Options and Opportunities

Introductory Seminars (IntroSems)

Introductory Seminars are small-group courses for freshmen and sophomores taught by esteemed Stanford faculty. They are offered in a wide range of disciplines, in more than sixty departments and programs and in all seven schools of the university. Many fulfill General Education or writing requirements. These courses are an excellent way for students to explore interests and develop long-term mentoring relationships with faculty. They also help students develop critical thinking skills in a specific discipline early in their undergraduate career.

Overseas and Off-Campus Opportunities

Stanford University offers a variety of off-campus opportunities that enrich and diversify the undergraduate experience through immersion in different academic and cultural environments. The following covers both those within the United States and overseas:

  • Studying abroad on a Bing Overseas Studies Program
  • Learning about the nation's capital and operations through Stanford in Washington
  • Learning about the Bay Area marine environment at Hopkins Marine Station
  • Pursuing public service opportunities in the US and around the world

The choices for off-campus educational experiences are virtually endless.

Sophomore College (SoCo)

SoCo is an intensive residential program offered in September before the beginning of Fall Quarter. It gives sophomores the opportunity to engage with cutting-edge scholarship and professors, and receive mentoring and workshops designed specifically for sophomores.

          PROGRAM INFORMATION FOR 2009

  • PROGRAM INFORMATION WILL BE UPDATED IN LATE JANUARY, 2009
  • Staff Application Deadline for staff positions for Sophomore College 2009:  March 15, midnight
  • Student Application Deadline for Sophomore College 2009:  April 14, 2009, 5 PM
  • Sophomore College 2009 Program Dates:  Students will arrive on campus on August 30th and program ends on September 18, 2009. For a few off-campus field seminars, students will need to arrange and pay for their own travel arrangements to designated off-campus locations. The program will arrange and pay for their return to Stanford University at the end of the field seminar.

          PROGRAM INFORMATION FOR 2008

Arts Intensive

The Arts Intensive (AI) Program offers students the opportunity to study intensively with Stanford arts faculty and small groups of other Stanford students passionate about art. The AI program takes place over three weeks in September before the start of Fall Quarter. 

Research Opportunities

Stanford offers a variety of opportunities for the student researcher. This includes everything from research grants to a Symposium dedicated to student research and public service (SURPS) and even a summer research college. 

Public and Community Service

Stanford offers a wide variety of public and community service opportunities that connect academic study with public service. This strengthens communities and helps students become effective public leaders. Students have a range of options for integrating community service into their undergraduate experience, which includes the following:

  • Service-learning courses
  • Public service fellowships
  • Stanford-sponsored off-campus community service work
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Honors

Honors programs are capstone programs, usually completed by students in their senior year, offered by certain departments and interdisciplinary programs. They offer students the opportunity to do advanced research and analysis with faculty guidance. Honors typically requires in-depth research, field work or laboratory work culminating in a substantial written thesis. It may also require an oral presentation of the research.  For creative arts students, honors may also involve a creative project.

Double Majors & Secondary Majors

Students with diverse or multiple interests might consider adding breadth to their academic program by choosing to add a double or secondary major. Adding a second official area of study provides opportunities to experience another field of inquiry, learn another academic methodology and participate in another intellectual community.

Community Center Resources

Community Centers at Stanford provide a gateway to intellectual, cultural and leadership opportunities for all Stanford students. Each center has its own mission. Yet, students seeking academic enrichment, a connection to a broader community and / or individual services and support will find excellent resources in the Community Centers.

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Creativity and the Arts

Creativity and the Arts are part of the core of the Stanford undergraduate experience.  Many students create and participate in arts communities, including fine arts, dance, drama, creative writing, music, media and film. Many more students attend and appreciate the arts events on campus.  Students should explore the many opportunities available for them to engage in Creativity and the Arts on campus.

Scholarships and Fellowships

Scholarships and fellowships provide financial support for undergraduate, graduate and professional study, as well as internships, travel and mentoring opportunities. These awards are merit-based and highly competitive. The application process affords numerous opportunities to consider future plans and define goals.

Leadership Opportunities

Leadership opportunities abound at Stanford. From student government, to peer counseling to community internships, you will find a wide array of possibilities.

Awards and Graduation Honors

Stanford honors many students every year with awards for their leadership, service and academic excellence. Awards include, among others,

  • The Gores Award for undergraduate teaching excellence
  • The Dean’s Award for Academic Accomplishment
  • The President’s Award for Academic Excellence in the Freshman Year
  • The Sterling Award for service to the University community
  • The Robert M. Golden Medal for Excellence in the Humanities and Creative Arts
  • The Firestone Medal Excellence in Undergraduate Research
  • The Walk the Talk Service Leadership Award
  • The Legacy Award

Internships

Many Stanford students choose to complement their academic course of study with practical work experience by completing one or more internships before they graduate.

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Student Activities

Stanford provides a myriad of growth and learning opportunities beyond the classroom. Students take advantage of these in many ways and for many reasons. Some intertwine extracurricular activities to enrich and deepen their academic experience while others add outside pursuits to create a balance for the academic rigor of Stanford. Activities can also be useful for exploring a possible career path, meeting faculty and other students, and developing leadership skills.

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