Stanford University
Stanford University, officially known as Leland Stanford Junior University, is a prestigious private research institution located in Stanford, California. Founded in 1885 by railroad tycoon and former California governor Leland Stanford and his wife, Jane, the university was established in memory of their only son, Leland Jr. Stanford welcomed its first students in 1891 as a coeducational and non-denominational institution. However, financial difficulties arose following Leland Stanford’s death in 1893, and the university faced further challenges after the 1906 San Francisco earthquake caused extensive damage to its campus.
After World War II, Stanford played a pivotal role in fostering an entrepreneurial spirit that helped develop Silicon Valley, largely due to the efforts of university provost Frederick Terman. In 1951, Stanford established the world’s first university research park, the Stanford Research Park in Palo Alto. Today, the university spans 8,180 acres, making it one of the largest campuses in the country, and is home to seven academic schools, the Hoover Institution, and a vibrant research community classified as “R1: Doctoral Universities – Very high research activity.”
Stanford boasts a rich athletic tradition, competing in 36 varsity sports as one of eight private institutions in the Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC). The university has won 131 NCAA team championships and claimed the NACDA Directors’ Cup for 25 consecutive years. Its students and alumni have made significant contributions to the Olympic Games, earning 302 medals, including 153 gold.
- Location: Stanford, California
- Alumni Nickname: Cardinal
- Mascot: Stanford Tree
2025 Rankings
by U.S. News & World Report
by QS World University Rankings
by Times Higher Education
Undergraduate Admissions Process Summary
Application Deadlines
Early Decision: November 1
Regular Decision: January 5
Application Portal
Common Application
Standardized Tests
SAT or ACT required for 2025–2026 application cycle
Recommendation Letters
Counselor Recommendation: 1 Letter
Teacher Recommendation: 2 Letters
On Campus Residence for Freshmen
Required
International Students
English Proficiency
TOEFL: minimum score 100
IELTS: Not accepted
Duolingo: Not accepted
Interview
Optional
University Specific Requests
Three short essay questions
Application Fee
$90
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Computer Science Approximately 18% of undergraduate degrees.
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Human Biology Approximately 7% of undergraduate degrees.
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Economics Approximately 6% of undergraduate degrees.
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Engineering Approximately 16% of undergraduate degrees.
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Symbolic Systems 10%
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Biology Approximately 11% of undergraduate degrees.
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Political Science Approximately 5% of undergraduate degrees.
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Mechanical Engineering Approximately 3% of undergraduate degrees.
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Psychology Approximately 5% of undergraduate degrees.
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International Relations Approximately 4% of undergraduate degrees.
Popular
Majors
Acceptance Rate
Total Students
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African American: 6%
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Asian: 21%
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Hispanic: 13%
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International (Non-Citizen): 26%
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Multiracial: 7%
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Native American: 0%
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Pacific Islander: 0%
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Unknown: 0%
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White: 27%
Campus
Stanford University’s campus, spanning 8,180 acres is one of the largest and most beautiful university campuses in the United States. Located near Silicon Valley, it combines cutting-edge academic facilities with stunning natural landscapes, making it an inspiring place to learn and innovate. The campus is often noted for its iconic sandstone buildings, which are designed in the Spanish Colonial Revival style, as well as its wide-open spaces, such as the expansive Stanford Quad and the Palm Drive. Students, faculty, and visitors are surrounded by a beautiful blend of gardens, sculptures, and breathtaking views of the surrounding Santa Cruz Mountains.
The campus is organized around seven schools. The Stanford Research Park, established in 1951, is the world’s first university-based research park and has helped contribute to Stanford’s strong ties to the tech industry. The university’s integration with the surrounding community and its proximity to Silicon Valley provide a unique advantage, allowing students to engage in entrepreneurial and tech-driven projects while benefiting from the expertise of industry leaders.
