stanford transfer essay

Stanford Essays Examples

Stanford essays examples – introduction.

Located in sunny California, Stanford is a top choice school for many students. In this guide, we’ll look at the Stanford supplemental essays. Then, we’ll review some Stanford essays examples and discuss how they can help you write your own Stanford essay.

Stanford is ranked as one of the best colleges in the US , and for good reason. Students are in control of their learning, whether that means exploring STEM research opportunities or double majoring thanks to Stanford’s quarter system .

It’s no surprise that with Stanford’s popularity, it is a hard school to get into. According to US News, the Stanford acceptance rate is just 4%. The Stanford acceptance rate also ranks Stanford among the most selective schools, so receiving a Stanford acceptance letter is no small feat. 

As you begin the Stanford application process, it can be helpful to review Stanford essays that worked. Then, you can apply the tools from these Stanford essays examples to your own writing.

Our guide to the Stanford essays examples will include:

• The number of Stanford essays to expect on the application
• What matters to you and why Stanford essay examples
• Stanford roommate essay examples, and more!

How many essays does Stanford require?

There are eight required stanford supplemental essays for 2022-23 applicants ..

While eight Stanford essays may seem like a lot, remember that not all the Stanford essays are full-length essays, like the two-to-five-page essays you write for class or the 650-word personal statement you will write for the Common Application. Your Stanford essays help the admissions team get to know you. 

Before we dive into some Stanford supplemental essays examples, let’s think about the Stanford essay prompts. Unlike other schools that only require applicants to write one or two supplemental essays , Stanford requires students to answer multiple short answer and short essay prompts.

Put simply, your Stanford essays help the admissions team learn about you on your own terms.  Just wait until you read our Stanford roommate essay examples – how many college applications ask you to write a letter to your future roommate?

There are two types of Stanford essays: short answer and short essay. 

Stanford short answer.

Short answer Stanford essays can only be 50 words max , so they are only a few sentences long. As you’ll see in our Stanford supplemental essays examples, 50 words is not a lot of space. When answering the short answer Stanford essays, you’ll need to learn how to use your words carefully to make a clear and memorable impact on your reader.

Before you’ve read some Stanford essays examples, you may think these types of Stanford essays don’t allow students much room to express their thoughts and ideas. Later, when we look at Stanford essays that worked, you’ll see just how creative you can be when answering the short answer Stanford essays.

Stanford Short Essay

The short essays are slightly longer. These Stanford essays are between 100 and 250 words long , so you can expect these Stanford essays prompts to be more comprehensive than the short answer prompts. As you read our why Stanford essay examples, note that they fall into this category. Instead of being quick snapshots, the Stanford essays that worked will have more of a narrative , taking the reader through a beginning, middle, and end.

No matter if you are responding to the short essay or short answer Stanford essays, make sure you answer the prompts completely. As the admissions team reviews your Stanford essays, they’ll quickly notice whether you successfully answer the prompt . That means if there is a “what” and “why” section of the prompt, your Stanford essay should thoroughly address both.

By now, you’re probably ready to get into some Stanford essays that worked. First, let’s take a look at the prompts behind our Stanford supplemental essays examples.

What are the Stanford essay prompts?

Next up is the Stanford essay prompts. As previously mentioned, Stanford supplemental essays are two lengths: up to 50 words or 100-250 words. 

Since the Stanford essays are so short, you might think they matter less. However, that couldn’t be farther from the truth. Stanford is a prestigious and selective school. So, Stanford Admissions will expect your most thoughtful and well-executed responses to their questions.

Currently, there are three Stanford short essays (100-250 words) and five short answer Stanford essay prompts (50 words max). These prompts are subject to change each year, so make sure you’ve done your research and found the most up-to-date prompts on Stanford’s application and essays page for first-year applicants and transfer applicants .

Note that some of the Stanford essay examples in this guide are from previous admissions cycles. This means that your Stanford application may ask you to complete a slightly different prompt than you’ll see in our Stanford essays examples. While some of the examples included in this guide may not reflect the current Stanford essay prompts, they can still help you complete your Stanford application.

The short answer Stanford supplemental essay prompts (50 words max) include:

• What is the most significant challenge that society faces today?
• How did you spend your last two summers?
• What historical moment or event do you wish you could have witnessed?
• Briefly elaborate on one of your extracurricular activities, a job you hold, or responsibilities you have for your family.
• Name one thing you are looking forward to experiencing at Stanford.

The longer Stanford supplemental essay prompts (100-250 words) include:

• The Stanford community is deeply curious and driven to learn in and out of the classroom. Reflect on an idea or experience that makes you genuinely excited about learning.
• Tell us about something that is meaningful to you and why.
• Virtually all of Stanford’s undergraduates live on campus. Write a note to your future roommate that reveals something about you or that will help your roommate – and us – know you better.

Before we dive into the Stanford essays examples we’ve provided below, let’s start thinking about what it takes to write a great Stanford essay.

How do I write a good Stanford essay?

Just like there is no easy answer to how to get into Stanford, there is no easy answer to how to write a good Stanford essay. Our Stanford supplemental essays examples are all as different and unique as the students that wrote them. You’ll especially notice this once we start looking at Stanford essays that worked (like our what matters to you and why Stanford essay examples). While these Stanford essay examples all respond to the same prompt, each is unique.

That being said, when you look at different Stanford essays examples, you’ll start to notice they have some things in common. All of our Stanford essays examples clearly and concisely answer all aspects of the prompt. They do so in an engaging and specific voice that reflects some element of the writer’s character. This may include their creativity, humor, intellect, or values.

Overall, good Stanford essays examples will reflect positively on who a student is and why they’d be a good fit for Stanford. Part of Stanford’s vision is making a difference, so don’t be afraid to keep that in mind when reviewing our Stanford essays examples.

Stanford Essay Examples

Now, let’s jump into our Stanford supplemental essays examples. Rather than showing you a random collection of Stanford essays, we are focusing on Stanford essays that worked. Each of these Stanford essay examples is well executed . Each of these Stanford essay examples takes a strong approach to the prompts and shows a clear sense of identity and perspective.

First, we’ll take a look at some short answer Stanford supplemental essays examples. Then, we’ll move on to the longer Stanford essay examples, including our Stanford roommate essay examples and our what matters to you and why Stanford essay examples. 

Stanford Essays Examples- Short Answers

What is the most significant challenge that society faces today (50 words), stanford essay examples #1:.

The deterioration of political and personal empathy. There’s been an aggressive devaluing of inclusive mindsets and common ground rules—the kind of solidarity of purpose necessary to accommodate divergent viewpoints, respect evidence, share burdens, and tackle national/international emergencies like climate change and immigration. We are fumbling—in backwards tribalism—while the world burns.

Stanford Essay Examples #2:

Where’s Waldo books. 

By searching for Waldo, we subconsciously teach children that certain people aren’t meant to belong–they are meant to be hunted. Our brains may be hardwired to notice people who are different, but we are instructed to treat those people differently. 

Searching for Waldo must be consciously unlearned. 

Stanford Essay Examples #3:

Ignorance poses a paradoxical issue: we can’t solve a problem that we don’t know exists.

For fifteen years, I heard gentrification and thought humanitarian. The Oxford English Dictionary had even taught me that gentrification means “positive change.” How can such atrocities become noticed when our perceptions are so skewed?

Stanford Essay Examples #4:

Greed. The root of all evil. To make momentous strides towards improving societal conditions, people and corporations must put aside their greed. Unfortunately, greed – the deep, dark desire for power and money – is the dominant force at work in many aspects of society, making it society’s most significant challenge.

These Stanford essays examples are powerful. Each of these Stanford essays examples is also unique. In each response, the writer uses the prompt to showcase their core values and beliefs. 

