Frequently Asked Questions

The Application Process

• What kind of student are you looking for?
• Should all of the application components be sent in together?
• Will exceptions be made to the age/grade requirements?
• Are scholarship applicants able to waive the $50 application fee?
• I plan on applying for a scholarship, but my parents have not filed their 2007 tax returns yet. Our financial situation is pretty much the same — do I need to use 2007, or can we just submit the 2006 returns?
• I've changed my mind about whether to apply for a scholarship. What do I do?
• You say you admit students on a rolling basis, but what does that mean?
• What Happens When My Application Has Been Completed?

• Do you offer any SAT preparation courses during the summer?
• How many classes should I take? How much homework can I expect?
• When a course is offered for a range of units (for example, 3 – 5 units), what does this mean for students in that course?
• How do quarter units compare to semester units?
• Can I obtain high school credit for Summer College work?
• I have high school schedule conflicts that will make me come to the program late/leave the program early; will that pose a problem?
• What's the difference between taking a class for credit vs. taking a class for a letter grade?
• Is there academic advising available for students?

• Can I participate in the social activities for resident students if I'm a commuter?
• What would a typical daily routine be like for a residential student?
• My friend and I both want to attend the summer session. Can we room together?
• Are most of your students from California, or do you have students from around the world?
• Is Lagunita Court Residence co-ed?
• What if I get homesick while I'm there?
• Can I get a job to earn money during my time at Stanford?

• What kind of student are you looking for?
  We are looking for academically motivated students who are ready for a hands-on college experience. This doesn't mean you need a perfect GPA or the highest test scores in your class, but you should be a strong student who enjoys learning and understands how to apply yourself in an educational environment. You also need to be socially mature enough to manage your own time and balance your personal and recreational schedules.
• Should all of the application components be sent in together?
  Some students prefer to collect all supplemental components of their application and mail them in together. Other students send items in one at a time, as they become available, or allow their school or instructor to mail transcripts and recommendations in independently. You'll be able to track the status of your application online if you use our electronic application.
• Will exceptions be made to the age/grade requirements?
  We accept students who will have completed their junior (11th grade) or senior (12th grade) year in high school by the start of the program; applications from accomplished and mature sophomores (completed 10th grade) will also be considered. All students must be a minimum of 16 years of age by June 21, 2008. We cannot accept younger students due to both the level of academic challenge of the program, and the degree of social maturity required for independent dorm life.
• Are scholarship applicants able to waive the $50 application fee?
  No. All applicants are required to pay the $50 application fee.
• I plan on applying for a scholarship, but my parents have not filed their 2007 tax returns yet. Our financial situation is pretty much the same – do I need to use 2007, or can we just submit the 2006 returns?
  If you are filing your High School Summer College application prior to April 15, you may use your 2006 tax returns on an interim basis. You will need to provide a statement indicating that your 2007 returns have yet to be filed. Also, your statement should briefly describe if you anticipate your 2007 returns to be similar, or significantly different, from your 2006 returns. You may need to submit a copy of your 2007 returns once they have been filed.
• I've changed my mind about whether to apply for a scholarship. What do I do?
  In the Apply Online section, click the link for Setup that appears just above the search box in the left hand side of the window. This Setup page will allow you to add or remove the Scholarship piece from your High School Summer College application.
• You say you admit students on a rolling basis, but what does that mean?
  We begin admitting qualified students in January as soon as their applications are complete. We have room for approximately 350 students in our residential Summer College class each year. Students are not guaranteed a space in Summer College until we issue them a Stanford Student ID number. A Stanford Student ID number is created only after we have received all required froms and applicable fees, as detailed in the Student Handbook. Once we have guaranteed a space in our program for approximately 350 students, we will initiate our waitlist. Admitted students who submit all required forms and fees after the class is full have the option of being placed on this waitlist and will be kept informed of their admission status.
• What Happens When My Application Has Been Completed?
  Students are sent an email message once their application is complete. Official notification of a student's admission status is sent via US Mail (for domestic students) or Federal Express (for international students) approximately 3 weeks after this date. Accepted students will receive a packet containing important information about our program as well as a Student Handbook. The Student Handbook includes forms and instructions on the steps to take to secure your spot in our Summer College program.

