Stanford Admission Requirements

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Your chances of getting into Stanford University

Admission Rate & Difficulty

Percent Admitted

3.6%

Admission Standards

Elite

Applicant Competition

Extreme

Very Low

Low

Average

High

Very High

Extreme

Acceptance Rate

The acceptance rate at Stanford is 3.6%. Its admission rate is the 3rd lowest in California and the 7th lowest the nation.

Admission Selectivity

How hard is it to get into Stanford and can you get accepted?

Stanford is an extremely competitive school to get into and is highly selective who it accepts. You have a very low chance of acceptance even even if you meet the admission criteria. It's critical that you meet their GPA requirements to get past the first round of consideration. Last year, only 2,067 out of the 57,326 who applied were admitted.

Stanford University typically accepts and attracts "A-" average high school students with an average GPA around 3.96. Most incoming freshmen graduate in the top ten percent of their high school class or better. Of those applicants who were admitted, 82% elected to enroll. This indicates that the school is the top choice for most students who apply.

Admission Requirements in Brief

To have the best chance of getting into Stanford University you should:

Have a high school GPA of 3.96 or better
Earn A- grades in high school
Score 1550 on the SAT
Score 34 on the ACT
Graduate in the top 10% of your high school class

Stanford GPA

GPA Requirements & Average GPA

Avg. High School GPA

3.96

Typical High School Grades

A-

Average GPA (4.0 Scale) 3.96

0.0 1.0 2.0 3.0 4.0

GPA Requirements & Average GPA

The GPA requirements for getting into Stanford are to have around a 3.96 high school GPA on a 4.0 scale. You are required to have exceptionally good grades and you should be graduating near the top of your class. Given Stanford's extremely competitive admissions, meeting the average GPA alone is unlikely to be enough for admission. The school should be considered a reach even if you have a 3.96 GPA. If your grades do not meet the GPA requirements, you will have very little chance of being considered for admission.

75% of students who get in have perfect 4.0 GPA's in high school. To achieve the average GPA for admission, you need to earn A- letter grades and regularly score around 90-92 percent on tests and assignments in high school. The school ranks #6 in California for highest average GPA.

Importance of GPA

Since Stanford is a test optional college, extra focus will be placed on your GPA when the school considers your application. As a result, it is very important that you meet the GPA requirements.

See additional colleges accepting applicants in the 4.0 GPA range.

Competitiveness by GPA Ranges

The table below outlines the number of admitted freshmen by GPA range as well as how competitive your GPA will be as compared with other applicants.

High School GPA's for admitted Stanford University students
High School GPA	Freshmen Within Range	Competitiveness
4.0	75.1%	Avg +
3.75 to 3.99	19.0%	Avg -
3.50 to 3.74	2.5%	Reach
3.25 to 3.49	1.6%	Reach
3.00 to 3.24	1.4%	Reach
2.50 to 2.99	0.3%	Reach
2.00 to 2.49	0%	Reach
1.00 to 1.99	0%	Reach
less than 1.00	0%	Reach

What do these chances mean?

GPA Data Source, Peterson's Data 2024

Stanford SAT Scores

SAT Requirements & Average SAT Score

SAT Range

1510-1580

Applicants Submitting SAT

51%

25th Percentile Scores

Reading 740
Math 770
Composite 1510

75th Percentile Scores

Reading 780
Math 800
Composite 1580

SAT Scores You Need to Get In

The average SAT score at Stanford is 1550 out of 1600 and the range for the middle 50% of accepted students is 1510-1580. Students who get into Stanford University score in the top 1 percent of all SAT test takers. Stanford ranks #2 in the state of California and #9 in the nation for highest average SAT composite score.

SAT Range (25th-75th Percentile) 1510 to 1580

800 1000 1200 1400 1600

To be most competitive with other applicants, target scoring 1550 or above on the SAT. Stanford regularly admits students with scores down to 1510; three quarters of admitted students score higher, and admission should be considered a reach if you score below 1510. Some students may be accepted with SAT scores as low as 1475, though scores that low are outside the normal range. Given Stanford's extremely competitive admissions, an average SAT score alone is unlikely to be enough for admission. The school should be considered a reach even if you score near the average. If your SAT score does not meet these requirements, you will have very little chance of being considered for admission.

Submission Requirements

Submission of SAT scores is not required for admission to Stanford University. If you optionally submit an SAT score, it will be considered with your application, but it is not mandatory. 51% of students submitted SAT scores for admission for the most recent academic year.

View other colleges which accept students in the 1550 SAT score range.

