Sophomore College Frequently Asked Questions
- How can I apply?
- Can I get around the ranking system?
- What are the dates?
- What will the program cost?
- Is financial aid available?
- If I apply for financial aid, will it hurt my chances of getting in?
- Will I get academic credit for participating?
- What are the eligibility requirements?
- I don’t have a high GPA or formal background in the subject. Is there any point in applying?
- Can I work an outside job during the program?
- Can I participate in training during Sophomore College for a staff role in the Fall?
- Can I go away during the program?
- What are the rules governing student conduct?
- What happens if I have to withdraw?
- If I don't get in, what other opportunities are there to have an intense, intellectual experience with a faculty member?
- What is the difference between Sophomore College (SoCo) and Freshman-Sophomore College (FroSoCo)?
Student applications for each course are reviewed and selected by the faculty instructors. Faculty look for a variety of backgrounds; therefore, students should provide thoughtful, thorough answers to the questions on the application.
Applications must be submitted by the web. You may apply to take up to three classes, but a separate application is required for each. You must rank your choices.
Can I get around the ranking system?
Faculty instructors do see how you rank their courses. Those who receive large numbers of applications may consider mainly or only first-ranked applications. Others will consider all applications equally, including second- and third-ranked applications.
Since you can’t reliably predict faculty preferences or application numbers, rank courses in the order you would pick them if forced to choose one to take. If you are selected to more than one class, you will automatically be bumped from your lower ranked course. This allows someone else on the waiting list to get a spot.
Participating students must arrive back on campus between 12:00 and 5:00 p.m. on Monday, September 1, 2008. Arrival dates and locations may vary as noted in course descriptions for off-campus seminars. An opening convocation will be held that evening for on-campus courses and classes will start the next day. Sophomore College will remain in session until Monday, September 15.
Students are required to attend additional class events, such as class presentations or field trips, scheduled after September 15 through Friday, September 19. Some field seminars are scheduled to return to campus on September 20.
The Sophomore College program fee covers tuition, room, board, books and class-required travel arranged by the program. The total fee is $1300, but through the generosity of Stanford friends, all students will automatically receive an $800 scholarship.
Each student will pay the remaining $500, which will be included in the Autumn quarter University bill. Students are also responsible for travel to campus (or the off-campus site for off-campus seminars), phone, network activation fees, class project materials and other personal expenses.
Financial aid is available to help defray the $500 remaining program fee; students should indicate interest in aid on the application form. (These grants cannot be applied toward personal expenses.) The Financial Aid Office will determine eligibility. Financial need will have no bearing on course applications. Please note: We may not be able to consider financial aid requests received after May 2, 2008.
We anticipate adding the financial aid status for the $500 program fee to the student application status by May 12 . Even if the financial aid hasn't been posted, the student should go ahead and submit the online confirmation form by May 14 at 5 PM. If the student does not receive aid and decides not to participate, the student can withdraw without penalty by May 19.
For students on financial aid, the Financial Aid Office has agreed to replace the portion of expected earnings lost due to participation in Sophomore College. This will be done with either grants or loans, depending on the family financial situation.
If you are accepted to a class, contact the Financial Aid Office when you return to campus in the Fall. They will work with you to determine how loans or grants may be used to offset your lost earnings.
- Financial Aid Office financialaid@ stanford.edu
If I apply for financial aid, will it hurt my chances of getting in?
Faculty reviewing applicants for their courses never see if a student has applied for financial aid. Decisions about aid are based upon recommendations from the Financial Aid Office and are entirely separate from the selection process.
Will I get academic credit for participating?
Yes. Students who attend Sophomore College will receive two units of credit for academic work in the course. Students will automatically be enrolled in their sophomore college course. The enrollment is automatically registered in mid-November so as not to affect the 20-unit limit for Autumn quarter registration. No action is required on the student's part.
What are the eligibility requirements?
Eligible students will fulfill the following parameters:
- Have been enrolled for no more than three academic quarters
- Be sophomores in the Fall of 2008
- Be in good academic standing
- Have completed at least 36 units of academic work by the end of Spring quarter
Students must also have an on-campus housing assignment for 2008–2009 and intend to enroll in the Autumn quarter. Admitted students who are found to have academic standing problems after completing Spring quarter may have their admission revoked.
I don’t have a high GPA or formal background in the subject. Is there any point in applying?
Faculty instructors do not see transcripts. They are looking for students from diverse backgrounds to bring a variety of perspectives to the discussion. They would rather not have a whole class of students who already have extensive experience in and / or commitment to majoring in a subject. Write about your informal experiences and personal interest in a thoughtful and persuasive way to show what you have to contribute.
Can I work an outside job during the program?
Students are expected to be fully committed to Sophomore College. This means attending all class sessions, class field trips and mandatory college-wide activities. Sophomore College participants cannot work a full- or part-time job or travel outside of required class activities during the program.
Can I participate in training during Sophomore College for a staff role in the Fall?
Because of conflicts with required training schedules, RA, HPAC, RCC, and OV roles all preclude participation in Sophomore College. This also applies for some other dorm staff positions. Participants may serve as Peer Mentors or CTL Subject Tutors in most cases, although a few classes have schedules that do not permit this. These staff positions, as well as FA, TA, ETA, RWT, PHE, and Row House staff positions, should be disclosed as possible conflicts on your commitment form.
Can I go away during the program?
All absences from Sophomore College, including weekends, must be approved by the faculty instructor. Students cannot be absent for more than two days between September 1 and 19. They may not arrive late to the program if it will cause them to miss a class meeting.
What are the rules governing student conduct?
As during the regular academic year, student conduct is guided by the Fundamental Standard and Honor Code. Admission to the program may be revoked if a student is found to be ineligible or in violation of the Fundamental Standard or Honor Code.
What happens if I have to withdraw?
Students who commit to attend and then withdraw will be charged a withdrawal assessment fee of $500 on their University bill. If a student withdraws from Sophomore College prior to June 14 and if a student from the waitlist agrees to fill the vacated spot, the withdrawal assessment fee will be reduced to $250. Beginning June 14th, the withdrawal assessment fee of $500 will be imposed whether or not the vacated spot is filled. Note: The student will also be charged for the cost of all distributed reading materials if these materials are not returned to the program. Exceptions would be due to illness require a doctor’s letter in order to waive the withdrawal fee. In other circumstances students must work with the Resident Dean and Program Director to discuss having the fee reduced or waived.
If I don't get in, what other opportunities are there to have an intense, intellectual experience with a faculty member?
Try a Sophomore Seminar or Dialogue, Overseas Seminar, Summer Research College or another undergraduate research opportunity. Or you can explore some of the many additional departmental opportunities such as the following:
- Field seminars in Anthropological Sciences, Biology, or Geological and Environmental Sciences
- Archaeological digs through Classics, Cultural and Social Anthropology; or Anthropological Sciences, and many more.
What is the difference between Sophomore College (SoCo) and Freshman-Sophomore College (FroSoCo)?Sophomore College takes place for two and one-half weeks prior to the start of Fall quarter and enrolls incoming sophomores in a special seminar-style class. Freshman-Sophomore College is an academic year residence for both freshman and sophomores and has no required class component. Additional FroSoCo information.