Admissions

Summer 2025 Admissions

We seek intellectually curious students with a passion for learning. Admission to Stanford Pre-Collegiate Summer Institutes is selective.

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

Thursday, March 20, 2025 at 11:59 pm Pacific Time

Decision Release Date

Mid-May 2025

Application Will Open in Mid-December 2024

Our application for the 2025 Stanford Pre-Collegiate Summer Institutes will open in mid-December. To learn about future opportunities, join our mailing list.

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Admissions Overview

Students in grades 8–11 at the time of application submission are eligible. Many courses are restricted to certain grade level ranges. See the course descriptions in our course catalog for details.

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Course Selection

Students may rank to up to three courses in their application. If admitted, they will enroll in only one course.

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, overall suitability and preparation for the course, and space available.

Notification of Admissions Decision

Once an application is complete, the applicant will be notified of the outcome of their application on our decision release 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 from which you earned grades (such as letter or numerical grades) from Fall 2021 through Fall 2023. 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.
Video Essay (Optional)
This video essay is an opportunity to share more about your interest in our program. You can consider it a conversation between you and our Admissions Committee. 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. See instructions for payment at the end of the Online Application. Fee waivers can be provided if qualifications are met. Please contact precollegiate@stanford.edu.

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 to view the decision.

Financial Aid

Financial aid is granted based upon demonstrated financial need. Students who wish to be considered for both partial and full financial aid awards should submit a complete online financial aid application and all required income documentation. Please submit your financial aid application by the financial aid application deadline, usually one week after the admissions application deadline.

Learn More About Financial Aid

Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging

Hoover Tower and Green Library on Stanford campus.

Stanford Pre-Collegiate Studies (SPCS) is committed to fostering a diverse, inclusive and accessible community. We honor students’ authentic identities, varied perspectives, thoughts and experiences in all of our programs.

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 Admissions 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.

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 is granted based upon demonstrated financial need. Students who wish to be considered for both partial and full financial aid awards 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 of your family's circumstance in your application. Financial aid can be awarded to both domestic and international participants.

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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