On This Page:
- General Questions
- Approaching Stanford Forms
- Academic Advising
- New Student Orientation
- Arrival
- Packing and Settling In
- Parents
Freshman FAQs
General Questions
I need an enrollment verification for insurance or scholarship purposes. How do I obtain one?
Enrollment verifications are available through Axess, but only after you have registered for courses. As an incoming freshman, you do not register for courses until New Student Orientation, and thus you cannot request enrollment verifications through Axess over this summer. If you need an enrollment verification, contact the insurance company or scholarship agency. In most cases, they will allow you to send the enrollment verification after you register for courses in the fall. If they will not wait, please send an email to frosh@stanford.edu.
Where do I send my final high school transcript?
An official copy of your final transcript must be mailed (not faxed) to:
Office of Undergraduate Admission
Stanford University
Montag Hall,
355 Galvez St.
Stanford, CA 94305
How can I be sure my final high school transcript has been received?
You will receive a note from Undergraduate Admission only if your transcript is not received. If the Undergraduate Admission does not contact you regarding your final high school transcript, you can assume that it was received by the University.
I’m missing a mailing. What should I do?
Go over the mailing checklist to look at the mailing date for each mailing. If more than 10 days have passed and you still haven’t received a scheduled mailing, first check the summer blog on the Freshman page of the Undergraduate Academic Life website. If no delays are reported, send an email with your full name, your mailing address, and the mailing you are missing to frosh@stanford.edu.
Why do I need a SUNet ID?
Your SUNet ID is the first part of your Stanford email address (sunetid@stanford.edu), and you will use it to access Stanford-only online resources (such as your Approaching Stanford forms). More information on SUNet IDs is available in Approaching Stanford in the Computer Resources section.
How do I create my SUNet ID?
To create your SUNet ID, go to http://sunetid.stanford.edu.
I can’t find my Stanford ID number. Where is it?
Your Stanford ID number is located on your Stanford acceptance letter and on the welcome letter from Vice Provost for Undergraduate Education that was sent in the first big Approaching Stanford mailing.
Approaching Stanford Forms
Are the Approaching Stanford forms really due by the deadline?
Yes! We start reading your forms right away!
I need to make changes to the information I submitted on my Approaching Stanford forms. How do I do that?
Once you submit your forms, you won’t be able to go back into the forms to make changes. Thus, it’s very important that you review your answers before you send them to us. If you have questions about this, please send an email to frosh@stanford.edu.
Why do I have to write so much? I thought I was already accepted to Stanford.
Writing thoughtful, honest responses is essential. The more you share with us, the better we know about your interests, your goals, and your personality. Having a feel for who you are helps us better match you with a roommate and an academic advisor.
How do I know how to rank my IHUM preferences on Form #4?
The IHUM Catalogue provides a lot of information about each IHUM offering. Read through these descriptions carefully. Look through the required texts. Go to a bookstore or library and get a feel of what you would be studying in each. Listen to your gut, and rank accordingly.
How do I decide how to rank my housing preferences on Form #8?
Be sure to read the information in Approaching Stanford about the different housing types, and click here for additional information.
The system won’t accept my digital photo on Form #14. What’s wrong?
Your photo is used for a number of purposes, including your ID card and the Facebook that is printed and given to all incoming students. To meet these different needs, we require some specific requirements for your photo. We have a page set up to help guide you through the process here.
Academic Advising
How am I assigned to an academic advisor?
You will be assigned to two advisors. Your UAR Advisor is assigned based on which dorm you’re in. You are paired with your Academic Advisor based on your responses to the advising form in Approaching Stanford. See the Academics section in the Approaching Stanford handbook for more information or click here for more information about Freshman Advising at Stanford.
When will I learn who my advisors are?
Your UAR Advisor will contact you in early September. You’ll meet your Academic Advisor after you arrive on-campus during New Student Orientation.
How do I schedule my first meeting with my Academic Advisor?
Your Peer Mentor will contact you on Tuesday, September 16, the first day of New Student Orientation, to let you know when and where you will be meeting your Academic Advisor. Many advising appointments will take place on either Thursday, September 20 or Friday, September 21.
When do I register for courses?
You will sign up for courses in Axess after you arrive on campus. During New Student Orientation, you will first meet with your Academic Advisor to figure out your study list for Autumn Quarter, then enroll in your courses.
But I want to figure out my classes now!
We love your enthusiasm, but rest assured that you don’t need to have everything figured out now. Talking with your advisors early and often will help you find the best way to explore your interests within Stanford’s offerings and requirements.
How do I prepare for my first meeting with my Academic Advisor?
The summer is a great time to think broadly about what interests you (and doesn’t interest you). You have the Stanford Bulletin, Approaching Stanford, and the Undergraduate Academic Life website (http://undergrad.stanford.edu) to begin this exploration. Take note of what classes you are excited to take and what areas of study intrigue you. These will help guide your conversation with your advisor.
I have requested AP or other transfer credits. How do I know if I am receiving those credits?
