Stanford University - Non Ivy League

Admission Counselling :

Written by UnivAdmitHelp
Category: Insights & Information
Published on 14 Jan 2017

Are you an ambitious high school student with dreams of attending Stanford University? It's no secret that getting accepted to Stanford is extremely difficult due to its record-low acceptance rates. And, this year the acceptance rate has decreased from last year for class of 2025 which is 5.19% to 3.95%. But don't let the competition discourage you—you can make it happen! Learn how to make yourself stand out from the rest of the applicants and find out if you have what it takes to get into Stanford.

What would get me admitted to the Stanford University?

Stanford University is one of the world's leading research universities. Located in the heart of Silicon Valley in Palo Alto, California, Stanford has a long history of academic excellence and innovation. Founded in 1885 by railroad tycoon Leland Stanford and his wife, Jane Stanford, the school had humble beginnings as a co-educational, non-denominational institution offering a range of courses. Today, Stanford is a highly selective university with a reputation for excellence in teaching, research, and innovation.

The university has seven academic schools, including the Graduate School of Business, School of Engineering, School of Humanities and Sciences, School of Law, School of Medicine, School of Earth, Energy and Environmental Sciences, and the School of Education. The university's graduate programs are among the best in the world, with more than 1,600 faculty members and more than 17,000 students from around the world.

The application is reviewed holistically, focusing on academic excellence, intellectual vitality and personal context of the applicant. However, academic excellence for admission to Stanford for undergraduate admissions is basic hygiene.

Important Facts for Class 2026 (Undergraduate Admissions)

Total applications for Class 2026 – 55,471

Total Admits – 2,190

Total enrolled – 1,757(men – 49%, women – 51% and international students – 12%)

Acceptance rate – 3.95%

Average need-based scholarship/grant award - $62,635

Average SAT Score – 1470 - 1570

Average ACT Score – 32 – 35

Average GPA – 3.75 – 3.99

Student Faculty Ratio – 5:1

According to US News Stanford University is #3 in the national Universities. It’s a private university.

Popular Majors

Stanford University is home to thousands of students from all over the world studying a variety of majors. Some of the most popular majors at Stanford are engineering, computer science, business, economics and more. Engineering is a popular major at Stanford, with a focus on both theoretical and practical foundations of engineering. Courses include topics such as mechanics, materials science, computer-aided design, and many more.

Computer Science – 17%

The program provides students with a strong foundation in mathematics and computer science, as well as in-depth instruction in the design and development of software systems. Students are taught the fundamentals of computer programming languages, operating systems, database management systems, and computer networks. They also learn about computer graphics, artificial intelligence, natural language processing, and robotics.

Economics – 6%

Economics Major is a rigorous and comprehensive program that equips students with an in-depth understanding of the economic principles and theories as well as their application in the real world. The major explores the broad range of topics within economics, including microeconomics, macroeconomics, econometrics, international economics, development economics, and labor economics.

Engineering – 18%

The School of Engineering has been consistently ranked among the top engineering schools in the world with a strong focus on innovation and design. Students can pursue degrees in areas such as electrical engineering, mechanical engineering, computer science, and biomedical engineering. Many of the faculty members have been recognized with prestigious awards and honors, including the National Medal of Science and the National Medal of Technology.

Human Biology – 13%

Human biology aims to provide a comprehensive understanding of the biological and social aspects of human health and well-being. This interdisciplinary major integrates the biological sciences with the social sciences, including economics, psychology, and sociology. It has gained a strong foundation in the scientific principles of biology, including genetics, cell biology, physiology, and ecology.

Business – 12%

Business major provides a comprehensive education in all aspects of business, including marketing, finance, accounting, operations and strategy. Through a combination of coursework, internships and experiential learning, students gain a deep understanding of business practices and how they can be applied to the corporate environment. It includes Introduction to Business, Corporate Finance, Business Strategy, Business Analytics and Management of Information Systems, and many more.

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Compared to the undergraduate program, the focus is not only on academic excellence or test scores but also on the uniqueness of a complete profile to create a diversity in the broadest possible terms. Stanford University is very committed to diversity specifically for their graduate schools because they believe diversity is fundamental part of excellence. Over 9,300 students which the graduate school attracts are from a wonderfully diverse mix of backgrounds, identities, and life experiences. Therefore, all the graduate applications are viewed with an angle of finding uniqueness which creates diversity.

From a student’s perspective, this would mean that anything unique – howsoever small it is – should be highlighted for your application to stand out. We have seen students highlighting things like ‘creative writing capability’, ‘debating prowess’, ‘dancing ability’, ‘knowledge of multiple languages’ etc. to drive uniqueness in their applications. The key here is to ensure that these unique points should be verifiable. Unless you are able to offer proof in terms of state-level/ national/ international recognition, it would not carry requisite weight.

What are the most popular programs at the Stanford University?

Stanford University is one of the world's leading research universities. The Leland Stanford Junior University was founded in 1885 by California Senator Leland Stanford and his wife, Jane, in memory of their only child, Leland Jr., who died of typhoid fever at 15.

Stanford University has seven schools – School of Humanities and Sciences, School of Engineering, Graduate School of Business, Law School, School of Medicine, School of Earth Sciences and Graduate School of Education – which offer a breadth of highly regarded degree programs that allow students the freedom to explore their intellectual and personal passions. Among them some majors with highest enrollment are in Computer Science, Human Biology, Engineering, Biology and Science, Technology and Society.

There are currently over 40 degree interdisciplinary programs such as Human Biology, Earth Systems, International Relations, Comparative Studies in Race and Ethnicity and Urban Studies. These programs cross the boundaries between departments and schools. Approximately 25% of Stanford students pursue these interdisciplinary programs.

Why Stanford?

The Chronicle of Higher Education ranks Stanford among the top 10 universities in the U.S. for federal research expenditures in science and engineering.
Stanford's graduate programs in Business, Engineering, Education, Medicine and Law are ranked among the top five in the nation (U.S. News & World Report—Best Graduate Schools).
In west coast the students who want to be at entrepreneurial hub Stanford University is the best place. Proximity to Silicon Valley is not the most important thing that distinguishes Stanford, but it’s certainly the most unique.