Stanford Admissions 2024-2025
Stanford University recently released their Common Data Set for 2024-2025, and the numbers tell a fascinating story about who gets into one of the world's most selective universities. Let's dive into the data to understand Stanford's admission landscape.
Stanford's Extreme Selectivity
Stanford's admission statistics continue to be among the most competitive in the world:
Total applicants: 57,326
Admitted students: 2,067
Enrolled students: 1,693
Acceptance rate: Approximately 3.6%
With fewer than 4 out of every 100 applicants receiving an offer, Stanford remains one of the most selective universities globally.
Academic Profile of Admitted Students
The academic credentials of Stanford's Class of 2029 are, unsurprisingly, exceptional:
Test Scores
SAT Composite (middle 50%): 1510-1570
SAT Evidence-Based Reading and Writing: 740-780
SAT Math: 770-800 (note that the 75th percentile is 800, the maximum score)
ACT Composite: 34-35
It's worth noting that only 50.3% of enrolled students submitted SAT scores and just 19% submitted ACT scores, as Stanford had a test-optional policy for this admissions cycle.
GPA and Class Rank
Average high school GPA: 3.94
73.3% had a perfect 4.0 GPA
97.8% were in the top tenth of their high school class
100% were in the top quarter of their class
These statistics demonstrate that virtually all Stanford admits are at or near the top of their high school classes academically.
Interesting Demographic Information
Stanford's first-year class shows considerable diversity:
International students: 14.3%
Hispanic/Latino: 14.6%
Black or African American: 4.5%
White: 24.1%
Asian: 33.0%
Two or more races: 8.3%
American Indian/Alaska Native: 0.7%
Native Hawaiian/Pacific Islander: 0.1%
What Matters Most in Stanford Admissions
Perhaps the most valuable information in the Common Data Set is Stanford's own rating of admission factors. Here's what Stanford considers most crucial:
"Very Important" Factors
Rigor of secondary school record
Academic GPA
Application Essay
Recommendation(s)
Extracurricular activities
Talent/ability
Character/personal qualities
"Important" Factors
Interview
First generation status
Volunteer work
Work experience
"Considered" Factors
Class rank
Standardized test scores
Alumni/ae relations
Geographical residence
State residency
Level of applicant's interest
"Not Considered" Factors
Religious affiliation/commitment
What These Ratings Mean for Applicants
Stanford's ratings reveal their holistic approach to admissions:
Academics are the foundation: The rigor of your curriculum and GPA are "very important" - you need to challenge yourself with the most demanding courses available to you and perform exceptionally well.
Essays and recommendations matter tremendously: Both are rated as "very important," suggesting that Stanford values the qualitative aspects of your application as much as the numbers.
Character and personal qualities are crucial: This underscores Stanford's interest in who you are beyond your academic achievements.
Extracurricular distinction matters: "Talent/ability" and "extracurricular activities" being rated as "very important" suggests that Stanford values significant achievement or contribution in your activities, not just participation.
Test scores are only "considered": Even though admitted students have outstanding scores, Stanford rates standardized tests as less important than many other factors. However, note that Stanford will resume requiring either the SAT or ACT for undergraduate admission beginning with students applying in fall 2025 for the Class of 2030.
Notable Observations
Several other details from the Common Data Set stand out:
Retention rate: 98.2% of first-year students return for their sophomore year, indicating extremely high student satisfaction.
Six-year graduation rate: 91.9%, showing that once admitted, most students successfully complete their degrees.
Student-to-faculty ratio: 6:1, one of the lowest in the nation, offering students exceptional access to faculty.
Class size: 33.2% of classes have fewer than 10 students, and 70.1% have fewer than 20 students.
Housing: 100% of first-year students live in college-owned housing, fostering community.
Early Action: Stanford offers Restrictive Early Action (REA), with applications due November 1 and decisions by December 15.
What This Means for Future Applicants
For students aspiring to Stanford, these numbers highlight the importance of:
Academic excellence: Taking the most challenging courses available and excelling in them.
Authentic engagement: Developing genuine interests and making meaningful contributions.
Character development: Demonstrating positive personal qualities through your actions and impact.
Powerful writing: Crafting essays that reveal your authentic voice and perspective.
Strong recommendations: Building relationships with teachers who can speak to your intellectual curiosity and classroom contributions.
Remember that while these statistics provide insight into Stanford's admissions process, they don't tell the full story of what makes a successful applicant. Stanford seeks students who will contribute to their community in diverse and meaningful ways, not just those with perfect numbers.
As Stanford resumes requiring standardized testing for future classes, applicants should prepare accordingly while remembering that test scores remain just one factor in a holistic review process.
Need help applying to Stanford for the 2025-2026 admissions cycle? If so, contact an admissions expert today.