Approved credits will be posted in Axess, under the “External Credit” function, on or around September 1.
Who can answer my questions about foreign language placement or Stanford's Language Requirement?
For questions about foreign language placement or the Language Requirement, contact Patricia de Castries at patricia@stanford.edu.
Arrival
What date should I plan to arrive on campus?
New Student Orientation begins on Tuesday, September 16. The vast majority of students will arrive that morning; a small percentage of students who are participating in specific pre-Orientation programs will arrive on campus a few days earlier. These programs are the Stanford Pre-Orientation Trips (SPOT), Native American student retreat, and International New Student Orientation. (Participants in these programs should check their registration materials for their arrival date. If you have additional questions, please email frosh@stanford.edu.) We look forward to welcoming all other students on September 16, when the residential staff will be ready to greet you.
What time should I arrive on Tuesday, September 16?
You should not arrive before 8:00 a.m. on Tuesday, September 16 since campus will be continuing to prepare for your arrival up until that time. The earlier you arrive on campus, however, the more time you will have to start settling into your room. We do recommend that you arrive no later than 2:00 p.m. on this day.
Where can I find directions to campus?
Click here for information about accessing Stanford by plane or by car. You will also find links to a detailed Move-In Map on this page.
I'm arriving by car. Where can I park on September 16?
If you or your parents plan to have a car on campus during Orientation, you will need to display a temporary parking pass in your parked car at all times to avoid receiving a ticket. You will receive this pass in early August with Mailing #4. Although frosh are not allowed to have cars on campus once school has begun, transfer students who intend to keep a car on campus after Orientation must be sure to purchase a parking permit from Parking and Transportation Services before the temporary Orientation permit expires.
What if I have questions about the freshman transportation policy?
Parking and Transportation Services has posted the Freshman Transportation Policy on its website. Also available is an FAQ list about the policy and information about Alternative Transportation.
New Student Orientation
When is New Student Orientation and when do classes begin?
NSO runs from Tuesday, September 16 through Sunday, September 21, 2008. Classes begin on Monday, September 22.
How busy will I be during Orientation?
You will be extremely busy. There are many events and programs to attend across the six days of Orientation. While many events are mandatory, you will also have opportunities to choose what interests you and what you believe will benefit you as you become oriented to Stanford. After September 1, the complete NSO Event Calendar will be posted here, and you will receive a printed calendar when you arrive.
If I'm an international student, when will I receive information about New International Student Orientation?
This information will be be sent in June to the email address(es) listed on the your Declaration of Finances Form.
Whom should I contact if I need information about disability-related acommodations for NSO events?
For questions about accommodations such as wheelchair access and sign language interpreters, please contact Sheila Sanchez, the Disability Accommodations Coordinator in the Diversity and Access Office. Telephone (650) 725-0326; TTY: (650) 723-1216; email disability.access@stanford.edu.
Packing and Settling In
What do I need to bring to Stanford?
Please click here for the list of essential and suggested items to bring or to get after you arrive. Please understand that no list can be comprehensive; many students are satisfied with much less, while others bring much more.
Where can I find information about where to purchase supplies on or near campus?
We have compiled a list of on-campus and local shopping locations. Note that Stanford's Parking and Transportation Services operates the Marguerite Shuttle system, which features a daily Shopping Express route during the academic year (September - June). Free buses run every 45 minutes to the San Antonio Shopping Center in Mountain View (stores include Target, Wal-Mart, Sears, Trader Joe's, Safeway, Longs Drugs). Click here to view the list.
Can I ship belongings to campus?
Yes, many students choose to ship items that would be impractical or unwieldy to bring with them For more information about shipping addresses, please click here.
I plan to set up a new cellular phone and/or bank account on campus. What do you recommend?
Click here for more information about cellular providers, financial institutions, and other essential services in the Stanford area.
Parents
What events are scheduled for my parents?
Parent programs are scheduled for Tuesday, September 16 and will include opportunities for your parents to meet representatives from many campus offices, meet members of the Stanford Parents’ Club, and hear from a panel including Stanford parents. Click here for a PDF of the NSO Parent Events Calendar.
When should I plan to say goodbye to my parents?
All parent programming is scheduled for Tuesday, September 16. The traditional time for students and parents to say goodbye is at the 5:45 p.m. “Welcome Home” event in your residence. There will be very little time after this first day for you to spend with your parents.
Where do my parents stay during Orientation?
There are many hotels located near the Stanford campus. Visitor Information Services maintains a list of local hotels, their distance from campus, and their approximate costs. You can access the list of local lodging options here.
How can my parents purchase tickets for the Parent Dinner with the Provost?
The deadline to for advance purchase of tickets to the Parent Dinner with the Provost passed on August 29. Any remaining tickets will be available for purchase on September 16th at the Parent Lounge in Tresidder Memorial Union from 9:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m. Any tickets remaining after 3:00 p.m. will be available as of 6:00 p.m. at the dinner venue. The event has sold out in the past, so we encourage your parents to purchase their tickets early in the day if they did not already purchase them in advance. For more information, click here.