Frequently Asked Questions

A: To be eligible for admission to graduate programs at Stanford,applicants must meet one of the following conditions:

1. completion of a bachelor’s degree from a U.S. college or university accredited by a regional accrediting association; or
2. completion of an international degree that is equivalent to a U.S. bachelor’s degree from a college or university of recognized standing.

A: Visit the "Applying" section of this site.

A: The Graduate Programs page has a list of all degree programs offered, as well as links to department websites. The Stanford University Bulletin contains detailed information about graduate programs, courses and policies. It is on the web at http://bulletin.stanford.edu.

A: The professional schools have separate admissions offices. For information about applying to the Graduate School of Business, see http://www-gsb.stanford.edu. For the School of Law, see http://lawschool.stanford.edu/admissions. For the School of Medicine, see http://www.med.stanford.edu/school/MSA.

A: Yes, you may apply on-line from this web site. Please review the application requirements and instructions starting here: Applying. Once you have completed the steps described, you will be guided to the on-line application.

A: Stanford uses an online application. If you are unable to apply electronically, you may request a paper application. There is a $20 (twenty dollar) nonrefundable paper application fee in addition to the normal application fee. This fee must be paid in advance by check or money order (payable to Stanford University). Do not send cash. Send your payment and request to: Graduate Admissions, 630 Serra Street, Suite 120, Stanford, CA 94305-6032.

Please note that it may take up to one week from the date we receive your request for the application materials to be delivered; three or more weeks for international delivery. We do not send applications via overnight or express mail.

A: You may pay the application fee via credit card online (Visa and MasterCard only). If you are unable to pay by credit card, you may mail a check or money order (in U.S. currency) to Graduate Admissions, 630 Serra Street, Suite 120, Stanford, CA 94305-6032. Your check and money order must be received two weeks prior to your program’s application deadline. Include on the check or money order: your full name (exactly as entered in the online application), date of birth, program to which you applied, and your application PIN.

A: You may apply to only one degree program per academic year.

The only exception is within the Biosciences, in which you may apply to up to three Ph.D. programs on your application. Those programs are Biochemistry, Biological Sciences, Biophysics, Cancer Biology, Developmental Biology, Genetics, Immunology Program, Microbiology & Immunology, Molecular & Cellular Physiology, Molecular Pharmacology, Neurosciences Program, and Structural Biology.

You may apply concurrently to one departmental program and to a professional school (law, medicine or business).

A: No. There is only one application to all departmental graduate programs. However, your department may have special application requirements. Please read the instructions for graduate admissions on your department’s website. Contact the department if you have any questions. If you are applying to Law, Business or the M.D. program in addition to a departmental program, you will need to submit a separate application.

A: Stanford graduates follow the same application procedures as other applicants, including requesting that transcripts be sent to the department to which one is applying (you may do so on Axess or in person at the Office of the University Registrar, 630 Serra Street, Suite 120, Stanford, CA 94305-6032). If you are currently an undergraduate and wish to apply for a coterminal program, you do not need to submit an application for graduate study.

A: Application Fee Waiver: Applicants who submit a copy of their completed GRE Fee Waiver Certificate may request a fee waiver. The fee waiver may be granted for the $105.00 application fee but will not be granted for the $20.00 fee if the applicant needs a paper application. The applicant may print a GRE Fee Waiver Certificate from the web at http://ntis01.ets.org/onyx/feewav.htm. If the waiver is not signed and affixed with a school stamp or seal, the applicant's waiver will be returned as invalid. Please send the completed waiver with a cover letter (no other attachments are required) to the Graduate Admissions Office, 630 Serra Street, Suite 120, Stanford, CA 94305-6032, not to the department. The application fee is not waived for international students.

Application Fee Refunds: The application fee may be refunded only if the application was submitted on or before the deadline to apply, the applicant submitted only one application for graduate admission to the academic year and all required documents were received in a timely manner, and the application cannot be considered.

A: You must submit a complete application and pay the application fee. If you are reapplying to the same program, you may contact the department to inquire if your transcripts and letters of recommendation are still on file, however most departments do not keep outdated application material.

A: No. Application fees may be refunded if the following conditions are met:

1. the application was submitted on or before the deadline to apply,
2. the applicant submitted only one application for graduate admission,
3. all required documents were received in a timely manner, and
4. the department is unable to consider the application.

A: Please call or email the department to which you have applied. The Graduate Admissions Office does not make admissions decisions.

A: No. We only require transcripts from postsecondary institutions you have attended as a full-time student for one year (i.e. three quarters or two semesters) or longer.

A: We require two copies of each transcript.

A: Your recommender should describe his or her relationship with you and address your suitability to the program to which you are applying. If you have further questions, please contact your department or visit its website.

