UNIVERSITY · CDS 2025-2026
Stanford University
Stanford, CA 7,765 undergrad Updated 2026-04-22
Ivy+STEM + Entrepreneurship
Accept
3.7%
Yield
—
Test
Optional
Academic Profile · CDS C9 / C11
The numbers a parent will ask about first.
SAT Total (mid 50%, computed)
1510–1590
SAT EBRW (mid 50%)
740–790
SAT Math (mid 50%)
770–800
ACT Composite (mid 50%)
34–35
GPA
Not reported
GPA NOTESchool does not report GPA
METHODTotal SAT range is computed by summing the reported EBRW and Math mid-50% ranges from the school’s CDS (Section C9). Use as an approximation — a student’s actual total places them within, not at, the summed endpoints.
Decision Plans · CDS C1 / C21
When and how the school reads applicants.
| Plan | Deadline | Accept rate | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| REA | Nov 1 | — | REA: Nov 1, NR |
| RD | Jan 5 | — | RD: Jan 5, NR |
Cost & Aid · CDS H Series
What it costs and what families actually pay.
Tuition
$67,731
Total COA
$97,545
Avg need-based aid
$66,643
Avg merit award
None
Net price after avg need aid
$30,902
Stanford meets 100% of demonstrated need on average.
ImportantStanford does not award non-need merit scholarships. All institutional aid is need-based. Use this honestly with families: a strong applicant here gets in, but the price is set by the FAFSA/CSS, not by stats.
AP Impact Calculator
What the student's APs are actually worth here.
Stanford's AP Policy
Stanford awards credit for some AP exams with scores of 4 or 5. A maximum of 45 quarter units of transfer and test credit may be applied toward the undergraduate degree.
Min score
4
Credit cap
30 credits
Mode
Credit + placement
Per-score grid
Exam-level
Add the student's APs
No APs selected. Click Add AP exam to start, or use the sample profile to see what a strong student might recover.
What They Value · CDS C7
Every CDS factor, weighted exactly as the admissions office files it.
- Rigor of secondary school recordVery Important
- Class rankConsidered
- Academic GPAVery Important
- Standardized test scoresVery Important
- Application essayVery Important
- Recommendation(s)Very Important
Mission & Narrative
What this school says it is — in their own words.
Its object, to qualify its students for personal success, and direct usefulness in life; And its purposes, to promote the public welfare by exercising an influence in behalf of humanity and civilization, teaching the blessings of liberty regulated by law, and inculcating love and reverence for the great principles of government as derived from the inalienable rights of man to life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness.
Distilled Themes
interdisciplinary research and innovationexpansive inquiry and freedom of thoughtleadership and engaged citizenshipdiversity of thought and experience
The Coach's Read
What 'what they value' actually means at the table.
- 01Stanford seeks students who demonstrate intellectual vitality and a passion for learning, as evidenced by a rigorous academic record and a commitment to challenging oneself.
- 02They value students who have a strong sense of purpose and a desire to make a positive impact on the world.
- 03Stanford is looking for students who will contribute to the campus community and who will take advantage of the university's many resources to make a difference in the world.
Application Targets
What a strong application here should signal.
- 01Demonstrate a deep and genuine intellectual curiosity that extends beyond the classroom.
- 02Showcase a commitment to making a positive impact on the world through extracurricular activities and personal projects.
- 03Articulate a clear and compelling vision for how you will leverage Stanford's resources to achieve your goals.
Quiet Disqualifiers
Things that hurt applicants here, even when they look fine on paper.
- A lack of intellectual curiosity or a failure to demonstrate a genuine passion for learning
- A focus on personal achievement without a corresponding commitment to the greater good
- Generic essays that fail to articulate a specific interest in Stanford's unique programs and culture
Signature Programs
Where this school is genuinely best-in-class.
Computer ScienceEconomicsHuman BiologyManagement Science and EngineeringSymbolic SystemsEngineering
Application calendar
Every date the family needs to know.
Deadlines & Decision Dates · 2025-2026
Family deadline matrix
Plan
Deadline
Decision release
Restrictive Early Action
Non-binding, restrictive
Decision release is mid-December.
Nov 1, 2025
→ Dec 15, 2025
Regular Decision
Non-binding
Decision release is early April.
Jan 5, 2026
→ Apr 1, 2026
Early Decision I
Not offered
—
Early Decision II
Not offered
—
Early Action
Not offered
—
Rolling Admission
Not offered
—
See every school side-by-side on the Deadline Tracker →
CDS C7 · Level of applicant's interest
Does effort toward this school move the needle?
Demonstrated Interest·CDS C7 (N/A)
Not trackedWeight: Not Considered
Stanford does not track demonstrated interest; official policy states all applicants are evaluated identically regardless of contact.
Save the energy
Do not spend effort on interest signals — focus on essays and academics instead.
Provenance