You might be surprised how much these Stanford essay examples are able to contain in just 50 words. While this prompt does not contain two separate parts asking “what” and “why,” the above Stanford essays that worked answered both parts anyway. All four Stanford essay examples start by clearly naming the challenge (“deterioration of political and personal empathy,” “Where’s Waldo books,” “ignorance,” and “greed”), then explaining why it is a challenge or what this challenge keeps us from.

Next, let’s look at more Stanford essays that worked for other short answer prompts.

How did you spend your last two summers? ( 50 words )

Stanford essays that worked #1.

Learned to drive; internship in Silicon Valley (learned to live alone and cook for myself!); a government Honors program; wrote articles for a publication; lobbied at the Capitol; attended a young writers’ program; read a whole lot.

Stanford Essays that Worked #2

My goal: Adventure

2015: Moved from North Carolina to Texas (mission trip to Birmingham, Alabama in between), vacationed in Orlando.

2016: Pre-college math program in Boston, engineering program at another university, Ann Arbor, mission trip to Laredo, Texas, vacation to northern California including the lovely Palo Alto.

These two Stanford essay examples are snapshots that capture your life outside of school . Both of these Stanford essay examples choose to forego typical sentence structures for a more abbreviated, list-type presentation. This can give you room to include more experiences from your summers.

While these two Stanford essays examples are good, these Stanford essays examples aren’t the end-all be-all for this type of prompt. To improve your response, you might sneak in a “why” element to your answer. 

You might not wish to just list what activities you did over the summer , as this may repeat the kind of information found in an extracurricular or resume portion of your application. So, try to touch on what you learned or how you grew from these activities.

The second of our Stanford essay examples does this well by framing up their experiences into a unified goal: adventure. We then learn more about this student by the fact that adventure to them means exploring STEM topics and giving back to their church community. 

What historical moment or event do you wish you could have witnessed? ( 50 words )

Stanford essay examples #1.

Valentina Tereshkova’s 1963 spaceflight. Tereshkova’s skill, grit, and persistence carried her from working in a textile factory, through grueling tests and training, to becoming the first woman to fly solo in space. Her accomplishment remains symbolic of women’s empowerment and the expanded progress that’s possible with equity in STEM opportunities.

Stanford Essay Examples #2

In 2001, Egyptian authorities raided a gay nightclub, arresting 55 men. The prosecutors tried them under fujur laws—initially passed by Egyptian nationalists to counter British ‘immorality’ during colonization. 

Watching the prosecution construct homosexuality as un-Egyptian would illustrate the extent anti-Western sentiment drove homophobia and how similar anti-LGBTQ+ rhetoric remains today. 

Stanford Essay Examples #3

Most definitely Paganini’s legendary one-stringed performance; one-by-one, his violin strings snapped mid-performance until he was left with only the G-string. Being Paganini, he simply continued to play flawlessly all on that single string!

Stanford Essay Examples #4

Change does not happen without courage. I wish I could have witnessed the courage it took for the four A&T students sit in at the Woolworth’s counter in my hometown. I want to see the light overcoming darkness that created a change to last forever.

These Stanford essays examples show what each writer cares about. They also illustrate how these students connect with the world around them. In each of the above Stanford essays examples, the reader learns more about what the writers are passionate about as well as what they value: perseverance, courage, justice, and beauty.

While these are not exactly why Stanford essay examples, they do showcase what kind of revolutionary or impactful work you might dream of accomplishing with your Stanford education. Never underestimate the opportunity to layer meaning into your essays. Each of these Stanford supplemental essays examples use an external event to show something about an individual student. 

What five words best describe you? (5 words)

Stanford essays #1.

Speak up. Take action. Together.

Stanford Essays #2

Peter Parker meets Atticus Finch

Stanford Essays #3

The light of the world

Although these are the shortest of the Stanford essays examples, they are perhaps the most difficult to write. Summing yourself up in five words is no easy task. Each of these Stanford essays examples takes a different approach, whether that is a few small sentences, a cross of characters, or a poetic line.

When the choice is yours, what do you read, listen to, or watch? (50 words)

Read: The New York Times, Vox, The New Yorker, The Atlantic, Quora. Favorite authors include Siddhartha Mukherjee, Atul Gawande, Dushka Zapata, and Zora Neale Hurston. 

Listen: This American Life, The Daily, Radiolab, Invisibilia, U.S. and French pop. 

Watch: The Good Place, Brooklyn 99, YouTube science, baking, and fingerstyle guitar videos.

Read—an unhealthy number of self-help books, re-reading Just Kids by Patti Smith, every one of Audre Lorde’s books… 

Listen to—Danez Smith’s slam poetry (my personal favorite? Dinosaurs in the Hood), Still Woozy, Invisibilia… 

Watch—all the television I was forbidden from watching when I was twelve, POSE, ContraPoints, YouTubers criticizing ContraPoints… 

Read: On Earth We’re Briefly Gorgeous, The Wendigo, How To Write an Autobiographical Novel, Night Sky With Exit Wounds, Brainpickings.org weekly newsletter

Listen: Shostakovich, Lauv, Atlas, 20-hour-rain soundtrack on Spotify 

Watch: Avatar, Forrest Gump, Schindler’s List, Hachi (if in the mood to cry), any Marvel movie!

These Stanford essays examples showcase each writer’s interests and influences. They highlight intellectual media where appropriate, but they also remain honest. As you write your own Stanford essays, remember to stay authentic. 

Name your favorite books, authors, films, and/or artists. (50 words)

Stanford essay that worked.

I love literature and art that helps me explore my roots and learn to love myself. These works and authors include: The Color Purple, Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix, Maya Angelou, Day of Tears, Hope for the Flowers, and Langston Hughes.

This essay is very similar to the Stanford essays examples above. It gives the reader a sense of this student’s interests and shows what they might engage with on Stanford’s campus. 

What newspapers, magazines, and/or websites do you enjoy? (50 words)

Stanford essays that worked.

I enjoy newspapers and magazines that enable me to learn something everyday. I like National Geographic because it lets me learn more about science. Once it even inspired me to do a self directed project on albatrosses. I also enjoy The Economist as it gives me a well rounded view of today’s politics and economics.

This essay is another of the “content” Stanford essays examples. This prompt, however, asks students to articulate the sites and sources where they turn to find content. 

Unlike our other Stanford supplemental essays examples, this example limits itself to two sources. Generally, we wouldn’t recommend essentially repeating the prompt, as this essay does in its first sentence. Instead, jump right into your details and specifics, and utilize that extra space to tie in something more valuable.

What were your favorite events (e.g., performances, exhibits, competitions, conferences, etc.) in recent years? (50 words)

“December 24th, 9pm, Eastern Standard time.” Rent began. I was sitting in between my best friends. We were losing circulation in our hands from holding on too tight and washing off our make-up with our tears. I felt an immense sense of harmony with the play and it was fantastic.

This is another variation of the above Stanford essays examples. This prompt, however, focuses on events. The narrative quality drops you right into the moment, which says so much about how this writer felt about the performance by showing an action rather than only explaining with words.

Name one thing you are looking forward to experiencing at Stanford. ( 50 words )

I live by my motto: “Dare!” in all instances of Truth or Dare.

Apparently, so do the students who brave Secret Snowflake. It spotlights what I love most, Truth or Dare minus the truth. Will I attempt to break the jalapeno eating record? Hop into The Claw in sub-zero temperatures? 

One of the reasons this “why Stanford essay example” works so well is its specificity. The level of detail included in this “why Stanford essay example” shows that this writer has done research into what Stanford has to offer. This highlights their enthusiasm and dedication to Stanford over another top college. 

If you aren’t able to take an in-person tour to visit the campus, there are plenty of ways to learn more about Stanford and its campus culture. We have countless webinars to help you get a sense of what life at Stanford is like. Check out our virtual college tour , Stanford University panel , and our How to get into Stanford: My Admissions Journey series to learn more about Stanford.

