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Parents & Guardians

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Welcome, Stanford Families!

As a part of the newest members of the Stanford community, we are excited to get to know you and your student over the course of the next few years. Our hope is to extend a robust offering of information and resources that will inform, educate, and empower you as your student begins their Stanford journey.

Over the course of the summer, our Approaching Stanford team will be preparing your student for their arrival to campus. While there will be many introductions to campus offices, opportunities, and experiences, there will also be required forms and courses that students must complete over the summer. You may review First-Year Important Dates & Deadlines or Transfer Important Dates & Deadlines yourself, making note of what will be required of your student before the start of the academic year. You are also encouraged to explore our website for frequently asked questions and campus resources.

Summer newsletters for parents and guardians will be sent by email beginning in June for frosh families and in July/August for transfer families after your student has submitted their Approaching Stanford Forms. Because we do not have access to their admission application, Stanford collects parent and guardian contact information via your student's Approaching Stanford Forms. To ensure you receive the summer newsletters, please ask your student to provide your email address on their Approaching Stanford Forms (due early June for frosh; late June for transfers). After the Forms deadline passes, if you need to be added to the parent email distribution list, please ask your student to email approaching@stanford.edu with your contact information.

You are welcome to review the 2023 Information for Families on this page. 2024 Information will be posted beginning in April/May.

This is a marking moment for our students, and we expect for you as well. We are thrilled at what this new chapter may bring and know there is a lot to look forward to. Welcome to the Stanford Family!

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Approaching Stanford Handbook

The Approaching Stanford Handbook is the primary resource for new students and families to learn about Stanford: policies, academics, student life, campus services, resources, and more. Review the Handbook, bookmark the link, and refer to it whenever you have a question.