New Students
Information for New & Prospective Students
The following is a collection of helpful information, suggestions, and tips for new and prospective Stanford Students. After you browse through this information you might just decide that Stanford University is the place for you! If so, be sure to visit our Services Page at the following link to take a look at some of the services the OAE provides and start filling out some paperwork!
Contents:
- Introduction
- Campus Tours
- Undergraduate Admissions
- Graduate Admissions
- Self-Identification in Admissions
- Financial Aid
Introduction
Prospective students with disabilities are encouraged to meet with OAE staff to discuss specific support services and accessibility concerns. Prospective frosh, transfers, and graduate students may also be interested in learning what students with similar disabilities have to say about life at Stanford. Arrangements can usually be made for disabled students to host prospective students on campus, and there is usually an opportunity to talk with students during a visit to the OAE.
In addition to meeting with OAE staff and students, prospective students may want to set up an interview on campus with a counselor from the California Department of Rehabilitation to begin discussing its role in the provision of needed accommodations. The Department of Rehabilitation can often provide advice to help students plan for and adapt to the campus environment, and sometimes can provide funding for adaptive equipment or other services.
Campus Tours
Visitor Information Services offers a variety of tours for prospective students. You may find out more about these tours at the Visitor Information Services website. Visitors with disability access concerns should contact Sheila Sanchez, Disability Accommodation Coordinator with the Diversity and Access Office, at (650) 725-0326; TTY (650) 723-1216.
Golf cart tours are offered at 1:00 p.m. daily, except during the first week of classes, finals week, academic breaks, or in the event of poor weather or mechanical problems. The $5.00 per person fee is waived for any person with special mobility restrictions and his/her companion. Reservations are required, as space is limited to five people per tour. To make a reservation, please contact Visitor Information Services at (650) 723-2560.
Undergraduate Admissions
Stanford University policies on the admission of students with physical, psychological, and learning disabilities state, in part, that "Stanford seeks to enroll students with excellent academic records and evidence of personal achievement outside of the classroom who have used the resources available to them to their fullest potential. In addition, we are seeking a diverse student body with a variety of talents, interests, and backgrounds. We welcome applications from students with disabilities who meet these criteria." While admission to Stanford is highly selective, each applicant receives a careful and holistic review; individual circumstances of the applicant are always taken into consideration. If an applicant has self-identified as physically, psychologically, or learning disabled, we are interested to see how he/she has excelled given his/her context.
Admissions questions should be directed to the office of Undergraduate Admission (650-723-2091). Nandita Gupta, Admission Counselor, is available to provide information on disability-related admissions questions
Graduate Admissions
Applications for admission to all graduate programs -- except the business, law, and medical schools -- are available in September of the year preceding anticipated enrollment. Most departments have application deadlines of January 15. For further information, contact the Graduate Admissions Support Section (723-4291).
Admission to the business, law, and medical schools is handled by each school individually. For more information, contact the Graduate School of Business (723-2766), the Law School (723-4985), or the School of Medicine (723-6861).
Applicants are encouraged to contact the OAE for information on accessibiity and support services. Interpreters may be requested by contacting the Diversity and Access Office.
Self-Identification in Admissions
An applicant's decision about whether to self-identify as disabled is a very personal one. Applicants should be assured that their experience is generally considered as a positive factor in the admissions process. Individuals with disabilities are welcome to discuss their concerns with OAE staff prior to applying. A decision not to self-identify as disabled is understood and respected.
Upon acceptance, however, incoming students with disabilities are urged to contact the OAE as soon as possible. The staff's early identification of students' needs can help to ensure that arrangements and accommodations can be made prior to students' arrival on campus. For example, advance planning and preparation of course material in Braille, large print or audiocassette, and the selection and hiring of interpreters may take place over the summer. Some accessibility modifications in the residences may require a substantial amount of time to design and implement. The more time the OAE staff has to make these arrangements, the easier the transition to Stanford will be.
Financial Aid
Stanford’s admission program is need-blind. For all but some international applicants, financial status will not affect the admission decision. Stanford’s financial aid program is need-based. All aid is awarded on the basis of demonstrated financial need. When determining whether to apply for financial aid, students should consider additional disability related expenses, such as durable medical equipment upkeep or personal care assistant expenses. For more information, please visit the Financial Aid Office website, http://financialaid.stanford.edu, or call (650) 723-3058.