Undergraduate Admission

Discover Stanford

Experience the freedom to be the person you want to be, freedom to dive deep into academic discovery, and freedom to pursue your passions. Faculty and staff will spark and support your inquiry, and your peers will challenge you in a dynamic learning environment where listening and respectful discourse are paramount. Stanford will provide you the opportunity of a lifetime.

It isn’t just about the courses or the grades. It’s about the human being behind all of it. The cornerstones of resilience—learning, seeking advice, getting perspective and finding community—offer a way for young people to grow as they embark on the next major step in their lives.

– Richard H. Shaw, Dean of Undergraduate Admission

Dean Shaw

Application Deadlines


OCT15

Restrictive Early Action Application with Arts Portfolio

NOV1

Restrictive Early Action Standard Application

DEC5

Regular Decision with Arts Portfolio

JAN5

Regular Decision Standard Application

MAR15

Transfer Application with or without Arts Portfolio

Students walking to the Quad with Memorial Church in the distance

A Stanford Education is Possible.

Stanford offers comprehensive, need-based financial aid that makes it possible for all admitted undergraduate students to attend — and we do not expect students to borrow to meet their need. Learn how the program works, then use the net price calculator to get an award estimate based on your family’s financial situation.

Learn more about financial aid at Stanford

News & Announcements

Winter Closure

The Offices of Undergraduate Admission and Financial Aid will close at noon (PST) on Friday, December 19, 2025 and will resume normal business hours on Monday, January 5, 2026.

Admission Phone Line

Due to the Regular Decision application deadline on Monday, January 5, we are extending our phone hours. Phone lines will be open from 9 a.m. – 12 p.m. and 1 p.m. – 3 p.m. on Monday, January 5. Our regular Tuesday – Thursday phone schedule will resume on Tuesday, January 6.

REA decision release

The Office of Undergraduate Admission will release decisions to Restrictive Early Action applicants on Friday, December 12 at 4 p.m. (PST).
See details

Decisions will be available in the Stanford portal. If you have not yet logged in or are having difficulty logging into your portal, reset your credentials by selecting “Forgot Your Password?” from the login page.

Stanford expands access with larger first-year and transfer classes

Increased student outreach efforts aim to continue to broaden the applicant pool in coming years.

Read more in the Stanford Report

In new book on college life, Jay Hamilton says students have more freedom than they know

In You Got In! Now What?, the vice provost for undergraduate education shares the lessons that helped Stanford alums and faculty navigate their educations and careers.

Read more about the book in the Stanford Report

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