About Stanford University

Stanford is recognized as one of the world's leading universities. It was established more than a century ago by founders Jane and Leland Stanford. The university was designed to prepare students "for personal success and direct usefulness in life and promote the public welfare by exercising an influence on behalf of humanity and civilization." The students have opportunities to participate in a remarkable range of activities, from academic courses taught by renowned professors and opportunities for research, independent study and public service to an extraordinary range of extracurricular activities.

With an approximate 6.2 to 1 student-to-faculty ratio, Stanford emphasizes close interaction with faculty. Stanford offers three undergraduate degrees, each designed to achieve balance between depth of knowledge acquired through a specialization and knowledge gained through exploration. Undergraduates complete requirements for the major, writing and rhetoric requirements, one year of a foreign language and courses in the following areas:
Introduction to the Humanities
Disciplinary Breadth: engineering and applied science, humanities, mathematics, natural sciences, social sciences
Education for Citizenship: ethical reasoning, global community, or American cultures and gender studies

Stanford also offers study abroad opportunities in Australia, Barcelona, Beijing, Berlin, Cape Town, Florence, Kyoto, Madrid, Moscow, Oxford, Paris, and Santiago. Students may enroll for one or more quarters at most locations and participate in internships, research projects and public service. 756 students, about 44% of the average class year, studied abroad with Stanford 09-10.

The varsity athletic teams - the Stanford Cardinals - are members of the Pacific-10 Conference and compete in the NCAA's Division 1 in all sports. Stanford varsity teams have won 116 national championships, 101 of the titles being NCAA championships.

Youth Impact Program at Stanford University: the YIP at Stanford will conduct it's first year of operation this summer.