What are IntroSems?

Introductory Seminars (IntroSems) are small, hands-on elective courses offered across all seven schools, designed specifically for Frosh and Sophomores. Meet a faculty mentor in a discussion-based seminar with your peers and engage in research early in your Stanford career while exploring your interests.

How IntroSems fit into your Stanford education Explore IntroSems Apply

Welcome to the Farm, Class of '26! Looking for the quick highlights? Check out this one pager on how Introductory Seminars will fit into your educational life at Stanford in your first two years.

Applying for IntroSems

Really excited about a particular IntroSem? Apply for priority enrollment in up to three IntroSems per quarter. Tell the instructor why you want to take their class with a brief statement of interest. Status (i.e., admitted, waitlisted, not admitted) is released before you enroll in your other courses that quarter. 
Learn about priority enrollment

Late start, or just flexible? After instructors have selected students for priority enrollment, any IntroSems that still have space available will open up for student self-registration in Axess. So you’ve got a few chances to get into a fantastic class! 
Learn how to enroll without applying in advance

Check out the TEK Stories Podcast by members of the Frosh IntroSem, Catching up with Traditional Ecological Knowledge (BIO35N), offered in Spring 2022 with Professor Tadashi Fukami 

IntroSems Class Project by Khuyen Nha Le: "Utopia Box"
 

"All in all, I felt similar sensations looking at and interacting with this box as how I would feel in front of a piece of contemporary art."

Dr. Chenshu Zhou, instructor of the Sophomore IntroSem, Utopia/Dystopia in Chinese Literature and Culture (CHINA 154Q)

IntroSem Student Projects Gallery

Accessible version of exhibit