Why Stanford University? Facts About Stanford University
by
Indigo Research Team
Published:
October 17, 2024
Last Updated:
July 16, 2025
When considering elite higher institutions, it’s hard not to think about Stanford University. As an “Ivy League Plus school”, Stanford University has earned its reputation as one of the best in the world. It was established in 1885 in Stanford, California, and since then, it has consistently enjoyed an outstanding record and reputation for academic excellence, groundbreaking research, and innovation. Should you be interested in Stanford University?
Really, it comes down to Stanford’s unmatched educational opportunities. Its professors include some of the leading academics in their fields, and, as a product of their extremely successful alumni base and resulting endowment, the school has very well-funded resources and grant opportunities. Stanford also houses hundreds of student organizations on campus to help you prepare for your career. These perks make Stanford attractive, but you may be wondering, "Is Stanford University right for me or not?” Read on to find out!
Stanford is made up of 7 professional schools:
What makes Stanford unique? Why should you study here? Here are 8 reasons why:
Everyone knows that Stanford is an academic powerhouse. It offers a multitude of undergraduate and graduate programs through seven schools of study. The Stanford faculty also includes Nobel laureates, MacArthur Fellows, and internationally renowned pioneers in their respective fields. Their interdisciplinary approach allows students to explore as many fields of study as they wish, and it encourages them to become well-rounded individuals competent in a wide range of subjects.
The small student-to-faculty ratio of 6:1 allows for each student to have a close and personal relationship with their teacher. Students also have the opportunity to shape their own campus experience within a flexible curriculum so as to best prepare for their future goals. When applying to Stanford, you’ll need strong teacher recommendations. Find out how to ask for teacher recommendations here.
Stanford University’s campus life offers students a lively experience. Their research facilities, recreation departments, labs, athletic facilities, and student-run organizations offer students numerous ways to get involved in the Stanford community outside the classroom.
Students are encouraged to 'live' at Stanford, not just to 'study' there. There are more than 700 student organizations that help students to do so; if you’re interested in something, chances are there is a club at Stanford where you can meet other students who share that interest. Concerts and festivals are staged throughout the year as well, and the vibrant residential community offers themed housing and a tight-knit, supportive community.
Is Stanford good at providing global exposure? Absolutely. Through its many international partnerships and study abroad opportunities, Stanford helps students develop a global perspective and an understanding of different cultures. The university has longstanding partnerships with more than 50 educational, research, and business institutions across nearly every continent.
Stanford students have a chance to pursue classes or research abroad in hundreds of amazing places spanning from Beijing to Cape Town. Students interested in an international experience can also participate in top international competitions before entering Stanford.
Moreover, the university's students and personnel come from more than 90 countries, which means that its members are exposed to different cultures and ideas as part of a global campus where diversity is celebrated.
Stanford's prestige extends beyond academics. Here, students are encouraged to pursue passions and interests beyond their academics by partaking in a wide range of extracurricular activities. To help students immerse themselves in these activities, Stanford has more than 700 student-run organizations focusing on different interests. From social issues to politics, technology, and entrepreneurship, every person is bound to find a place where they fit in.
Also, the school supports traditional athletic groups and also provides students a chance to play club or intramural sports. It also provides volunteer programs and service-learning opportunities through the Haas Centre for Public Service, which helps students achieve meaningful local and global impacts.
With a multitude of art-making opportunities available to students, it’s no surprise that Stanford is often referred to as a hub for artistic expression. From art galleries to theatres and open public stages, creativity and artistic education can be found all across the campus. Each year, dozens of arts programs are conducted on campus, including opening parties for the theatre season, exhibitions, festivals, and many more.
Stanford is also known for having some of the finest museums in the world, such as the Cantor Arts Center and the Anderson Collection. Inside these museums, you'll find many of the world's most valuable articles. By exploring arts at Stanford, students not only enrich their ability to express themselves but also immerse themselves in the rich tradition and culture behind the artworks.
Is Stanford prestigious in research as well? You bet. Stanford students can easily tap into its world-leading research opportunities across a wide range of subject areas. With more than 7,500 externally sponsored projects per year and research funding that exceeded $1.98 billion in 2023, students have the opportunity to participate in breakthrough research to make a positive impact on society.
They also get to work with researchers in renowned centers such as the Stanford Artificial Intelligence Laboratory, the Hoover Institution, and the SLAC National Accelerator Laboratory. There are several different fields to explore from engineering and medicine to the social sciences. These research initiatives enrich their learning and also prepare them for the professional world.
Generous financial aid programs are why Stanford University remains a top choice for students from diverse financial backgrounds. This ensures that students are never deterred from applying to Stanford because of the cost of admission or attendance. Stanford's world-class financial aid programs make it possible to review applications from domestic students on a need-blind basis: if you’re qualified, they’ll make sure you get the money you need to attend.
