When it comes to admissions facts and figures, Stanford has become notorious for holding its cards close to the vest. Since 2018, the university has refrained from joining other highly selective schools in disclosing acceptance rates as soon as the cycle ends, instead holding off until the fall when it reports publicly available data to the federal government. Citing efforts to de-emphasize acceptance rates as a badge of elite-ness, Provost Persis Drell commented, “That is not a race we are interested in being a part of.”
We do know that Stanford borrowed eight extra days this year to make admissions decisions, delaying the release date from April 1 to April 9 following a “notable increase” in applications for the class of 2025. Application surges were the name of the 20’-21’ admissions game, with other single-choice early action schools Harvard and Yale seeing record increases in application volume by 42% and 33%, respectively. With a whopping 57,435 applications to comb through in the early and regular rounds combined, Harvard took Stanford’s lead in postponing decision day until April 6. If Harvard’s historically low acceptance rate of 3.43% is any barometer of Stanford’s, there were a lot of dashed California dreams this year.
For the increasingly impervious ranks of the Crimson and the Cardinals, we have test-optional admissions to thank. Most colleges and universities waived the standardized-test screening tool during the pandemic, inviting droves of hopefuls to give it the old college try.
WHO GOT INTO STANFORD?
So, who did get into Stanford this year? San Antonio native Allison Wu, who drove two hours to take the SAT; Hawaiian student Nanoi Visperas, whose SATs were canceled four times; and Sally Wang from Hong Kong, to name a few: all survived the COVID-19 admissions gauntlet, finding “a supportive, friendly atmosphere,” “a big aspect of family,” and “a group of individuals who want to make the world better” awaiting them on the other side.
Of course, we have our own Top Tier students who stood out from the masses and gained admission to Stanford. One is a political junkie and journalist who worked on several campaigns in a high impact capacity. A passionate writer, pianist, and scholar, she got into Stanford early action.
Another of our students accepted to Stanford created significant environmental change in her community with a combination of scholarly research and hands on activism. Even as an international applicant, she was admitted to Stanford in the regular round.
BY THE NUMBERS: STANFORD ACCEPTANCE RATE
Though Stanford doesn’t make it easy, it’s not impossible to get a sense of their numbers if you know where to look. We know now that the acceptance rate for the Class of 2024 was 5.19%. Once this year’s data is released in a few months, our TTA researcher will do some digging and let you know what we find for the fiercely competitive Class of ’25.
We don’t yet have the data on the Class of 2025, but here’s what we know about the Class of 2024. Based on the national admissions trends we’ve seen in 2020-2021, we can reasonably assume that two numbers are higher for Stanford ’25ers than what we see here: average test scores (since only those who scored well during the pandemic reported) and acceptance rates of underrepresented minorities and first-generation college students—most colleges are pushing for increased diversity and access:
- 65 — percentage of public school students. Private school students made up 23%, international school students 12%, and homeschoolers less than 1%.
- 29 — percentage of underrepresented minorities (American Indian, Black (U.S), Hawaiian/Pacific Islander, Hispanic).
- 20 — percentage of first-generation college students.
- 10 — percentage of international students. Stanford’s cap on admitting students from outside the U.S. is on par with most other highly selective schools. International students have to clear a very, very high bar for Stanford.
- 720-800 — middle 50% SAT math score
- 700-770 — middle 50% SAT Evidence-Based Reading and Writing Score
- 31-35 — middle 50% ACT composite score
Since first-generation and URM status are both considered admissions hooks (as well as legacies, institutional VIPs, development interests, and recruited athletes), we can see how few seats are left for unhooked students.
HOW TO INCREASE YOUR ODDS AT STANFORD
Get the Grades and Test Scores
There’s no way around it. If you want someone at Stanford to even read your application (especially if you don’t have an admissions hook), you’ll have to first be in range of their academic profile. The average unweighted GPA of Stanford’s Class of 2024 was 3.96/4.0. Of students who reported class rank, 96% were in the top ten percent of their graduating class. As an unhooked student you’ll also need to aim for the upper end of the testing averages listed above: 800 SAT Math, 770 SAT EBRW, and 35 ACT—yes, even in test-optional admissions. In fact, especially in test-optional admissions! With application volume soaring, your test score is one of the most crucial metrics for distinguishing yourself.
Apply Restrictive Early Action
Stanford is one of a few schools, including Harvard, Yale, and Princeton, who have a Restrictive Early Action (REA) program. Stanford’s REA policy is highly restrictive to your application strategy as you are unable to apply early (including EA) to any other private college/university nor are you able to apply under any binding early plan to any public university. You are able to apply in the regular round to any college or university. If deferred in REA, you are able to apply to other colleges under their Early Decision II plan. You’ll only want to use this chip if you are in Stanford’s academic range (see above). If you’re unhooked and out of range, not only will you be denied, but you will also hurt your chances at other schools where you are in range because you’ll have to apply to most of them in the much more competitive regular decision round.
