Stanford released its Regular Decision admissions decisions Friday afternoon, completing the incoming class of 2029. The deadline to commit is May 1.
Consistent with years past, Stanford has abstained from releasing admissions data with admissions results. Instead, the University releases the acceptance rate and the size of the applicant pool through the Common Dataset (CDS), a collaborative effort between universities and publishers released several months after admissions results are announced. In February, the CDS showed that the acceptance rate for the class of 2028 fell slightly to 3.61%, compared to the rate of 3.91% for the class of 2027.
According to a source in the admissions office, the class of 2029 admitted approximately 150 more applicants than last year, making this admitted class the largest ever. The Daily has reached out to the admissions office for confirmation.
This year, the University shared an early demographic data set for the class of 2028 in October, prior to the publication of the CDS. Stanford reported that the preliminary data was in response to national interest following the Supreme Court’s 2023 decision to end affirmative action, prohibiting race-conscious admissions at U.S. colleges and universities.
Compared to demographics for the class of 2027, the class of 2028 showed a 49.4% decrease in Black student enrollment and a 14.4% decrease in Latino student enrollment among first-time, first-year matriculants. Meanwhile, Asian and white student enrollment increased by 14.5% and 10%, respectively.
The University expressed their dedication to the “recruitment of a diverse class through legally permissible means.”
“We are committed to working aggressively to continue seeking diversity through legal means, including through the further expansion of our outreach to high-achieving students from underserved populations,” said Provost Jenny Martinez in a statement for the Stanford Report.
Admitted students and their families are invited to visit Stanford for Admit Weekend, which will take place from April 24-26 this year. This weekend allows students to explore campus through dining hall meals, social events and an overnight stay in freshman dorms.
Meanwhile, prospective students — commonly referred to as ‘pro-fros’ — have connected through social media. An Instagram account for the class of 2029 has given students a platform to introduce themselves and reach out to each other.
Admitted student Niah Maduakolam, from Indiana, said she “knew how hard it was” and “did not think she would get in,” when she opened her decision at a local boba shop.
“I saw [confetti] and I just walked out of the store crying because I just couldn’t believe it. It was a little embarrassing, but I was so happy that it didn’t really matter,” Maduakolam said.
Admitted student Andra Campos, from Southern California, is in awe of others at Stanford “who are already pursuing their passions.”
“[At Stanford] I’m really interested in the fact that you get to explore all the interdisciplinary subjects,” Campos said. “I am the number one advocate for interdisciplinary studies, so while I’m going into data science I really want to branch into other fields.”
For Armaan Sharma, an admitted student from the Bay Area coming from a 10-person graduating class, the opportunity to “pay attention to in-person lectures diligently” draws him most to the University.
“I am excited to be in the Stanford community and engage with such a diverse group of people who are also genuinely curious and interested in learning,” Sharma said.