Stanford University has a worldwide reputation that every year attracts thousands of applications from all parts of the planet. Students are drawn to it because it of the quality of the education it offers, the entrepreneurial mindset and some wonderful employment opportunities at the end of their degree. Whatever it is that attracts you to Stanford, this blog will help you get to know more about it and whether it will be a good fit for you.
Overview
Stanford University is a private research university located in Stanford, California, in the heart of Silicon Valley. Having been established in 1885, Stanford University is more recent than many of the Ivy League schools, which date back to before the American Revolution. However, in almost every other respect, it is equivalent to these prestigious colleges.
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Location:
Stanford University is located on a sprawling 8,180-acre campus in the city of Stanford, California. The campus is situated between San Francisco and San Jose, just a short drive away from the Pacific Ocean. With easy access to San Francisco and the whole Bay Area the universities location provides students with access to numerous cultural, recreational, and career opportunities. San Francisco Airport provides easy access for students travelling from overseas or other parts of the US.
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Student Cohort:
As of 2021, Stanford University has a total enrolment of approximately 17,500 students, including both undergraduate and graduate students. The undergraduate population is around 7,500 students, while the graduate population is around 10,000. The university has a reputation as having a diverse student body, with approximately 11% of the undergraduate student population consisting of international students from nearly fifty countries. The largest non US populations are from China, India and Canada. This diversity means that students are exposed to fresh perspectives and experiences to help them advance their capacity for critical thought, teamwork, and other skills. While the academic rigour at Stanford is considered to be similar to the Ivy League colleges on the east coast, the vibe is much more of a relaxed California one.
Admission
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Acceptance Rate:
Stanford University is known to be the most selective universities in the United States, with an acceptance rate of around 4.3% for the class of 2025. This means that out of over 47,000 applicants, only around 2,057 were admitted.
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Acceptance GPA:
The average GPA of admitted students varies depending on the program, but for the class of 2025, 75% of admitted students had a GPA of over 4.00 and 94% of students presented with a GPA of more than 3.75. These figures reflect the universities ability to attract the brightest and best students.
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Types of Admission:
Stanford University offers two admission plans, Restrictive Early Action or REA, and Regular Decision or RD. Restrictive early action is non-binding, but students who apply under this program cannot apply to other private colleges or universities during the same admission cycle. Students may apply to public colleges, but only under a non-binding admission plan such as Early Action. Applications under REA need to be submitted by November 1st. Regular decision is the standard application process, and the deadline for submission is usually January 5th.
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Additional Admissions Requirements:
Stanford uses the Common App for its applications. In addition to the standard application materials (transcripts, test scores, essays, etc.), Stanford University also requires applicants to submit two teacher recommendations, and a counsellor recommendation. Applicants are also required to complete three short essays of up to 250 words and a number of short answer questions of up to 50 words.
Academics
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Stanford University offers undergraduate students nearly 70 majors across its three degree awarding schools: School of Humanities and Sciences, School of Engineering, and the Stanford Doerr School of Sustainability. Undergraduates complete at least 180 units, including major courses, writing and rhetoric requirements, and one year of a foreign language. All undergraduates also complete their Ways of Thinking / Ways of Doing general education requirements: 11 courses in 8 interdisciplinary Ways categories. Stanford is proud of providing students with lots of opportunities to explore subjects across many different fields of study. A key part of this are the Introductory Seminars, over 200 small group courses from across all seven Stanford colleges that are open to first year students.
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Standout Majors:
Stanford University is known for its strong programs in engineering, computer science, and business. The university’s engineering program is consistently ranked as one of the top programs in the country, and its computer science program is one of the most highly-regarded in the world. One of the more distinctive Stanford majors is its BS in Symbolic Systems which draws on knowledge from a variety of academic disciplines, including computer science, languages, mathematics, philosophy, psychology, and statistics to explore the human-computer relationship.
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Faculty/Student Ratio:
Stanford University has a student-faculty ratio of 5:1, which is one of the lowest ratios among top-tier universities. This means that around 70% of classes have less than 20 students, providing ample opportunity for students to work closely with their professors and receive personalized attention.
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Four Year Completion Rate:
Stanford University has a four-year completion rate of around 72%, and a six-year completion rate of around 94%. This means that the majority of students who attend Stanford graduate within four years, which is slightly higher than the national average.
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Cost of Attending:
The cost of attending Stanford University comes in at approaching $81,000, made up of tuition and fees, room and board, books and other expenses. The university is need blind for US students however international students are required to declare their intent to apply for need based aid.n
In conclusion, Stanford University is regarded as a top-notch institution rather than just a respectable one. Stanford has provided students with unmatched educational opportunities, elite staff, and limitless resources ever since it was established in 1885. To maintain the greatest possible standard of excellence, the institution has continued to reinvest in its programs and students. In comparison to most other universities, they spend more per student on both academic and extracurricular resources. Tens of thousands of outstanding high school students submit applications each year in an effort to be accepted into the university’s incoming freshmen class.
Working with study abroad consultants, overseas education consultants, or, as more commonly known, college counsellors, can help you plan ahead and make those high school years count. Ivy Central offers exceptional focus to help you prepare for college admissions throughout the high-schooling years. Start today!