Imagine you had an extra hour in the day — how would you spend that time? (50 words)

I’d split my hour two ways, investing time in my own wellbeing and in others. Half I’d spend baking treats for friends, which would double as a personal gift, since I find baking—like running—relaxing and restorative. The second half I’d spend answering Quora questions—something I’ve been meaning to pay forward.

At eight, I dreamed of becoming a YouTuber, documenting life in rectangular video. Each year, this dream drew further from reach.

With extra time, I’d retrieve what time stole. Creating comedic skits or simply talking about my day, I’d pursue what I value most—making others laugh and capturing beautiful moments.

These Stanford essays examples show how some prompts are more open-ended than others. There’s an infinite number of possibilities you could explore with more time. However, both of these Stanford essays examples discuss something the writer values. Making others laugh, and giving to others—these are traits of people who will likely want to build community with their peers on campus.

Stanford Supplemental Essay Examples – Short Essays

The stanford community is deeply curious and driven to learn in and out of the classroom. reflect on an idea or experience that makes you genuinely excited about learning. (250 words), stanford essays examples:.

From my earliest days, I have been a storyteller. I have imagined futuristic worlds where climate change has turned plants carnivorous, or where simulation technology has allowed us to learn history by experiencing it. But of all of these worlds that I write into stories, there is one in particular that captivates me:

“Which face should I get? I’m debating between these two, but I think I like the nasal bridge on this one more.”

In this futuristic world, people shop for faces that can be affixed with a head transplant. The people simply browse through a catalog and choose from the available options in the way we might shop for wedding cakes. Following the transplant procedure, one’s previous head is added to the catalog for purchase by the next buyer. 

The idea seems completely bizarre.

That is, until we begin to more carefully consider the present. On Earth, beauty sways society, leading to the emergence of cosmetic surgery as one of the fastest-growing industries. Here, rapid scientific advancement trumps every earthly limitation, and scientists have recently completed the first successful head transplant on a monkey. 

These considerations coalescing, my bizarre idea suddenly comes to life. What is to say that, in 100 years or so, we won’t break the barriers of cosmetic limitations and wear a head that we weren’t born with? The idea terrifies me, but perhaps that is why I am so drawn to it: Science eliminates limitations. It is already eliminating the “fiction” in my “science fiction.”

Many of our other Stanford essays examples explicitly answer the prompt in the opening line. This essay, however, begins by revealing a broader truth about the writer: that they are a storyteller. This is something they embody throughout their essay, allowing the reader to imagine what the writer was like as a child before plunging them into a futuristic idea of their own.

They then connect this with the real-world science that connects to this broader idea. This grounds their interest and imagination with something going on in our world. By the end of the first of our short Stanford supplemental essays examples, we understand that this individual has passions across multiple disciplines. This essay merges science and literature to create a vivid picture of who the writer is and how they’d contribute to Stanford’s campus. 

Stanford students possess an intellectual vitality. Reflect on an idea or experience that has been important to your intellectual development. (250 words)

“Indefinita eres.” Latin for “you are limitless.” I believe that we are all limitless. That with passion, hard work, and resilience almost any dream can be accomplished. And I have a lot of dreams.

My entire life, except for the two years I wanted to be Hannah Montana, I have strived to help others. My dream is to be a leader in bioengineering, shaping and contributing to the forefront of bioengineering research, in order to make a positive impact on the lives of others. Through my endless passion for math, science, and engineering, combined with my resilience and collaborative abilities, I know I will be able to accomplish this.

I have countless other dreams and aspirations as well. I started Latin in 6th grade and I was terrible at it. I decided I would become a “Latin master” to lay a foundation for Spanish fluency in college. I studied hard for four years and by my sophomore year I was extremely honored to earn a silver medal in the Latin III National Latin Exam. I want to run a half marathon (after my sprint triathlon, of course). Through dedication and discipline I have worked from barely being able to run to morning 7 mile runs and will be at 13.1 by April 2nd for the Big D half marathon.

Like other Stanford supplemental essays examples, this piece showcases how much information and personality you can fit into a single essay. This writer chose to focus on an idea versus an experience, which allowed them to talk about multiple moments of growth and perseverance and their variety of passions.

Great Stanford supplemental essays examples will make the most of any prompt. So long as you answer the prompt completely, don’t be afraid to pull together different moments of your life. Just make sure you have a through line to keep everything focused and connected!

Stanford Roommate Essay Examples

Virtually all of stanford’s undergraduates live on campus. write a note to your future roommate that reveals something about you or that will help your roommate – and us – know you better. (250 words), stanford roommate essay examples #1.

In the spirit of inaugurating the life-long relationship I hope we’ll build this year, let me tell you a little about myself.

Hi, I’m Tom. I’m the second child of a comically over-optimistic refugee mother (my Vietnamese name translates, literally, to “celestial being”) and a proud Kentuckian with a deep passion for student-driven advocacy. I have two parents, two stepparents, a nineteen-year-old sister (a junior in Product Design, here, at Stanford), a three-year-old half-sister, two cats, one dog, and a complicated life that spans two households. So, I’m used to sharing space and managing shifting schedules.

I’ve also always been the “Mom” friend. To me, the little things—a chocolate chip cookie when I know a friend has a rough day ahead, words of encouragement before a big presentation, or staying up late to explain a tough physics problem—mean the most. I’ll be there when you need me—be it studying for tests or navigating personal challenges.

I recycle incessantly and am known to snatch cans out of the trash, wash them, and relocate them to neighboring blue bins. I keep a regular sleep schedule, rarely going to bed past midnight or waking up later than 8:30. I’m averse to gyms, opting instead to go for runs in the morning or follow along to a YouTube workout in the afternoon. 

I’m passionate, but also even-keeled. I think life is best taken in stride—worrying has never gotten me anywhere, but flexibility has taken me everywhere. I look forward to an awesome year!

Stanford Roommate Essay Examples #2

Dear Roomie, 

Some disclaimers before we room together: 

1. If I arrive before you, don’t be alarmed by the tissue boxes everywhere. My parents made the conscious decision to expand our cat population despite (or because of) my allergies, and my four cats probably ambushed my suitcase while I was packing. So don’t be surprised if I invite you to one-too-many games of Exploding Kittens. It’s me projecting my fantasies, so please indulge me.

2. Whenever you open a Google Doc around me, change the font to Georgia or Cambria (my personal favorites). If you’re a seasoned Arial user, you’re likely mindlessly going along with what everyone else is doing—I get it. But Arial is objectively a bad font; the only acceptable time to use Arial is if you’re being passive aggressive… and even then, just use comic sans… (Criticizing people’s font choices is only half my personality, I promise.) 

3. You’ll see me embarrassing myself around campus by flailing on the dance floor, doing improv, or in drag, and I hope to see the same from you. I want to get excited about everything you’re passionate about– interests I’ve probably never even thought about before. 

When I’m armed with a bottle of Zyrtec, being my roommate isn’t all bad. I’ll bring copious amounts of Peach Snapple bottles, probably enough to last the semester. You can take as many bottles as you want, so long as you leave me the Snapple “Facts”…. I’m an avid collector. 

Stanford Roommate Essay Examples #3

Hey Roomie! Yesterday was insane. I still can’t quite get over the energy in that stadium after that final play. I guess Berkeley couldn’t take back the axe to cut down these Trees!

I’m writing you this since I have an 8:30 Syntax and Morphology with Dr. Gribanov. I know, it’s early, but that class is honestly worth waking up for. Last Friday, he spent the entire period rambling about why regardless and irregardless are the same thing, but responsible and irresponsible aren’t. Just a fun little thought to start your day.

I’m also writing you this as a quick apology. I won’t be back from Mock Trial until late evening, and then I’ll be practicing for Stanford Symphony auditions. So, if you hear cacophonous noises in your sleep, it’s most likely me. Plus, it’s Mahler Symphony No. 1, so you might not sleep much anyway. Kidding.

