Does Stanford Do Interviews? What You Need to Know

Stanford is one of the most competitive schools in the U.S., and getting accepted is a huge achievement. To secure a spot in the incoming class, you need to excel in every aspect of the admissions process, from your grades and supplemental essays to the optional interviews.

Interviews can feel nerve-wracking since they’re something you might not be used to. The good news is that you can boost your confidence by preparing ahead of time. In this guide, we’ll talk about common Stanford interview questions and tips to help you answer them like a pro.

• Does Stanford Interview All Applicants?
• The Stanford Interview Process
• Common Stanford Interview Questions
• How to Prepare for a Stanford Interview
• Frequently Asked Questions
• Takeaways

Does Stanford Interview All Applicants?

Let’s be real: Getting into Stanford is incredibly hard. For the Class of 2027, 53,733 students applied, but only 2,099 were admitted—that’s just a 3.9% acceptance rate. It’s one of the lowest in the country, second only to Harvard. With stats like these, you’re probably wondering how many Stanford applicants actually get an interview.

The short answer is: Not all applicants are interviewed. Stanford interviews are optional and not a required part of the admissions process.

The optional interview gives Restrictive Early Action (REA) and Regular Decision (RD) applicants a chance to have a meaningful conversation with a Stanford alum. It’s a great way for you to learn more about Stanford while also giving the school a better idea of who you are.

If your high school is in an interview area and a trained Stanford alumni volunteer is available, you might be offered an interview. However, you can’t request one yourself as it’s based on the availability of local alumni. Don’t worry, though! Your application will still be considered complete, even if you’re not offered an interview.

The Stanford Interview Process

So, what’s the Stanford interview process like? Well, once you submit your application, it’ll be reviewed by the admissions committee. If your location falls within one of Stanford’s interview areas and there’s an alumni available to interview you, they’ll reach out via the email address or phone number you provided in your application.

Stanford interviews take around 40 minutes and can be in person at a coffee shop, food court, or library (except on campus) or virtually through Zoom, Google Meet, and other platforms.

If offered an interview, respond as soon as possible to accept or decline the opportunity. Yup, you read it right. You can decline an interview for any reason, and it won’t negatively impact your admission decision. However, it’s always a good idea to push through with your interview. It’s a chance to show your interest in Stanford and share more about yourself.

Interviews are offered during the first few weeks of November for Restrictive Early Action and Regular Decision applicants from early January to mid-February. But again, if you don’t receive an interview invitation, that’s okay—it won’t hurt your application.

Common Stanford Interview Questions

If you get an interview invitation, that’s great! Getting ready for your interview can feel intimidating, but remember, it’s more of an informal conversation than anything. Your interviewer wants to learn more about who you are, not interrogate you. Here are some of the most common Stanford interview questions they’re likely to ask:

1. Why Stanford?

While your goals might stay the same no matter where you apply, it’s important to consider why Stanford is the right place to help you achieve them. Make sure to reflect on this well before your interview.

Your answers should show that you’ve done your research. This could mean talking to students or alumni, reading blogs by Stanford students and professors, or learning about the school’s classes and values. Use what you’ve learned to show how Stanford is the perfect place to help you reach your goals.

Make your answers specific by highlighting Stanford’s unique offerings, such as its academic programs, research opportunities, and vibrant campus culture.

2. Tell me about yourself.

This Stanford interview question might seem easy, but it can actually be difficult to answer. When an interviewer asks this, think about the context of your conversation.

Instead of rattling off random facts about yourself or talking about what you do (classes you’re interested in, extracurriculars, etc.), make sure your response talks about who you are as a student and the impact you hope to make on the Stanford community.

For example, if you’re passionate about science, you might want to share how your love for chemistry has motivated you to be involved in research projects or volunteering at labs. You could also share how you plan to build on these experiences at Stanford to achieve specific goals, like becoming a researcher or working in healthcare.

3. What are you curious about?

Like most colleges, Stanford looks for students who are intellectually curious, innovative, and ready to make a strong contribution to the campus community. With this question, the interviewer wants to know what sparks your curiosity and drives you to explore new ideas.

While there might be plenty of topics that you’re curious about, they’re more interested in hearing about your passions that align with your academic interests and goals. Talk about the classes you’re most looking forward to, the areas of study you’re thinking of exploring in college, and any research projects you want to be involved in.

Also, try to connect your extracurricular activities to the conversation since they’re an important part of your application. You can mention your role as a reporter for the school newspaper or captain of the football team and explain how these activities have shaped you as a student.

4. What accomplishment are you most proud of?

When asked this question, choose something that shows off your strengths as a student. You can mention an academic achievement like maintaining a high GPA, excelling in a tough class, or earning an award. If you’ve worked on a research project with meaningful results, that could be a great example, too.

Another option is to share leadership experiences. Perhaps you were involved in a club or organization where you took charge and helped the group achieve its goals. You can connect it to any community service or volunteer work where you made a difference. Whatever you choose, make sure it relates to your growth as a student and how it’s prepared you for the challenges you’ll face in college.

