Approaching Stanford

We are delighted that you have chosen to spend the next few years here on The Farm, and we are excited to get to know you. Each of you will bring a unique set of experiences, ideas, and enthusiasms to Stanford, and we can’t wait to see what happens when you come together as classmates and share those parts of yourself with one another. In the days and weeks ahead, we will be communicating with you regularly as you get ready to start your Stanford journey. Our Orientation Coordinators (OCs) as well as our entire professional staff in Undergraduate Advising and Research are here to answer your questions and ensure that your transition to Stanford is a smooth one. Be sure to let us know how we can help you, whether by email, phone, or using our online platform, Stanford InYourClass. - Rob Urstein, Dean of Freshmen

As September 15 draws closer, you will be planning what to pack and preparing for your move to Stanford.

New Student Orientation (NSO) 2015 will be held from Tuesday, September 15, to Sunday, September 20, 2015, the day before Autumn Quarter classes begin. NSO is required for all new students and you are expected to participate fully in NSO activities, which will take place from morning to late evening each day. NSO is designed to provide you with an introduction to the wide array of academic, intellectual, leadership, cultural, and social experiences available to you at Stanford.

The Approaching Stanford Guide is the online version of the Approaching Stanford Handbook. Browse the topics in this guide for information on preparing for Stanford, including instructions for completing your Approaching Stanford Forms.

In preparation for your arrival, Stanford will send you frequent communications by email and postal mail from mid-May to September. Those listed on this page are essential to your transition process. Be sure to complete any required actions by the posted deadlines, if applicable to you.

Welcome, Parents and Families! Check here for information about the summer Parent Mailing, our new online platform just for parents with Q&A sessions, tickets for the NSO Parent Dinner with the Provost, and more.

President John Hennessy will serve as the faculty moderator for this year's Three Books program, a cherished Stanford NSO tradition. The selections are: The Innovators by Walter Isaacson, This Boy’s Life by Stanford professor Tobias Wolff, and Cane River by Lalita Tademy. The program will be held on Friday, September 18, 2015.

Connect with Stanford administrators and each other on Stanford InYourClass! Beginning May 13 for freshmen and June 10 for new transfers, you can log in to this secure site with your SUNet ID and password and click on "ClassOf2019" under "Groups". Transfers will also be members of the "2015 Transfers" Group. Post your questions and get responses from the Approaching Stanford team and other University staff. We'll also be hosting "Office Hours" with Stanford programs and resources this summer so you can learn more and ask questions: FroSoCo, ITALIC, SLE, ESF, Thinking Matters, Housing Assignments, Language Center, Financial Aid, Recreation, and more. Check your weekly Approaching Stanford Newsletter sent to your @stanford.edu email account for upcoming Office Hours in Stanford IYC.

Check here for the weekly Approaching Stanford Newsletter along with PDF documents of the Approaching Stanford mailings and publications, including the Approaching Stanford Handbook. This list will be updated throughout the summer as additional publications and newsletters are released. Remember to check your Stanford email account at webmail.stanford.edu each week for the Newsletter, which will begin on May 18 for freshmen and June 15 for new transfers.

Find the contact information for campus resources in this section and review these updates and frequently asked questions from new students. The FAQs will be updated throughout the summer. Check here for the link to the Stanford Admitted Student Questionnaire.

Meet the student Orientation Coordinators and professional staff at UAR who will be helping you over the summer as you prepare for Stanford. Feel free to contact us - we're looking forward to getting to know you.

All incoming freshmen and transfers must complete these required forms which will open on May 13 for freshmen and on June 10 for transfers. You will not be able to access your forms before these dates. The deadline to submit your forms is: Monday, June 8, 2015 at 5:00 p.m. (PDT) for freshmen; and Wednesday, July 1 , 2015 at 5:00 p.m. (PDT) for new transfers. The information you provide in these forms will be used to prepare for your arrival.