These next few days are jam-packed, but I’m craving some much-needed bonding time! I have a proposal: how does a jam session this Friday at Terman Fountain sound? I’ll bring the guitar and plenty of oldies sheet music, you just gotta bring a snack and the desire to sing! I’ve sold a few people already. Join us?

Well, I’m headed to breakfast now. Text me if you want me to grab you anything.

Stanford Roommate Essay Examples #4

Dear Roomie,

Tupac Shakur is not dead. You might believe that he is, because yes, his body is buried somewhere. But many of his messages are still very much alive. So future roomie, if we are going to be as close as I hope (and if you see me rapping “Life Goes On” in my Star Wars pajamas), you should know this about me:

As a biracial person, I have felt extremely troubled for the past few years regarding the social inequalities and injustices in our society. 2PAC says in his song “Changes,” “I’m tired of bein’ poor and even worse I’m black.” He says “I see no changes.”

I want to change this. I want Tupac’s spirit to behold a United States in which everyone has equal access to education and to healthcare. A U.S. where no one is discriminated against based on their race, gender, sexuality, or religion. I have already begun working towards equality, through educational outreach and political volunteerism. I will continue this at Stanford, through participating in peaceful protests and spreading awareness of the issues at hand. This might mean you’ll notice me coming and going a lot or going on frustrated rants about the ignorance and injustices in our society and our world. However, I hope you’re a person who will not only understand my perspective but be willing to march towards equality with me.

I am so excited for this year and the many years to come!

As noted in our Stanford Essays Guide , the Stanford roommate essay shows up nearly every year. These Stanford roommate essay examples show how fun a prompt like this can be to answer. Each of our Stanford roommate essay examples takes a slightly different approach. Some students write from the perspective of already attending Stanford; others opt for a list of important need-to-know facts.

The Stanford roommate essay examples show how open-ended this prompt actually is. If, after reading our Stanford roommate essay examples, you feel like you have no idea what to write about, know that there is no perfect recipe for responding to this prompt. Each of our Stanford roommate essay examples has a unique quality and flair.

A good rule of thumb you can take from our Stanford roommate essay examples is to remember who your audience is. Some essays touch on classic roommate topics, like sleep schedules, activities, and sharing snacks. However, the writer only includes these facts as a means of showing who they are. 

What Matters to You and Why Stanford Essay Examples

What matters to you, and why (250 words), ‘what matters to you and why’ stanford essay examples:.

“You’re stupid!!” exclaimed James. “Well you’re ugly!” shouted Ethan. We were sitting around the dinner table and my brothers, as usual, were bickering. After about two minutes of this, my dad broke into song. He sang, in a mostly on pitch falsetto, “what the world needs now, is love sweet love.” My brothers, my mom and I all rolled our eyes, but of course we kept singing. Then we sang “All you need is love” and “I’ll be there.” After years of this constant playlist, during laundry, dinners, and hikes, I realized what truly matters to me: love.

Love is what makes my life worth living. Whether it be love of my family, of my friends, of my activities, or of my future it makes me excited to get up and start my day. The sense of harmony I feel when dancing in the car with my family, or painting with my friends, or working with my team on our solar car is indescribably fulfilling. Through playing ukelele and singing with my family to working diligently in a lab to create a process that will alleviate the pain of another person, I will have the love that is of utmost importance to me. I will fill my life and the lives of others with love and harmony.

The last of our Stanford supplemental essays examples shows just how honest and vulnerable you can be in your essays. This essay does a great job of showing rather than telling. It gives us a great example of what love looks like to this student and how love continues to be the most important thing in their life.

How to write Stanford Supplemental Essays: 5 Tips!

1. start early.

If you’re worried about getting your Stanford essays up to par with these Stanford essays examples, don’t leave them to the last second. Begin by familiarizing yourself with the Stanford prompts and reviewing our Stanford supplemental essays examples. This can be the first step in your writing process. Next, start brainstorming topics and ideas you can start incorporating into your drafts.

2. Keep an idea journal

Now that you’ve reviewed different Stanford supplemental essay examples and have read Stanford essays that worked, it’s time to get brainstorming. Try writing down the main topics of each Stanford essay prompt, like “roommates,” “important experiences,” or “content I like.” Have a place where you can write down all your ideas as soon as they come to you. That way, when it comes time to start drafting your Stanford essays, you’ll have plenty of ideas.

3. Think outside the box

If you’re having trouble coming up with an answer to one of the Stanford essay prompts, don’t worry. Remember our “what matters to you and why Stanford essay examples?” These questions are at the core of what Stanford admissions is looking for. You’ll include traces of them in every Stanford essay you write regardless of which prompt you answer.

4. Consider what Stanford Admissions will take away from your Stanford essays

For instance, think about the Stanford roommate essay examples. While the prompt asked students to direct their attention to their future roommate. Remember your reader will be coming in with the perspective of an admissions officer, not your potential future roommate. While this may seem like the space to offer up fun, random facts about yourself and your interests, consider how the characteristics you choose to highlight build upon other aspects of your application and Stanford essays.

5. Draft, edit, rewrite, edit, and edit again

These Stanford supplemental essays examples weren’t written overnight. You can’t expect to produce Stanford essays as engaging and effective as our Stanford essay examples unless you put in enough time and effort. Remember, our Stanford essays examples are final drafts. Make sure you get your first draft down on paper as soon as you can so you have plenty of time to edit, proofread, and finalize your essays.

Stanford Essay Examples- Final Thoughts

Applying to Stanford can feel overwhelming, especially given the low Stanford acceptance rate. If Stanford is your dream school , you should do all you can to ensure your Stanford essays shine.  

If you’re looking for answers on how to get into Stanford, think carefully about every aspect of the Stanford application. Knowing the requirements for the Stanford application will be much more helpful than worrying about the Stanford acceptance rate.

Focus on what you can control

So, focus on the parts of the Stanford admissions process you can control, like your responses to the Stanford essay prompts. Understanding the prompts, then looking at Stanford essays that worked, can give you a sense of what Stanford admissions looks for when reviewing applications. Then, you can take the lessons and learnings from Stanford essay examples and incorporate them into your own essays.

Take a look at our how to get into Stanford guide for more tips on the Stanford application process. We discuss how Stanford Admissions reviews applications, the Stanford acceptance rate, the interview process, and more strategies on how to get into Stanford.

As you begin working on your Stanford essays, feel free to look back on these Stanford essays examples. Rather than using them as a shining example you need to model your own Stanford essay after, think about why they worked, the impact they had on you, and how you can incorporate those techniques into your own essay. So remember, get started early, and good luck.

This article was written by Stefanie Tedards. Looking for more admissions support? Click here to schedule a free meeting with one of our Admissions Specialists. During your meeting, our team will discuss your profile and help you find targeted ways to increase your admissions odds at top schools. We’ll also answer any questions and discuss how CollegeAdvisor.com can support you in the college application process.

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Your chance of acceptance, your chancing factors, extracurriculars, stanford transfer essays: what do they look for.

I'm considering transferring to Stanford and I'm curious about the transfer essays. What does Stanford look for in transfer applicants' essays, and what makes an essay unique or appealing to the admissions officers?

When reviewing transfer essays, Stanford and other competitive schools are trying to gain a better understanding of who you are as a person, your academic interests, and how well you have progressed at your current institution. They will be looking for motivation, maturity, and a clear sense of purpose. To make your essays unique and appealing, consider the following:

1. Be authentic and genuine: Write about your true experiences and emotions. Avoid trying to impress by solely listing your accomplishments. Instead, choose meaningful experiences that have impacted your life and demonstrate your personality.

2. Explain your reasons for transferring: Clearly articulate why you want to transfer to Stanford and how it aligns with your future goals. Connect specific academic programs or extracurricular opportunities at Stanford to your career aspirations or interests.

