On this page
In late April, students with rolling suitcases and new Stanford lanyards stream across campus while current students wave from club tables. Parents trail a few steps behind with campus maps. For two and a half days, the newly admitted Class of 2031 will sit in on lectures, sleep in dorms, meet future classmates and try to answer one question: is this the place? This is Admit Weekend, Stanford's welcome for admitted undergraduates and one of its five big campus weekends each year.
This guide explains who can go, what the program includes, the most recent confirmed dates and how families can plan travel and hotels. Admit Weekend 2027 is set for Wednesday, April 28 to Friday, April 30. If you are visiting earlier in the process, see our guide for prospective students.
What Admit Weekend is
Admit Weekend is run by Stanford's Office of Undergraduate Admission, at 355 Galvez Street. All admitted first-year students are invited. The admission office calls it a long-standing tradition and describes it as a chance to explore campus, meet the community and picture life at Stanford before the national reply date.
Students on campus call the visitors "ProFros," short for prospective frosh. The term turns up in event names. In 2022 Stanford added the ProFroMance Showcase, a two-hour concert at Frost Amphitheater. In 2024 the program included a ProFro picnic.
The program is for registered admits and their guests. It is not a public event, but its size makes it hard to miss if you are on campus that week.
Recent history
Stanford does not publish a founding year for Admit Weekend. Its recent history is well documented in Stanford Report.
- 2020 and 2021: the program moved online during the pandemic.
- 2022: Admit Weekend returned to campus on April 29 and 30, shortened to two days because no campus lodging was offered. Stanford hosted 1,150 admitted students and at least 1,500 guests.
- 2024: the full format was back from Thursday, April 25 to Saturday, April 27, with about 1,200 admits, about 1,500 parents and guests and more than 140 events. Admits stayed two nights.
- 2026: Thursday, April 23 to Saturday, April 25, starting Thursday morning and ending midday Saturday.
- 2027: Wednesday, April 28 to Friday, April 30, according to Stanford's events office.
What happens over the weekend
The 2024 program is the most detailed recent example. Stanford grouped its events into academic, residential, athletic and social areas.
| Type | Examples from 2024 |
|---|---|
| Welcome | Dean's Welcome on the first day, led by the dean of undergraduate admission and financial aid |
| Academics | Department open houses, classes with professors, an undergraduate research symposium |
| Practical | Financial aid drop-ins, a "Finances and Your Stanford Education" session, housing and dining Q&A |
| Student life | Activities fair with student organizations, panels on academic programs |
| Fun | Dance expo, ProFro picnic, a cappella showcase |
| For parents | Stanford Parents' Club chat table and a parent panel |
Walking tours started from Memorial Court in front of the church. Stanford also publishes a schedule at a glance and an event app before each year's program, so admits can map out their days in advance.
Guests, registration and overnight stays
For 2026, registration was open to admitted students and up to two guests. If a student could not attend, a parent, guardian or other relative could register as their guest instead. The admission office posts registration, check-in and accessibility information on the Admit Weekend site.
Admits who want to sleep on campus request an overnight stay ahead of time. In 2026 the deadline was April 12. Stanford said it could not arrange campus housing for the Wednesday or Saturday nights around the program, so students arriving early or leaving late book their own rooms. Students receiving a Stanford Travel Grant are told to wait for instructions before booking any travel.
Can't make the dates? Stanford also runs in-person Admit Receptions in different regions and offers admitted student tours on campus through April.
Tips for admits and parents
- Bring layers and good shoes. April days can be warm and nights cool. The campus is big.
- Sit in on a real class. It tells you more than any panel.
- Parents, give students space. The overnight stay and dorm events are built for admits on their own.
- Visit the financial aid drop-ins if you have questions about your package before the reply date.
- Climb Hoover Tower if it is open. The observation deck is closed until January 25, 2027, so check its status for the 2027 weekend. Our Hoover Tower guide has details.
Before you go
- Register early and list your guests, since the limit in 2026 was two.
- Request an overnight stay before the deadline if the admit wants to sleep on campus.
- Download the event app and mark the open houses for the majors you are considering.
- Book the nights around the program, which Stanford does not cover.
- Write down your questions for financial aid, housing and academic advisers.
- Plan a meeting point for parents and students, since admits will be off with their hosts much of the time.
Local residents notice Admit Weekend too. Expect more people at campus cafes, the Stanford Bookstore and the Main Quad, plus extra traffic on Campus Drive at check-in. Downtown restaurants are busier than a normal spring weeknight, so book dinner ahead.
Airports, Caltrain and parking
Most families fly into San Francisco International or San Jose. Our guides to getting here from SFO and SJC compare trains, shuttles and rideshare. Caltrain stops at Palo Alto station, a walk of about 20 minutes up Palm Drive to the Main Quad. On weekdays the free Marguerite shuttle runs from the station to campus, which helps for a midweek program like 2027's. If you would rather skip the logistics after a long flight, you can book an airport transfer in advance.
Visitor parking on campus is paid by zone through ParkMobile. Our Stanford parking and transit guide explains the zones. Admission sends its own directions for check-in and drop-off before the weekend.
Hotels and what to do nearby
Admit Weekend is busy but not as tight as commencement. Families usually need a room for the night before and, since the program ends midday on its last day, sometimes the night after. Our guide to staying near Stanford lists the options. You can compare hotels near Stanford and choose a refundable rate until your student decides to attend.
Parents with free time can see the free Cantor Arts Center, which is open Thursday through Monday, or walk downtown Palo Alto for dinner. Late April is also wildflower season in the foothills, a good excuse for a short hike once the program wraps up. The paved Dish loop, about 3.5 miles from the gate at Stanford Avenue and Junipero Serra Boulevard, takes most walkers an hour or a little more, with views back over the campus your student may soon call home.
Frequently asked questions
When is Stanford Admit Weekend 2027?
Stanford's Office of Special Events and Protocol lists Admit Weekend 2027 for April 28 to 30, 2027, a Wednesday to Friday. The 2026 program ran Thursday, April 23 to Saturday, April 25. Admitted students receive the detailed schedule from the admission office.
Can parents go to Stanford Admit Weekend?
Yes. In 2026 registration was open to admitted students and up to two guests. If the admitted student could not attend, a parent, guardian or relative could register as their guest and come on their own.
Do admitted students stay overnight in the dorms?
In recent years admits could request an on-campus overnight stay with a deadline about two weeks before the weekend. In 2026 that deadline was April 12. Stanford said it could not arrange campus housing for the Wednesday or Saturday nights, so families booked those nights themselves.
What happens at Stanford Admit Weekend?
In 2024 Stanford listed more than 140 events, including a Dean's Welcome, academic open houses, classes with professors, walking tours, financial aid drop-ins, a student activities fair and performances such as an a cappella showcase. Parents had their own panel and a Parents' Club chat table.
Is Stanford Admit Weekend open to the public?
No. It is a registered program for admitted students and their guests. Other visitors can still walk the public parts of campus, but expect crowds near the Main Quad and dining halls that week.