That said, if you are in range and want to have any shot at Stanford, you pretty much have no choice but to apply REA—unless you’ve won a Nobel prize and will be deciding among all the Ivies, too! Stanford has not released its early round admissions data for years, but the last data we have is for the class of 2021, when the early acceptance rate was 9.24% and the regular decision acceptance rate 3.67%. Acceptance rates are always higher in early rounds—especially the more restrictive ones like binding early decision or REA/SCEA—not only because fewer students apply then, but also because colleges interpret early applications as a strong indication of students’ interest. They want to offer admission to students who will attend. Bear in mind, though, that most recruited athletes also apply in the early round, so 9.24% is still misleadingly high for other mere mortals.
Understand Stanford’s Holistic Review
On its admissions statistics page, Stanford is quick to clarify their practice of “holistic admission,” claiming that “statistics can only narrowly describe facets of a class rich in life experiences, perspectives, talents, and accomplishments.” Stanford takes into account the following factors of your application:
- Academic Excellence: “The most important credential for evaluating your academic record is your high school transcript.” Like all selective schools, Stanford wants to see that you have excelled in the maximally rigorous courses available to you.
- Intellectual Vitality: Some key phrases cited here are “genuine interest in expanding your intellectual horizons,” “energy and depth of commitment,” and “initiative with which you seek out opportunities and expand your perspective.” Stanford’s looking for students who don’t just lock themselves away and crush their homework, but those who go above and beyond to seek out intellectual pursuits outside of school.
- Extracurricular Activities: Notably, Stanford specifies that “an exceptional depth of experience in one or two activities may demonstrate your passion more than minimal participation in five or six clubs.” Say goodbye to the Debate and Birthday Wishes clubs that meet once a month. Say hello to a high-impact civic initiative that aligns with your academic interests.
- Context: “We take into account your background, educational pathway, and work and family responsibilities. We evaluate how you have taken advantage of what is available to you in your school and community.” If you’ve worked a job to contribute to your family’s finances, thrived amidst significant personal or family challenges, or sought out for yourself opportunities not common among other classmates, be sure to highlight these details in your applications.
Align with Stanford’s Vision
You can apply to almost any school much of the advice above about being in academic range, applying in the early round, and highlighting the context of your educational pathway. And while all colleges like to think they are unique, Stanford really is a certain kind of place that looks for a certain kind of student. Stanford’s identity is quite firmly defined by its long-term vision: “Fueled by optimism, ingenuity and a sense of responsibility, we seek to accelerate our purposeful impact in the world.” Stanford cares a lot about making the world a better place; it looks for students who have demonstrated this same inclination in the way they’ve leverage their intellectual interests to better their communities throughout high school. And, if it’s any indication of the type of ethos the university holds, the most famous class at Stanford’s Graduate School of Business is “Interpersonal Dynamics,” fondly known by Cardinals as “Touchy Feely.” Not only does Stanford look for forward-looking, community-minded innovators, but they highly value students’ abilities to be self-reflective.
Essay Guidance
Get our expert guidance on your college essays.
STANFORD’S 2021-2022 SUPPLEMENTAL ESSAY PROMPTS
You’ll see their vision reflected in their 2021-2022 supplemental essay prompts:
We ask applicants to answer several short questions (limit 50 words each), and to write a short essay on each of the three topics below (100-250 words).
- 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.
- 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.
- Tell us about something that is meaningful to you and why.
PRO TIPS
Follow two guiding premises for these questions: 1) highlight your academic interests as much as possible (colleges first and foremost want scholars) and 2) align with Stanford’s vision (see above). Let us help guide you in showing Stanford admissions exactly what you have to offer their community.
Anita holds a BA in Philosophy from Princeton, where she is an alumni class officer and former interviewer, and an MA in English from Middlebury. At Princeton she also contributed her drive and competitiveness to the women’s lacrosse team, winning an NCAA Division I National Championship and three Ivy League Championships while earning national scholar-athlete academic distinction and the Connie McAllister athletic department award for “effort, selfless dedication, enthusiasm and heart.” She brings these qualities to her relationships with students as she helps to bring out the best in them.
- When “Maybe” Is the Answer: Navigating the Gray Zone of College Athletic Recruiting - April 9, 2026
- A Smart College Application Roadmap for High School Juniors - January 14, 2026
- Tracing the Threads of Gratitude - November 24, 2025