3. Highlight your personal growth: Show how you have developed both academically and personally at your current institution. Illustrate how you can contribute to the Stanford community based on these experiences.

4. Be specific and focused: Think of a central theme to weave throughout your essay. This could be a profound moment or realization that spurred your desire to transfer or a core value that drives your decision-making. By focusing on one overarching theme, your essay will be more coherent and memorable.

5. Avoid clichés: Just like in first-year applicants' essays, avoid recounting experiences that seem overused or generic. Unique stories reflecting your individuality will be more engaging to the admissions officer.

6. Show, don't tell: Using vivid details and examples can help you better convey your emotions, experiences, and personal growth. This approach prevents your essay from being a list of accomplishments and helps the reader gain insight into your character.

7. Edit and proofread: A polished essay demonstrates your commitment to the application process and your attention to detail. Ask for feedback from trusted individuals, such as teachers or counselors, who can provide valuable input to improve your essay.

By keeping these tips in mind, you will present a compelling and memorable essay that resonates with Stanford's admissions officers.

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CollegeVine’s Q&A seeks to offer informed perspectives on commonly asked admissions questions. Every answer is refined and validated by our team of admissions experts to ensure it resonates with trusted knowledge in the field.

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6 Tips for the Stanford Essays and Short Answers

This article was written based on the information and opinions presented by Vinay Bhaskara in a CollegeVine livestream. You can watch the full livestream for more info.

What’s Covered:

Stanford essay tips.

• Stanford Short Answer Tips
• Overall Writing Tips  

The Stanford application has two different types of essays this year. There are 3 long essays with a 250 word count limit and 5 short-answer essays with a 50 word count limit. 

Here are our expert tips for writing standout essays that will improve your chances of acceptance! Stick around until the end of the post for the most important tip.

With the different word counts in each prompt, you’ll want to approach writing each in different ways. 

1. Make your intro sentence strong.

The important thing to do with the 250-word essays is to make sure your introductory sentence is really strong. Unlike in longer essays or the common application essay, you can use a paragraph or two to build your points and captivate your audience. That isn’t the case here. In this essay, you can’t waste any time building a narrative. You have to come out in the beginning and grab your audience’s attention.

2. Maximize the word count.  

If your essay is 240 words or above, you’re good to go.. One or two extra words won’t drastically change your essay. But, if you have 25 or more words remaining, you could use that space to convey additional material. You could also enhance something you’ve already said, such as taking a couple of sentences and making them more “punchy” or fun to read.

Short Answer Tips

3. don’t sacrifice writing quality.  .

These essays are being assessed for writing quality the same way the longer essays are. The fact that they are so much shorter means they will be put under a microscope even more. 

4. Don’t waste time on detailed explanations.

If you can describe a concept or idea in shorter words, do that. Keep it concise and to the point. It is much more important to get your entire point across in a logical way than to focus on describing a detail that doesn’t fit into the larger picture of what you’re trying to say.

Overall Writing Tips

5. humanize yourself..

This is the most important tip. You want to show colleges that you are not just your college application; you’re not just a series of grades on a transcript or activities on a resume. Instead, you want to give the admissions committee almost a 3D picture of who you are as a person.

So from that perspective, try to have a mix of more fun and more serious answers. You don’t necessarily have to have everything super academic. For example, for the “historical event I want to witness” prompt, you don’t have to say “I want to go back to the signing of the Magna Carta.” If that genuinely interests you, that’s totally fine to say, but try to have some fun in your other responses. 

In fact, at a super-selective school like Stanford, they want you to have the grades and resume that say you’ve spent a lot of your waking life on the admissions process and academics, but they also don’t want to admit students who are trying too hard. It’s not exactly fair, but it’s unfortunately how selective admissions works.

6. Look at your essay with fresh eyes

Regardless of your writing process, the best way to approach editing your essay is with time. In between writing and editing your response, take a break. Whether it’s an hour, a day, or a week, looking at your materials with fresh eyes will be a huge benefit. You will find key points that are missing or areas that you can rewrite in a more concise or interesting way. 

Looking for more Stanford essay tips? Check out our full Stanford essay guide .

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How to Transfer to Stanford: Insider Tips for (2024 Applicants)

• Post author: TransferGoat
• Post published: 4 Oct 2023
• Post category: College Admissions / College rankings

Are you dreaming of transferring to Stanford University ? As one of the most prestigious and selective institutions in the world, transferring to Stanford can seem like a daunting task. However, with the right tips and strategies, your transition can be smooth and successful.

In this article, we will provide you with insider tips to help you navigate the transfer process and increase your chances of acceptance. From understanding the transfer requirements to crafting a compelling application, we’ve got you covered.

Our team of experienced admissions consultants and Stanford graduates have firsthand knowledge of what it takes to transfer to this renowned university. With their expertise, we will provide you with valuable insights and advice that can make all the difference in your application journey.

Whether you’re transferring from a community college or another four-year institution, this article will equip you with the knowledge and tools you need to stand out in the highly competitive admissions process.

So, if you’re ready to take the next step towards achieving your academic goals, let’s dive in and discover the insider tips and strategies for transferring to Stanford.

Why Transfer to Stanford?

Stanford University is known for its exceptional academic programs, world-class faculty, and vibrant campus life. As a transfer student, there are several reasons why Stanford may be the perfect fit for you. Firstly, Stanford offers a wide range of academic opportunities across various disciplines. Whether you’re interested in engineering, humanities, or business, Stanford has a program that will challenge and inspire you.

Furthermore, Stanford’s commitment to innovation and interdisciplinary learning sets it apart from other institutions. The university encourages students to think outside the box, collaborate with peers, and make a positive impact on society. If you’re seeking an environment that fosters creativity and intellectual growth, Stanford is the place to be.

Additionally, Stanford’s location in the heart of Silicon Valley provides unique opportunities for internships, networking, and entrepreneurial endeavors. Being surrounded by some of the world’s most influential tech companies and startups can greatly enhance your educational experience and future career prospects.

Overall, transferring to Stanford can open doors to countless opportunities and propel you towards achieving your academic and professional goals.

Application Process and Requirements for Transfer Students

Before diving into the transfer application process, it’s crucial to familiarize yourself with Stanford’s requirements. The university has specific guidelines for transfer students, and understanding them is essential to submit a strong application.

To be eligible for transfer, you must have completed at least one year of full-time coursework at an accredited college or university. It’s important to note that Stanford does not accept applications from high school students or those with fewer than 30 transferable semester credits.

In addition to the academic requirements, Stanford also considers extracurricular involvement, leadership experience, and community service when evaluating transfer applicants. Therefore, it’s essential to showcase your achievements and involvement outside of the classroom.

When it comes to the application itself, Stanford requires the standard components such as the Common Application or Coalition Application, official college transcripts, recommendation letters, and a personal essay. It’s crucial to pay attention to the application deadlines, as missing them can result in your application being automatically disqualified.

Crafting a compelling personal essay is one of the most important aspects of your transfer application. This is your opportunity to show the admissions committee who you are beyond your academic achievements. Be authentic, reflective, and convey your passion for your chosen field of study. Take the time to brainstorm, draft, and revise your essay to ensure it accurately represents your story and aspirations.

By understanding the application process and requirements, you can approach your transfer application with confidence and increase your chances of acceptance.

Tips For Writing a Good Transfer Application Essay

The transfer application essay is your chance to make a lasting impression on the admissions committee. Here are some tips to help you craft a standout essay that highlights your unique qualities and aspirations.

Reflect on your reasons for transferring:  

Start by explaining why you have chosen to transfer to Stanford. Be honest and thoughtful about your motivations and how Stanford aligns with your academic and career goals. Avoid negative language or discussing issues with your current institution.

Highlight your accomplishments and experiences:

Use the essay to showcase your achievements, involvement in extracurricular activities, and any challenges you have overcome. Discuss how these experiences have shaped your character, skills, and aspirations. Be specific and provide examples to illustrate your points.

