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Dates & Deadlines

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2024 Dates and Deadlines

In preparation for your arrival, review these important dates and deadlines and complete the following items.

May 1  |  SUNet ID & Mailing Address Deadline

After you accept your offer of admission, please create your Stanford University Network ID (SUNet ID). Once Approaching Stanford begins, you will need to use your SUNet ID to check your Stanford email account and to complete your Approaching Stanford Requirements. All Approaching Stanford and official university communications will be sent to your Stanford email account.

Please also log in to Axess and verify your Mailing Address is correct. In early May, a small mailing will be sent to your Mailing Address, as listed in Axess.


May 10  |  Approaching Stanford Begins

In early May, the Approaching Stanford process will begin! Check your Stanford email for the Approaching Stanford Handbook and the first of your weekly newsletters. You are responsible for regularly checking your email and completing any required action items throughout the summer. At this time, you will be able to log in to the Approaching Stanford Canvas Course for the Approaching Stanford Requirements Checklist and access to your Approaching Stanford Forms and First-Year Housing Application, due June 7. 


Late May | Summer Bridge Programs Application Deadlines (Optional)

If interested, apply to participate in one of the Summer Bridge Programs taking place this summer prior to the start of New Student Orientation. Application deadlines and program dates vary.


June 1  |  ACT/SAT Official Test Scores Deadline

If you self-reported test scores on your admission application, contact the ACT or College Board to have your ACT and/or SAT scores sent to Stanford, if applicable. An Enrollment Hold will be placed on Autumn Quarter Enrollment for students who self-reported test scores, but do not submit them.

You are not required to submit official AP scores, unless you are seeking to earn credit for subjects Stanford offers credit in. The AP Chart for 2024-25 will be posted later in the summer, at which time you can review to see if your AP scores will receive any credit. It's advised that you speak with your academic advisor before submitting for AP transfer credit.


June 7  |  Approaching Stanford Forms & Housing Application Deadline

Log in to Canvas to complete the Approaching Stanford Forms, which include the housing application, and upload your photo for your Stanford ID card. These Forms collect personal information; academic course preferences; housing application and preferences; and parent/guardian contact(s) for the university. All Forms submitted by the deadline will be given equal consideration. Housing assignments are not made in the order of submission. University staff will begin reviewing the Forms to get to know you and to make assignments as soon as the deadline has passed.


June 14  |  Academic/Housing Accommodations Registration

If applicable, register with the Office of Accessible Education by this deadline in order to ensure proper academic and/or housing accommodations have been implemented prior to the fall.


June-July | Language Placement Tests

If applicable, complete language placement tests for course placement for languages courses at Stanford or to see if you can satisfy the Language Requirement. 


Mid-June | Pre-Orientation Programs Application Deadlines (Optional)

If interested, apply to participate in one of the Pre-Orientation Programs taking place in the week prior to the start of New Student Orientation. Application deadlines, program dates, and fees vary.


Mid-June  |  Parent & Guardian Newsletter

The first of this monthly Approaching Stanford newsletter will be emailed to the parent(s)/guardian(s) you listed on your Approaching Stanford Forms. To add a contact to our email list after the Forms deadline, students should email approaching@stanford.edu with the contact's name and email address. Please note that we can only add contacts provided by you, the student, not your parent/family member.


July 1  |  Official Final Transcript Deadline

Submit your final high school transcript, along with the transcripts for any external coursework that does not appear on your high school transcript (dual enrollment, etc.), by July 1 to the Office of Undergraduate Admission. If you have previously submitted your final transcript, you do not need to resubmit it.  Check your Stanford portal to see which required documents have been received, and which ones are still due. Email credentials@stanford.edu with questions.

An Enrollment Hold will be placed on Autumn Quarter Enrollment for students who do not submit their final high school transcript. 


July 19 | Summer Frosh Civil Dialogues Program Sign-Up Deadline (Optional)

Deadline extended to July 19 (original deadline was July 15). If interested, sign up for the Summer Frosh Civil Dialogues Program. Join peer-facilitated small group discussions in August to begin building the skills necessary for active participation in campus discourse, for robust intellectual growth, and for engaging in conversations with diverse perspectives. Through four 90-minute virtual sessions of no more than 10 participants, students will hone and practice skills for engaging in productive dialogue across difference, share political values in a pluralistic setting, and build small communities through conversation. This program is optional, but strongly recommended.


August | Placement Tests & Diagnostics

If applicable, complete placement tests and/or diagnostics for course placement for Chemistry, Math, and Physics.


August 1 |  Annual Information Student Update Deadline

You will be required to complete the annual “Student Information Update” every year in Axess. It takes only about five minutes to complete. After you've completed it, the fields will remain available all year round for you to update. Students should complete this requirement by August 1, 2024. 

An Enrollment Hold will be placed on Autumn Quarter Enrollment for students who do not complete the Student Information Update.


August 15  |  Vaden Health Requirements & Forms Deadline

Review the 2024-25 Student Health Matters brochure (available summer 2024) and complete your required Entrance Health Requirements and Forms. You will need to upload or submit an official immunization record to Vaden Health Center. For questions regarding Vaden's Entrance Health Requirements, please submit a Service Ticket to Vaden. The university no longer requires – but continues to strongly recommend – COVID vaccinations and boosters for faculty, staff, postdoctoral scholars, and students. For more, please see Student COVID Vaccination FAQ

An Enrollment Hold will be placed on Autumn Quarter Enrollment for students who do not complete their Entrance Health Requirements and Forms. 


