Course Planning
Academic Planning
Once ExploreCourses, Stanford's official course catalog, opens for the academic year in mid-August, begin looking for courses that will allow you to explore academic interests and potential majors. Explore what interests you, even if you are unfamiliar with the discipline. Many of Stanford’s fields will be entirely new to you. Use resources such as your Undergraduate Advising Director, the Academic Advising website, and program and departmental websites to identify the types of classes and the specific courses in which you may be interested. Identify more courses than you intend to take, rather than trying to finalize your schedule before you arrive on campus. While enrollment will open for continuing students on September 1, new first-year students will have a New Student Advisement Enrollment Hold that will be released during New Student Orientation. At that time, you will be able to begin enrolling in your Autumn Quarter courses.
Advising for Incoming Students
The 2023 Summer Academic Advising Presentation: Exploring Your Stanford Courses will be posted in the summer (July/August). It will give you an important overview to academics and choosing your first set of courses at Stanford. Be sure to watch it and use the resources listed on this page in preparation for your first advising meeting.
Academic Planning Worksheet
Complete this worksheet in preparation for your first advising meeting.
Approaching Stanford Handbook
Read the Academic Life chapter for a broad overview of academics at Stanford.
ExploreCourses
Stanford's official digital course catalog is published every August for the upcoming academic year.
Advising for Current Students
Browse the Advising Student Handbook, FAQs, frosh-friendly courses, and more.
COLLEGE Courses
Civic, Liberal, and Global Education (COLLEGE) is a first-year General Education Requirement.
General Education Requirements
Review University policies and requirements in the Stanford Bulletin.
Introductory Seminars
IntroSems are small, hands-on courses taught by esteemed faculty.
Frosh 101
Frosh 101 is a discussion-style course to help you transition to Stanford.
Placement Tests & Diagnostics
For course placement in Chemistry, Languages, Math, and Physics
Explore Programs
Browse Majors, Minors, and more in the Stanford Bulletin
Getting Started In...
Arts, Humanities, Natural Sciences, Social Sciences, Earth Sciences, and Engineering
Carta
Course Exploration Tool