Connect your past experiences to your future goals:  

Clearly articulate how your transfer to Stanford will help you achieve your long-term goals. Whether it’s pursuing research opportunities, accessing specialized resources, or joining specific organizations, demonstrate how Stanford can provide the necessary tools and opportunities for your success.

Show your fit with Stanford’s values and culture:  

Research Stanford’s mission, values, and programs to understand what makes the university unique. Highlight specific aspects of Stanford that resonate with you and explain why you believe you would thrive in this environment. This will demonstrate your genuine interest and alignment with Stanford’s community.

Seek feedback and revise:  

After writing your essay, seek feedback from trusted advisors, professors, or family members. Incorporate their suggestions and revise your essay multiple times to ensure clarity, coherence, and error-free writing. Remember to proofread for grammar, spelling, and punctuation.

By following these tips, you can create a compelling transfer application essay that sets you apart from other applicants and showcases your potential as a Stanford student.

Transferring Credits and Selecting A Major at Stanford

One important consideration when transferring to Stanford is the process of transferring credits and selecting a major. Here’s what you need to know:

Transferring credits:  

Stanford accepts transfer credits from accredited institutions, but the amount of credit granted varies. The university evaluates transfer credits on a case-by-case basis, and it’s important to note that not all credits may transfer. Consult with Stanford’s transfer credit policy and work closely with the registrar’s office to determine which credits will be accepted.

Selecting a major:  

When transferring to Stanford, you have the opportunity to explore a wide range of majors. It’s important to research the different majors offered at Stanford and consider your academic interests, career goals, and strengths. Take the time to meet with academic advisors and faculty members to discuss your options and make an informed decision.

Planning your course schedule:  

Once you’ve selected a major, work closely with academic advisors to plan your course schedule. Stanford has specific requirements for each major, and it’s important to ensure you’re on track to fulfill them. Be proactive in seeking guidance and taking advantage of resources such as degree audits and academic planning tools.

Remember, transferring to a new institution is an opportunity for academic growth and exploration. Take advantage of Stanford’s diverse academic offerings and make informed decisions about your major and course selection.

Financial Aid and Scholarships for Transfer Students

Navigating the financial aspects of transferring to Stanford can be complex. However, the university offers a range of financial aid options and scholarships to support transfer students. Here’s what you need to know:

Submit the FAFSA and CSS Profile:  

To be considered for financial aid, complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) and the CSS Profile. These forms help determine your eligibility for federal, state, and institutional aid.

Stanford’s need-based aid:

Stanford provides need-based financial aid to transfer students. The university calculates financial need based on various factors, including family income, assets, and size. Stanford’s financial aid packages typically include a combination of grants, scholarships, work-study, and loans.

External scholarships:

In addition to Stanford’s financial aid, explore external scholarships specifically available to transfer students. Many organizations and foundations offer scholarships to support students transferring to four-year institutions.

Merit-based scholarships :

Stanford also offers merit-based scholarships to exceptional transfer students. These scholarships recognize academic achievement, leadership, and unique talents. Research and apply for these scholarships to increase your chances of receiving additional financial support.

It’s essential to carefully review the financial aid requirements and deadlines to ensure you submit all necessary documents. If you have any questions or concerns, reach out to Stanford’s financial aid office for guidance and assistance.

Conclusion and Final Thoughts on Transferring to Stanford

Transferring to Stanford University can be a life-changing experience, opening doors to unparalleled academic opportunities and a vibrant campus community. By understanding the transfer requirements, crafting a compelling application, and taking advantage of the resources available, you can increase your chances of a successful transfer.

Remember, the transfer process can be competitive, but with determination, hard work, and careful planning, you can position yourself as a strong candidate. 

So, if you’re ready to take the next step towards achieving your academic goals, start by exploring Stanford’s transfer requirements, connecting with advisors here at Transfer Goat , and crafting a stellar application. Your journey to Stanford starts now. Good luck!

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Stanford Transfer Acceptance Rate and Requirements — 2024

December 11, 2023

With only a 4% acceptance rate, getting into Stanford University out of high school is not exactly a high-probability outcome. Yet, for some rejected applicants, the dream of becoming a Cardinal is too powerful to let go of. If you fall into that category, there is still a sliver of hope (but we really mean a sliver !). Stanford does in fact welcome aboard an extremely limited number of transfer students each year. The following blog will reveal the Stanford transfer acceptance rate as well as other essential facts like the Stanford transfer deadline, the Stanford transfer application requirements, and much more.

Stanford Transfer Acceptance Rate

Below we present the most current available Stanford transfer acceptance rate as well as historical data.

For entry in the fall of 2022, there were 3,141 applicants who applied for transfer and 57 were accepted. This means that the Stanford transfer acceptance rate is 1.8%. If we break this down by gender, the acceptance rates are as follows:

• Male Stanford transfer applicants: 1.9%
• Female Stanford transfer applicants: 1.5%

For entry in the fall of 2021, there were 3,265 transfer applicants and 55 individuals were accepted. This means that the Stanford transfer acceptance rate was 1.7%.

When trying to get the complete picture of how difficult it is to transfer into a given institution, it is important to look at historical data. While many schools have wild fluctuations in transfer acceptance rates from year to year, you can see that Stanford’s have remained fairly stable in recent years. The only year with a notably different rate was 2020.

Historical transfer rates are as follows:

Stanford Transfer Deadline

For all academic programs, the Stanford transfer deadline is March 15.

There is also an optional Arts Portfolio that has a deadline of March 20.

The priority application deadline for financial aid is March 15.

Stanford Transfer Acceptance Rate (Continued)

Stanford transfer application requirements.

All students must submit the following items as part of their Stanford application:

• A Common App for Transfer
• Official college transcripts
• Final high school transcripts
• ACT or SAT scores (they are test-optional in 2023-24)
• College report
• Two letters of recommendation from college instructors
• Portfolios (for some majors)

In addition to meeting the Stanford transfer requirements, students who have the best chance to gain admission to Stanford have done the following:

• Completed two full years of college coursework. This is recommended by the university, but there is no official minimum credit requirement.
• Published/co-published academic research independently or with a faculty member at your current institution.
• Exceled outside of the classroom in some manner. In addition to the aforementioned research, this could mean winning an intercollegiate academic competition, achieving noteworthy accomplishments through some type of leadership role, etc.

Stanford Average Transfer GPA

This school does not reveal the average GPA for successful transfer students. However, in our experience working with Stanford transfers, you will have the best chance with a 3.9 or better. This is not to say that your chances are nonexistent with a GPA below that mark, but a 3.9-4.0 GPA will give you the most favorable odds.

Stanford Transfer Application Essays

Personal Statement

Please provide a statement that addresses your reasons for transferring and the objectives you hope to achieve. (250 to 650 words)

What piece of advice would you share with your younger self? Describe what experience or realization led you to this understanding. (50 to 150 words)

Short Questions

• What is the most significant challenge that society faces today? (50 word limit)
• What historical moment or event do you wish you could have witnessed? (50 word limit)
• What is the best compliment you have received? Who gave you this compliment? (50 word limit)
• List five things that are important to you. (500 character limit)

Short Essays

• The Stanford community is deeply curious and driven to learn in and out of the classroom. Reflect on an idea or experience that makes you genuinely excited about learning. (100 to 250 words)
• Virtually all of Stanford’s undergraduates live on campus. Write a note to your future roommate that reveals something about you or that will help your roommate — and us — get to know you better. (100 to 250 words)
• Stanford’s community is an essential part of the undergraduate experience. How do you define community, and what contributions have you made to yours? (100 to 250 words)
• Please describe what aspects of your life experiences, interests and character would help you make a distinctive contribution as an undergraduate to Stanford University. (100 to 250 words)

When Do Stanford Transfer Decisions Come Out?

Transfer decisions come out by mid-May.