Data Source, IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025

Chance of Acceptance by SAT Score

These estimated admission chances at Stanford are based on SAT score and the school's acceptance rate, assuming an otherwise average GPA and application. Even strong SAT scores may not guarantee admission at this extremely selective school.

Stanford University admission chances by SAT score
SAT Score (1600 scale)	Competitiveness	Admission Chances
1580 and Above	Strong	>7%
1550 to 1580	Avg +	4%-7%
1510 to 1550	Avg -	2%-4%
1470 to 1510	Reach	1%-2%
Less than 1470	Low	<1%

What do these chances mean?

Stanford ACT Scores

ACT Score Profile & Requirements

ACT Range

34-35

Applicants Submitting ACT

19%

Lower Quartile Scores

English 35
Math 33
Overall 34

Upper Quartile Scores

English 36
Math 36
Overall 35

What ACT Score Do You Need?

Admitted students at Stanford typically earn a score of 34 on the 36-point scale, with most falling between 34 and 35. Successful applicants tend to rank among the top 1% of ACT examinees nationwide. Among colleges in the state of California, Stanford ranks #5 for average ACT score and #38 nationally.

ACT Score Range (Middle 50% of Admits) 34 to 35

0 9 18 27 36

Applicants who post a score of 34 or higher on the ACT are usually among the strongest. Stanford has admitted students scoring as low as 34, but most incoming students are above that mark. Scoring below the 25th percentile should be treated as a reach. In rare cases, scores near 34 have been enough, though that is well outside the usual band. Admission is extremely selective; treat Stanford as a reach even at the median.

ACT Submission Policy

You may apply to Stanford University without sending ACT results. Any score you choose to include will still be reviewed, but it is not required. 19% of recent applicants did report ACT scores.

Browse colleges with similar ACT expectations in the 34 ACT score range.

Data Source, IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025

Admission Chances by ACT Score

See where your ACT score lands at Stanford, from reach to likely. Each estimate pairs your score with the acceptance rate and assumes a typical GPA. Admission is extremely selective, so even a top score only keeps you in contention.

Stanford University admission chances by ACT score
ACT Score (36 max)	Competitiveness	Admission Chances
35 and Above	Strong	>13%
34 to 35	Avg +	4%-13%
34 to 34	Avg -	4%-4%
34 to 34	Reach	4%-4%
Less than 34	Low	<4%

What do these chances mean?

High School Class Rank

Class Rank of Admitted Students

96% of Stanford University freshman are in the top ten percent of their high school graduating class. For your application to be competitive, you need to graduate at the top of your class.

High School Class Rank for admitted Stanford University students
High School Class Rank	Freshmen Within Range
Top 10% of class	96%
Top 25% of class	100%
Top 50% of class	0%

Data Source, Peterson's Data

Applying

Admission Statistics

Admission and enrollment rates by gender are detailed in the table below.

Stanford University admission statistics
	Women	Men	Total
Applied	27,724	29,602	57,326
Accepted	1,052	1,015	2,067
Acceptance Rate	4%	3%	4%
Enrolled	858	835	1,693
Percent of Admitted Who Enrolled (Admission Yield)	82%	82%	82%

Data Source, IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025

Fall 2027 Application Deadline

Applications Due

Jan 2, 2027

Days left to Apply

131

Applicants have 131 days left until the Fall 2027 term applications are due on Jan 2, 2027.

Application Fee

The cost for prospective students to apply to Stanford University is $90.

Application Requirements

What are the requirements for admission to Stanford University and what student information is used for admission decisions?

Stanford University application requirements
Requirement	Used for Admission
Test Scores	Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional)
High School GPA	Not required for admission, but considered if submitted
High School Class Rank	Not required for admission, but considered if submitted
Completion of College Preparatory Program	Not required for admission, but considered if submitted
Recommendations	Required to be considered for admission
Demonstration of Competencies	Not required for admission, but considered if submitted

Credits Accepted

High school credits accepted at Stanford University
Credit Type	Accepted
AP Credit	Yes
Dual Credit	No
Credit for Life Experiences	No

Admission Requirements Summary

Stanford is an extremely competitive school to get into. You have a very low chance of acceptance even if you meet the admission criteria.

It is critical that you earn at least a 3.96 GPA to have any realistic chance. Graduating in the top 10% of your class will also help your chances. Even strong test scores may not guarantee admission; scores near 1550 on the SAT and 34 on the ACT are a baseline, not a guarantee. Applications are due Jan 2, 2027 (131 days remaining).