Grants, scholarships, and work-study programs enable many to graduate debt-free. Students from families whose annual income is less than $150,000 usually pay nothing towards tuition, and those who earn less than $100,000 often receive grants that lower the cost of room and board. The university goes to great lengths to ensure that opportunity at Stanford isn't limited to the children of those who already have a leg up. Stanford welcomes the best and brightest people from all walks of life.
Stanford’s reputation as an elite school is reflected in its powerful alumni network. From the technology and finance fields to politics and arts, Stanford alumni have made significant contributions to the world. Its graduates include influential business leaders such as Larry Page, Elon Musk, Sergey Brin, and many more.
Current students benefit from alumni connections in opportunities such as mentorship, internships, and post-graduation employment. Many Stanford alumni are willing to support and connect with current students and graduates. So, it's easier for students to quickly enter the workforce and gain industry insights through a lifelong connection.
Stanford sets high educational standards for all applicants. It is expected that you’ve achieved exceptional grades in your high school courses, and that those courses were the most challenging available at your school. It is also expected that you’ve had exceptional accomplishments in your extracurriculars, research projects, competitions, and other pursuits. Stanford is extremely competitive, and admission requires demonstrated excellence.Stanford has resumed requiring SAT/ACT scores, after many schools paused them during and following COVID. As for specifics, most students who gain admission to Stanford report scores over 1550. Applicants must also show a clear passion for learning and a strong capacity for critical thinking and problem-solving.
While grades and test scores are important at Stanford — as for most other universities — the admissions board assesses applicants through a holistic admissions process, meaning that your demonstrated involvement in activities and communities outside of school is valued.What Stanford Alumni Have to Say About Their Experience
Talking with Stanford alumni, it is not uncommon to hear them articulate a feeling about what makes their alma mater unique. Here are some shared experiences and key pieces of advice from some Stanford alumni:
While speaking at the Celebrating Founders' symposium, President John Hennessy said:
“I’m often asked, ‘What does Stanford do to promote innovation?' “I tell them, ‘You create an environment where creativity flourishes, where innovation can happen and you create an incubator, a place that inspires.”
True to this claim, Stanford is known as an innovation hub. Stanford boasts more successful entrepreneurs than any other university, followed by MIT and Harvard.
Given the seriousness of Stanford's academic performance, you may wonder "Is Stanford fun?” Fortunately it is. Sports and extracurricular activities are popular on Stanford campus. Ramona Shelburne shares her double life enjoying the best of both worlds — the fun and academic parts of the university.
She describes Stanford as an institution “...which has probably the best combination of academics and athletics in the nation.” She goes on to discuss the importance of integrating academic and social experiences.
“If student-athletes want non-athletes to take us seriously, we have to take ourselves seriously. We have to step up academically and branch out socially…” she states. These reflections illustrate not only the fun aspect of Stanford student life but also the meaningful experiences that shape its community.
Officiating as panelists at the Celebrating Founders symposium, some alumni stressed the importance of pursuing passions over conventional paths. Jessica Jackley, co-founder of Kiva, urges students to “have a strong vision to pull you forward to those things you want to create in the world.”
Similarly, Kiah Williams, founder of SIRUM, advises, “Don’t do stuff that you don’t care about, even if it’ll look good on your resume.”
These sentiments show an expanding trend among successful entrepreneurs and innovators who are favoring purpose-driven work over traditional trajectories in building a career.
Stanford University is considered a top-tier institution because it provides intellectual stimulation, a vibrant community, and next-level research opportunities. It gives you a golden opportunity to pursue your academic interests and career aspirations in an intellectually rigorous environment.
If you’re looking for other ways to boost your competitiveness for top universities, check out our Indigo Research program. As admissions become more competitive by the year, being able to list a unique experience will differentiate you from the thousands of other applicants. Working on an interesting research project reflects your initiative, intellectual curiosity, and love for pursuing academic excellence. Indigo Research can provide the perfect opportunity for this kind of student-led independent research experience.
Indigo matches students with mentors who are experts in their fields to complete high-level research projects aimed at publication. Indigo also hosts the Indigo Academic Conference, which allows students to complete such a project and present their discoveries to university-level academics once they finish. Students who deliver their research projects at this conference can also earn college credits from the University of California, Santa Barbara. These credits serve as tangible proof of a student’s ability to work and succeed at the college level. These credits are also accepted and transferable to numerous other major universities in the UK and the US. Institutions in these countries consider credits from established universities like UCSB as a marker of academic discipline and rigor. This transferability opens doors for students pursuing higher education at top-class institutions abroad.
If you want to know how you can finish a publishable research paper while earning college credits from UCSB, check out our Indigo Research programs and book an initial consultation with us today. We offer flexible research opportunities with top university professors that will suit your passions.
If you're hoping to get ahead in your application process, consider participating in a research program. Our research program provides an excellent opportunity to show off your intellectual inquiry, leadership, and research experience which ultimately will make your applications to Stanford more impactful.
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If you're hoping to get ahead in your application process, consider participating in a research program. Our research program provides an excellent opportunity to show off your intellectual inquiry, leadership, and research experience which ultimately will make your applications to Stanford more impactful.
