It is extremely difficult to get into Stanford University. The acceptance rate at Stanford University is 4%. Out of 55,471 applications received in 2023, 2,190 students were offered admission.
If you are planning on applying to Stanford University, the regular decision application deadline is January 2 and the application fee is $90.
Students who apply to Stanford University for the fall semester should anticipate a decision by April 1.
Stanford University Admissions Stats at a Glance
Here's an overiew of some of Stanford University's admissions stats.
| Stanford University 2023 | Admissions Statistics |
|---|---|
| Mean Unweighted GPA | 4.0 |
| Admitted Students in Top 10% of Graduating Class | 96% |
| Admissions Test Policy | Test Optional |
| Applicants Who Submit SATs | 12.6% |
| Applicants Who Submit ACTs | 8.7% |
| Waitlist | Yes |
Stanford University Application Deadlines
These are the application deadlines for Stanford University.
| Application Type | Offered | Application Deadline | Notification Deadline |
|---|---|---|---|
| Early Decision I | Info Not Available | – | – |
| Early Decision II | – | – | – |
| Early Action | Yes | November 1 | December 15 |
| Regular Decision | Yes | 1 2 | April 1 |
Applying Early to Stanford University?
Stanford University may or may not offer early admission, however the school has not provided any application information. Check with Stanford University directly for more information about early applications.
🗓️ The Early Action deadline is November 1. Stanford University will release EA admissions decisions no later than December 15.
Some students apply early to college because they hope it will boost their chances of being offering admission. When you apply early, your application is considered before all the regular decision applicants apply. Applying early may increase the chance of being admitted, since it demonstrates your interest in a school.
➡️ Discover a list of some top colleges that admit significantly more applicants during early decision or early action than during regular admission.
More on Stanford University Admissions
Is Stanford University Difficult To Get Into?
Stanford is an extremely difficult school to get into.
In 2022, Stanford accepted 4% of students, approximately 2,190 of the 55,471 students who applied.
Schools that are extremely difficult to get into, like Stanford, accept fewer than 30% of all applicants. At least 75% of admitted students have GPAs in the top 10% of their high school class and scored over 1310 on the SAT or over 29 on the ACT.
Transferring to Stanford University
Transfer student admissions is extremely difficult.
For Students Waitlisted to Stanford University
Stanford University has not reported data for waitlisted and admitted students.
What's Most Important for Getting Into Stanford University?
Colleges consider a range of factors when determining who to admit for their next incoming class. Each college decides which factors are are most important when choose which applicants to admit, and which to deny. When creating your list of schools to apply to, you may want to consider your strengths and any possible weaknesses in your application, and choose schools that prioritize the admissions factors where you shine.
Admissions Factors at Stanford University
Curious about the factors that are considered by Stanford University during the admissions process? Take a look at the list below to see which factors are most important during the admissions process.
| Admissions Factor | Level |
|---|---|
| Character/Personal Qualities | Very Important |
| Class Rank | Very Important |
| Application Essay | Very Important |
| Extracurricular Activities | Very Important |
| Recommendation(s) | Very Important |
| Standardized Test Scores | Very Important |
| Talent/Ability | Very Important |
| Academic GPA | Very Important |
| Rigor of Secondary School Record | Very Important |
| Alumni/ae Relations | Considered |
| Geographical Residence | Considered |
| Interview | Considered |
| Racial/Ethnic Status | Considered |
| Volunteer Work | Considered |
| Work Experience | Considered |
| First Generation | Considered |
Make sure to check with Stanford University for more information on admission factors.
Stanford University Application Requirements
To apply to Stanford University, all applicants must submit the following items. Make sure to check in with Stanford University's admissions department to confirm all application materials and requirements.
| Area | Required | Recommended | Required for Some | Details (If Any) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Written Essay or Personal Statement | – | – | – | – |
| Interview | – | – | – | – |
| Letter(s) of Recommendation | – | – | – | – |
| Transcript(S) of College Record | – | – | – | – |
| Transcript of High School Record | – | – | – | – |
| Standardized Test Scores | – | – | – | – |
| Statement of Good Standing From Prior Institution(S) | – | – | – | – |
GPA and Testing
What GPA Do I Need To Get Into Stanford University?
