Applying to Stanford

Acceptance RateSAT Median
3.91% 1,550
Stanford University's acceptance rate is 3.91% for 2023-2024 admission. A total of 53,733 students applied and 2,099 were admitted to the school. Judging by the acceptance rate, it is extremely hard to get into Stanford.
Stanford's acceptance rate is the 2nd lowest among 119 California colleges with competitive admission.
The median SAT score is 1,550 and the ACT score is 35 at Stanford. Stanford's SAT score ranks 1st out of 24 California colleges that consider SAT score for admission.
To apply to Stanford, recommendations and personal statement (or essay) are required to submit. The SAT and ACT score is not required, but considered for admission. In addition, english proficiency test score is also considered.
Explore Stanford University

Admission Statistics

For the academic year 2023-24, the acceptance rate of Stanford University is 3.91% and the yield (also known as enrollment rate) is 80.94%. 27,133 men and 26,600 women applied to Stanford and 1,044 men and 1,055 women students were accepted.
Among them, 846 men and 853 women were enrolled in the school (Fall 2023). The following table and chart show the admission statistics including the number of applicants, acceptance rate, and yield at Stanford.
Acceptance Rate and Admission Statistics at Stanford
TotalMenWomenAnother GenderGender Unknown
Applicants53,73327,13326,60000
Admitted2,0991,0441,05500
Enrolled1,69984685300
Acceptance Rate 3.91%3.85%3.97%--
Yield 80.94%81.03%80.85%--
Data source: IPEDS (Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System) (Last update: December 11, 2023)
Stanford University 2023 Acceptance Rate By Gender chart

SAT and ACT Score Distribution

In 2024, 802 students (47% of enrolled) have submitted their SAT scores and 368 students (22%) have submitted their ACT scores for seeking degrees at Stanford.
The median SAT score is 1,550 with 760 SAT EBRW and 790 SAT Math median scores. The 75th percentile SAT score of EBRW (Evidence-Based Reading / Writing) is 780 and the 25th percentile is 740. The SAT Math 75th percentile score is 800 and 25th percentile is 770 .
The median ACT composite score is 35 with 75th percentile score of 35 and 25th percentile score of 34 at Stanford. The median ACT math score is 35 and the ACT English score is 35.
The SAT and ACT scores at Stanford University are relatively high compared to similar colleges (SAT: 1,492, ACT: 33 - private (not-for-profit) research university with very high research activity).
2024 SAT and ACT Scores at Stanford
25th Percentile50th Percentile (Median)75th Percentile
SAT Total151015501580
SAT Evidence-Based Reading and Writing740760780
SAT Math770790800
ACT Composite343535
ACT Math323535
ACT English353536
Data source: IPEDS (Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System) (Last update: December 11, 2023)
Stanford University 2023 SAT and ACT Score Chart

Application Requirements

It requires to submit High School GPA, High School Record (or Transcript), Recommendations, and Personal statement or essay to its applicants.
The SAT and ACT test score is not reqired, but considered in admission process at Stanford. The english proficiency test is not reqired, but considered.
The next table summarizes the application requirements to apply Stanford University.
For more admission information such as minimum GPA and deadlines, see its online application page .
Stanford Admission Requirements
High School GPARequired
High School RankConsidered, if submitted
High School Record (or Transcript)Required
Completion of College Preparatory ProgramConsidered, if submitted
RecommendationsRequired
Formal Demonstration of CompetenciesConsidered, if submitted
SAT / ACTConsidered, if submitted
English Proficiency TestConsidered, if submitted
Other Test (Wonderlic,WISC-III,etc)Not Considered
Work experienceConsidered, if submitted
Personal statement or essayRequired
Legacy statusConsidered, if submitted

General Admissions Information

The application fee is $90 for undergraduate schools and $125 for graduate schools of Stanford University. The next table provides general admission information for applying to Stanford.
Admission Information for Applying to Stanford
Open Admission PolicyNo
Undergraduate Application Fees$90
Graduate Application Fees$125
Admission Informationadmission.stanford.edu/
Online Applicationcommonapp.org/
Calendar SystemQuarter
Course for High School StudentsOffers within a dual enrollment
Credits AcceptedAdvanced placement (AP) Credits
Degree OfferedBachelor, Master, Post-Master Certificate, Doctoral (Research), Doctoral (Professional Practice)
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