First-Year Applicants

Source: https://admission.stanford.edu/apply/first-year/prepare.html Parent: https://admission.stanford.edu/apply/first-year/index.html

Preparing for Stanford Academics

Your courses and grades matter. Stanford students are curious and open-minded, dedicated to solving the world's toughest problems. A strong academic foundation will prepare you to thrive in Stanford's fast-paced and rigorous quarter system.

Throughout your high school years, we recommend that you:

• take rigorous courses that build your mastery of academic subjects each year.
• achieve at a high level across the five core liberal arts and science areas: English, math, social studies, science and world language.
• take approximately five academic courses each semester, including during your final year.
• consult early on with your secondary school counselor.

Please note: A high school diploma or the equivalent is required in order to enroll at Stanford.

Recommended High School Curriculum

We do not have a set of required courses for admission to Stanford. However, we have found that students who demonstrate success and mastery in a curriculum like the one below are prepared for the academic rigors at Stanford.

• English: four years, with an emphasis on writing and literature.
• Mathematics: four years of rigorous mathematics, including calculus.
• History/Social Studies: minimum three years.
• Science: minimum three years in courses like biology, chemistry, physics, computer science, human anatomy, and environmental science.
• World Language: minimum three years of the same language.

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We want to emphasize that these are curriculum recommendations, not requirements. Our admission process allows – and indeed encourages – high schools to design curricular offerings and opportunities for their students.

We understand students may experience scheduling limitations or that certain courses may not be available at their school. Some students may opt to take certain classes over the summer or as dual enrollment courses. If you would like to provide more context about your course schedule, please use the Additional Information section of the application.

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Frequently Asked Questions

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Does Stanford offer pre-professional majors?

While Stanford does not offer pre-med, pre-law, or business majors, many students pursue careers or graduate studies in these areas. Students choose from one of our many major options while fulfilling graduate school requirements. You can find a list of all Stanford majors on the Undergraduate Majors webpage.

Students can consult Stanford pre-professional advisors and student groups that offer guidance for graduate school applications.

How does Stanford advise choosing a high school curriculum?

If your school offers multiple curricula options, or you are deciding between high schools that each offer different curricula, we defer to you to work with your counselor, teachers and family to choose the best program or pathway for you. Our hope is that your curriculum includes courses that are among the most demanding available at your school and that will develop your intellectual interests.

The students who thrive at Stanford are those who are genuinely excited about learning, not necessarily those who take every single AP, IB, Honors, or Accelerated class just because it has that designation. We hope a school’s curriculum offers students the opportunity to contribute to the learning process and to pursue questions and ideas with energy and curiosity.

What if my high school schedule doesn’t allow me to follow Stanford’s recommended curriculum? For instance, if I take the most advanced level of world language offered in my sophomore year, do I need to take additional world language classes as a junior or senior?

Our recommended high school curriculum is a guideline that leaves room for flexibility.

For example, if you complete the most advanced level of a world language offered by your school as a sophomore, it is not necessary to take additional world language classes during your junior and senior year. Please keep in mind, though, that we expect students to take approximately five academic courses each semester, including during their senior year.

I am considering graduating from high school early. Would this be an advantage?

We consider each student’s educational journey to be unique, and if graduating from high school early is a good fit for you, you should follow that path. At Stanford, no single educational pathway has an advantage over any other. We will review your application holistically, taking into account your context and the unique factors that have shaped your education thus far.

Updated on October 3, 2025 8:40 AM