5. What motivates you to achieve your goals?

Lastly, your interviewer may want to understand your work ethic and what motivates you to achieve your goals. This is a great opportunity to talk about what you hope to accomplish in the future, the lessons you’ve learned, and the things or people that are most important to you.

Remember, college admissions officers are looking for passionate and engaged students. So, feel free to share what motivates you to pursue your goals.

How to Prepare for a Stanford Interview

As you prepare for your interview with a Stanford alumni volunteer, it’s helpful to keep a few important tips in mind, such as:

1. Research, research, research.

Familiarize yourself with Stanford’s mission, values, academic programs, faculty, research opportunities, and campus life. Knowing all this will help you answer the interviewer’s questions in a way that shows you’re genuinely interested in the school and what it offers.

You can visit Stanford’s website, read news articles and blogs, and even reach out to current students or alumni for tips and insights. Make sure you don’t sound like you’re just reciting generic facts about the school, and tailor your answers to reflect your goals, interests, and personality.

Taking the time to understand the interview process, its purpose, and what to expect can really improve your chances of having a successful interview.

2. Review your application materials.

Before your interview, reflect on your personal essays, resume, and extracurriculars. Make sure you know everything you’ve included, as the interviewer might want to know specific details or ask you to explain them more. You don’t want to be caught off guard or unsure about something you’ve mentioned in your application!

Think about the main themes and experiences you’ve shared and how they connect to your interest in Stanford and your future aspirations and goals.

3. Practice mock interviews.

No matter how confident you are, interviews can still make anyone nervous. Practice answering common interview questions with a friend, family member, coach, or tutor. Try to be as clear and concise as you can, and ask for feedback on your communication style, body language, and content.

Mock interviews can help you refine your responses, feel more comfortable expressing your thoughts, and pinpoint areas for improvement. It’ll also help refresh your memory on the experiences and achievements that make you stand out as an applicant so you can better articulate them during the interview.

4. Prepare questions to ask your interviewer.

Remember, your Stanford interview is a two-way conversation. While your interviewer will ask you questions, they’ll also expect that you’ve prepared thoughtful questions for them to answer. Asking thoughtful questions shows you’re genuinely interested in learning more about the school. So, make sure to plan ahead for this portion of the interview, too.

Prepare at least 3 questions for your interviewer, such as what they enjoyed about their college experience, what they remember most about Stanford, or how their major has helped them in their current career.

You can also ask about specific academic programs, research opportunities, or student clubs or orgs that are relevant to your interests and goals. However, avoid questions that could quickly be answered through the school website. Instead, use this opportunity to learn more about Stanford from someone with firsthand knowledge.

5. Be yourself.

It sounds cliché, but it’s true. Being authentic is one of the best ways to make a great impression. Colleges and universities, including Stanford, want to get to know the real you, so don’t try to be someone you’re not.

Talk about your accomplishments, but also share moments when you learned from failures or setbacks. You’re a real, whole person, not just a list of statistics. Think about your journey so far. What were the biggest turning points? When did you make a conscious decision that shaped who you are today?

In the middle of your interview, you might also feel tempted to exaggerate or stretch the truth about specific experiences if you’re feeling nervous, but honesty is always the best approach. The fact that you were invited to an interview means Stanford was already impressed with your application, so focus on explaining and giving more details about what you’ve already shared there.

Your interviewer might even notice that your answers don’t match the rest of your application, so to avoid this, try to express your achievements and experiences as clearly as possible. Show the same positive qualities that Stanford saw in your application, and just be yourself!

Frequently Asked Questions

1. How many Stanford applicants get interviews?

It depends on alumni availability in specific areas, so not all applicants will receive an interview. Getting a Stanford interview simply means the school received your application and there’s a local alumni volunteer available to interview you.

2. Does it matter whether my interview is in person or virtually?

No, it doesn’t matter whether your interview is in-person or virtual. The Stanford Admissions Office doesn’t have a preference between the two formats. What’s most important is how you present yourself and communicate during the interview, regardless of the setting.

3. Can I get into Stanford without an interview?

Yes, you don’t need an interview to get accepted into Stanford. Interviews are mostly based on the availability of the alumni interviewers in your area and not on the quality or content of your application.  That said, an interview can work in your favor during the admissions process, especially if you have a great conversation with your interviewer. It shows what you know about Stanford while also getting insights from someone who’s been there.

Takeaways

• Stanford interviews are optional and depend on the availability of alumni volunteers in your area.
• Not getting an interview won’t negatively impact your application, so don’t worry if you don’t get one.
• If you’re offered an interview, take time to prepare by reviewing your application materials and researching Stanford.
• Be yourself during the interview and focus on sharing your authentic experiences, goals, and passions.
• Work with a college admissions consultant to get personalized advice and make sure you’re fully prepared for your Stanford interview.