Stanford University was founded in 1885 by California senator Leland Stanford and his wife, Jane, to promote the public welfare by exercising an influence in behalf of humanity and civilization. It is one of the world's leading research universities. It is known for its entrepreneurial character, drawn from the legacy of its founders, Jane and Leland Stanford, and its relationship to Silicon Valley. Areas of excellence range from the humanities to social sciences to engineering and the sciences.

The University today comprises seven schools and 18 interdisciplinary institutes thousands of students, faculty and postdoctoral scholars. Stanford offers three undergraduate degrees, Bachelor of Arts, Bachelor of Sciences and Bachelor of Arts and Sciences. Each is designed to achieve balance between depth of knowledge acquired through specialization and breadth of knowledge gained through exploration. The students in more than 90 departments and programs are pursuing post-baccalaureate degrees in all seven of Stanford’s schools, Business, Earth, Energy and Environmental Sciences, Education, Engineering, Humanities and Sciences, Law and Medicine.

Stanford is located in California's Bay Area, one of the most intellectually dynamic and culturally diverse areas of the nation.