In addition to academics, Stanford’s campus is known for its vibrant student life and extracurricular activities. With over 650 student organizations, ranging from cultural clubs to academic and professional groups, there’s something for everyone. The university also boasts a strong athletic tradition, with 36 varsity sports teams that compete in the NCAA Division I. Its teams, known as the Stanford Cardinal, consistently perform well, and the school has earned numerous championships over the years.
Cost of Attendance
At Stanford, 19% of undergraduates qualified for the Pell Grant
Notable Affiliations
Stanford University has produced an impressive array of notable alumni who have gone on to have significant impacts in various fields, including business, academia, politics, and entertainment.
In the world of business, Stanford alumni are perhaps best known for founding and leading some of the most successful and innovative companies in the world. Notable figures include Larry Page and Sergey Brin, the co-founders of Google, and Elon Musk, the founder of SpaceX and Tesla. Other business giants include Reed Hastings, the co-founder and CEO of Netflix, and Peter Thiel, the co-founder of PayPal and Palantir Technologies.
In academia, Stanford alumni have made their mark as influential scholars and educators. Condoleezza Rice, former U.S. Secretary of State and Professor at Stanford, is one such notable figure. John C. Mather, who won the Nobel Prize in Physics, also earned his Ph.D. from Stanford. These individuals, along with many others, have shaped research in fields as varied as political science, economics, engineering, and astrophysics.
Politically, Stanford’s alumni have served in key positions at both the state and national levels. Herbert Hoover, the 31st President of the United States, is one of the university’s most famous political figures. Other Stanford alumni who have held significant political roles include Michael Bloomberg, former mayor of New York City, and Dianne Feinstein, a U.S. Senator from California.
In the world of entertainment, Stanford alumni have also achieved great success. Reese Witherspoon, an Oscar-winning actress and producer, and Tom Hanks, an Academy Award-winning actor, are two of the university’s most recognizable names in Hollywood. Additionally, Adam Driver, known for his role in “Star Wars” and other acclaimed films, also graduated from Stanford.
Stanford is organized into seven schools: the School of Humanities and Sciences, the School of Engineering, the School of Law, the School of Business (Stanford Graduate School of Business), the School of Medicine, the School of Education, and the School of Earth, Energy & Environmental Sciences. These schools offer a wide range of undergraduate and graduate programs in disciplines such as arts and sciences, business, law, medicine, and engineering.
Stanford played a crucial role in the creation of Silicon Valley, with many of its alumni and faculty members founding or working in high-tech companies. One of the most notable contributions was through Frederick Terman, a professor who encouraged his students to start their own tech companies. This led to the creation of companies like Hewlett-Packard and later, Google, Apple, and Tesla. The Stanford Research Park, established in 1951, became the foundation of Silicon Valley, fostering innovation and tech entrepreneurship.
The “Stanford Bubble” is a term used to describe the unique social environment at Stanford University, which can feel insular and sheltered from the outside world. It refers to the fact that students, faculty, and alumni often live and work in such close proximity to each other in a highly supportive, almost self-contained ecosystem, that it can feel like they’re in a separate world. The “bubble” often contributes to Stanford’s reputation for fostering strong community connections.
Stanford University offers several unique programs, including Stanford in the Arts, Stanford Bio-X (an interdisciplinary initiative focusing on bioengineering), and The Stanford Entrepreneurial Ecosystem, which encourages students to create startups and launch ventures. Stanford is also known for its d.school (Hasso Plattner Institute of Design), which teaches students about design thinking, a problem-solving approach that has influenced countless industries.
“The Farm” is a nickname for Stanford University that originated from the university’s history. When Leland Stanford purchased the land for the university in the late 19th century, it was primarily a farm, hence the nickname. Today, “The Farm” represents not just the university’s rural beginnings but also the sense of community and pride that students and alumni feel for their alma mater. The nickname is often used affectionately, symbolizing the close-knit and grounded nature of Stanford’s culture despite its global prominence.