Mid-August  |  Student Housing Notification

Email notification of your first-year housing assignment from R&DE Student Housing and Residential Education


Mid-August  |  ExploreCourses 2024-25

ExploreCourses, Stanford's official course catalog, will publish 2024-25 course listings in mid-August. Begin browsing 2024-25 courses and course planning resources. Frosh have a New Student Advisement Enrollment Hold that will be released during New Student Orientation (NSO), at which time they will be able to enroll in their Autumn Quarter courses.


Mid-August  |  Vice Provost for Undergraduate Education Email

Check your Stanford email for notification of your required VPUE first-year courses (COLLEGE and PWR1; ESF; ITALIC; or SLE) and featured recommended courses (Introductory Seminars and Frosh 101).


Mid-August  |  Academic Advisor Introduction

Receive an introduction email from your Academic Advisor with information about the required summer Advising Presentation. You will also be able to schedule a small group advising appointment with your assigned advisor prior to NSO to have an initial advising conversation around academic interests, course selection, opportunities, and resources. Browse the course planning resources and make a list of questions to share with your advisor.


Late August  |  Move-In Information

Email notification with instructions for moving to Stanford, including packing/shipping guidelines, a printable map, and details of what to expect. New Student Move-In is Tuesday, September 17, 2024.


August 31  | Civic Engagement Information Acknowledgment Deadline

Every fall, a Civic Engagement Enrollment Hold is placed for every student to encourage them to review information on civic engagement and, if eligible, to register to vote. To have the hold released, simply check a box to acknowledge the recommendation of civic engagement. You do not need to register to vote in order for the hold to be released. For more, see stanfordvotes.org.

An Enrollment Hold will remain on Autumn Quarter Enrollment for students who do not acknowledge the Civic Engagement recommendation.


September 15  |  Cardinal Care Health Insurance Deadline

Between August 14 – September 15, you must log into Axess and formally waive or acknowledge Cardinal Care. Students who fail to waive Cardinal Care by September 15 will be automatically enrolled for the plan year (September 1, 2024–August 31, 2025). International students planning to waive Cardinal Care must also submit the International Student Insurance Coverage Certification Form.


September 16  |  Stanford Required Online Education Courses Deadline

Check your Stanford email for notification about these required online courses on August 19. Complete them by September 16, before NSO begins:

  • Office of Community Standards (OCS): Fundamental Standard and Honor Code
  • Office of Substance Use Programs, Education & Resources (SUPER): Binge Thinking, Stanford Cannabis Education, Stanford Naloxone & Opioid Education
  • Sexual Harassment/Assault Response & Education Title IX Office (SHARE): Sexual Assault Prevention for Undergraduates
  • Sustainability: Zero Waste Training

September 16  |  Stanford Survey of New Students Deadline

Check your Stanford email for your unique survey link that will be sent in mid-August. Complete this important university survey by September 16.


September 20  |  University Bill Payment Deadline

On/around August 25, log into Axess to view your first University bill. Also set up Authorized Users and Direct Deposit, if desired. Your first University bill is expected to be due by September 20. The 2024-25 payment schedule will be posted in summer 2024.


September 17  |  New Student Move-In Day

Tuesday, September 17, 2024, is New Student Move-In Day. All new students are required to move to campus on New Student Move-In Day, national and county health conditions permitting. Check-in will take place at the Neighborhood Housing Service Centers from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. All new students should be checked in by 5:00 p.m. on New Student Move-In Day. At check-in, students will receive their Stanford ID card and their dorm room key.

Pre-Orientation Programs: Students participating in pre-orientation programs that take place on campus may have an earlier move-in date. Please see details of your program when your participation is confirmed. International Student Orientation is tentatively scheduled to begin on Saturday, September 14.


September 17-22  | New Student Orientation (NSO)

Welcome to Stanford! NSO will introduce you to the Stanford community and each other. NSO is held the week prior to the start of Autumn Quarter and is required for all new students. We will have a full schedule of programs and events that you will be expected to attend. Please do not make any plans off-campus during this week.

Family members and guests are welcome to accompany you to New Student Move-In and the first day of NSO: September 17. Please plan to say your goodbyes just before dinner on September 17, as you will be fully engaged in NSO programs and events for the remainder of the week.

Stanford supports students, faculty, and staff in celebrating religious holidays of significance to them. NSO and residential staff are aware that religious commitments may influence attendance at some events.


NSO  |  Autumn 2024 Course Enrollment Opens

The New Student Advisement Enrollment Hold will be released during NSO and Autumn Quarter course enrollment for new students will open at a designated time/date. You will have until September 23 to register your preliminary study list in Axess. Learn how to enroll in classes through SimpleEnroll or Axess.

Note that you will only be able to enroll in courses if you have completed all other new student requirements, including: submission of your school transcripts, submission of test scores (if applicable), completion of the Vaden Health Requirements, completion of the Student Information Update, and acknowledgment of the civic engagement recommendation.


September 23, 5:00 p.m. (PDT)  |  First Day of Autumn Quarter & Preliminary Study List Deadline

Register your Autumn Quarter courses in Axess by the Preliminary Study List Deadline of 5:00 p.m. on Monday, September 23, the first day of the quarter. You can make adjustments to your study list (Add, Drop, Adjust Variable Units) until the Final Study List Deadline at 5:00 p.m. on Friday of Week 3. The deadline for Course Withdrawal or Change of Grading Basis is 5:00 p.m. on Friday of Week 8.