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 Earth Systems.
Undergraduate · Stanford
Stanford Earth Systems: environmental science with seven focus areas
Stanford says you apply to the university as a whole, not to a particular major, and Earth Systems is an interdisciplinary environmental science major. Students study complex environmental problems caused by human activity interacting with natural change, with breadth in science, economics and policy and then one of seven focus areas. This guide makes no claim of a separate application to the major.
Official information · read 1 November 2026, no entry-year label
What Stanford says about Stanford Earth Systems
Taken from Stanford's Explore Majors page for Earth Systems and Stanford Undergraduate Admission's First-Year, Testing and International pages, read on 1 November 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.
Interdisciplinary environmental science
Science, economics and policy together.
Breadth first
Biology, calculus, chemistry, geology, physics, economics, policy and statistics.
Seven focus areas
Students concentrate on one for advanced work.
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 Explore Majors: Earth Systemsmajors.stanford.edu
- Stanford Undergraduate Admission: Testingadmission.stanford.edu
Read on 1 November 2026 on Stanford's Explore Majors page for Earth Systems 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 Stanford says the major is
Stanford's major page says the Earth Systems Program is an interdisciplinary environmental science major in which students investigate complex environmental problems caused by human activities interacting with natural changes in the Earth system. Majors become skilled in the science, economics and policy needed to tackle such problems, taking fundamentals in biology, calculus, chemistry, geology and physics plus economics, policy and statistics, and then concentrating on one of seven focus areas, including the Biosphere and Energy Science and Technology. This guide does not list all focus areas.
Is it the right major?
Earth Systems beside Energy Science and Human Biology
Stanford lists these as separate majors, so the choice is made after admission. Avandy's comparison is general.
Earth Systems fits if
you want environmental problems tackled with science, economics and policy.
Energy Science and Engineering fits if
you want energy specifically. Avandy's Stanford Energy Science guide covers it.
Human Biology fits if
you want human-centred biology. Avandy's Stanford Human Biology 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 focus area would you choose?
There are seven.
Do science and policy both interest you?
The major combines them.
Can you plan the SAT or ACT with your A levels or IB?
Stanford says ACT or SAT scores are required.
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 1 November 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 Earth Systems?
No. Stanford says you apply to the university as a whole, not to a particular major, department or school.
How many focus areas are there?
Seven.
What breadth is required?
Biology, calculus, chemistry, geology, physics, economics, policy and statistics.
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 Earth Systems
Tell us about the student's curriculum, their sciences and economics subjects, their interest in environmental problems 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.