Stanford University: University Insights
- The Headmaster Counsulting
- Aug 30, 2023
- 3 min read
About the University
Nestled in the heart of California's Silicon Valley, Stanford University is a private research university known for its academic excellence and innovation. Founded in 1885, Stanford has evolved into one of the world's leading research institutions, renowned for its groundbreaking discoveries and contributions to various fields.
Dedicated to its founding mission of benefiting society through research and education, Stanford strives to create a sustainable future for all, catalyze discoveries about ourselves and our world, accelerate the societal impact of its research, and educate students as global citizens.
Covering 8,180 acres, Stanford has one of the largest university campuses in the US, with 18 interdisciplinary research institutes and seven schools: the Graduate School of Business; School of Earth, Energy & Environmental Sciences; Graduate School of Education; School of Engineering; School of Humanities and Sciences; Law School; and School of Medicine.
Overview
Location: Stanford, California
Type: Private Research University
Founded: 1891; 132 years ago
Tuition: $87,833
Fun Facts
Fountain hopping
The fountain hopping tradition at Stanford is a cherished ritual where groups of undergraduate students swim, hang out, and “hop” between the variety of fountains around campus. The New Student Orientation and Admit Weekend is the time of year when almost all first-year students participate in this activity. The ritual has become not only a symbol of Stanford’s individuality but also serves as an initiation ritual for incoming freshmen.
Google Founders
Larry Page and Sergey Brin, the co-founders of Google, are famous Stanford alumni who have revolutionized various aspects of our day-to-day lives. They were instrumental in developing how we navigate the internet, we can now find digital versions of information that were previously only available in physical books and libraries.
The hidden tunnel system
One of the fun facts about Stanford for daredevils is the hidden tunnel system within the university. Because Stanford is so old, the possibility of artifacts dating back to the latter half of the 19th century should not be a shock. Among them is the network of underground tunnels, which was constructed in 1881.
The underground system was designed to pump the saturated steam to over 200 campuses and medical center buildings across the country. This indicates that the tunnels are now connected to all of the campuses.
The Stanford Band Run
During the annual Band Run, members of the marching band pick up freshmen and faculty members from residence halls all throughout campus. At each pickup spot (Stern, Wilbur, White Plaza, FloMo, Lagunita, Roble, and FroSoCo), they perform a musical number and dance routine before continuing on to the grand finale at Stanford’s Main Quad.
Full Moon on the Quad
One of Stanford’s more risqué traditions, Full Moon on the Quad, is an annual celebration held at Stanford University. Students gather on Main Quad around midnight to engage in passionate kissing. The Junior class cabinet is usually in charge of organizing the celebrations, which typically include live performances of music and dance.
Academics
Graduation Rate: 94%
Retention Rate: 98%
Student-to-Faculty Ratio: 6:1
Admissions
Average SAT | 1500–1570 |
Average ACT | 33-35 |
Average IELTS | 7.0 |
Average TOEFL | 100 (iBT) |
College Board Code | 4707 |
Application Deadline | January |
Application Requirements
Common Application
$90 nonrefundable application fee or fee waiver request
ACT or SAT test scores (test optional)
English Proficiency Test Scores
School Report form and counselor letter of recommendation
Official transcript(s) or academic results
Letters of recommendation from two teachers
Midyear transcript (due by February 15)
Rankings
Stanford University is one of the top private universities in Stanford, United States. It is ranked #5 in QS World University Rankings 2024 and #3 in National Universities by US News.
Majors Available
A
Aerospace, Aeronautical, and Astronautical/Space Engineering, General
African Studies
African-American/Black Studies
American Indian/Native American Studies
American/United States Studies/Civilization
Anthropology
Archeology
Art/Art Studies, General
Asian-American Studies
B
Biochemistry
Bioengineering and Biomedical Engineering
Bioinformatics
Biology Teacher Education
Biology/Biological Sciences, General
Biophysics
Business Administration and Management, General
C
Cell/Cellular and Molecular Biology
Chemical Engineering
Chemistry Teacher Education
Chemistry, General
Chinese Language and Literature
Civil Engineering, General
Classics and Classical Languages, Literatures, and Linguistics, General
Communication, General
Comparative Literature
Computer Science
Computer and Information Sciences, General
Curriculum and Instruction
D
Drama and Dramatics/Theater Arts, General
E
East Asian Studies
Economics, General
Education, General
Educational Assessment, Testing, and Measurement
Educational Leadership and Administration, General
Educational Statistics and Research Methods
Educational/Instructional Technology
Electrical and Electronics Engineering
Elementary Education and Teaching
Engineering, General
Engineering/Industrial Management
English Language and Literature, General
English/Language Arts Teacher Education
Environmental Science
Environmental/Environmental Health Engineering
Epidemiology
F
Fine/Studio Arts, General
Foreign Language Teacher Education
French Language Teacher Education
French Language and Literature
G
Genetics, General
Geography Teacher Education
Geology/Earth Science, General
Geophysics and Seismology
German Language Teacher Education
German Language and Literature
German Studies
H
Higher Education/Higher Education Administration
Hispanic-American, Puerto Rican, and Mexican-American/Chicano Studies
History Teacher Education
History, General
Humanities/Humanistic Studies
I
Immunology
Industrial Engineering
Intercultural/Multicultural and Diversity Studies
International Relations and Affairs
International and Comparative Education
International/Globalization Studies
Italian Language and Literature
J
Japanese Language and Literature
L
Latin American Studies
Legal Studies
Liberal Arts and Sciences/Liberal Studies
Linguistics
M
Materials Engineering
Materials Science
Mathematics Teacher Education
Mathematics and Computer Science
Mathematics, General
Mechanical Engineering
Microbiology and Immunology
Molecular Biology
Music, General
N
Neuroscience
O
Oncology and Cancer Biology
P
Petroleum Engineering
Philosophy
Physics Teacher Education
Physics, General
Political Science and Government, General
Psychology, General
Public Policy Analysis
R
Religion/Religious Studies
Russian Language and Literature
Russian Studies
Russian, Central European, East European and Eurasian Studies
S
School Psychology
Science Teacher Education/General Science Teacher Education
Science, Technology and Society
Secondary Education and Teaching
Slavic Languages, Literatures, and Linguistics, General
Slavic Studies
Social Science Teacher Education
Social Studies Teacher Education
Social and Philosophical Foundations of Education
Sociology
Spanish Language Teacher Education
Spanish Language and Literature
Spanish and Iberian Studies
Speech-Language Pathology/Pathologist
Statistics, General
Structural Biology
Systems Science and Theory
U
Urban Studies/Affairs
W
Women's Studies
Writing, General
The Headmaster Student Experience
"One of the best things about Stanford is the community that makes it up. You learn so much from your peers here; of course, you will be taking rigorous courses but your classmates will teach you just as much through their diverse backgrounds and personal accomplishments. Don't be afraid to challenge yourself, you'll only miss out on amazing opportunities if you do!"
Headmaster Student
Class of 2026
Famous Alumni
Sources
AdmissionSight. “Fun Facts about Stanford.” AdmissionSight. 25 Dec. 2022. Web. 01 Aug. 2023.
Board, College. “College Board.” BigFuture College Search. n.d. Web. 01 Aug. 2023.
Stanford University - profile, rankings and Data | US News Best Colleges. n.d. Web. 01 Aug. 2023.
“Stanford University.” Top Universities. n.d. Web. 01 Aug. 2023.
Veluvali, Ananth. “10 Fun and Interesting Facts about Stanford University.” AdmitYogi. AdmitYogi, 9 Apr. 2023. Web. 01 Aug. 2023.
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