• Do you offer any SAT preparation courses during the summer?
  We have an optional 6 week program available to participants of either our residential or commuter program. The course focuses on preparing students for the SAT I Reasoning Test via classroom lectures, weekly homework assignments, and SAT diagnostic tests. The program meets once a week and is available on different days and times to meet the scheduling needs of our students. There is an additional charge of $325 for this program. Students can sign up for this course by completing the online form. Our SAT course is taught by Stanford alum Christina Van Aken, founder/head tutor of Aim High Tutoring, who can be reached at info@AimHighTutoring.com, or by calling 510-235-8378.
• How many classes should I take? How much homework can I expect?
  Residential High School Summer College students may carry between eight and twelve units. This typically adds up to two or three classes. Stanford undergraduate courses require a significant amount of study per day – every unit for which credit is given is understood to represent approximately three hours of actual work per week for the average student.
• When a course is offered for a range of units (for example, 3 – 5 units), what does this mean for students in that course?
  The range of units indicates that a student may enroll for a variable number of units. Additional work or assignments may be required for the additional units.
• How do quarter units compare to semester units?
  To convert quarter units to semester units, multiply the quarter units by 2/3. For instance, 3 quarter units are equal to 2 semester units.
• Can I obtain high school credit for Summer College work?
  The Summer College courses are regular Stanford undergraduate courses that cover a single term’s curriculum. Because completion of your Stanford classes provides you with university credit, typically, high school credit is not also given. Under no circumstances should your Stanford courses appear on your high school transcript as part of your secondary education requirements. Please check with your high school registrar if you have any questions.
• I have high school schedule conflicts that will make me come to the program late or leave the program early. Will that pose a problem?
  For Residential Students, arriving on check-in day ensures you will have the same orientation as the rest of the students in the program. By coming late you miss more than simply the opportunity to meet your dorm mates, your resident mentor, the program coordinators and residence dean on Welcome Day; you forego the chance to get your bearings on campus, settle into your surroundings, and pick up your textbooks and course materials before classes start. In addition, Summer College students are NOT allowed to miss classes for any reason. Final examinations for Summer Session courses are held on Friday, August 15, and Saturday, August 16. All final exams dates and final project deadlines must be determined directly between the student and the course instructors.
• What's the difference between taking a class for "credit" vs. taking a class for a letter grade?
  At Stanford, the pass/fail grading option is called credit/no credit. Taking a class for credit results in a "CR" on your final transcript—NOT a letter (A, B, C, D, NP) grade. It is highly recommended that all Summer College students take their courses for letter grades. Some instructors may have designated grading options for their courses that are not changeable. View the Summer Time Schedule of Classes for detailed information about each course.
• Is there academic advising available for students?
  Academic advising is available both prior to and during the Summer College session. During the session, drop-in and by appointment advising will be available at the Lagunita Dorm on a weekly basis. In addition, a group advising workshop will be offered to residential and commuter students.

• Can I participate in the social activities for resident students if I'm a commuter?
  Unfortunately, commuter students are not able to participate in our resident student activities. However, commuter students are able to utilize campus resources and participate in campus activities available to all registered students.
• What would a typical daily routine be like for a residential student?
  Students “build” their own schedules from the list of courses available. Many classes meet twice a week, so it is possible for a student to have all their classes clustered on certain days with study days in between. Other students may have classes four or five days a week. A variety of planned activities during the evenings and on weekends complete the calendar and make for a changeable daily schedule. The most important thing to keep in mind is that you are responsible for managing your time and being successful in your courses.
• My friend and I both want to attend the summer session. Can we room together?
  Stanford’s year round policy is not to give students the option of requesting a particular roommate and not to reveal the name of a roommate in advance of move-in day. Experience over the years has shown that relationships between roommates and dorm mates are much more positive and successful if everyone starts out in the same place; i.e., knowing nothing about each other. Roommate assignments are made on the basis of our Student Profile questionnaire which you will submit once you decide to attend our summer program.
• Are most of your students from California, or do you have students from around the world?
  We have a fabulous mix of students from all over North America, South America, Europe, Asia, and Africa. You will definitely meet a diverse group of students in our High School Summer College.
• Is Lagunita Court Residence co-ed?
  Summer College students will be assigned roommates on single-sex floors in our residence. Each floor will also house Stanford undergraduate students who we hire to serve as residence mentors.
• What if I get homesick while I'm there?
  In addition to the Stanford University students hired to work as mentors during the summer, there is an adult program director in residence as well. This individual is a residence dean during the school year and has extensive training and experience in interacting with students in a variety of situations.
• Can I get a job to earn money during my time at Stanford?
  High School Summer College students are expected to participate fully in our program. In addition to class time and study time, there are many daily and weekly activities scheduled for the group. To truly benefit from the summer experience you need to be able to immerse yourself in all aspects of the program. Residential High School Summer College students are not permitted to work during their time on campus.