Introductory Seminars

How to Select Your IntroSems & Apply

Quarterly Application Windows & Deadlines

Autumn: August 11–August 27

Winter: August 11–November 5

Spring: August 11–February 11

Step 1: Finding Your IntroSems in the Explore IntroSems Catalog

  1. Browse the online catalog and do not limit your choices: Allow yourself to imagine the excitement in subjects that may seem far afield from what you initially expected to pursue. Each seminar page contains the course description as well as a biographical profile of the instructor. If you are interested in taking a course in a particular department or quarter, use the filtering tools. You can also filter by interest, Ways, and school.
  2. Create your plan for the year: You get to request priority enrollment in your top three seminars each quarter. By choosing seminars in advance, you will have a head start on academic planning for the year. You only need to write statements of interest for your first choice seminars each quarter when you apply (see next section on this page).
  3. Confirm that the seminar works with your class schedule: You are able to see the day, time and location (DTL) for your IntroSem selections in Navigate Classes and the IntroSems application system, the IntroSems' VCA.

Step 2: Applying in the IntroSems' VCA

The online student application system, the IntroSems' VCA, opens for the 2025-26 year on August 11th when students can map out their selections for priority enrollment for all three quarters and finalize their choices by the quarterly deadlines above.

Applications are reviewed by instructors after each quarterly deadline. Students may only enter information in the IntroSems' VCA when it is open for applications; the system is closed when instructors are in the VCA to select students for their classes and when admitted students are being enrolled. Deadlines are on Wednesdays at 11:59PM, no extensions.

  1. Go to the IntroSems' VCA.
  2. Search for your seminar selections and click on a course title to apply. On the next window, click on the red button, Apply to this Course. As you start to apply, the system will automatically assign rank from highest to lowest. You'll have an opportunity to modify this ranking (1st, 2nd, 3rd) later from the table with your name on the VCA landing page.
  3. Enter a statement of interest for your first-choice IntroSem each quarter. Be specific, give details that illustrate your points, and use full sentences and/or paragraphs in unified presentation. The more the instructor can understand your motivations and approach to the topic, the more likely he or she will keep you in mind for the class. Tell a story, consider getting feedback from others, and make sure to proofread. Statements are optional but recommended for your second and third choice seminars; the instructors of your lower ranked seminars can read your first-choice statement.
    • Respond to the following prompt for each first choice—Pick something in the seminar description and explain why it grabs your attention. Perhaps it reminds you of a prior experience, inspires you to tell a story about yourself, or unearths a curiosity you didn’t know you have. Don’t worry if the story doesn’t seem relevant to the IntroSem. The purpose is for the professor to learn more about you as they assemble the class. Please note - the system has a character limit of about 3000.
  4. If an IntroSem you selected has a course-specific question, it must be answered regardless of how you rank the course. You will see it below the text box for the standard writing prompt. These instructors would like to know a little bit more about you than your first-choice statement reveals.
  5. Be sure to click the red Save button often to record your selections and statement. The Save button is essentially submit. Look for an automatic confirmation message in your email every time you save something to the IntroSems' VCA.
  6. You may revise your selections, ranking, and statement(s) up until each quarter's 11:59PM deadline at which point all saved entries are automatically submitted for instructor review. (In other words, your selections are reviewed after each quarterly deadline, not on a rolling basis or first come, first served.)
    • Look for the Revise link to update your statement, make changes, and click Save.
    • Look for the dropdowns in the Rank column to change your rankings and be sure to click the red button, Submit Rank Change.
  7. Saw the course in the summer mailing or online catalog, but don't see it in the IntroSems' VCA? Check the Seminar Updates page in the Explore IntroSems' catalog for the most recent updates.

At least a week before the published application deadline, make sure you can log into the IntroSems' VCA. Email introsems@stanford.edu if you encounter any issues.