Freshman Requirements & Process

Application & Supplement

The Common Application’s First Year Application

The Common Application’s First Year Application asks about personal information such as birthplace and date, citizenship, self-reported test scores, major and career interests, and family background. You will also have the opportunity to tell us about yourself by describing your academic honors, listing your extracurricular activities, noting any work experience, and writing a thoughtful and insightful essay.

Remember there are no right answers. No club or activity is more important than another, and no essay topic will ensure your admission. Be yourself, and complete this form carefully and honestly, as we expect you to complete your entire application.

We are more interested in the depth of your commitment and achievement than in the sheer quantity of your activities. An exceptional experience in one or two activities demonstrates your dedication more than minimal participation in five or six clubs. We want to see the impact your participation has had on that club or organization, in your school, or in the larger community.

The Stanford Supplement to the Common Application

You must submit the Stanford Supplement at the same time as the Common Application's First Year Application; this form is available only to registered users through the Common Application website and must be completed online.  Our experience suggests that many would-be applicants mistakenly think they have successfully submitted both the Common Application and the Stanford Supplement, when in reality they have only submitted one of these documents.  Again, both documents must be successfully submitted online by the deadline to be considered for admission.  A proof of application fee payment does not ensure that both documents have been submitted.  Be sure to check the MY CHECKLIST function on the Common Application website to determine what has been submitted to Stanford. 

We view the Stanford Supplement as your opportunity to tell us about yourself by describing some of your favorite personal activities, social interests and writing thoughtful and insightful short essays. The Stanford Supplement is your way for us to understand your unique experiences and insights and to come to know you personally.

No two applicants in our pool are the same, so we take great care to ensure we read your application within the context of your surroundings. The information you provide about yourself on the Stanford Supplement assists us in interpreting and evaluating your transcript, test scores, essays, and evaluation letters.

Our job is to assemble a “well-rounded student body”, and we know such a group will include both well-rounded students and what we call “angular” students, those who truly excel at one or two activities. Merely being involved in many clubs is not what is most important; your depth of commitment in whatever you do interests us the most.