How to Get Into Stanford: Tips for High School Students Applying to Stanford University
Stanford University is one of the most elite and prestigious universities in the world, known for its academic excellence, innovative research, and proximity to Silicon Valley. Because of the school’s impressive reputation, many high school students wonder how they can gain acceptance to Stanford.
Stanford University is consistently considered one of the top universities in rankings across the board, and is consistently ranked #1 for computer science and engineering degrees. For this reason, it tends to be an attractive choice for high school students interested in tech and STEM.
So how do you get into Stanford? The truth is… there isn’t any guarantee when it comes to gaining admission to Stanford University. In fact, Stanford has one of the lowest acceptance rates in the world. That being said, there are tips and strategies that may help students stand out in college admissions.
In this blog post, we are sharing some strategies that may help increase your chances of getting into Stanford.
What is Stanford University known for?
Stanford University is a prestigious private research university located in Stanford, California. It is widely known for its exceptional academic programs, world-class faculty, and beautiful campus. Stanford is particularly renowned for its strengths in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) fields, as well as its top-ranked programs in business, law, and medicine.
The university is home to numerous renowned research centers and institutes, including the Stanford Linear Accelerator Center, the Stanford Research Institute, and the Hoover Institution. Stanford is also recognized for its innovation and entrepreneurship, with a strong track record of producing successful startups and influential industry leaders.
How difficult is it to get into Stanford?
Stanford’s acceptance rate is one of the lowest – if not the lowest — in the world. Getting into Stanford is no small feat with an acceptance rate of under 5%.
Over 50,000 students applied to join the Stanford Class of 2025–and just over 2,000 received a highly coveted spot. The acceptance rate for the Class of 2025 was 3.95%, and while this was the lowest acceptance rate in the university’s history, these admissions statistics are fairly typical for Stanford each year.
What do you need to get into Stanford?
In order to get into Stanford, high school students need to have the following:
High GPA
Stanford students typically have very strong high school GPAs, meaning that the average student gaining admission had a 4.0 high school GPA. A 4.0 indicates that a student received primarily – if not exclusively – A’s in high school (or 7s if you’re an IB student with a minimum score of a 42).
Rigorous Course Load
It’s not enough to just have a high GPA – you will also need to have taken a challenging course load in order to get into Stanford. This means that you will want to have taken honors or AP courses across subjects – English, history, math, science, and foreign language.
Extracurriculars and Leadership Outside of School
Extracurricular activities are actually a very important part of getting into Stanford. Admissions officers are looking for students who thrive both in and out of the classroom. In other words, they are looking for students who have interesting passions and are leaders in their community. They want well-rounded students to join their freshman class!
Extracurricular activities can consist of community service, athletics, music, theater, or any other passions and commitments that students pursue outside of school. High school students who get into Stanford tend to have leadership positions when applicable.
Many high school students who apply to Stanford are interested in studying STEM and computer science. Of course, there are many Stanford graduates who don’t study those majors (myself included!).
But for curious high school students who do want to become future engineers, consider developing a CS or AI project to help you stand out in college admissions. Our team at Inspirit AI has helped guide numerous high school students to complete AI projects that they have showcased as extracurriculars on their college applications to Stanford. We have even had many students gain admission! You can learn more about our programs here.
Essays
Writing a high quality college essay is essential to standing out in the admissions process. Stanford admissions officers receive thousands of applications, so how can you write an essay that really captures their attention?
Stanford uses the Common Application, an undergraduate admissions application that the majority of colleges use, so you will want to make sure that your Common Application is strong. Stanford also asks students to complete additional supplemental essays that hold equal importance, so make sure you spend time thoughtfully completing the additional writing sections as well. Stanford is known for their clever supplemental essays, so have fun with them!
Successful applicants write essays that are authentic, well-written, and engaging. Make sure your essay reflects who YOU are.
Recommendation Letters
Recommendation letters are letters or testimonials, written by your teachers, that give the university more insight into your strengths, personality, and achievements. It is important to make sure that you ask teachers with whom you have built a strong relationship to write your recommendation letters.
Standardized Test Scores (optional)
Colleges are seemingly putting less emphasis on standardized test scores. In fact, some universities, like Stanford, have gone test-optional. If you are a strong test-taker, submitting your standardized test scores – like your SAT or ACT score – can help you gain admission. High school students who gain admission to Stanford have among the highest test scores in the U.S.
How can you increase your chances of getting into Stanford?
As we mentioned earlier, there is no secret formula for getting into Stanford, but there are ways you can increase your chances.
Apply Early
If you are positive that you want to get into Stanford, take advantage of applying Early Action. You have a higher chance of getting into Stanford if you apply early – in fact, your chances are a couple percentage points higher. Every point adds up when the competition is fierce!
Plus, by applying early, you are showing admissions officers that Stanford is your top choice. They are looking to accept students who show interest, commitment, and enthusiasm to attend.
Take Rigorous Courses and Receive High Grades
A combination of rigorous courses and high grades will help increase your chances of getting into Stanford. Take honors classes when you can, and attempt to receive all A’s (or equivalent). Doing so won’t guarantee your acceptance, but it is necessary to be considered for admission.
Build a Strong Application
Put your best foot forward on your application by writing high-quality essays, securing strong letters of recommendation, and submitting high SAT or ACT test scores. Even though standardized test scores are optional, submitting high scores can demonstrate your commitment to learning and academic excellence.
Final thoughts on how to get into Stanford
Getting into Stanford is a challenging and competitive process, but it's not impossible. If you have a strong academic record, impressive extracurricular activities, and a compelling personal story, you may have what it takes to get into Stanford. Remember to take challenging courses, get involved in extracurricular activities, build strong relationships with your teachers, show demonstrated interest, and craft a compelling application.
It's also important to keep in mind that there are many other great universities out there. While Stanford is undoubtedly a great school, it's not the only path to success. Don't let the pressure to get into a particular school overshadow your true interests and passions.
If you're not accepted into Stanford, don't be discouraged. There are many other excellent universities that can provide you with a top-notch education and a path to success. Keep working hard, pursuing your passions, and making a positive impact in your community, and you'll be sure to achieve great things, no matter where you end up going to school.
About Inspirit AI
AI Scholars Live Online is a 10 session (25-hour) program that exposes high school students to fundamental AI concepts and guides them to build a socially impactful project. Taught by our team of graduate students from Stanford, MIT, and more, students receive a personalized learning experience in small groups with a student-teacher ratio of 5:1.