A: No. Recommenders have two options for submitting letters: online or on paper. Applicants must submit three letters and evaluations from faculty or others qualified to evaluate your potential for graduate study. At least one evaluation and letter should be from a faculty member at the last school you attended as a full-time student (unless you have been out of school for more than five years). Substitutions for faculty recommendations may include work associates or others who can comment on your academic potential for graduate work.

In addition to the application forms you are able to complete online, the recommender form may be downloaded if your recommender(s) will not be submitting the evaluations and letters online.

Please DO NOT send the recommenders the downloaded .pdf evaluation form if you have their email addresses and you do plan to apply for admission online. When you enter the names and email addresses of your recommenders in the online application, they will receive a welcome message directing them to the online evaluation form. Recommenders will also be asked to upload their letters of recommendation from within the evaluation form pages. They will then be able to electronically submit their letters and their evaluations directly to us.

If you do not have the email address of one or more of your recommenders or if you are applying on paper, please DO send the recommenders the downloaded .pdf since they will not have the opportunity to complete the online process. Fill in the header line of the evaluation form where it asks for your name, department you are applying to, degree objective and the term to which you are applying. Indicate at the bottom of the page of the evaluation form whether you are waiving your right to see the recommendation and request that the individuals submit a letter of recommendation in addition to completing the evaluation form. Recommenders should seal their letters in letterhead envelopes if possible, sign across the seal, and mail them directly to the department. Please remind your recommenders of the application deadline and supply them with the department address.

The recommender's evaluation form is available as a PDF file: Recommendation Form for Graduate Study

If you have any questions, please email gradadmissions@stanford.edu.

A: Yes. Your letters should be up-to-date and pertain to the program or area of study to which you are applying.

A: Transcripts, letters of recommendation and other supplemental application material should be mailed to the department to which you are applying. For mailing addresses, visit the department’s website or see the Graduate Programs page.

A: The statement of purpose should describe succinctly your reasons for applying to the proposed program at Stanford, your preparation for this field of study, study and research interests, future career plans, and other aspects of your background and interests which may aid the admissions committee in evaluating your aptitude and motivation for graduate study.

A: When applying online, you will be asked to upload your statement as a text file or document. You may upload only one file. Make sure to set your computer to a Western European or other English-language setting. We cannot guarantee the ability to print your statement if is submitted in other fonts.

If you are applying on paper, include the statement of purpose with your application.

A: All applicants to departmental graduate programs at Stanford must take the GRE. Some departments require additional subject tests, and a few non-M.D. programs in the School of Medicine allow applicants to submit MCAT scores in lieu of GRE scores. Consult department websites or the Graduate Programs page for departmental requirements. Please arrange to take the test early to ensure that your scores reach us by the application deadline.

Applicants to the School of Law, School of Business and M.D. program take the LSAT, GMAT and MCAT, respectively.

A: Scores are required of all applicants whose first language is not English. Exceptions are granted for applicants who have earned a U.S. bachelor’s or master’s degree from a college or university accredited by a regional accrediting association in the United States, or the equivalent of either degree from a non-U.S. college or university of recognized standing where all instruction is provided in English. This exception does not apply if the courses were completed in a country where English is spoken but not all courses were provided in English. Being a U.S. citizen does not automatically exempt an applicant from taking the TOEFL; if the applicant’s first language is not English, the applicant must meet the exception above or submit TOEFL scores.

A: Applicants should have the Educational Testing Service (ETS) send scores electronically to Stanford. Our university code is 4704. It is not necessary to indicate a department code. To facilitate review of your application, you may self-report your scores in the online application or submit paper copies of your score sheets with your supplementary materials. However, those scores will not be official until Stanford receives the electronic record.

A: GRE scores are valid for approximately five years from the date taken. TOEFL scores submitted to Stanford must be from a test taken within the last 18 months. No scores are valid beyond the date ETS will send or resend them to schools.

A: The process is mostly the same as it is for U.S. students. The two areas of concern are international credentials and the TOEFL examination. Visit our page for International Applicants for more information.

A: Stanford's assessment of a foreign degree is based on the characteristics of your national educational system, the type of institution you attended and the level of studies completed. A guide to the minimum requirements can be found on the International Applicants page.

A: Yes, but the transcripts must be submitted with translations from your school or a professional translating service. The translations must be literal, complete versions of the original documents.

A: If your school has not converted your GPA for you, enter 0.00 in the GPA fields of the online application. Your GPA will be calculated from your transcripts.

A: Not with your application. If you are accepted into Stanford, we will inform you of the information we need and send you the necessary forms. Do not send financial statements in advance.

A: The Graduate Admissions Office will not discuss visa issues with applicants. If you are admitted, we will send you information about obtaining a visa.

A: The Bechtel International Center works with students, staff and faculty and their families on issues including immigration policy, academic and financial difficulties, transactions with foreign governments, English proficiency, housing, and adjustment to life at Stanford. Contact the center at 422 Lagunita Drive, Stanford, CA 94305-8245, (650) 723-1831, or see http://icenter.stanford.edu/.