Stanford University is ranked 2nd from both ARWU and Forbes University ranking lists (national, US), and 2nd worldwide according to ARWU. Known for its relations to Silicon Valley and its large research center, Stanford strength and grandiosity also relies on its social sciences branches.

Even though the applications for the 2016-2017 academic year are closed, the Stanford Graduate School of Education will open the period for applications for the 2017-18 academic year will open mid September 2016.

The deadlines for the 2017-2018 academic year are not set yet, but by comparing with the deadlines for the 2016-2017 applications, a rough estimate can be made that the 2017-2018 application deadlines will be around early December 2016 for PhD students, and mid January 2017 for Master students.