A major chosen after university-wide admission
Stanford says you apply to the university as a whole, and the majors you indicate do not bind you in any way. The pages read describe no separate application to Comparative Literature.
Undergraduate · Stanford
Stanford Comparative Literature: a gateway, 40 units of electives and a philosophy subplan
Stanford does not admit applicants to a major. Applicants apply to the university as a whole, and majors indicated do not bind them. The Bulletin describes a Comparative Literature BA of at least 65 units: a gateway, core courses, 40 units of electives chosen around a coherent focus and approved by the director of undergraduate studies, and a capstone seminar. A Comparative Literature and Philosophy subplan has its own capstone options.
Official information · read 31 October 2026, no entry-year label
What Stanford says about Stanford Comparative Literature
Taken from the Stanford Bulletin entry for the Comparative Literature BA and Stanford Undergraduate Admission's First-Year, Testing and International pages, read on 31 October 2026. The pages carry no entry-year label, so for a 2028-entry application every statement below is evidence for the previous cycle and may change; check Stanford's pages for the 2028-entry details.
65 units in the programme
The Bulletin gives a minimum of 65 units within 180 university units.
Forty units of electives
At least 15 must be COMPLIT courses; the rest form a coherent focus approved by the director.
A philosophy subplan
Comparative Literature and Philosophy has its own capstone options.
The SAT or ACT is required
Stanford says ACT or SAT scores are required and sets no minimum. It has no preference for a specific curriculum, naming A-Level and IB.
Official sources
- Stanford Undergraduate Admission: First-Year Applicantsadmission.stanford.edu
- Stanford Bulletin: Comparative Literature (BA)bulletin.stanford.edu
- Stanford Undergraduate Admission: Testingadmission.stanford.edu
Read on 2 November 2026 on the Stanford Bulletin entry for the Comparative Literature BA and Stanford Undergraduate Admission's First-Year, Testing and International pages, which describes 2027 entry. The pages carry no entry-year label. The Stanford Bulletin's requirement lists, the department website, deadlines and financial aid were not read and are not stated.
The major
What the Bulletin says the Comparative Literature BA is
The Bulletin says the programme develops verbal and written communication, analytical reading and global knowledge of literary cultures. Students take a gateway course, usually by the end of sophomore year, core courses, at least 40 units of electives with 15 in COMPLIT courses, and a senior seminar capstone. Language classes taken for a letter grade can count towards the electives, and an optional Foreign Language Proficiency Notation is available. Honours needs a thesis and a minimum of 9 units.
Is it the right major?
Comparative Literature beside Film and Media Studies and Symbolic Systems
Stanford lists these as separate majors, so the choice is made after admission. Avandy's comparison is general.
Comparative Literature fits if
you want literary traditions across languages, with room to shape your own focus.
Film and Media Studies fits if
you want cinema and media as the object. Avandy's Stanford Film and Media Studies guide covers it.
Symbolic Systems fits if
you want language studied with computation and the mind. Avandy's Stanford Symbolic Systems guide covers it.
Admission and testing
A Stanford application, an SAT or ACT and A levels or the IB
Stanford says ACT or SAT scores are required and that there are no minimum test scores required to be admitted. It does not have a preference for a specific curriculum, naming A-Level, IB, AP and national curricula, and asks international applicants to complete the coursework needed for a bachelor's degree programme in their home country. The major is not a separate application. This guide states no score.
A decision framework
Three questions before you commit
This is Avandy's own framework, not Stanford's.
Which languages could you combine?
Language classes taken for a letter grade can count towards electives.
Would a philosophy subplan suit you?
The Bulletin lists a Comparative Literature and Philosophy subplan.
Can you plan the SAT or ACT alongside your A levels or IB?
Stanford says ACT or SAT scores are required and sets no minimum.
Planning for 2028 entry
Planning for 2028 entry: what carries over and what is awaiting publication
Stanford's pages carry no entry-year label, so nothing on them is confirmed for 2028 entry. Use them to understand the structure of the application, then check Stanford's own pages for the 2028-entry details.
The requirements and descriptions on the pages read on 31 October 2026, which carry no entry-year label
These are the best guide to what to prepare. Stanford has not confirmed them for 2028 entry.
Deadlines, fees, financial aid and any department prerequisites not quoted here: not stated
This guide has not read them. Check Stanford for the values that apply to your application year.
What to do now
Read the major page and the Stanford Bulletin entry, and plan the SAT or ACT alongside your A levels or IB.
Support
Independent support with planning your own application
Avandy provides independent academic and admissions support. It is not affiliated with Stanford University or any of its colleges or departments. Preparation sits within the Avandy Trinity Advisory Model: a Strategic Admissions Consultant, a PhD-level Academic Mentor and a Subject-specific Tutor, working to the actual requirements of each course. Support here is limited to understanding the requirements and planning the applicant's own work; Avandy does not write or edit essays, does not submit any materials and has no partnership with Stanford University. No outcome is promised.
Questions
Questions applicants ask
Can I apply directly to Stanford Comparative Literature?
No. Stanford says you apply to the university as a whole, not to a particular major, department or school.
Can I apply directly to Comparative Literature at Stanford?
No. Stanford says you apply to the university as a whole, not to a particular major, department or school.
Do languages count towards the major?
Yes. The Bulletin says language classes taken for a letter grade, excluding conversational courses, can count towards the elective requirement.
Do I need the SAT or ACT?
Stanford says ACT or SAT scores are required, and that there are no minimum test scores required to be admitted.
Do A levels and the IB count?
Stanford says it does not have a preference for a specific curriculum, naming A-Level, IB, AP and national curricula.
Are these the rules for 2028 entry?
No. They are Stanford's wording with no entry-year label. Check Stanford's pages again when Stanford publishes its 2028-entry requirements.
Students and families
Talk to us about Stanford Comparative Literature
Tell us about the student's curriculum, which languages and literatures they would combine, whether the philosophy subplan interests them and their SAT or ACT plan, the universities on the list, and the intended year of entry. A senior adviser will review the academic profile before recommending how to prepare.