Admissions FAQ

Q: What part of the test/application is most important?

Our Department does not have a "formula" for admissions. The main consideration in admitting students is that the applicant's background and record show potential for success in the judgment of the admissions committee. We look at the whole package, the whole student – with both strengths and weaknesses, as well as the availability of resources in the department for the applicants.

Obviously, the better your test scores, transcripts, letters, and experiences, the better your chances of gaining admission – but there are no guarantees. We can never admit all the students with the ability to succeed in graduate school – there simply are not resources to support all of our excellent applicants. You are competing against the other who have applied this year.

Because of our "whole view" approach, we do not keep statistics of test scores, GPA's, etc. of those admitted in past years. We cannot advise you on the chances of success if you apply ahead of time.

Q: What are the GRE and TOEFL requirements and do I need to take them?

GRE - GRE general test is required of all applicants. No subject tests required and no minimum scores are required. The result must be from a test taken within 5 years of your application.

TOEFL - If you are from a country where English is not the native language, you must take the TOEFL. This includes India, Singapore and others where English is widely used in school instructions, or it might even be an official language, but it is not the native tongue commonly used by the people. The results must be from a test taken within 18 months of your application.

There are minimum score requirements on TOEFL, depending on the program applied. Certain criteria must be met before the TOEFL can be waived, such as having obtained a BS or higher degree form a university in Canada, US or UK. The min. TOEFL score requirement is to ensure that students who are admitted have the language proficiency to handle graduate level study in English. A below min. score will constitute a contingency upon admission, and student must complete satisfactory remedial English course work during the Summer before Fall enrollment is allowed.

Both the GRE, and TOEFL if applicable, are required by the University and cannot be waived by the Department. See details on test requirements and exceptions on the Graduate Admissions web site at http://gradadmissions.stanford.edu/applying/exams.html. In order for the official scores from ETS to arrive in time for the deadline, they should be taken well in advance and no later than an October test date.

Q: How can I send my test scores to Stanford and where should I send my transcript?

You must request that ETS (Educational Testing Service) send your test scores to Stanford University. Use the Stanford University code 4704 (no further department code is needed). They will send the scores electronically to the central Graduate Admissions Office at Stanford University, and these scores must be matched by name and birthdate to the application files. It takes some weeks.

Please send one copy of your official transcript directly to the Department of Materials Science and Engineering, Student Services Office, 496 Lomita Mall, Room 115, Stanford, CA 94305-4034.

Q: Can I request that the application fee be waived?

Only US citizens and permanent residents can request that the application fee be waived - if the fee would cause significant hardship. Such a waiver is only granted to applicants who also qualify to have their GRE test fees waived, and you must include a copy of the test fee waiver when you request the application fee exception. You should submit the application on-line with a credit card payment and send in the fee waiver form. If a fee waiver is granted to you, the credit card charge will be refunded. This option is not available to international applicants. This rule is established by the Graduate Admissions Office and the Department cannot overrule the requirement for a fee. Details are on the Graduate Admissions Office website.

Q: Can I apply to more than one department?

Stanford University does not allow students to apply to more than one department. You must make a choice. If you are not accepted by the department you apply to, you may request that your application be considered by another department. If the second department agrees to review the application, it can be done. Generally, financial aid is already awarded by the time this happens and in such cases, you would need to be prepared to fund yourself for at least the first year. Sometimes it is just too late for consideration, so plan carefully when you apply.

Q: How can I request financial aid?

We are able to offer financial aid only to PhD students. Simply check the box on the application form that asks if you wish to be considered for aid. If you do NOT check that box, you will not be offered aid. You do not have to provide proof of need. Financial aid is administered somewhat differently in graduate school than it is in undergraduate school.

Q: What degrees can I apply for?

Applicants may ask to be considered for either an M.S. degree or a Ph.D. degree. We do not accept applicants directly to the Engineer degree program, so please do not put this on your application form. If you expect to obtain both an M.S. degree and a Ph.D. degree, apply to the Ph.D. program only. Use the M.S. program ONLY if you expect to obtain a terminal M.S. degree and not continue your education.

Q: What is meant by the question: If you applied to the Ph.D. program but are not admitted to it, do you want to be considered for admissions to the Master's Degree Program?

We have a limited number of spaces available for Ph.D. admits. Sometimes we offer an M.S. program admission to someone who has applied to the Ph.D. program. Please indicate in your application that you wish to be considered for an M.S.

Q: Can I change from the M.S. to the Ph.D. degree program?

We do have a petition procedure for students who have done extremely well during their first two quarters in our program to request a transfer to the Ph.D. program. You must submit this petition at the start of Spring Quarter of your first year, and you must have support from two faculty members, including one who is willing to act as your Ph.D. research advisor and provide funding for you. Space is limited.

Q: What are the degree requirements in Materials Science and Engineering?

Degree requirements are a combination of rules set by the University and the Department. Details can be found in the Stanford Bulletin under the listing for this department.

Q: Need more information?

If you have any questions about applying to Stanford or receiving financial support, please email matsciengr@stanford.edu or write to:

The Department of Materials Science & Engineering
Attn: Student Services
496 Lomita Mall, Rm 115, MC 4034
Stanford University
Stanford, CA 94305-4034

You may also contacct Fi Verplanke, Student Services Manager at verplanke@stanford.edu; (650) 724-6784. Email is the best option for communication as we cannot return long distance or international phone calls.