What makes Stanford different
Stanford University is a private research university in Stanford, California, situated on a 8,180-acre (3,310 ha) campus that borders the San Francisco Bay and Santa Cruz Mountains. With over 16,000 undergraduate and graduate students and nearly 23,000 staff, it is the second-largest private research university in the United States by enrollment. As of June 2022, Stanford ranked as the fifth-ranked university in the world by U.S. News & World Report.
Stanford is known for its academic excellence, its entrepreneurial spirit, and its beautiful campus. Here are some of the things that make Stanford different:
- Academic excellence: Stanford is consistently ranked among the top universities in the world. Its faculty are Nobel laureates and other world-renowned scholars. Its students are highly motivated and intellectually curious. And its curriculum is rigorous and challenging.
- Entrepreneurial spirit: Stanford is known for its entrepreneurial culture. Its students and alumni have founded some of the most successful companies in the world, including Google, Facebook, and Tesla. Stanford provides its students with the resources and support they need to launch their own businesses.
- Beautiful campus: Stanford's campus is located in the heart of Silicon Valley. It is surrounded by rolling hills, redwood trees, and the San Francisco Bay. The campus is home to some of the most iconic buildings in the world, including the Hoover Tower and Memorial Church.
Quarter system
Stanford uses a quarter system, which means that students take classes for 10 weeks each quarter. This allows students to take more courses and explore different interests.
Learn MoreLeland Scholars
Stanford offers a program called Leland Scholars, which is a selective honors program for first-year students. Leland Scholars have the opportunity to take small, discussion-based seminars with world-renowned professors.
Learn MoreBing Overseas Studies Program
Stanford offers a program called Bing Overseas Studies Program, which allows students to study abroad for a semester or a year. The program has over 100 different destinations, including China, India, and South Africa.
Learn MoreStartX
Stanford is home to StartX, which is a non-profit organization that helps student entrepreneurs launch their businesses. StartX has helped over 1,000 companies raise over $1 billion in funding.
Learn MorePrograms
Stanford University Mathematics Camp (SUMaC)
Stanford University Mathematics Camp (SUMaC) welcomes a select group of rising high school juniors and seniors from around the world for intensive study in advanced mathematics. SUMaC leads participants on a journey in advanced mathematics through lectures, guided research, and group problem solving.
Stanford Summer Humanities Institute
Stanford Summer Humanities Institute is a three-week residential program where rising high school juniors and seniors explore the big questions at the heart of the humanities in seminars led by Stanford professors and graduate students.
Stanford Pre-Collegiate Summer Institutes
Stanford Pre-Collegiate Summer Institutes is an online summer program where participants engage in single-subject intensive study and benefit from small class sizes and academically motivated peers.
Stanford Medical Youth Science Program (SMYSP)
The Stanford Medical Youth Science Program is a five-week immersive enrichment program focused on science and medicine that is open to low-income, first-generation high school juniors who live in Northern California.
Stanford Middle School Scholars Program
Build to prepare low-income 6th and 7th graders for an academically intensive high school, Stanford Middle School Scholars Program engages students in various topics including mathematics, academic writing, and study skills.
Stanford Math Circle
Stanford Math Circle offers quarter-long, afterschool sessions for students, in grades 1-12, that are interested in mathematics. These weekly meetings allow students to add to their schoolwork with challenging extraccircular math engagement.
Stanford Pre-Collegiate University-Level Online Math & Physics
Stanford Pre-Collegiate University-Level Online Math & Physics offers 13 courses throughout the year, giving students an advanced offering of math and physics courses not typically available in secondary schools.
Stanford Summer Session
Stanford Summer Session offers students a interdisciplinary program filled with various geniune Stanford University courses while providing experiences directly on the campus and the oppourtinity to earn credit.
Campus Life
Stanford's campus life is vibrant and exciting. Students have a wide variety of activities and organizations to choose from, including:
- Academics: Stanford is a top-ranked university with a strong focus on academics. Students have the opportunity to take classes from world-renowned professors and conduct cutting-edge research.
- Arts and culture: Stanford is home to a number of art museums and galleries, as well as a thriving theater and music scene. Students can also participate in a variety of creative activities, such as dance, writing, and photography.
- Sports: Stanford is a member of the Pac-12 Conference and competes in a variety of varsity sports. Students can also participate in intramural sports or join one of the many club sports teams.
- Recreation: Stanford has a number of state-of-the-art recreational facilities, including a swimming pool, climbing wall, and tennis courts. Students can also go hiking, biking, or kayaking in the surrounding area.
- Service: Stanford students are encouraged to get involved in community service. There are a number of on-campus organizations that students can volunteer with, as well as opportunities to work with local non-profits.
- Social life: Stanford has a vibrant social scene. There are a number of fraternities and sororities, as well as a variety of student clubs and organizations. Students can also go to parties, concerts, or sporting events on campus.
In addition to these activities, Stanford students also enjoy the beauty of the campus. Stanford is located in the heart of Silicon Valley and is surrounded by rolling hills, redwood trees, and open space. Students can often be seen hiking, biking, or simply relaxing on the quad.
Overall, Stanford's campus life is a great combination of academics, activities, and recreation. Students have the opportunity to learn, grow, and have fun in a beautiful and supportive environment.