Stanford
Graduate Admissions

Application Overview

Learn about each section of the online application.

Personal Background 

Stanford is committed to creating an inclusive, accessible, diverse, and equitable university for all of our community members. In this section, we invite you to share biographical and demographic information that may provide the admission committee with a more holistic view of your lived experiences.

Program Selection

In this section, you indicate your intended graduate program and entry term. The following additional options appear in this section if applicable for your program:

  • Specialization
  • Honors Cooperative Program
  • Consideration for the master's program if not admitted to the PhD program

Out of the graduate degree programs listed on this page, you may apply to only one program per academic year. The only exception is within the Biosciences PhD programs, where you may apply for two programs within a single application.

Academic History

In this section, you must list and provide your unofficial transcript for every post-secondary institution where you were enrolled — or are currently enrolled — in an undergraduate or graduate degree program.

Learn more about transcript requirements

You must also respond to the following questions:

  • Have you ever been suspended, dismissed, or placed on enforced leave from any college, university, or post-secondary institution or been the subject of disciplinary action by such an institution?
  • Have you ever been placed on academic probation by any college or university?

Test Scores

Depending on your selected program and language background, you may be required to submit one or more of the following test scores:

  • GRE General Test
  • GRE Subject Test
  • TOEFL

Learn more about test score requirements

Experience

This section provides you an opportunity to share information about any relevant experience in the following categories:

  • Research experience
  • Publications/presentations/posters
  • Awards & honors
  • Work experience

In addition, you have the option to upload your resume/CV. Resume requirements and guidelines vary by program.

Recommendations

You are required to list three academic or professional references who know you well and are qualified to evaluate your potential for graduate study.

Learn more about recommendations

Statements

In this section, you provide your Statement of Purpose for pursuing graduate study in your field of interest. In addition, you have the opportunity to submit an optional statement in response to the Enriching the Learning Community prompt.

Learn more about statements

Program Supplemental

The questions in this section are tailored to the graduate program you selected. You may be asked to provide your academic interests, faculty interests, writing samples, or supplemental essays. Refer to your graduate program’s website for program-specific requirements.

Additional Information

In this section, you provide information (if applicable) about your applications to:

You also disclose whether you have a prior or current affiliation with Stanford, for record-matching purposes.

Finally, you have the option to upload a supplemental document if you wish to share additional information that was not covered by the questions in the application.