Residential Life

Stanford Summer Humanities Institute believes that valuable growth experiences take place inside and outside of the classroom. We intentionally design learning opportunities to happen throughout the day, afternoon, and weekend. Academic and residential experiences are woven together in an inclusive community of participants from across the country and around the globe.
SHI students

An Interactive Experience

SHI Students

Housing

Participants are housed with other Summer Humanities Institute students in residences used by Stanford undergraduates during the academic year. Trained residential staff live in the residences with the participants to create safe and welcoming communities.

Rooms are assigned by gender. We are committed to providing an inclusive, supportive, and comfortable residential environment for all participants, and gender-inclusive housing assignments can be provided.
SHI Students at fire pit

Activities

The daily schedule includes a variety of co-curricular activities in the afternoon to expand the education that takes place outside of the classroom. These activities are intended to provide participants with new skills, exercise, and community building. Activities are designed for a variety of interests and energy levels.

Examples of evening and weekend activities may include a talent show, a firepit night, and visiting Downtown Palo Alto.
SHI students on field trip

Field Trips

Weekend field trips enrich the academic experience and provide an opportunity to socialize with your peers outside of the classroom. Transportation, lunch, and entrance fees (if applicable) are included for all participants.

The Stanford Pre-Collegiate Studies residential programs provide social, recreational, and educational opportunities for students where they live. Students have the opportunity to build inclusive communities with their peers from across the world and engage in advanced coursework within a supportive environment.

Taylor Henkel

Associate Director of Residential Experience

The Role of Residential Staff

Thumbnail

Role Models, Mentors, Leaders

Interaction with the residential staff is a true highlight of the experience. Residential staff play an integral role in helping to create a positive residential and learning environment for all participants.

si staff lake

Supportive and Empathetic Residential Staff

Residential staff are current undergraduates, graduate students, and recent graduates from the Stanford community or other colleges and universities from around the country. Residential staff receive extensive training prior to the start of the Stanford Summer Humanities Institute and are prepared to deal with a variety of scenarios ranging from addressing homesickness to responding to an emergency.
A group of residential staff welcome participants to the program.

A Safe & Inclusive Community

The residence will have approximately fifteen residential staff members who tightly integrate academics with the residential experience. At the core of their responsibilities is developing an inclusive environment where all participants feel safe and supported. In addition to empowering participants to build community, they also serve as teaching assistants for courses in their fields of study.

We Value Safety

We have high expectations for our participants to abide by the Code of Conduct. Meeting these expectations is critical for the safety of all participants and ensures that everyone has the most enjoyable experience possible.

The residential staff fostered an inclusive environment. Their caring nature shined through in every circumstance, and whenever I had any issues, I felt comfortable going to them for help.

Stanford Summer Humanities Institute Participant

Typical Weekday Schedule

Stanford Summer Humanities Institute participants have full daily schedules which incorporate the academic, social, and cultural aspects of the program. Each weekday follows a similar schedule.
8:00am - 9:00am Breakfast
9:00am - 11:00am Faculty-led classroom session that includes lecture, small group discussions, and some individual work
11:30am - 1:00pm Lunch
1:00pm - 2:30pm Discussion sections led by Stanford graduate students
3:30pm - 4:00pm Designated study period and snack break
4:00pm - 6:00pm Selected organized co-curricular activities (participation required)
6:00pm - 7:00pm Dinner
7:00pm - 9:00pm Free time for rest or informal study
9:00pm Participants must return to their assigned residence
9:00pm - 10:00pm House meeting
10:00pm - 10:45pm Study Time
11:00pm Lights out

Residential Life Frequently Asked Questions

Do participants have to live on campus to participate in Stanford Pre-Collegiate Studies programs?

Show Hide

Due to the immersive nature of the Stanford Pre-Collegiate Studies programs, participants are required to live in Stanford residence halls. Participants are not eligible to communte for the day to programs.

What are the Stanford Pre-Collegiate Studies summer residences like?

Show Hide

Participants are housed in a residence hall used by Stanford undergraduates during the academic year, and live with peers in the same program who share similar academic interests. Each program will have its own designated residence hall. Participants should expect to live with roommates for the duration of the program.Trained residential staff live in the residences with the participants to create safe and welcoming communities. Note: residence halls do not have air conditioning. We suggest participants bring a small personal fan.

Rooms are assigned by gender. We are committed to providing an inclusive, supportive, and comfortable residential environment for all participants. Gender-inclusive housing assignments can be provided.

