How to Get into Stanford from India?

Stanford is the world's most prestigious university, which ranks among the top academic institutions globally. Indian students who wish to join Stanford University should know that admissions can be challenging but rewarding if cracked in the first attempt. This article will help you understand the essential steps and strategies required to increase your chances of admission to Stanford University.

Are you planning to get into Stanford from India? Do you know, that getting admission to Stanford University requires a combination of academic excellence, unique personal qualities, and strategic application planning? Studying in USA and at its top-ranking university - Stanford can be challenging, but with the right strategy, nothing is impossible. This article will guide Indian students through the essential steps and strategies to improve their chances of admission at Stanford. Plus understand how to get into Stanford from India in detail.

How to Get into Stanford from India?

Since Standford University is one of the most popular US universities, plus Stanford's acceptance rates are lowest among others, thus, admissions can be tough. Also, Stanford is one of the hardest universities to get into USA. Let us navigate how to get into Stanford by covering the following questions:

1. Checklist of Documents Required at Stanford
2. Understanding Stanford’s Admission Requirements
3. Appropriate Deadline to Choose for Stanford's Admission 
4. Selection Criteria at Stanford University
5. Choosing the Right Deadlines at Stanford for Admission
6. Stanford Admission Challenges for Indian Applicants
7. Writing a Compelling Stanford University Application

All these questions will help us understand how Indian students can get into Stanford and make an all-rounder application for admission. 

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Documents Required for Stanford University Admissions from India

The following documents will be required for Stanford University admissions based on the level of course applied for:

Documents for UG Applications at Stanford:

• Common Application and a fee of USD 90
• SAT or ACT scores (reinstated for 2026 admissions)
• School Report form and counselor letter of recommendation
• Official transcripts or academic results
• LORs from two teachers
• Midyear transcripts

ELP test scores are not required at Stanford for undergraduate admissions (for international students). However, those willing to submit scores can submit either IELTS, TOEFL or Duolingo. Also those whose natove language is not English have to submit these scores for admission at Stanford. 

Documents for PG Applications at Stanford:

• Application form and fee of USD 125
• Statement of Purpose (SOP)
• Resume/CV
• 3 LORs
• University or college transcripts
• GRE/GMAT scorecards (for MBA at Stanford or MS courses)
• TOEFL scores

Check out the full list of documents required for masters in USA for international applicants. Once applicants have understood what documents are required to get admission to Stanford, they can go on to understand the admission requirements in detail in the section below.

How to Get into Stanford from India: Important Admission Requirements

Before diving into the application process, it's crucial to understand what Stanford looks for in its applicants. The university seeks students who are not only academically brilliant but also demonstrate leadership, creativity, and a commitment to making a difference.

1. Academic Excellence

Stanford places a strong emphasis on academic achievements. This includes:

• High GPA Score: Stanford does not give a minimum GPA requirement. Thus, applicants should score above 3.5 on a 4.0-point scale.
• Rigorous Coursework: Successful in completing challenging courses, like Advanced Placement (AP), International Baccalaureate (IB), or A-Levels, to strengthen applications.

Check out:

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2. Standardised Test Scores

While Stanford has adopted a test-optionality policy, however, strong standardised test scores can support an application:

• SAT/ACT Scores: If planning to submit SAT or ACT scores, applicants should aim for high scores. As per previous year trends, SAT scores above 1500 are competitive, and ACT scores above 33 are favourable.*
• However, the GRE or GMAT are important for submissions for postgraduate courses admission at Stanford. 

*Note: No minimum ACT or SAT cutoffs are mentioned, but applicants can try and score them for admissions. 

3. Extracurricular Activities

Stanford values well-rounded individuals who are actively engaged in extracurriculars and communities and have demonstrated leadership with an impact:

• Leadership Roles: Participation in student-elected bodies, leading clubs, or initiating community projects could highlight your leadership skills effectively.
• Unique Talents and Achievements: Whether it’s excellence in sports, arts, or academic competitions, showcasing unique talents and achievements can set you apart from other candidates.

