Stanford University
Explore Stanford’s campus, academics, and possibilities—free
This free college-exploration virtual field trip introduces Grade 11–12 prospective students to Stanford University and nearby Palo Alto through ten map-based stops. Follow the route from the Farm’s origins and Memorial Church to student life, undergraduate academics, engineering, humanities and sciences, sustainability, the arts, athletics, the Dish, and the HP Garage.
Each stop opens a selected Google Maps view, offers supporting historical images when available, and includes a full on-screen transcript. Students learn that Stanford applicants enter the university as a whole rather than through a binding major, then explore the fields and experiences they might consider after arriving. The tour is transcript-first, so it can be explored independently, used in advisory, or projected for a college-readiness group without waiting for hosted audio.
The trip is free in full: there is no unlock code, purchase, or account requirement. Use the printable student worksheet, answer key, and teacher guide included with the trip as optional discussion supports.
Highlights
- 10 stops across Stanford University and nearby Palo Alto
- Campus history, undergraduate academics, student life, arts, athletics, and Silicon Valley
- Stanford’s Explore First academic-entry model and major exploration
- Google Maps exploration, historical images, and full transcripts
- Designed with Grade 12 prospective students in mind
- Completely free—no account, purchase, or unlock code
- Describe how Stanford’s founding story and physical campus shape its identity as the Farm.
- Explain how Stanford’s academic-entry model and schools help students explore majors and career interests.
- Identify ways academic disciplines, student life, arts, athletics, sustainability, and Silicon Valley connections appear across the campus.
- Use maps, images, and transcripts as evidence when evaluating a prospective college campus.