The Application Process
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Do I need to submit TOEFL, IELTS or Cambridge Exam scores as part of my application?
The Summer Session Office requires prospective international students to submit TOEFL, IELTS, or Cambridge Exam scores as part of the application process. The following scores are required for successful admission:
Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL)
- Minimum score of 233 for the computer-based TOEFL test (CBT)
- Minimum score of 90 for the internet-based TOEFL test (IBT)
- Minimum score of 577 for the paper-based TOEFL test (PBT)
OR
International English Language Testing System (IELTS)
- Minimum overall band score of 7.0
OR
Cambridge Exams
- Minimum score of 60 on the Cambridge Advanced English Test
- Certificate in Advanced English
- Certificate of Proficiency in English
International students may not be required to submit TOEFL, IELTS, or Cambridge Exam scores if the primary language of instruction at their educational institution is English, or if the student is a native English speaker. When applying online, international students will be able to explain their individual situation. The Summer Session Office reserves the right to request additional information to verify proof of fluency.
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Do I need to supply high school or university transcripts, or standardized test scores?
High school transcripts and test scores, or university transcripts, are not required as part of the application process. A few departments may request unofficial university transcripts for use in confirming successful completion of course requirements. This information will be available within the course description or course notes in Axess.
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I currently attend Stanford. Do I need to apply to the Summer Session to enroll in Summer courses?
No. Current Stanford students should use Axess to sign up for classes during Summer Quarter.
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Is there financial aid available during the Summer Quarter?
The Stanford Financial Aid Office is not able to award financial aid to students who are not enrolled in degree programs at Stanford. Students from other colleges and universities who will attend Summer Session should contact the financial aid office at their home institutions for information about summer aid.
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What do you base acceptance on?
Students must be 18 years of age, or older, and must have evidence of successful college experience, as noted on the application. To qualify, undergraduate level courses must have been completed following graduation from high school.
Curriculum
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Are there graduate-level courses offered during the Summer Quarter?
Most courses offered are undergraduate courses, although a handful of graduate-level courses are available as well. Unless otherwise specified, courses numbered from 1 through 99 are primarily for first- and second-year undergraduates; courses numbered from 100 through 199 are for third- and fourth-year undergraduates; and those from 200 through 699 are for graduate students.
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Are there research jobs I can get while I’m taking Summer courses?
The Summer Session Office does not facilitate research assistant positions during the Summer Quarter. Interested students should contact the appropriate department directly.
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Does attending Stanford Summer Session improve my chances of being accepted as a Stanford transfer/graduate student?
Stanford does not consider “demonstrated interest” (e.g., visiting campus, participating in Summer Session programs, calling or emailing admissions staff, etc.) in making admission decisions; however, taking enrichment and advanced courses does indicate enthusiasm for a subject area, or excitement about discovery. The fact that a student is participating in summer or enrichment programs is not in and of itself the value-add to their application; it is what the student takes from the experience, how the student shares the experience through essays and written responses, and how that experience has enhanced the student’s intellectual life that is of importance.
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How do I get a course syllabus?
The courses listed within the Summer Session website provide a link to the current or previous Summer’s syllabi. Many of these can be found at syllabus.stanford.edu. In some cases, the department offering a course will have syllabi available at their website. The Summer Session Office can also forward most syllabi via email upon request.
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How do I know if my units will transfer?
Your best plan of action is to check with your home college or university in advance to confirm that it will accept units from the coursework you plan to take at Stanford.
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How do I view my grades and order copies of my official transcript?
Stanford does not automatically send grades to students at the end of the quarter. To view grades, students should log in to Axess and select the tab labeled “Student Center.” The first section on this webpage is labeled “Academics.” Within that section is a dropdown box that says “other academic…” Use this dropdown box to select “View Course History,” and be certain to click on the round “button” next to this box to process the request.
One of the other options using the same dropdown menu is “Request Official Transcript.” If you have difficulty accessing the system to request a transcript, please use the Summer Session Transcript Request Form.
Official transcripts should be requested for all schools a student will be applying to – including Stanford University.
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I attend a semester based school. How do “quarter units” equate to “semester credits”?
To convert quarter units to semester credit, multiply the quarter units by 2/3. For example, 3 quarter units are equal to 2 semester credits.
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What kind of academic support is available during the Summer Quarter?
Free, drop-in tutoring is available for a variety of subjects. Tutoring Center information will be distributed during the Mandatory Orientation at the start of Summer Session. In addition, academic advisors will be available for drop in appointments throughout the Summer Quarter.
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When a course is offered for a range of units (for example, 3 – 5 units), what does this mean for students in the course?
Courses list a range of units for a variety of reasons, but in most cases the range has more to do with matriculation than anything else. Typically, the lower number of units is intended for Stanford graduate students who have enrollment caps. For planning purposes, all Summer Session students should plan on taking courses listing a range of units at the highest unit count listed.
Campus Life
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Approximately how many students attend classes on campus during the Summer Quarter?
One of the attractive things about attending Stanford during the Summer Quarter is class size. Overall, fewer students are enrolled and classes are smaller, allowing more time for one-on-one interaction with instructors. But the campus is by no means empty. A variety of programs run all summer long, and there are plenty of interesting people to meet through class interaction and residence hall activities. Enrollment figures hover around 2,500 students for the Summer Quarter.
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Are any social activities planned for students who are living on campus?
The Summer Session Office hires Stanford undergraduates to serve as residential staff during the Summer Quarter. These staff are responsible for coordinating a variety of social activities within the summer residence halls. Funding for these activities comes from the “house dues” that most undergraduate and graduate students are required to pay as one of their housing fees. These social activities are only available for students who are living within the house sponsoring the activity, unless other plans have been communicated in advance.
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Can I opt not to carry health insurance?
All students registered at Stanford are required to have health insurance. The cost for Stanford's Cardinal Care health insurance plan is $900 for the Summer Quarter. Students who reside in the United States, and have family coverage with a U.S.-based insurance carrier, may request a waiver of the University's insurance coverage by June 15, 2013. International students may request a waiver by submitting a Health Insurance Certification Form completed by their insurance company to Vaden Health Center for review. The deadline to submit this form is June 1, 2013. If the waiver is denied, the student will automatically be enrolled in Cardinal Care and required to pay the $900 fee.
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Is there family housing available during the Summer?
Students who are registered for the Summer Quarter have priority for on-campus housing. Typically there is plenty of housing available, but Couples Without Children, and Students With Children have more limited housing options. Please refer to the Stanford Summer Housing website for more information.
