Office of Retention Services

Stanford Summer Session

Ever wonder what it is like to take a class at a 4-year university?

Through the Office of Retention Services, Foothill College students can attend one class at Stanford’s Summer Session — for free. 

25 students will be chosen to participate in this opportunity. The class will be a 3-unit, 8-week, in-person class chosen from a list provided by Stanford for our cohort. A partial list from our Summer 2024 program is available below.

This program helps students progress on their academic journey by experiencing a different learning environment. Stanford works closely with our students to provide a unique experience for our cohort by providing specific programming to help our students learn important skills to bring with them on their academic journey. 

This program's main goal is to give students the opportunity to experience what it is like to attend a 4-year university. It is not guaranteed that the class students take at Stanford will transfer or help them meet any degree requirements, as this program is entirely about the experience of taking a class at a prestigious institution like Stanford to help them build their confidence as they pursue their academic goals.

The classes are 8 weeks and run from the last week in June to the third week in August. All classes are in person on Stanford’s main campus. Applications received by the Early Decision Submission deadline will receive first consideration. 

This is the fourth year we have ran this program and we are looking forward to welcoming a new group of students to experience this life-changing opportunity.

 

APPLY NOW

 

2024 Classes:

 

Anthro 1S: Intro to Cultural & Social Anthropology
Anthro XX (course number tbd): What is a Border? Who is a Migrant?
CEE 107S: Understand Energy Essentials
COMPMED 89S: The Neurobiology of Pain
CS 193C: Client-Side Internet Technologies
EPI 259: Introduction to Probability and Statistics for Epidemiology
History XXX (course number tbd): War, Revolution, and Modern American Society
PHIL XXX (course number tbd): How Should We Decide What to Do? Practical Rationality in Antiquity
Physics 16: The Origin and Development of the Cosmos

Summer Session Requirements

• Meet Stanford Vaden Health Requirements: provide proof of vaccination for MMR (Measles, Mumps, Rubella), complete a TB screening which may require a further TB blood test, and to provide proof of health insurance. 
• Attendance at biweekly (every other week) events at Stanford to attend special events hosted by Summer Session and community building events hosted by Foothill. 
• Commitment to attending the Summer Session class in person for all 8 weeks. 
• Complete a Stanford Summer Session application through Stanford if you are chosen to participate in the 2024 cohort. 

Testimonials

Hear what previous Stanford summer session students say about their experiences.

 

 

 

I am beyond privileged to be part of both Foothill College and Stanford University. Never in my sanity that one of my impossible dreams will become possible during my experience in Foothill College, until now, I still could not decipher that I am a Stanford University student. Hence, I am forever in awe. 

Krizza Shae, 2022 Cohort

 

 

Studying at Stanford has given me more confidence in my abilities and helped me to move on from my imposter syndrome. I've had imposter syndrome for the longest time and always worried that I wasn’t good enough, and that has changed now.

Ibrahemm Syed, 2022 Cohort

 

I learned that I could belong in any school I want, that making it into a four-year is possible and not as scary as I had anticipated.

Emery D'Mello 2023 Cohort

How to Apply

To apply for the Stanford Summer Session 2025 cohort, you will need to complete an application through Academic Works, located in your MyPortal. More information is included in the official application.

Application Requirements

1. Fill out the Academic Works general scholarship application. General Scholarship Application
2. 
   Fill out supplemental application questions, including uploading a referral from a Foothill staff, faculty, or adminstrator. This does not need to be a full letter of recommendation. Supplemental Application
3. Upload unofficial transcript to scholarship portal. We use the transcript to confirm Foothill as your main campus, as well as the number of units you are currently enrolled in for Winter term.

 

Priority given to:

• Students who have demonstrated financial hardship through completion of the FAFSA, CA Dream Act or an explanation of financial hardship in the supplementary questions.
o We encourage you to fill out the FAFSA for 2023-24 if you haven’t done so already. This will greatly improve your chances of positive review, especially if you show high need.
• First-generation college students (you are the first person in your family to attend college).
• Students who have the intent to transfer to a 4-year university.
• First time degree earners (no prior degree such as a Bachelor’s or Associate).
• Students who will continue with Foothill in the following fall term.
• Students who attend 1 of 2 Stanford Summer Session information events held on Foothill’s campus:

 

 1st session: Stay tuned

 

2nd session: Stay tuned

 

Click here to Register for the Info Sessions

Submission Deadlines

Early Decision Submission deadline: February 18th. 2025 

Early Decision decision release date: February 28th, 2025 (applicants not selected in the Early Decision Pool will be rolled through and considered with the Regular Decision applicants) 

Regular Decision Submission Deadline: March 7th, 2025 

Regular Decision decision release date: March 19th, 2025 

 

 

APPLY NOW