Residence halls typically have their own lounge, laundry facility, and common area. All rooms are equipped with furniture, and each participant will have: one extra-long twin bed, a desk and a chair, a bookcase, a dresser, and a wardrobe/closet. Bed linens and a towel are provided. A complete list of what to bring is provided to all participants prior to beginning the program. In addition, wireless internet connectivity is available.

What are the dining options?

Show Hide

Participants eat in Stanford cafeteria-style dining halls, which serve a range of healthy options for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. The dining halls provide vegetarian and vegan options at every meal, and will cater to special dietary allergies or needs such as kosher or gluten-free food. The dining halls are within walking distance of each program's residence hall. Mid-afternoon snacks are served daily at the residences.

Will my roommate(s) and I be the same gender?

Show Hide

Stanford Pre-Collegiate Studies provides gender-inclusive housing to ensure that all participants feel comfortable in their residence hall room. We define gender-inclusive as including cis-gender male or female, transgender, and gender non-binary participants in our residential programs. On the program application, applicants are asked to select whether they are comfortable living on the same floor with and sharing a room with participants who identify as a different gender than themselves. If an applicant selects they are comfortable sharing a floor with participants who idenitfy as a different gender, but are not comfortable sharing a room with a participant who identifies as a different gender, then the participant may be placed on a co-ed floor and in a single-gender room. If a participant indicates they are comfortable living in a room with a roommate who identifies as a different gender, then the participant may be placed with a roommate who identifies as a different gender than themselves. 

Preparing for Your Summer

Does Stanford Pre-Collegiate Studies provide airport transportation to and from Stanford campus?

Show Hide

Stanford Pre-Collegiate Studies provides transportation from the San Francisco International Airport (SFO) for participants at set times on designated arrival and departure days only. Participants flying into San Francisco International Airport who take advantage of transportation provided by Stanford Pre-Collegiate Studies must arrive and depart on the designated days for the session that they are attending. Stanford Pre-Collegiate Studies is not able to provide transportation for participants if they arrive at times outside of the scheduled pick-up times. Participants arriving at times outside of official pick up and drop off times and days should be accompanied by a designated adult, parent, or legal guardian. Participants who are admitted to the program will be given detailed information regarding the procedure for airport transportation and will be prompted to share their arriving and departing flight information with Stanford Pre-Collegiate Studies in late May. Participants using the airport shuttle service must provide their flight information to Stanford Pre-Collegiate Studies; staff members will pick-up participants near their arriving terminal's baggage claim and accompany them back to Stanford University. Stanford Pre-Collegiate Studies also provides transportation to the San Francisco International Airport on the day of departure, with the last bus leaving campus on departure day at 10:00 AM PT. The use of airport shuttle service on Arrival and Departure days is included in Stanford Pre-Collegiate Studies program tuition.

Can participants take part in other camps while at a Stanford Pre-Collegiate Studies summer program?

Show Hide

No. Stanford Pre-Collegiate Studies summer programs are a full-time commitment and participants are expected to engage fully in all course and program activities for the duration of the session. Participants are required to arrive on the first day of the program and depart on the last day; late arrivals and early departures are not permitted.

What are the rules at a Stanford Pre-Collegiate Studies program?

Show Hide

Upon receiving an admissions offer, participants will receive a link to the Stanford Pre-Collegiate Studies "Participant Guide" website. Participants are expected to abide by the Rules for Participants, as well as the Stanford Pre-Collegiate Studies’ Code of Conduct. Failure to abide by all rules and the Code of Conduct may result in dismissal from the program.

What do participants need to bring with them to Stanford University?

Show Hide

Participants are housed in the same residence halls used by Stanford undergraduates during the academic year. Note that residence halls do not have air conditioning. All rooms are equipped with furniture, and each participant will have: one extra-long twin bed, a desk and a chair, a bookcase, a dresser, and a wardrobe/closet. Bed linens and a towel are provided. Participants should be mindful of how many personal items they bring, as they will have roommates for the duration of the program. In addition, wireless internet connectivity is available. A complete list of what to bring is provided to all participants prior to beginning the program.

Do I need to bring my own computer?

Show Hide

Participants should bring their own laptop computers to the program. Computers must be able to access internet, write papers, and do various research. Stanford Pre-Collegiate Studies programs do not endorse or recommend a specific brand of computer. Wireless internet is available in the residence halls and throughout campus.

General

What is the attendance policy?