Final Thoughts – Stanford Transfer Acceptance Rate

In a typical year, only 1 in 100 or 2 in 100 Stanford transfer applicants will be successful. It’s important to face these odds with a realistic mindset, as that will drive your other decision-making. For example, if you are someone intent on leaving your current school, you will want to apply to a number of “safety” and “target” schools in addition to Stanford. In reality, Stanford is a “reach” for every student—even those with perfect grades and test scores. However, we don’t want you to interpret having a “realistic” mindset as being synonymous with a “negative” mindset. After all, 50 or so applicants each year are ultimately successful. If you have strong credentials, there is nothing wrong with putting maximum effort into your application and multitude of essays. College Transitions has indeed worked with students who have successfully earned admission to Stanford as transfer applicants.

If you are looking for information on how to apply to Stanford as a first-year student, you may find the following blogs to be of interest:

• How to Get Into Stanford
• Stanford Supplemental Essay Prompts and Tips

Those searching for application info on other institutions may wish to visit our Dataverse pages:

• Transfer Admissions Deadlines
• Transfer Acceptance Rates

Dave Bergman

Dave has over a decade of professional experience that includes work as a teacher, high school administrator, college professor, and independent educational consultant. He is a co-author of the books The Enlightened College Applicant (Rowman & Littlefield, 2016) and Colleges Worth Your Money (Rowman & Littlefield, 2020).

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Successful Stanford Essays

Stanford essays →, stanford mentors →, common app additional info (extenuating circumstances) | daniel.

Common App Additional Info (Extenuating Circumstances) My parents emigrated from Korea to the US and ran a Dairy Queen business in Florida, which unfortunately ended…...

Common App Essay: Describe a topic, idea, or concept you find so engaging that it makes you lose all track of time | Daniel

Describe a topic, idea, or concept you find so engaging that it makes you lose all track of time. Why does it captivate you? What…...

Stanford Supplemental Essay: Imagine you had an extra hour in the day — how would you spend that time? | Yusef

Imagine you had an extra hour in the day — how would you spend that time? (50 words) Relationships are everything in life. With my…...

Stanford Supplemental Essay: Name one thing you are looking forward to experiencing at Stanford | Yusef

Name one thing you are looking forward to experiencing at Stanford. (50 words) Stanford is known for its diverse and ambitious community; this meshes well…...

Stanford Supplemental Essay: When the choice is yours, what do you read, listen to, or watch? | Yusef

When the choice is yours, what do you read, listen to, or watch? (50 words) I am addicted to cooking videos on YouTube. I can’t…...

Stanford Supplemental Essay: What five words best describe you? | Yusef

What five words best describe you? Unwavering concentration yields desirable outcomes…....

Stanford Essay Prompts

Common application essay prompts.

The Common App Essay for 2020-2021 is limited to 250-650 word responses. You must choose one prompt for your essay. Some students have a background,…...

Stanford Short Essay Questions

There is a 100-word minimum and a 250-word maximum for each essay. The Stanford community is deeply curious and driven to learn in and out…...

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• After Submitting Your Application

Thank you for taking the time to submit an application to Stanford! 

Once we receive your application, you will be sent an acknowledgment email with instructions on how to log into your Stanford portal to check the status of your application. This message will be sent to the same email address that you used to submit your application. 

The Stanford portal is where you can update your application and check to see if we have received required materials such as your transcript and letters of recommendation. This is also where you will log in to view your admission decision letter.

Frequently Asked Questions

I never received my acknowledgment email from stanford. what should i do.

Check your Promotions or Spam folders for an email with the subject line "Your Stanford Application." If you still cannot locate the email, it’s possible that your acknowledgment email bounced, and we may only have one email address for you. Please email [email protected] with an alternative email address, your Common Application ID number and the email address you used to apply, so that we can resend your acknowledgment email. We recommend using a non-school email address that you check frequently.

What if my checklist is not complete by the deadline?

Materials submitted by others, including school officials and testing agencies, may take several weeks to process. If your checklist is not complete by the deadline, simply continue to check your Stanford portal regularly until we have received all items. Once we process all materials, we will contact you if you are still missing a required material.

I submitted my application on the deadline, but the timestamp says the day after the deadline. Is my application late?

No; due to variation in time zones, your submission time stamp timestamp may show a date and time after the deadline. No need to worry. As long as you have received a Stanford acknowledgment email, we have your application.

I submitted my application, but my payment is still processing. Is my application late?

No; there may be a delay for payments to post to your account (especially for international applicants). As long as you submit your application by the deadline and have the transaction receipt, your application will be received. We will accept the payment when it is posted, and no need to worry if the posting is after the deadline. As long as you have received a Stanford acknowledgment email, we have your application.

My recommenders/school officials are unable to submit letters and/or materials for my application by the deadline. What should I do?

As a standard practice, we offer a grace period after the application deadline during which recommenders/school officials may submit application materials. Please remind your recommender/school official to submit the materials as soon as possible. Continue to check your Stanford portal until we have received all items.

My recommender/school personnel is unable to submit a letter of recommendation and/or materials online. Is there another way to send the document(s) to you?

We strongly prefer online submission through the Common Application. If your recommender is unable to submit a letter or other required documents online, then they may send the document as an email attachment to [email protected] . Please ensure that your full legal name, school name and date of birth are included on the required documents and in the email message.

If you need to have a letter of recommendation emailed to us, please have your recommender also indicate the type of recommendation (e.g., counselor, teacher, optional) in the email.

My high school transcript was submitted already. Why is it not showing on my checklist?

For a high school transcript to complete the checklist item, it must include a graduation date and be translated to English. If your transcript has already been sent without a graduation date or was not translated to English, please have your school official send an updated version meeting these criteria.

If you earned the equivalent of a high school diploma, please have an official copy of the proof of high school equivalency sent to [email protected] so that your checklist will be updated. Please ensure that your full legal name, school name and date of birth are included on the required documents and in the email message.

I have been out of college for several years and am substituting a professional letter for one of the two required academic evaluations. My letter has been sent already, but it is not showing on my checklist. What should I do?

Please email [email protected] to let us know which recommender’s letter should be used as the required academic evaluation, and we can update your record.

Application Updates

How can i update my application to add new information like a recently received award.

We do not accept uploaded documents. If you would like to add new information to your application, you may do so by logging in to your Stanford portal and describing your updates in the textbox provided in the "Update Application" link.

May I submit supplementary materials like resumes, writing samples, research papers, articles, computer programs or any other special work I have done?

We do not accept or process supplementary materials. If, however, you would like to provide more detail about your academic program, activities, honors or background, you are welcome to use the Additional Information section in the application.

What should I do if I need to request a change to my name or date of birth?

Email [email protected] to request a change to your name or date of birth. In addition to the requested correction, please include your Common Application ID, full name, high school and date of birth as submitted in your application. Please note that if you are contacting us about a change to your legal name, you will need to provide verification.

I have moved since I submitted my application. How do I update my address?

Log in to your Stanford portal and use the "Edit Addresses" feature. Any change you make there will be reflected in your application record. Please note that every applicant must have a permanent address.

I noticed a mistake in my Social Security number or forgot to report it. How do I update it?

Do not send your Social Security number in an email or form. Please call 650-723-2091 to request an update to your reported Social Security number.

How do I withdraw my application to Stanford?

To withdraw your application to Stanford, please log in to your Stanford portal and submit the Withdraw Application form.

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Thank you, Johan. Let me begin with a warm welcome to the Class of 2027 and transfer students – you and I, in my first month as president, are setting off together on a new venture this fall.

You are a class of far-ranging talents and varied experiences, entering a university that is second to none in its offerings and creativity. My main advice for you this afternoon is to have the self-confidence to seek out the opportunities offered by Stanford that will contribute to your own personal fulfillment. That fulfillment will take many different paths. Let me explain, based on my own experience as a student and then as a teacher.

