Stanford University Review

Stanford University Overview

Established as a coeducational and non-denominational institution by former California Governor Leland Stanford, Stanford University opened its doors in 1891. Today, it is a world-renowned research university that had a total research budget of $1.06 billion during the fiscal year of 2008-2009. A leader in research and innovation in the fields of computer science and engineering, Stanford University was the birthplace of many important technological inventions, including DSL, identity-based email encryption and Google.

In 2008, Stanford had an undergraduate student population of 6,812 and a graduate student population of 8,328. It has been ranked as the 4th best university in the country by U.S. News and World Report.

Admissions and Enrollment Overview

Stanford University offers two undergraduate admission options, the Restrictive Early Action option and the Regular Decision option. Students choose the Restrictive Early Action option when Stanford is their first choice and they wish to receive an early admission decision. Applications can be completed online. All applicants must take either the ACT Plus Writing or the SAT general test and have their scores submitted to Stanford by the testing service. Graduate applicants should apply directly to their department or program of interest.

Campus Facilities and Learning Environment

Stanford University houses over 20 libraries, including biology, chemistry and chemical engineering, business, law, music, engineering, physics and education. Journals are available both online through the university's subscription system and in print at the university libraries. Laboratory courses in engineering and science are taught in state-of-the-art teaching labs housed in the departments of physics, biology, chemistry and engineering.

Stanford University has 1,878 tenure-track faculty members, including 16 Nobel laureates, 136 members of the National Academy of Sciences and four Pulitzer Prize winners. Students gain access to and receive guidance from faculty members by taking freshman seminars, attending professors' office hours and conversing with their faculty advisors.

Schools at Stanford University

• School of Humanities and Sciences
• School of Earth Sciences
• School of Engineering
• School of Medicine
• School of Law
• Graduate School of Business
• School of Education

Contact Information

• Address: 450 Sierra Mall, Stanford, CA 94305
• Phone Number: (650) 723-2300