Ignite: Public Service Pre-orientation
* Not offered in 2024-25 *
Ignite is a student-led public service pre-orientation program that helps incoming frosh connect over their interest in public service.
Run by Stanford’s Haas Center for Public Service, Ignite gives incoming frosh the chance to get to know one another, get acclimated to Stanford, learn about the Stanford student organization community, get exposure to the Haas Center and Cardinal Service, and to be introduced to local public service community partners. Ignite helps students explore their own public service identities and how they can best serve their communities.
The program is geared toward an introductory experience with public service, one that any incoming frosh can appreciate and benefit from regardless of past public service experience or knowledge.
Program Dates
Deadlines
Ignite registration opens in June.
Schedule
The program runs Friday-Monday the weekend before New Student Orientation.
On the first day of the program, students can expect to participate in move-in, registration, and orientation activities. On the following days, the schedule will be focused on exploring public service and the Stanford community.
Financial Information
Program Fees
The participation fee is $500. Financial aid is available. Those with the greatest need can participate at a reduced or, in some cases, no cost.
Financial Aid
If you have a financial need, which is assessed by the Financial Aid office, you will be awarded financial assistance to help pay for part of the program. If you win a spot through the lottery or get a spot through the waitlist, the program will work with the Financial Aid office to determine the level of support we can offer.
Receiving a spot in the program is need-blind. Your financial aid situation has no bearing on whether you receive a spot in Ignite. Securing a spot for those receiving financial aid from the program will be managed on a case-by-case basis.
If you have questions on program registration, how to pay for the program, or financial aid, please contact the Haas Center.
Eligibility
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is eligible to participate?
Ignite is open to all incoming frosh.
How much does Ignite cost?
The program fee for Ignite is $500. The fee covers accommodations, meals, and activity expenses for the program.
Is there financial aid available?
Yes! If you have a financial need, assessed by the Office of Financial Aid, you will be awarded financial help to pay part, or in some cases all of the fee.
You can indicate you want to be considered for financial aid in the lottery registration process. If you win a spot or if you get a spot through the waitlist, the program will work with the Office of Financial Aid to determine the level of support we can offer.
Securing a spot in the program is need-blind. Your financial situation has no bearing on whether you receive a space in Ignite.
How do I register for Ignite?
Ignite registration opens in June. Watch this page for exact dates.
Does registration ensure I get a spot in the program?
Not necessarily. The program has only 30 spots. If more than 30 students register, which we expect to happen, we will run a lottery to award spots.
If more frosh register for the program than spots available, Ignite will run a lottery to award spots. The remaining frosh will be put on a waitlist.
If I win the lottery for a spot in the program, how do I secure my spot?
You secure your spot by paying the program fee. Once we receive your payment, your spot is secure. Securing a spot for those receiving financial aid from the program will be managed on a case-by-case basis.
How does the waitlist work?
If you do not receive a space through the lottery, by default you’ll be placed on the waitlist and be notified when a space has opened up. Whoever from the waitlist secures their space with their payment first will be awarded the spot.
What activities can I expect to participate in?
You get the opportunity to experience fun orientation activities and Stanford traditions, engage in conversations about public service, get to know Stanford faculty and staff, and meet Bay Area public service community partners. Mostly, though, you’ll have a chance to connect with other frosh!
Is the program physically demanding?
The program is not designed to be physically demanding, but Stanford’s campus is one of the largest in the country and there will be a lot of walking.
Is Ignite connected to Otero (the public service-themed dorm)?
Ignite is not connected to the Otero dorm. Being a part of Ignite does not affect your chance of living in Otero when you come to campus.
Where will I sleep and what will I eat?
The program provides housing and meals (respecting dietary restrictions). Frosh move into their permanent housing, where they'll stay for the rest of the year. Move-in dates are set for the Ignite program by campus housing. Once we finalize our list of participants, campus housing will adjust the move-in dates for these students.
Will there be free time for participants?
You get some free time in the mornings and later evenings, but not much. We want this program to be a fully immersive experience, and you can expect to have more free time during New Student Orientation (NSO).
Will there be transportation from the airport?
The program does not provide transportation, but we can help you with advice on ways to get from the airport to campus.
Will I get a choice of which public service topics to engage with?
Each group is led by two Stanford students who worked over the summer to set up programming with a community partner of their choice. You will have an opportunity to let us know which is most interesting to you. We’ll do our best to place you where you want, but there are no guarantees.
Do I need to have a background in public service or any special knowledge to participate?
Ignite is designed to be an introductory experience where we explore public service at Stanford and the Bay Area. We will be discussing some public service and social justice theory, but no knowledge is required beforehand.
Is there a way to pay other than credit card online?
The primary way to pay the program fee is online (a link will be provided to the lottery winners and those coming off the waitlist), but you can discuss other options with the program administrators.
I’m an international student and want to participate in Ignite. How can I do both International Student Orientation (ISO) and Ignite?
Unfortunately, you cannot participate in both ISO and Ignite, as all pre-orientation programs take place at the same time. Participation in ISO is mandatory for international students unless otherwise told by the Approaching Stanford Office. If you have any questions about this, reach out to Approaching Stanford.
I’m interested in doing multiple pre-orientation programs. How can I do that?
All pre-orientation programs take place during the same time period and conflict with one another. If you’re interested in multiple programs, you may only choose one to take part in.
My parents will be in town during Ignite. Will there be opportunities for me to spend time with them?
No, there are no periods during Ignite to spend time with family. The program may end at around 9:00 pm some days, but that time is not guaranteed and depends on how the events of the day play out.
What is move-in going to be like?
When you arrive, you will have until 4:30pm to get your room key from your housing front desk and move into your dorm. You will also have more time during NSO to move in and set up your room. Since you are here early for a pre-orientation program, the dorm will not be at full capacity and there will be a few other students in the residence at most. There will be RAs in your dorm by the time you move in. It is likely your roommate will not have moved in.
After registering for the program, I have not heard back. How can I tell if I have a spot in Ignite?
After registering, you should have received an automated confirmation email. If you did not, it means your registration did not go through for some reason. If you did get a confirmation email but did not hear back, please let us know. That indicates an issue with our registration system and something we need to look into. Regardless, we can offer anyone who reaches out to us a spot on the waitlist.