremely cheap for students." Academics take priority here and students "work insanely hard during the week," but recognize the importance of balance and "also make it a priority to have a great time." Although students say "it's pretty much impossible to be bored" at Stanford, the siren song of San Francisco does occasionally call, and "a trip to the city is a short train-ride or carride away, so going to concerts and events in the city is always a fun option. Same goes for the nearby beaches."

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Contact & Visit

Campus Visits Contact

Contact
Office of Undergraduate Admission
Director of Visitor Relations

Address
295 Galvez St
Stanford, CA 94305-5005

Phone
650-723-2091

Email
admission@stanford.edu

Experience College Life

Most Popular Places On Campus
Cantor Center for the Visual Arts
The Anderson Collection at Stanford University
Memorial Church
Tresidder Memorial Union
Bing Concert Hall
The Stanford campus is among the most beautiful anywhere and is a popular destination for tourists and other visitors.

Most Popular Places Off Campus
San Francisco
Stanford Shopping Center
Sonoma and Napa Valley
Santa Cruz/Pacific Ocean
Yosemite
Stanford is located in the heart of Silicon Valley in one of the most diverse, cultural, innovative and interesting places in the nation.

Campus Tours

Campus Visiting Center
daily

650-723-2091

Campus Tours
Appointment Required:
Dates:
Times:
Average Length:

On Campus Interview

Campus Interviews
No

Information Sessions
Available

Times
Monday through Friday, with exceptions

Faculty and Coach Visits

Dates/Times Available
Year-round

Arrangements
Contact Coach Directly

Contact Email Address for Visit
http://www.gostanford.com

Class Visits

Dates/Times Available
Academic Year

Arrangements
Contact Admissions Office

Overnight Dorm Stays

Overnight Dorm Stays
Available

Arrangements
Other

Limitations
Admitted students only

Transportation

Types of Transportation Available to Campus
San Francisco International Airport is 25 miles from campus, and San Jose International Airport is 16 miles from campus. Public transportation, taxi, and van service are available from the airports to campus. Amtrak trains and Greyhound buses serve San Francisco. From San Francisco and San Jose commuter train service (Caltrain) is available to Palo Alto, with frequent Stanford shuttle bus service to campus.

Driving Instructions to Campus
From Highway 101 North & South Exit onto Embarcadero Road and travel west, following the signs directing you to Stanford University. About three miles after you exit the freeway, Embarcadero Road becomes Galvez Street as you cross El Camino Real. Stay in the left lane and continue past the stadium. The entrance to the Visitor Center Lot is on the left just beyond Nelson Road. From Highway 280 North & South Exit onto Sand Hill Road and follow the signs for Stanford University. Heading east, drive approximately 3 miles to the Stanford Shopping Center. Turn right onto Arboretum Road (Nordstrom is on your right). Stay on Arboretum until it ends, then turn right onto Galvez Street. Move to the left lane and continue past the stadium. The entrance to the Visitor Center Lot is on the left just beyond Nelson Road.

Local Accommodations
Stanford is adjacent to Palo Alto and Menlo Park, both of which offer an abundance of lodging choices, ranging from B&Bs and motels to luxury hotels.
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Admissions

Applicants: 53,733
Acceptance Rate: 4%
Average HS GPA: 3.90






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