Approaching Stanford

Students in a huddle smiling, Approaching Stanford banner
Welcome to Stanford
Welcome! (This website will be updated in May 2016 for the Class of 2020 and new Transfers.) Approaching Stanford is the process that will guide you in your transition to Stanford. The information on this website, along with the Approaching Stanford Handbook and summer communications to your @stanford.edu email account, will provide you with everything you need to prepare for your first year here. Be sure to read the time-sensitive materials to complete your Approaching Stanford Forms and check back throughout the summer for updates and announcements on this website. If you have questions, please contact us: approaching@stanford.edu, (650) 723-7674.
Approaching Stanford
New Student Orientation (2016)
New Student Orientation (NSO) 2016 will be held from Tuesday, September 20 (Move-In Day), to Sunday, September 25, 2016, 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.
Approaching Stanford Forms Instructions & Link (2015)
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.
Vaden Health Forms Instructions & Link (2015)
You must complete several forms associated with the Entrance Medical Requirements by the stated deadlines before becoming a student at Stanford. The Vaden Health Forms are due for freshmen on Tuesday, June 30, 2015, and for transfers on Friday, July 31, 2015. In addition to completing the forms, you will need to submit an official record of your immunizations to the Vaden Health Center.
Important Summer Dates and Deadlines (2015)
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.
Approaching Stanford Mailings, Publications & Newsletters (2015)
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.
Approaching Stanford Guide (2015)
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.
Moving to the Farm (2015)
As Move-In Day draws closer, you will be planning what to pack and preparing for your move to Stanford.
Approaching Stanford for Parents & Families (2015)
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.
Three Books (2015)
President John Hennessy served as the faculty moderator for the Three Books program, a cherished Stanford NSO tradition. The selections were: The Innovators by Walter Isaacson, This Boy’s Life by Stanford professor Tobias Wolff, and Cane River by Lalita Tademy. The program was held on Friday, September 18, 2015.
Stanford InYourClass (2015)
During the Approaching Stanford period students connected with Stanford administrators and each other on Stanford InYourClass! Students logged in to this secure site with their SUNet ID and password and clicked on "ClassOf2019" under "Groups". Students posted questions and got responses from the Approaching Stanford team and other University staff. We hosted "Office Hours" with Stanford programs and resources so students could learn more and ask questions: FroSoCo, ITALIC, SLE, ESF, Thinking Matters, Housing Assignments, Language Center, Financial Aid, Recreation, and more.
Updates, Contact Information, and Frequently Asked Questions (2015)
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 OCs and Professional Staff (2015)
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.