On This Page:
Welcome to the Freshman Page
Hello, Class of 2011. Bookmark
this page. Use it as a navigational tool as you familiarize yourself with
the nuts and bolts of your freshman year as well as the host of opportunities
available to you.
The Freshman “Must Do” list
Take advantage of the resources and opportunities available to you. Know what’s required, what’s optional, and what you definitely don’t want to miss.
- Learn the university requirements for graduation
- Read the printed Quarterly Time Schedule from cover to cover
- Explore the search tools for course planning on Axess
- Take a Freshman Seminar
- Get good advice about course planning and your academic path by making an appointment with your advisor, Academic Director, or UAR liaison
- Go to a professor’s office hours
- Know important prerequisites and course sequences -- meet with a professional advisor from the VPUE
- Visit the Hume Writing Center
- Visit a Community Center
- Check out the Tutoring and Academic Resources
- Become familiar with Stanford libraries; take a tour
- Get to Know Faculty & Staff; take the initiative in developing relationships with your instructors, Resident Fellows, advisors, and student service representatives
- Discover good study spaces around campus
- Think about possible majors
- Visit academic departments and programs for in-depth information; speak with the student services representative whose role is to introduce you to the department offerings
- Have fun!
Get Involved
Enrich your experience by becoming involved in academic, extracurricular, and social activities. Remember to live a balanced life.
- Frosh Council
- Student Activities
- Community Centers
- Student Government
- Leadership Opportunities
- Explore the creative arts
- Undergraduate Research
- Public and Community Service
- Residential student staff positions
- Familiarize yourself with Stanford traditions, such as the school song.
- Enroll in a 1 or 2 credit activity class
Frosh Specific Deadlines and Events
Make note of these important deadlines and events.
- Great GRE Advice!
May. 14, 2008 - Autumn Quarter Begins
Sep. 22, 2008 - End-Quarter Period
Dec. 01, 2008 - Dec. 07, 2008 - End-Quarter Exams
Dec. 08, 2008 - Dec. 12, 2008 - Winter Quarter Begins
Jan. 06, 2009 - End-Quarter Period
Mar. 09, 2009 - Mar. 15, 2009 - End-Quarter Exams
Mar. 16, 2009 - Mar. 20, 2009 - Spring Break
Mar. 23, 2009 - Mar. 27, 2009 - Spring Quarter Begins
Mar. 31, 2009 - End-Quarter Period
May. 29, 2009 - Jun. 04, 2009 - End-Quarter Exams
Jun. 05, 2009 - Jun. 10, 2009 - Commencement
Jun. 14, 2009 - Summer Quarter Begins
Jun. 23, 2009
- Selected Deadlines and Events: Visit this page for details on these and other deadlines and events.
- University Academic Deadlines
- Housing Draw
Thinking Ahead
When you are ready to start planning for life beyond the freshman year, consider the following opportunities and options.
- Sophomore College
- Summer Plans
- Residential Staff positions
- Internships
- Scholarships and Fellowships
- Overseas Studies
- Off-Campus studies and academic exchange programs
- Awards
- Public and community service
- Research
Questions to Ask Yourself
To make the most of your time at Stanford you need to be willing to take risks (and make mistakes). Be intentional…and spontaneous. Reflect on your experiences in order to inform your subsequent decisions and pathways.
- Have I taken a course in a discipline that didn’t exist in my high school?
- What idea or topic has grabbed my attention that I want to pursue in further study?
- How has my involvement with students – in class and out – with completely different backgrounds, experiences, and opinions changed my world?
- Have I sought out an opportunity to talk to a professor one-on-one?
- How have my interests and ideas evolved since September?
- What lecture, discussion, reading, or conversation has significantly changed my view of the world and of myself?
Freshman Dean’s Office
The Freshman Dean's Office welcomes and integrates freshmen into the Stanford family from acceptance of admission through the end of the first undergraduate year.
It does so by addressing students' individual transitional needs, connecting students to resources and opportunities, and cultivating an understanding of Stanford's history and traditions. The office is also a resource for transfer students and parents.
- Contact us at 650-72-FROSH or at frosh@stanford.edu
For The Class of 2012
Congratulations! We are thrilled you will be joining the Stanford family!
In mid-May, you will receive your first Approaching Stanford mailing. This packet will contain information about academics, housing, clubs, resources, and more, all to answer your initial questions and to officially begin your preparations for your start at Stanford. In this mailing, you will also receive information about the Approaching Stanford forms, which you must complete and submit online by Friday, June 6.
New Student Orientation for the Class of 2012 and new transfer students will take place Tuesday, September 16 - Sunday, September 21, 2008. Orientation events for parents will be held on Tuesday, September 16. The calendar of events for the 2007 NSO student programs and 2007 NSO parent programs are available for review.