Waitlist Woes: Stanford's Lengthy List Last Year

Stanford University is an extremely competitive school, with a 3.6% acceptance rate for the class of 2022. The university does not release official admissions numbers, but we do know that in 2022, 56,378 students applied, and 2,075 were accepted. Stanford offers a place on its waitlist to approximately 1% of applicants each year, and in 2022, 553 students were offered a spot. Of those, 457 accepted, and 8 were ultimately admitted, a 1.75% success rate.

Stanford's waitlist acceptance rate

Stanford University is an extremely competitive school for prospective students, with a 3.6% acceptance rate for the class of 2024. Stanford does not release official admissions numbers, but they do publish the raw data in the Common Data Set.

Each year, Stanford offers around 1% of its applicant pool a place on the waitlist, according to the Admissions Office website. In 2022, 56,378 students applied to Stanford, and they offered the waitlist to 553 students. Of those 553 students, 457 accepted their place on the waitlist, and 8 were admitted to Stanford, a 1.75% success rate.

Stanford regularly admits students off its waitlist, and over the last 16 years, Stanford has admitted students off its waitlist 12 times, including each of the previous 8 years. In the years Stanford turned to its waitlist, an average of 8.57% of waitlisted students earned admission. An average of 60 students have gotten in annually over this span. If one includes the years in which Stanford did not turn to its waitlist, the average waitlist acceptance rate is 6.42%. The average number of admitted waitlisted students is 45.

Stanford's waitlist is not ranked, and the university will re-evaluate waitlist candidates if the number of enrolled students is lower than predicted. All students must formally accept their place on the waitlist and can provide brief updates to their application using the Waitlist Response Form.

How to get off Stanford's waitlist

While Stanford doesn't release official admissions numbers, we know from the Common Data Set that in 2022, 56,378 students applied, and 2,075 were accepted—a 3.6% acceptance rate. That year, Stanford offered the waitlist to 553 students, 457 of whom accepted their spot, and 8 were ultimately admitted, a 1.75% success rate.

Stanford offers around 1% of its applicant pool a place on the waitlist each year, and in recent years, around 0.1% of applicants have been accepted from the waitlist, or around 1% of waitlisted applicants. The university notifies candidates on the waitlist of their decision by July 1.

Step 1: Accept Your Place on the Waitlist

If you want a chance to get off the waitlist, you must first accept your spot. Stanford requires students to do this through an online Waitlist Response Form, where you can also provide updates.

Step 2: Secure Other Plans

Given Stanford's low acceptance rate off the waitlist, it's a good idea to secure a spot at another school you'd be happy to attend.

Step 3: Update Stanford

Stanford doesn't ask for letters of continued interest. Instead, they have a few short-answer questions in their Waitlist Response Portal. They ask four questions, which are aimed at understanding your academic interests, what you've been up to since applying, how you've grown, and if there's any other new information you'd like to share.

Step 4: Wait

Stanford will provide all waitlisted candidates with a final admission decision by July 1. In the meantime, make sure your school sends an update regarding your grades to Stanford. If you've taken new standardized tests, these can be sent as well.

Step 5: Maintain Good Grades

Stanford values academic achievement and potential. Make sure to keep your grades up while you wait to hear back.

Step 6: Don't Lose Hope

The waitlist process can be mysterious and anxiety-inducing, but don't give up! As Faiza Ashar, a Stanford Daily staffer, said, "I know you're on the waitlist and you're feeling very anxious about it... but it'll work out in the end."

Stanford's waitlist FAQ

Stanford offers around 1% of applicants a place on its waitlist each year. For example, in 2022, Stanford offered the waitlist to 553 students out of 56,378 total applicants.

Yes. To accept your place on the waitlist, submit the online Stanford Waitlist Response Form. Only students who accept their place will be considered for future admission.

Stanford will provide all candidates holding a place on the waitlist with a final admission decision by July 1. The university will re-evaluate waitlisted candidates if the number of enrolled students is lower than predicted.

Stanford does not know how many, if any, students will be offered admission from the waitlist until they know how many admitted students have accepted a place. Over the last 16 years, Stanford has admitted students off its waitlist 12 times, including each of the previous eight years. In the years Stanford turned to its waitlist, an average of 60 students have been admitted annually.

No, Stanford's waitlist is not ranked.

Stanford's waitlist vs other schools

Stanford University is one of the most prestigious universities in the world, with an incredibly competitive admissions process. Each year, around 1% of applicants are offered a place on the university's waitlist, and in recent years, around 0.1% of applicants are accepted from the waitlist, or around 1% of waitlisted applicants. This equates to an average of 60 students annually, or 45 if you include the years in which Stanford did not turn to its waitlist.

Compared to other schools, Stanford's waitlist acceptance rate is relatively low. For example, the waitlist acceptance rate for Harvard University is unknown, but it is likely to be higher than Stanford's, as many students choose Harvard over Stanford. Additionally, other schools may request waitlisted applicants to send letters of continued interest or supplementary materials, while Stanford only asks that students accept their place on the waitlist and submit brief updates to their application if desired.

It is important to note that Stanford's waitlist is not ranked, and the university may not admit any students from the waitlist in a given year. The number of students admitted from the waitlist depends on various factors, including the number of students who accept Stanford's initial offer and the profiles of the admitted students.

Being waitlisted at Stanford can be stressful and overwhelming due to the uncertainty involved. However, it is essential to remember that there is still a chance of admission, and students can improve their chances by maintaining their interest and submitting updates to their application.

In summary, Stanford's waitlist acceptance rate is lower than that of some other schools, and the university's admissions process is highly competitive. Students who are waitlisted should not lose hope, but they should also be realistic about their chances of admission and be prepared to explore other options.

Stanford's waitlist for seminars

Stanford University's waitlist acceptance rate is extremely competitive. Each year, around 1% of applicants are offered a place on the waitlist, and in recent years, only around 0.1% of applicants are accepted from the waitlist, or around 1% of waitlisted applicants.

For Sophomore College seminars, students who are waitlisted can also submit additional applications for other courses. If there are still spaces available in early May, students who were declined or waitlisted in the original application round will be invited to apply in the second round.

Frequently asked questions