Show Hide

Participants must be fully involved in the program and should be present for all program activities. Participants are required to arrive on designated arrival dates and remain until the end of the program. All activities, including recreational and social programming, are designed to provide participants with a well-rounded experience both inside and outside of the classroom. Participants should only miss scheduled activities for health reasons, religious observances, or family emergencies.

What is the daily routine like in the Stanford Summer Humanities Institute residential program?

Show Hide

Days at Stanford Summer Humanities Institute begin with breakfast at one of our dining halls, followed by engaging class time until lunch. After lunch, participants attend a discussion section with a Stanford graduate student and return to their residence halls for study time. The weekday afternoons conclude with snacks and an activities period with a variety of offerings, such as a workshop or recreational event. Participants have dinner together and then have some time to relax, socialize, or study until mandatory hall meetings to wrap up the day. For further information, please visit the Schedule page in the Residential Life section. Classes and study sessions are not held on the weekends; however, there are planned activities on the weekends that participants are required to attend such as fields trips or recreational activities.

What kind of supervision is provided?

Show Hide

Participants are supervised by our residential staff members, who are generally undergraduate students. Residential staff are assigned based on their academic areas of expertise, making them not only counselors, but also excellent mentors. Residential staff members are responsible for tightly integrating academics with the residential experience and ensure a safe and strong community. For more information, visit the Residential Life section of each program website.

Residences & Dining

Can participants with food allergies and other special needs be accommodated?

Show Hide

Yes, upon admission into the program, participants will be asked to provide health information and may provide details for any other specific needs. Stanford Pre-Collegiate Studies administrative staff will coordinate with participants to plan necessary accommodations.

How do participants receive mail?

Show Hide

All mail during the program can be sent to a central address on campus, and the staff will distribute mail to program participants, which may increase the amount of time to reach it's destination. Participants will recieve the mailing address closer to the program start date. Please note the mailing address for letter mail and packages may differ and will be included in the Participant Guide recieved upon enrollment.

Be sure to include the participants name and the name of the program in all mail. This information will be provided to all participants when admitted to the program in the online Participant Guide website. Stanford does not offer Saturday or Sunday mail delivery. Stanford Pre-Collegiate Studies is not responsible for undelivered mail. We highly recommend that valuables (monetary or sentimental) are not sent via mail to participants while they attend the program. We also recommend participants keep ordering items or supplies to campus to a minimum, and reserve it for critical things forgotten at home, or for things necessary for use during their time at the program. No mail should be sent to participants in the final three days of the program, as they may not recieve the mail in time before Departure Day.

How are rooms assigned? Can participants request specific roommates?

Show Hide

Stanford Pre-Collegiate Studies participants are housed by program. Stanford Pre-Collegiate Studies does not accept nor accommodate roommate requests. In fact, to further enrich our participants' experiences, we attempt to match participants with others from different backgrounds and geographic regions. Room configurations will vary based on the residence hall that participants live in, although all participants should expect to share restrooms with other participants. Participants will receive more specific residence hall information closer to the program start date.

Extracurricular Activities

Can participants continue athletic training while at a Stanford Pre-Collegiate Studies program?

Show Hide

No. There will be some opportunities to work out or participate in active activities during the program and more information will be shared prior to the beginning of the program. Information about access to Stanford University gym facilities will be provided in the Participant Guide upon enrollment.

Please be aware that Stanford Pre-Collegiate Studies programs have rigorous academic schedules; if a participants is on a strict training plan the program may not be best suited for their athletic goals.

What do participants do for fun on weekdays?

Show Hide

Stanford Pre-Collegiate Studies staff organize and host activities for participants during their afternoon activities period (Monday–Friday) and other downtime. Examples of planned activities may include: pick up sand volleyball and basketball, workshops with various offices around campus, and a talent show at the end of the program. Participants must attend any planned activities during the program.

What do participants do on the weekends?

Show Hide

Weekends during the program are a mix of unstructured downtime and planned activities. Participants use the unstructured time to relax, socialize with new friends, and catch up on homework. Planned activities may include sports, field trips, carnivals, etc. Participants must attend any planned weekend activities during the program.

Medical Care & Parent/Guardian Policies

What happens if a participant needs medical care?

Show Hide

In the event that a participant illness or injury cannot be treated by staff on campus, staff members will transport the participant to either the Palo Alto Medical Foundation’s (PAMF) Pediatric or Adult Urgent Care Center for non-critical medical care or to the Stanford Health Care (SHC) Hospital Pediatric Emergency Room for critical or after hours care. Staff will call an ambulance on behalf of the participant if the injury prevents staff from transporting the participant themselves. When possible, staff will remain with the participant and staff will contact the parents/guardians in the event that a participant receives medical care.

