Housing & Dining

Living at Stanford

Summer Session students come to Stanford from all around the world, bringing with them a wealth of culture and ethnic diversity. Residential life introduces an invaluable opportunity for learning about people's experiences, differences, and similiarities. 

Visiting undergraduate and graduate students have the choice to live on or off campus, in a traditional dorm or in on-campus apartments. Most residences typically have their own lounge, computer cluster, laundry facility, and common area. Students have the freedom to choose which type of housing that best meets their needs.

All dorm rooms are equipped with window coverings and furnished with an extra-long twin bed, desk and chair, bookcase, dresser, and closet for each roommate. In addition, each room has a private telephone and is wired for an internet connection. Wireless connectivity is also available in dorms and most classrooms across campus. Pillows, bed linens, and towels are not provided for residential students, but may be purchased  during Welcome Weekend at local stores.

Students may apply for housing beginning in early May. We strongly encourage students to apply as soon as possible in order to secure their first choice of residence. Students will need to have been accepted into the program and received their ID numbers in order to apply for housing.

Please visit the Stanford Student Housing Office website for information on how to apply for housing.

Room Rates and Dining Services

Students are billed for summer housing and dining on the University Bill. Rates quoted are subject to change.

Meals in the dining hall are served cafeteria-style. Students living in certain residences will be required to purchase a meal plan; students living in on-campus apartments may choose to purchase a meal plan. For more information, students can view the Program Fees & Expenses section of our website and visit the Stanford Residential & Dining Enterprises website.

Housing Assignments

Housing assignments are handled by the Stanford Student Housing Office. Students are assigned on a first-come, first-served basis. We encourage students to register for housing as soon as they can.

Terms of Occupancy

The Summer Session residences will open for occupancy on Saturday, June 23, 2012, at 1 p.m. Housing for the eight-week session ends at noon on Sunday, August 19, 2012. Additional details regarding the schedule for Welcome Weekend will be provided in the Program Handbook students receive upon admission.  Without exception, no student may move into the residence hall before June 23 or remain in the dorm room after noon on August 19. All students are expected to arrive by June 24. 

Activities and Campus Life

Weekends and evenings are packed with speaker series, local area excursions, intramural sports, and informal discussions with Stanford faculty. Some sample activities from previous summers include:

Summer Session students also have access to swimming pools, tennis courts, handball and squash courts, a fully equipped gymnasium, basketball and sand volleyball courts, a golf course, and other facilities devoted to track and field, softball, soccer, and field hockey.

Rolling hills adjacent to campus provide opportunities for hiking, bicycling, and cross-country running.