Stanford Pre-Orientation Trips
Stanford Pre-Orientation Trips (SPOT)
What is SPOT?
Stanford Pre-Orientation Trips are immersive, outdoor experiences that take place the week before New Student Orientation and are designed to ease the transition of students to life at Stanford as well as foster Stanford Identity, community, and personal growth through activity, self-reflection, and mentorship.
Cost: $550. Financial aid is available. The cost of SPOT will be billed to your Fall 2025 Stanford account.
Registration Information
Registration Dates: Opens on Monday, June 9 at 8:00 AM PST and closes on Monday, June 16 at 11:00 PM PST
2025 program dates: Wednesday, September 10 - Tuesday, September 16
- SPOT Arrival: Wednesday, September 10, between 12:00 PM and 2:00 PM
- The program ends on Tuesday, September 16 at 8:00 AM
- FROSH and transfer student move-in are on Tuesday, September 16. Your SPOT leader will guide you to your neighborhood.
The registration link will be available on this website on Monday, June 9.
- A lottery process will decide placement in cases where the registration exceeds the number of spaces.
- Once your registration is confirmed and you’ve been placed on a SPOT trip, you will receive an email with details about your trip, including a medical form.
- Download and read your welcome packet and equipment list.
What about physical ability, camping experience, or other prep?
SPOT isn’t about physical exertion, but instead the immersive experience, preparing for college and getting to know your group and leaders! Some trip types involve hiking and camping. No problem if you are new to this sort of thing — most are! That being said, all trips involve physical activities and your own human power to either carry your food/gear to a campsite or destination.
