September Sessions
SoCo students hike in the redwoods

Submit an SCA or AIA Application

“The most important experience for me was creating a sense of intellectual community and belonging among the students in my seminar.”

Missed the deadline? Accepting late applications to Staff SoCo and AI for selected classes.

Steps to Apply

  1. Review the description of Being an SCA or AIA to learn about the exciting opportunity and see if you are eligible and able to commit. Graduate students, be sure to read this addendum. Questions? email sophcollege@stanford.edu or artsintensive@stanford.edu.
  2. Decide which course(s) to apply to. You may apply to a maximum of two courses in Sophomore College and two courses in Arts Intensive. If selected by multiple faculty, you will be placed with the course you ranked first. (Some courses recruit directly and will not appear in the application system: for 2026, that course is Arts Intensive: SFxLA Arts Immersion.)
  3. Write the application. All seminars require you respond to the standard questions below. Some courses may include additional questions set by the faculty. We recommend that you draft answers outside of the system and then copy and paste (here's a google template to use). If you have technical problems at the midnight deadline, you can email your application answers to sophcollege@stanford.edu or artsintensive@stanford.edu directly. Be sure to check for seminar-specific questions!
  4. Submit a PDF of your unofficial transcript via the link provided for each course on this page, no later than the application deadline.

Application Links

please select the appropriate link to apply

Arts Intensive AIA (all candidates)

Sophomore College SCA (undergrads and coterms)

Sophomore College SCA (grad applicants only)

Application Questions

Replies are typically 1-2 solid paragraphs—300 words is more than sufficient and many strong answers will be shorter than that.

  • Statement of Purpose: Why do you want to serve in this Sophomore College or Arts Intensive Staff position?
  • Academic and Practicum Experience: Describe any experience you have had which would prepare you to serve as an academic and hands-on mentor to students in this class. Include your background in the course topic and any teaching experience.
  • Other Experience: Describe any experiences which prepare you to act as a Resident Assistant, who is expected to develop class community, organize activities, and respond to difficulties.
  • Transportation Experience: Please discuss your experience with transportation, including whether you are familiar with navigating urban public transit (particularly in groups), with using services such as Lyft or Zipcar, whether you have a valid driver's license, and any experience you may have driving larger vehicles such as a minivan or SUV.
  • SCAs and AIAs are role models to the students who participate. This means you must uphold the substance-free community and guide students in safe behavior. We are committed to ensuring you have appropriate guidance and support as student staff. If you have any concerns, please feel free to share them here. Please type "n/a" if you have no concerns.
  • There may be additional Seminar-Specific Questions posted in the system—be sure to check for them.

Mark Your Calendar—2026 Dates

Student Staff Application Period: Applications open Wednesday, February 4 and are DUE on Wednesday, February 18 (system closes 11:59pm).  If you have technical problems at the midnight deadline, you can email your application answers to sophcollege@stanford.edu or artsintensive@stanford.edu directly.

Student Staff Application Status Available: Friday, March 13 you will receive an email announcing that status has been released. (Waiting to hear about coterm or RA applications? Those decisions are usually released a few days earlier.) 

Student Staff Commitment Deadline: Tuesday, March 17 (system closes 11:59pm)

Faculty/SCA/AIA Orientation: late April (various times)

Spring Class Meeting (faculty to determine date, time, location): late May or early June

Arrive on Campus for Training: SCA/AIA in-person training begins at 9:00am on Friday, August 28. Training runs through the weekend until students arrive. SCAs/AIAs can move into program housing on Thursday 27 August. The official last day of the program is Friday, September 18.