How to get in to Stanford’s CS Program

Stanford’s Computer Science (CS) program is one of the most competitive in the world, with an acceptance rate well below 4%. Located in the heart of Silicon Valley, Stanford offers unparalleled opportunities in tech, entrepreneurship, and cutting-edge research.

 
With Stanford’s intimate class sizes and world-class opportunities, it’s not hard to see why this program is one of the world’s most competitive: a CS degree from Stanford is equates to 4 years of being on the front lines of innovation with unfettered access to the people who are leading the way in this exciting and dynamic field: students are regularly granted preferential internships and research opportunities with companies like Google, Apple, Microsoft, and more. 

Connecting the dots… it’s easy to see how Stanford leads the way in terms of career-track job placement in the world of computer science. Of course, if you’re able to get in, you’re very likely going to want to attend. So how does one get accepted to a program like this?

1. Academic Excellence: Course Rigor and GPA

GPA & Coursework

Stanford expects top-tier academic performance. Aim for:

• GPA: 3.9+ unweighted is a must for realistic chances of admission, although there may be some wiggle room if your extracurriculars are one-in-a-million (e.g. winning an international competition, founding a multimillion dollar startup, etc.) 
• Rigorous Math & Science Courses: Almost without exception, students will have taken AP Calculus BC or equivalent, Multivariable Calculus, and physics. The further you can push your STEM coursework, the better. 
• Computer Science Coursework: AP Computer Science A, college-level CS classes, and self-directed learning in advanced CS topics are highly advisable.

Standardized Testing (If Submitting)

• SAT/ACT: A 1550+ SAT or 35+ ACT will get you some added attention. While Stanford is technically test-optional, this shouldn’t be seen as an invitation for everyday applicants but a gesture of accessibility for Stanford’s most socioeconomically vulnerable applicants who may not have reliable access to testing services.
  
  
• Subject Tests (AP, etc.): These can add additional insight for the admissions committee, especially if your high school doesn’t have a strong history of placement at Stanford. Check with your guidance counselor to see what makes sense. 

2. Build a Standout CS Extracurricular Profile

Given that many applicants have coding experience, students need to showcase leadership, research, and a propensity for innovation in CS.

Flagship Achievement 

• Top Olympiads: USACO Gold/Platinum, Google Code Jam, or Facebook Hacker Cup.
• AI/ML Research: Publishing a peer-reviewed research paper, contributing to open-source AI projects.
• Startups & Apps: Creating an app with significant users or launching a tech startup.

Many Stanford admits have achieved 2 or 3 of these accomplishments, but these are the sorts of activities that get noticed for CS.

Research Experience

• Work with college professors, post-docs/fellows, or graduate students on AI, cybersecurity, or software research.
• There is an expectation that students will have had some exposure to research prior to their time at Stanford. If you can’t find an in for an author/contributor role on a paper, look for summer programs that teach students the fundamentals of professional research. There are many.

Internships & Industry Exposure

• Interning at a tech startup or major company (Google, Apple, NVIDIA, etc.) shows real-world experience.
• Open-source contributions to projects related to AI, blockchain, or cybersecurity.

Leadership in CS-Related Activities

• Founded a CS club or Hackathon: Organizing coding events or leading a nonprofit boosts leadership credibility.
• Teaching CS: Running a local coding camp or mentoring students in underserved communities.

Participating in High-powered Opportunities

• Additional Coursework: Stanford admits have often taken extensive coursework during the school year and/or over the summers at their local community or state colleges. Coursera is another great resource in this space. 
• Hackathons: Participating in well-reputed and highly visible hackathons can be a great activity that also presents opportunities to connect with industry professionals and institutions that can lead to internships, research opportunities, and further collaboration!

Ethical or Social Good Projects

• Stanford values CS students who use tech for positive change (e.g., AI for climate change, social impact applications).

3. Strong Essays & Letters of Recommendation

Essays: Crafting a Unique Narrative

• Avoid Generic Coding Stories: Too many applicants write about their passion for programming—find your unique angle. Programming is a tool: what are you using it for, and why?
• Interdisciplinary Approach: Stanford loves students who connect CS to philosophy, art, biology, and social good, or explore other interesting and unexpected horizons in the creative interplay of ideas.
• Growth & Resilience: If the student has a lower GPA (e.g., 3.8), frame it as a growth story (improving over time, overcoming challenges). The additional info section on the Common App can be your friend here, though this strategy is limited to students who have recovered in their sophomore/junior years. 

Letters of Recommendation

• Get one from a CS/math teacher and another from someone who highlights leadership, interdisciplinary thinking, or innovation: preferably in the arts/humanities to show a well-rounded outlook.

4. Alternative Majors for a Higher Acceptance Rate

Stanford’s CS acceptance rate is extremely low. No one outside of their admissions department knows exactly how low, but it is a reasonable inference based on demand that choosing other, related majors can increase chances of admission while still allowing a pivot into CS later.

Here are some alternatives worth considering: 

1. Symbolic Systems (AI & Cognitive Science)

This program mixes CS, philosophy, psychology, and linguistics with a heavy focus on Machine Learning/AI.It is somewhat easier to get into than direct CS but still filters graduates into top AI/tech careers.

2. Mathematical & Computational Science

This program has a strong degree of overlap with CS, but is housed in the math department. It is great for data science, AI, and finance-tech careers, though it’s likely a strong bet for any kind of career that requires a strong technology background.

3. Management Science & Engineering (MS&E)

Focuses on tech entrepreneurship, AI in business, and operations research, and is ideal for students interested in startups and the business side of CS.

4. Electrical Engineering (EE)

Many students study embedded systems, AI hardware, or robotics and pivot into CS roles. This program has a larger aperture than the CS department and likely slightly less competition per seat. 

5. Science, Technology, and Society (STS)

A humanities-driven major integrating CS with ethics, policy, and social impact. The program is less competitive than CS but still allows CS coursework and can absolutely serve as a solid foundation for a career in this field.

Final Thoughts: Making the impossible, possible

In the college admissions world, it is well understood that all of the ‘stars’ of a college applications profile need to align in order for a student to have realistic chances at Stanford: grades and test scores, essays, extracurriculars, letters of rec, and course rigor. Even the most exceptional students may have gaps here or there in their skill sets when approaching these. How are you to know where those gaps are, or develop coherent plans on how to address them? It can take a lifetime to fully understand the complexities of the college admissions space, especially in the world of elite college admissions. 

That’s where we come in. Pathivy has a cohort of graduates from elite universities, from the likes of Yale, Dartmouth, Columbia, and yes—Stanford too! Our founder is a graduate from Stanford, as are members of our applications strategy team.

We also have a proven track record of helping multiple students attend Stanford every year, and send hundreds of kids to elite institutions across the world in CS and beyond. If that’s where you’d like to be headed: we’ve got you covered. Shoot us a message and let us help you plan an optimal strategy for your college admissions goals.

If you’re a student (or counselor helping a student) aiming for Stanford CS, the key is a combination of academic excellence, standout extracurriculars, unique storytelling, and a smart application strategy. While CS is ultra-competitive, approaching the process strategically—especially with alternative majors—can significantly improve the odds of admission.