BS | How to Declare

Overview

We’re thrilled that you’re interested in the Computer Science program! Declaring the major is a straightforward process, and there are no specific course or major requirements you need to complete beforehand. Please note that processing can take up to two weeks, and we’re unable to expedite requests. We encourage students to plan ahead, especially if you have a target date for declaring. Additionally, keep in mind that we do not process declarations during finals week, academic breaks, or the Summer quarter. To get started, please follow these steps:

1. Choose a CS major advisor (optional). The CS Department encourages students to select a major advisor who aligns with their academic, professional, and personal interests. You can choose from the advisors listed in the eligible CSBS Major Advisors list. If you’d like to select an advisor in advance, you’re welcome to reach out to them directly by scheduling a meeting or email asking permission. If you don’t have a specific advisor in mind, the course advisor will assign one to you based on your interests and the advisor’s group availability. Please note that your top choice may not always be available, but don’t let this discourage you from declaring—you can always change advisors later on.
2. Complete a declaration form. Fill out the CS declaration form and email the course advisor alongside your unofficial transcript. If you’d like your photo shared on the Course Advisor’s Facebook page, please mention it and include a headshot in the email. Once you’ve submitted the form, you must also declare through the Axess portal.
3. Meet with the CS course advisor. After completing the steps above, you’ll need to meet briefly with the course advisor—no appointment is necessary, and the meeting should take about five minutes. To find a convenient time, check the course advisor’s office hours schedule. 

Important Note: The course advisor does not have office hours available during finals week, Thanksgiving, winter or spring breaks, or over the Summer quarter.

After You Declare: Next Steps

After meeting with the course advisor, please allow up to two weeks for your declaration to be processed. Around two weeks after declaring, it’s a good idea to complete the following steps to confirm your declaration was successful. If you encounter any issues, feel free to reach out to the course advisor at advisor@cs.stanford.edu. 

• Verify Mailing List Access: Check that you've started receiving emails from the bscs, students, and cs-students-announce mailing lists. These are the main mailing lists for the department and have frequent, relevant updates.
• Confirm Your Status in Axess: Log into Axess and verify that your official status is listed as a CS major, with the correct undergraduate CS advisor assigned.
• Test Your CSID Account: Try emailing your CS email (e.g., CSID@cs.stanford.edu) or SSH into xenon to confirm that your CSID account has been successfully created.
• Verify Your Advisor Listing: Visit the faculty advisors page to ensure your name is listed under your advisor's advising group. If your graduation year is incorrect, use pedit to update your profile or reach out to the course advisor for assistance.

You can change your CSBS track at any time before applying to graduate in Axess. If you decide to declare or change a specific track during your CSBS journey, please email Jessica Valdez (valdezjr@stanford.edu) or Danielle Gaspar (djgaspar@stanford.edu) your numeric SUID (i.e. 0123456) to approve the request in Axess. Please note that Axess does not automatically notify our team of new or updated track requests.

Guidelines for Choosing a Faculty Advisor

Generally, lecturers have larger advisee groups (20 or more students), while professors often have smaller ones. Professors are typically knowledgeable about research, graduate school, and academia, while most lecturers have deeper expertise in the CS curriculum, particularly introductory courses (and remember, the course advisor is always available for advice on courses).

When asking for letters of recommendation, keep in mind that a letter from a professor might carry additional weight for certain applications, such as graduate school, especially if you've taken their class or worked with them or their research group. It’s also important to select an advisor from whom you feel comfortable seeking guidance.

To ask a professor or lecturer to be your advisor, it’s best to meet with them in person. You can email them directly to set up a meeting or attend their office hours (often listed on their web page or office door). To find eligible advisors, check the eligible CSBS Major Advisors list. Note that some advisors limit the number of students they advise, so not all may be able to take on new advisees—don’t feel discouraged if an advisor is unable to take you on at this time.

Once a faculty advisor has agreed to work with you, refer back to this declaration page to see the next steps.

You’re also free to change your undergraduate advisor anytime. Inform your current advisor, get approval from your new advisor, and then email Jessica Valdez (valdezjr@stanford.edu) and the Course Advisor (advisor@cs.stanford.edu) with your old advisor’s name, your new advisor’s name, and your student ID number. Your official information will be updated, and within a couple of weeks, the changes should appear in Axess.