Dates & Deadlines
In preparation for your arrival, review these important dates and deadlines and complete the following items.
June 7, 2021 | Approaching Stanford Begins
On this day, the Approaching Stanford program begins! 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. Beginning June 7, log in to the Approaching Stanford Canvas course for the Approaching Stanford Requirements Checklist.
June 25, 9:00 a.m. (PDT) | Move-In Date Portal Opens
The R&DE Arrival Portal will open on June 25, at 9:00 a.m. PDT. Please choose a move-in date (September 11, 12, or 13) for undergraduate housing and sign up online using the portal. In early August, when you receive notification of your housing assignment, you will log back into the portal and sign up for a specific move-in appointment on your chosen date. Students accepted to pre-orientation programs will have their move-in date automatically adjusted to their program's move-in date.
Students living in graduate housing will choose a move-in date on your graduate housing application.
June 25, 12:00 p.m. (PDT) | Approaching Stanford Forms Deadline
Log into Canvas to complete the Approaching Stanford Forms online and upload your photo for your Stanford ID card. These forms collect personal information; academic interests; housing preferences; and family contact information for the university. Transfer students living in undergraduate housing will apply for housing on the Approaching Stanford Forms. Transfer students eligible to live in graduate housing should download the appropriate application and email it to studenthousing@stanford.edu:
July 9 | Transfer Visit Day
Attend this optional virtual "visit" to Stanford and meet with Stanford offices, academic advisors, staff, current students, and each other. Hosted by Academic Advising. RSVP.
Mid-Summer | Parent and Family Newsletter
The first of this monthly newsletter will be emailed to the parent(s) or family member(s) you listed on your Approaching Stanford Forms. Review the newsletter archive online.
July 15 | Final Official Transcript & Test Scores Deadline
Submit your final college transcript and/or test scores, if applicable, to the Office of Undergraduate Admission by July 15. Email credentials@stanford.edu with questions.
An Enrollment Hold will be placed on Autumn Quarter Enrollment for students who do not submit their final school transcripts and/or test scores, if applicable.
July 23 | Vaden Health Requirements & Forms Deadline
Review the 2021-22 Student Health Matters handbook and complete your required Entrance Health Requirements and Forms. All students will need to be fully vaccinated for COVID-19, or receive approval for an extension or a medical or religious exemption. You will need to upload or submit an official immunization record to Vaden Health Center. For questions and extension requests, please submit a SNOW ticket for Vaden. For more about the COVID-19 vaccination requirement, 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
Transfer students living in undergraduate housing will receive an email notification of their housing assignment from R&DE Student Housing and Residential Education. Transfer students in graduate housing will be supported by the Graduate Life Office. You will receive further instructions for using the Arrival Day portal to sign up for a move-in appointment on your chosen move-in date.
August 15 | Cardinal Care Health Insurance Deadline (International)
For International Students waiving Cardinal Care: If planning to waive Cardinal Care, you must first submit the International Student Insurance Coverage Certification Form by August 15. Between September 1–15, you must log into Axess and formally waive Cardinal Care. Students who fail to waive Cardinal Care by September 15 will be automatically enrolled for the plan year (September 1, 2021–August 31, 2022).
For International Students enrolling in Cardinal Care: If planning on acknowledging/enrolling in Cardinal Care, there is no action required until September 1–15, when you will log into Axess and formally acknowledge your enrollment in the plan. If no action is taken by September 15, you will be automatically enrolled for the plan year (September 1, 2021–August 31, 2022).
The deadline for waiving or acknowledging Cardinal Care for U.S. Citizens and Permanent Residents is September 15.
Mid-August | ExploreCourses 2021-22 and Academic Advising
ExploreCourses, Stanford's official course catalog, will publish 2021-22 course listings in mid-August. Begin browsing 2021-22 courses and course planning resources. Make a list of questions to share with the Transfer Academic Advisor. After completing an advising meeting with the Transfer Advisor, incoming transfer students can begin enrolling in Autumn Quarter courses on September 1, when enrollment opens for continuing students. You will have until September 20 to register your preliminary study list in Axess. Learn how to enroll in classes through SimpleEnroll or Axess.
Mid-August | Vice Provost for Undergraduate Education Email
Check your Stanford email for an email introduction of VPUE courses for transfers: Stanford Introductory Seminars and Transfer 101. Transfers have priority for sophomore-preference seminars.
Mid-August | Stanford Required Online Education Courses
Check your Stanford email for notification about these required online courses for all new undergraduate students. Complete them by September 13, before the academic year begins:
- Office of Community Standards: Fundamental Standard and Honor Code
- Office of Inclusion, Belonging and Intergroup Communication
- Alcohol Education for College
- Prescription Drug Abuse Prevention
- Sexual Assault Prevention for Undergraduates
- Sustainability - Zero Waste Training
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 will take place September 11-13, for students living in undergradutate housing. Students living in graduate housing will choose their move-in date on the housing application form. We advise waiting to make travel arrangements until you have scheduled your move-in date.
If you are bringing a car to campus, you must purchase a campus parking permit.
September 15 | Cardinal Care Health Insurance Deadline (US Citizens & PR)
For U.S. Citizens and Permanent Residents: Between September 1–15, 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, 2021–August 31, 2022).
The deadline for international students to submit a waiver is August 15.
September 11-13* | New Student Move-In (Undergraduate Housing)
New students living in undergraduate housing will move to campus September 11-13. Students living in graduate housing will choose their move-in date on the housing application form. Please wait to make travel arrangements until you have scheduled your move-in date. Each student will be permitted to bring two guests into the residence to help with their move-in. Guests must adhere to Stanford's Visitor Policy.
*International students who will not be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 by Sept 11 will be required to arrival early to campus on Sept 4 to complete a 7-day Restricted Activity Period before participating in any in-person activities.
September 14-19 | New Student Orientation
Welcome to Stanford! NSO will introduce you to the Stanford community 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.
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.
September 20, 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 September 20, the first day of the quarter. You can make adjustments to your study list until the Final Study List Deadline of October 8.
September 30 | University Bill Payment Deadline
Beginning September 10, log into Axess to view your first University bill. Also set up Direct Deposit and ePay in Axess, if desired. Your first University bill is due September 30.