Students admitted to Stanford University have an average unweighted GPA of 4.0. At Stanford University 96% of students ranked in the top 10% of their graduating class in high school, 100% were in the top 25%.
GPAs of Admitted Students
At Stanford University, student GPAs fall in the following ranges.
| GPA | Percent of Students |
|---|---|
| 4.0 GPA | 75.1% |
| 3.75 and 3.99 | 19% |
| 3.50 and 3.74 | 2.5% |
| 3.25 and 3.49 | 1.6% |
| 3.00 and 3.24 | 1.4% |
| 2.50 and 2.9 | 0.3% |
| 2.00 and 2.49 | – |
This chart depicts the percentage of all enrolled, degree-seeking, first-time, first year (freshmen) students who had high school grade point average within the given ranges.
Note: Some schools choose not release this information. If you have any questions regarding missing numbers, be sure to reach out to Stanford University directly.
About GPAs
Your high school grade point average (GPA) is a number that reflects your high school academic performance. A weighted GPA or an unweighted GPA are the two possible GPA scores considered by colleges.
An unweighted GPA is an average of your scores from each class on a four-point scale. Unweighted GPAs range from 4.0 to under 1.0. A weighted GPA considers your average grade and the difficulty of your classes. A weighted GPA boosts your average by adding extra points for honors or Advanced Placement courses.
Standardized Test Scores
Stanford University has a test optional admissions policy. Test optional schools allow students to choose if they want to submit ACT or SAT scores with their applications or not.
In 2022, 12.6% of Stanford University's first-year students submitted their SAT scores with their application. 8.7% of admitted applicants sent ACT scores.
What is a Good SAT Score for Stanford University?
To be competitive with other Stanford University applicants, you should aim to score between 1470 and 1560 (or higher!) on the SAT. At Stanford University 25% of admitted students scored higher than 1560 and 25% of scored lower than 1470, but the majority of students scored somewhere in between these two numbers.
On the SAT Math Section, 25% of Stanford University students scored 800 or higher and 75% of students scored 720 or higher. On the SAT Critical Reading section (formerly called the Verbal section), 25% of Stanford University students scored 770 or higher, and 75% scored a 720 or higher.
To be most competitive at Stanford University, you should strive to earn between 34 and 35 on the ACT.
An ACT score of 35 means you fall in the 75th percentile for Stanford University's admitted students. One out of every four students scored above a 35, and three out of four students scored lower than 35 on the ACT.
A 34 on the ACT is the 25th percentile for Stanford University students. Only one out of every four students scored below 34.
More Information on Transferring to Stanford University
For transfer students, it is extremely difficult to get admitted to Stanford University.
For transfer students wishing to start in the fall, the deadline to apply is March 15. Applicants should hear back by May 15.
Transfer students can enroll in Stanford University during the following terms:
• Fall Term
Stanford University Admissions FAQs
Can I defer my acceptance to Stanford University?
✅ Yes, admitted students can defer their admission to Stanford University.
Does Stanford University accept transfer credits?
✅ Stanford University accepts eligible transfer credits from accredited institutions.
Does Stanford University accept Advanced Placement (AP) or International Baccalaureate (IB) credits?
✅ Stanford University accepts International Baccalaureate credits (IB) credits.
Do I have to submit test scores to Stanford University?
❌ No, Stanford University is test optional, so it's up to you if you want to submit test scores or not. If your scores are higher than the school's average, you may want to send them. If you scored lower than a school's average, you may want not want to include them in your application.
What is Stanford University's acceptance rate?
✅ The acceptance rate for Stanford University is 4%.
What is the early decision acceptance rate at Stanford University?
🟨 Stanford University may or may not offer early decision. The school has not provided any information on early decision including ED acceptance rates.
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