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 Electrical Engineering.
Undergraduate · Stanford
Stanford Electrical Engineering: principles, depth and an approved planning sheet
Stanford says you apply to the university as a whole, not to a particular major, and Electrical Engineering is a major in the School of Engineering. Stanford describes electrical engineering principles built on a foundation of physical science, mathematics, computing and technology, with a depth requirement and an approved planning sheet. 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 Electrical Engineering
Taken from Stanford's Explore Majors page for Electrical Engineering 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.
Principles on a science foundation
Physical science, mathematics, computing and technology.
A depth requirement
Majors need at least a 2.0 GPA in the EE depth courses.
An approved planning sheet
Due soon after declaring the major.
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: Electrical Engineeringmajors.stanford.edu
- Stanford Undergraduate Admission: Testingadmission.stanford.edu
Read on 1 November 2026 on Stanford's Explore Majors page for Electrical Engineering 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 mission of the undergraduate programme is to augment a liberal education, impart a basic understanding of electrical engineering built on physical science, mathematics, computing and technology, and give majors knowledge of electrical engineering principles with the supporting mathematics, science, computing and engineering fundamentals. Students must have a programme planning sheet approved by their adviser and the department before the end of the quarter after declaring, and need at least a 2.0 GPA in the depth requirement. This guide does not list the courses.
Is it the right major?
Electrical Engineering beside Engineering Physics and Computer Science
Stanford lists these as separate majors, so the choice is made after admission. Avandy's comparison is general.
Electrical Engineering fits if
you want electronics, signals and systems.
Engineering Physics fits if
you want physics and engineering. Avandy's Stanford Engineering Physics guide covers it.
Computer Science fits if
you want computing as the main subject. Avandy's Stanford Computer Science 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.
Do you want a planned depth in electrical engineering?
A depth requirement and planning sheet apply.
Are mathematics and computing comfortable foundations?
They are part of the required supporting knowledge.
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 Electrical Engineering?
No. Stanford says you apply to the university as a whole, not to a particular major, department or school.
Is a planning sheet needed?
Yes, approved by the adviser and department before the end of the quarter after declaring.
Is there a GPA rule?
At least 2.0 in the EE depth courses.
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 Electrical Engineering
Tell us about the student's curriculum, their mathematics and physics, how they weigh electronics against computing 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.