Understand - How Application Committees Evaluate Extracurricular Activities?

4. Personal Statement and Essays

Your statement of purpose or personal statement along with admission essays are crucial in showcasing your personality, experiences and aspirations:

• Authenticity in Your Writings: Genuineness should be reflected in your writing. Sharing personal stories and experiences that have shaped your identity and goals can be an added advantage.
• Reflect Stanford’s Values through Your Essays: Demonstrate how you align with Stanford’s values - innovation, leadership, and community involvement.

Pro Tip: Request teachers, mentors, or professionals review your essays to ensure clarity and impact.

Read more:

SOP for USA	Common Mistakes to Avoid in SOP
Shiksha Guidelines for Admission Essays	Word Limit and Essays: How important are they?

5. Letters of Recommendation

Strong letters of recommendation can provide valuable insights into your character and achievements:

• Choose Recommenders Wisely: Select the right recommenders like teachers or mentors who know you well and can provide detailed and enthusiastic endorsements.
• Provide Context: Help your recommenders with background information about your key accomplishments and goals to help them write a personalised letter.

Related Reads:

Sample of Letter of Recommendation	Common Mistakes to Avoid in a LOR
Letter of Recommendation (LOR) Format from Faculty	Things you must include in a recommendation letter

Stanford's application process involves several steps, and early preparation can make a significant difference. The above admission requirements to get into Stanford from India can be crucial for Indian applicants. It is important to note them to ace admissions on the first attempt.

Stanford’s Admission Deadlines 

Indian students thinking about how to get into Stanford from India should first understand the admission deadlines. Stanford University has various application deadlines for undergraduate students, and they are as follows: 

Stanford Application Deadline Details	Restrictive Early Action Deadlines	Regular Decision Deadlines
Standard Application Deadline	November 1	January 5
Application with Optional Arts Portfolio	October 15	December 5
Notification of Missing Documents	Mid-November	Mid-February
Decision Released By	Mid-December	Early April
Student Reply Date	May 1	May 1

Check out course-wise Stanford University Application Deadlines for international students. 

Which Deadline to Choose?: REA or RD if applying from India

Stanford University offers two primary application routes for first-year students: Regular Decision and Restrictive Early Action (REA), each catering to different applicant needs and circumstances.

Regular Decision at Stanford for International Students

Applicants can apply for regular decision at Stanford only if their:

• Grades or scores have recorded better and better over time, or
• Applicants are pursuing classes in senior years (i.e. XI and XII) that are more challenging than these senior classes at school. Or,
• Applicants who are planning to take SAT/ACT or wish to retake them. And,
• Aiming to pursue significant extracurricular projects.

Restrictive Early Action at Stanford for International Students

REA is Stanford University’s non-binding early application deadline. Applicants can consider REA if they:

• Stanford University was their first choice for admission.
• have excelled academically through grade 11.
• Have enough time to complete an all-rounder application before November 1. 

Based on the above guidelines for each deadline, international applicants must choose which suits them the best and then apply at Stanford University. For more details, check out: Which type of deadline to choose to study in USA?

How to Get into Stanford from India?: Admission Challenges

Irrespective of the extensive admission requirements and criteria, there are challenges that Indian students may face to get through Stanford University’s admissions. Indian students pondering over the question - how to get in Stanford University should be able to overcome certain challenges. Check out the kind of challenges Indian applicants may have to face:

• A competitive applicant pool is one major challenge Indian applicants may face. Students from across the globe apply and may
• Linguistic and cultural barriers like accents, lifestyle and a western world tradition can also be challenging for Indian applicants. But how they wish to adopt it can help them gain a spot at Stanford.
• Emphasis on extracurricular activities for Indian students can be challenging. While some Indian applicants may come from remote areas where opportunities are limited, this can be offset by their academic performance.
• A lack of financial resources can also be a reason. Stanford is expensive, but costs can be cut down by applying for scholarships. 
• If applying for STEM-related courses, Indian applicants must show exceptional performance for admission at Stanford. 
• Finally, Indian applicants should be able to draft their essays, and SOP and submit LORs in a manner that includes relevant details plus coincides with Stanford’s values and missions.