Additionally, if Pre-Collegiate Studies Staff determines that a participant requires medical attention, staff will transport the participant to a medical provider, even if the participant refuses medical treatment. U.S.-based medical insurance is required for all program participants without exception and proof of insurance must be provided prior to the beginning of the program. Stanford Pre-Collegiate Studies does not provide medical insurance and cannot assist families in working with insurance companies to obtain U.S. medical insurance.

The PAMF (Pediatric) Urgent Care Center is located near the Stanford University campus and provides non-critical health care services. Patients must be 17 or under to access the Pediatric Urgent Care. International health insurances are not accepted at PAMF. At PAMF, patients can make medical decisions and provide consent beginning at the age of 12; however, as long as the participant consents, our staff will be allowed to remain in the room.

SHC Pediatric Emergency Room will see patients 20 years of age and younger. Billing information is collected after the patient has been seen and is stable. Staff can remain in the room with minors; however, parents/guardians must sign a waiver allowing staff to remain in the room while medical information is being shared and medical decisions are being made. While Stanford Pre-Collegiate Studies staff will attempt to make contact with the participant’s parents/guardians if there is a medical emergency, the Stanford Pediatric Emergency Room will also automatically try to make contact as well.

In the event of a mental health emergency, staff will transport participants to the Stanford Health Care Hospital Emergency Room for additional care and support.

Which immunization are required to participate in Stanford Pre-Collegiate Studies programs?

Show Hide

Participants are required to provide documentation that they are up to date on their MMR (Measles, Mumps, Rubella) vaccination. Additionally, participants will need to be cleared for Tuberculosis (TB) prior to arriving on campus. More information about the process to clear for TB will be shared closer to the start of the program.

How will Stanford Pre-Collegiate Studies handle a participant testing positive for COVID-19 during the program?

Show Hide

Stanford Pre-Collegiate Studies will follow all COVID-19 policies and procedures determined by Stanford University. As more information on procedures for monitoring and responding to COVID-19 cases becomes available, Stanford Pre-Collegiate Studies will communicate with enrolled participants.

Can parents pick up participants from the program for sports activities or family events?

Show Hide

Stanford Pre-Collegiate Studies participants are expected to be fully involved in the program while at Stanford.

Participants are required to be present for all academic activities and all afternoon activities period and planned weekend activities. Our Stanford Pre-Collegiate Studies programs are designed for participantd to attend all co-curricular activities so they get a well-rounded experience outside of the classroom. Participants should be sure they do not have any commitments during scheduled activities. In addition, free time is a critical part of the program when participants can build relationships with their peers.

Will parents or guardians be updated by residential or instructional staff on participants progress?

Show Hide

Stanford Pre-Collegiate Studies instructional and residential staff are extremely busy during the program. Therefore, we ask that parents and guardians communicate directly with participants. In the Fall, participants will receive an evaluation from their instructor detailing their performance in the course. If participants have any concerns during the program, we encourage them to speak to their residential staff member directly so that a solution can be found as quickly as possible.

Around Stanford Campus

Will participants be able to explore campus on their own?

Show Hide

Once participants have oriented themselves to campus after the first few days of the program, participants will receive sign-out privileges from their residential staff. Stanford Pre-Collegiate Studies participants may only walk around the main campus during designated sign-out hours and must return to their residence at the time specified by their residential staff or before dark, whichever comes first. Participants must provide their phone number to residential staff and clearly indicate where on campus they will be in case there is an emergency or residential staff need to communicate with them. Going outside of main campus may result in participants losing their sign out privileges or other disciplinary action.

Will participants have the opportunity to speak to someone in the Office of Undergraduate Admissions?

Show Hide

While not guaranteed, a representative from the Stanford Office of Undergraduate Admission is typically scheduled to give a presentation to participants during their program. The website for the Stanford Office of Undergraduate Admission lists the opportunities to learn about Stanford or connect with their office. https://admission.stanford.edu/engage/

Will participants get to take a campus tour during their stay at a Stanford Pre-Collegiate Studies summer program?

Show Hide

Informal campus tours may be provided by our own staff, as many are Stanford students and are very familiar with the campus. If participants are interested in a more formal tour of the campus, they should make arrangements with the Stanford Visitor Information Office independently. Please note that these arrangements must not interfere with any scheduled program activities. https://admission.stanford.edu/engage/