During the Vietnam War era I entered the University of Illinois as an engineering major. In the spring of my first year I took a Roman history course to fulfill an engineering requirement – it was captivating and prompted me to switch majors to classics and history. That was an impulsive and naive move that turned out, surprisingly, to be extraordinarily fortunate. I will be forever grateful to my parents and my teachers for the support they gave me through this unconventional move.

My suggestion for you is that, whatever major you choose, use your four years at Stanford to explore new fields of knowledge and diverse experiences; you may not again have the unsurpassed intellectual resources and the community that this university will offer you.

Stanford is rightly renowned for its computer science and other fields of engineering – and many of you will find your major there. But what you may not know is that it was also ranked #1 in the world in the Humanities & Arts by the London Times with mind-expanding courses like How to Look at Art , and Why or Literature and the Brain . Introductory Seminars are an excellent way to venture into a new subject, perhaps in our new School of Sustainability or the social sciences, and meet a professor in a small, interactive setting. Take advantage of the unparalleled range of outstanding resources available here, whether it be in literature or in physics or an initiative in artificial intelligence.

My second piece of advice is to urge you to have confidence in your own agency and potential. What you shared in your admissions materials about yourselves and how you’ve risen to challenges gives us confidence that you belong here and can succeed, but it is essential that you take the initiative on your own behalf in seeking out the resources and support to make optimal use of what Stanford has to offer.

Here is what I mean. Surveys of graduating students indicate that they find Stanford faculty to be among the most accessible among peer universities, but I know from my own experience that too often I sit in my office alone during office hours. The university also provides a wide variety of support services. Don’t be shy about approaching the faculty and staff about your interests and concerns. They will be happy to help.

The importance of your own personal energy and focus was brought home to me by the most rewarding teaching experience in my career. Twelve years ago I worked with Janet Montag – a community leader, Stanford volunteer, and board member of the Asia Foundation – to organize a one-month summer seminar on campus for 25 students from the brand new Asian University for Women in Bangladesh.

These students came from modest families in various countries across South Asia, including Afghanistan, Pakistan, India, Sri Lanka, Nepal, Bhutan, and Vietnam. One of the principal goals of AUW was to instill confidence and a powerful sense of agency in these students, who came from societies that limited opportunities for women – sometimes severely.

The topic of the seminar was one of my own research interests: the history of women and family in Europe. On the first day of class as I was explaining the syllabus, one of the students raised her hand and asked in a challenging but polite way, “Professor, why should we be interested in this subject?” I was taken aback by this unexpectedly direct question and tried to offer a rationale – it was probably unconvincing.

But in the second week we read Sophocles’ great tragedy Antigone . The play put to rest their doubts about relevance, because they had experienced the intensely painful dilemmas of duty to family and personal goals. My takeaway was that great works of literature can resonate in profoundly meaningful ways across cultures and millennia.

But the reason I am telling you about this experience is because four of those students transferred to Stanford the following year and then used the opportunity to launch truly amazing careers. One went on to a PhD here in environmental science, then a postdoctoral fellowship at Princeton, and next year she’ll have a faculty position at the University of Chicago. Another has completed a PhD in clinical psychology and has been appointed to a postdoc in the Harvard Medical School. The third is a prize-winning poet with a doctorate in Persian literature from the University of Cambridge. And the fourth is a high-level analyst for the Australian government.

It has been a joy to follow their careers. Their success is all the more amazing because some of the students came from societies where women are so controlled by men that they are not allowed out of their house unless accompanied by a male guardian. The lesson from their stories is the critical importance of their personal motivation in the pursuit of their own meaningful goals. The Asian University for Women instilled in them confidence in their own agency, and Stanford provided the resources to use their extraordinary talents in pursuit of their passions.

I offer their stories as models for what you can do in your years here. You should pursue your own personal path to goals that you find rewarding. Don’t let others define your hopes and dreams, and do expect setbacks along the way. I will confess that after I changed my own major to classics, my first essay came back with a grade of “D” – which made me wonder whether I had made a stupid mistake. Luckily, I didn’t let it stop me.

Up to this point I have given a couple of suggestions about how you might approach your time on campus. Now I want to make a few points about the ethos of the community that I want you to help nurture.

Over the past century the pursuit of knowledge and its dissemination has become an increasingly collaborative effort as the body of knowledge has grown at a stunning rate. Not only in the natural sciences, but also in the social sciences and even the humanities, research has become a team effort in which interdisciplinary projects require different types of expertise and skills. Stanford will give you the opportunity to participate in these collaborations. Most students do.

The success of these team efforts to advance knowledge absolutely requires integrity in the research and the academic freedom to debate different views.

Stanford is of course situated in Silicon Valley and is strongly associated in the public’s mind with Silicon Valley for better and sometimes for worse. On the positive side, the ethos of innovation pervades the university. On the other side, a well-known cliche that caricatures Silicon Valley is “fake it till you make it.” That is NOT the standard of a great university.

You will be part of a collective effort to advance authentic knowledge that will stand the test of time. Whether working in a faculty laboratory or participating in a seminar or taking an exam, the integrity of every one of us is foundational to the university’s academic mission.

And yet in all honesty, through the pursuit of authentic knowledge our community will have deeply held disagreements, disagreements that are likely to be intensely debated in the coming electoral year. The university as an institution will not take political positions, but individuals within the community can and should express their divergent views, articulated with reference to their own experiences and to the evidence.

The value of having a diverse campus – and we are a very diverse campus – is the possibility of interacting with, and learning from, others from different backgrounds. The intensity of feelings that divergent viewpoints can elicit will make it all the more important that our interactions be respectful and constructive. One upcoming opportunity to reinforce our commitment to civil discourse will be Democracy Day on Nov. 7. I urge you to participate.

Your Stanford experience will take you beyond the classroom and lab as part of a community that aims to make the world a better place for all to live. I need hardly tell you that Stanford is a privileged institution, which makes it all the more imperative that we use that privilege to be of service beyond the campus. Stanford students are extraordinarily generous in offering their time and talents, and you will have many opportunities to join in.

One avenue to do so is the Haas Center for Public Service with its hundreds of opportunities to suit your interests. Its Cardinal Quarter offers you the chance to participate in a full-time, quarter-long, funded public service experience designed to integrate your academic learning with field-based experience in diverse subjects such as environmental justice or education nonprofits or the arts for social justice. These are opportunities to engage and learn beyond the campus with support from the university. Be on the lookout for opportunities that you find personally rewarding.

And one final suggestion. Stanford students are energetic high-achievers. Develop routines and habits to take care of yourselves. Find time to expand your horizons, have some fun, get in regular workouts, and get enough sleep.

As a way to expand your horizons I highly recommend one of the Bing Overseas Studies Programs. I have taught history courses in Florence four times: The setting is Stanford’s Breyer Center, which is housed in the spectacular Palazzo Capponi, finished in 1411, on the Arno River with a view of the famous Duomo and belltower. As a historian, I keep going back to Florence, but you could also study environmental science on the Great Barrier Reef in Queensland, Australia, or post-apartheid South Africa in Cape Town, or other topics in eight other countries.

With all that the campus has to offer it is important that you show agency in attending to your own physical health and mental well-being. The university also provides support, including through Vaden Health Services, the Student Affairs office, residence hall staff, and more. But try to plan your days so that you don’t overextend yourselves and are able to sleep. It’s important to your mental acuity and emotional well-being.

And my final bit of personal advice is to wear a bicycle helmet as you speed around campus on a bicycle or motorized scooter. I offer this as an avid cyclist who once ended up in the emergency room needing six stitches for not wearing a helmet. We have too many students each year taken to the ER with head trauma after accidents. Your talents are too valuable to take such risks.

So let me end by repeating my warm welcome. Provost Martinez and I look forward to meeting as many of you as possible in the coming year. You have an extraordinary opportunity in front of you.