Indian applicants can address these challenges during the admissions process at Stanford. Applicants must carefully review the requirements and then draft their applications. But they must keep the selection criteria of Stanford University in mind before countering these challenges. Check them out in the following section. 

Stanford University Selection Criteria

Once the admission requirements, documents required and deadlines are in place, Indian applicants can understand the selection criteria at Stanford University. The selection criteria at Stanford University have a few key takeaways and they are tabulated below:

Stanford University’s Selection Criteria	Description
Holistic Admission Approach	Stanford University reviews applications:  Holistically by considering applicants’:  Academic achievements Personal background Extracurricular activities Personal essays. Apart from these, assessors understand each applicant and their potential contributions to the Stanford community in future.
Academic Excellence	Academic performance is a critical factor in admissions at Stanford. There are no strict GPA, English language proficiency, or standardised test score requirements for undergraduates. The university still holds high value for intellectual curiosity and academic rigour.
Intellectual Vitality	Applicants who show a passion for learning and expanding their intellectual horizons will be selected. Also, those who take initiative and have shown commitment to various activities (academic and non-academic) can be selected.
Extracurricular Activities	The impact of extracurriculars is emphasised and Stanford values contributions in:  Work  Family  Community engagements.
Diversity and Context	Since each applicant is unique, their circumstances and background are also unique in their ways. Thus, applications are considered in the admissions process to foster a diverse student body at Stanford.
Community Engagement	Prospective students are encouraged to engage with Stanford through various events and social media platforms.

Based on the above selection criteria, it is clear that Stanford University employs a holistic admission approach. Hence, it considers each applicant rather than focusing solely on academic metrics.

Top 10 Tips to Write a Compelling Stanford University Application

To crack Stanford University applications in one go, applicants can follow the given pointers for a compelling application:

1. Research about Stanford's values and culture and inculcate them in your admission applications. Don't overdo it, it falls in your applications naturally.
2. Ensure that you include your first-hand experiences, passions, and aspirations. Plus, elaborate on how Stanford can help you achieve your academic and personal goals.
3. Most importantly, you must highlight your academic and extracurricular activities without being boastful.
4. Read the instructions for the SOP/Personal statement - length, requirements and then attempt it. Craft them in an intriguing manner which emphasises your intellect.
5. Choose an apt recommender for recommending you. Ensure they know you and will be able to best recommend for you. 
6. Avoid exaggeration, be authentic and be specific with your answers. You must sound like it's you who is talking through your essays. 
7. Before submitting essays or SOP make sure you proofread and edit them. Ensure they are grammatically correct and have no typos.
8. Demonstrate how fit are you with Stanford's community and take advantage of its opportunities. Additionally, express your enthusiasm for joining Stanford.
9. Draft your essays and keep all your documents ready before starting your Stanford applications. Avoid last-minute curation and editing to prevent panic. In case of doubt, get help. Sign up for free counselling at Shiksha Abroad Counselling.
10. Submit your application on time, meet the deadlines and double-check all requirements and supplemental materials.

Overall, Indian applicants to Stanford need to put in significant effort to craft a compelling and differentiated application that showcases their strengths, experiences, and potential contributions to the university community. With careful planning and dedication, Indian applicants can make a compelling case for admission and achieve their dream of studying at Stanford.

This was all about how to get into Stanford University from India afer 12th. Indian applicants who have scored 75+ percentiles in the GMAT, GRE or SAT exams can opt for Shiksha Topper Counselling to get admission to Stanford University.