Admissions

We seek intellectually curious students with a record of achievement inside and outside the classroom. Admission is selective.

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Summer 2021 Admissions

There is one round of admissions to Stanford Pre-Collegiate Summer Institutes this summer. All applications should be submitted by the stated deadline.

Application Deadline

Wednesday, March 10, 2021

Notification Date

By early May 2021

Application Now Closed

Our application for the 2021 Stanford Pre-Collegiate Summer Institutes is now closed. To learn about future opportunities, please join our mailing list.

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Admissions Overview

Students in grades 8–11 at the time of application submission are eligible. For specific grade ranges that each course is open to, please see the course descriptions in our course catalog.

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Course Selection

Students may apply to up to three courses. Please rank your top choices on the application.

Review Process

Applications will be reviewed by our admissions team. Each application is evaluated holistically. If offered admission, an applicant is admitted into one course determined to be the best fit, taking into consideration applicant course preferences and overall suitability and preparation for the course.

Notification of Admissions Decision

Once an application is complete, the applicant will be notified of our admissions decision on the notification date. Decisions are final and cannot be appealed.

Application Process

1. Start an Application

Create a Stanford Pre-Collegiate Summer Institutes application account. The application account should be made with the student applicant's legal name, but a parent email address may be used to receive application communications.

The application is currently closed.

2. Review Application Checklist

In addition to the online application form, a complete application includes:

Academic Records
- We require unofficial transcripts for each school or academic program you took graded courses at from Fall 2018 through Fall 2020. If you have multiple grade reports from one school, rather than one transcript from that school, please combine that into a single file for upload. Homeschooled applicants should submit a document similar to a transcript with their coursework from the years listed above. Homeschooled students should also submit transcripts from any graded courses they took with a school or program during this period.
Work Sample(s)
- At least one sample of student work will be required. Two may be required based on the courses the applicant indicates interest in. Work samples must have been completed as a school assignment within the past year and must demonstrate a student’s best effort. If possible, your sample should show graded work and the prompt or directions, but graded work is not required. No work sample older than two years will be accepted. Please see the Online Application for more detail about the subject your work sample should be from.
Teacher Recommendation(s)
- We require at least one recommendation letter. Two recommendations from different subject areas may be required based on the courses the applicant indicates interest in.
Video Essay (Optional)
- This video essay is an opportunity to share more about yourself. You can consider it a conversation between you and our Admissions Committee, or you may also choose to tell us something you haven't mentioned elsewhere in the application. If you attend a school in which the primary language of instruction is a language other than English, we strongly encourage you to complete the video essay.
$65 Application Fee
- You may submit the $65 application fee online using a credit card. Please see instructions for payment at the end of the Online Application.

3. Check Your Application Status

After completing your application, return to the Application Status and Materials Checklist page to make sure all of your application materials have been submitted. When your admissions decision is ready, you will receive an email notification that prompts you to log in to this page for the decision.

Financial Aid

Financial aid is granted based upon need. Students who wish to be considered for both partial and full scholarships should submit a complete online financial aid application and all required income documentation. Please submit your financial aid application with your program application, no later than the application deadline.

Learn More About Financial Aid

Statement on Diversity and Inclusion

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At Stanford Pre-Collegiate Studies, we promote an inclusive learning environment for students from around the world. We believe that fostering a diverse community enriches learning for the next generation of global citizens. We recognize and respect all areas of diversity including, but not limited to: cultures, socioeconomic background, race, ethnicity, gender, gender identity, sexual orientation, abilities/disabilities, religion, and life experience.

Stanford University and Stanford Pre-Collegiate Studies Nondiscrimination Policy

Stanford University admits qualified students of any race, color, national or ethnic origin, sex, age, disability, religion, sexual orientation, gender identity, veteran status, or marital status to all the rights, privileges, programs, and activities generally accorded or made available to students at the University. Consistent with its obligations under the law, in the administration of the University's programs and activities, Stanford prohibits unlawful discrimination on the basis of race, color, national or ethnic origin, sex, age, disability, religion, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, veteran status, marital status or any other characteristic protected by applicable law; Stanford also prohibits unlawful harassment including sexual harassment and sexual violence. This policy applies to Stanford programs and activities both on and off-campus, including overseas programs.

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Admissions Frequently Asked Questions

Is there a way to receive an admissions decision early?

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No. Due to the volume of applications received, we are not able to offer any admissions decisions before the designated notification date. Our admission committee reviews applications in a holistic manner and must review all applications to determine final admission decisions. All applicants will be notified of their admissions decision on the designated notification date. We cannot make exceptions.

Can the application deadline be extended?

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No. Applications must be received by the stated deadline in order to be considered. Please review the Admissions page to note the application deadline.

Do applicants from previous years need to apply again for this summer? Do they need to send in all new materials for this year?

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Yes. Applicants must submit a new and complete application, including updated supplemental documents, each year.

Does Stanford Pre-Collegiate Studies offer financial aid?

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Limited financial aid is available and granted based upon need. Students who wish to be considered for both partial and full scholarships should submit a complete online financial aid application and all required income documentation.

If the tuition cost is a barrier, we encourage you to apply for aid. Please be sure to include any relevant clarifications your family's circumstance in your application. Aid can be awarded to both domestic and international participants.