prospective

Admissions

Applying to Graduate Programs in Materials Science and Engineering

Application Deadline

Applications for the Fall of 2011-12 academic year are available on-line beginning in mid-September. The official final deadlines are:

  • Ph.D.  Noon, December 6, 2011
  • M.S.   Noon, January 3, 2012

 

Apply On-Line

Apply on line through the Graduate Admissions Office at: http://gradadmissions.stanford.edu. The fee for online graduate applications is $125.00.

The University application is found through the website given above and you must access it through the Graduate Admissions website. You are required to read the information provided there prior to applying. (Any general graduate admission information given on this website is subject to revision by the Graduate Admissions Office.) Remember that the GRE and TOEFL tests must be taken early enough for us to receive the test scores by the application deadline.

The application consists of the following required materials, all of which must be received by the appropriate deadline in order for it to be considered completed:

  • Online application submitted with the statement of purpose and unofficial transcript(s) uploaded.
  • Online recommendation letters submitted by at least three (3) recommenders and no more than six (6).*
  • Official test scores received from ETS. Our institution code is 4704, and NO DEPARTMENT CODE NEEDED.
  • Mailing of two (2) official transcripts from each college or university you attended for one year or longer, to our address at - Student Services Office, Department of Materials Science and Engineering, 496 Lomita Mall, Durand Building, Room 115, Stanford, CA 94305-4034, (Tel: 650-724-6784; Fax: 650-725-4034).

*Paper recommendations are not admissible and will only be accepted if online submission is not possible. All other non-essential mailings will not be included in the application.

Applying Early Benefits You

We urge you to apply early. The Student Services Manager of the department is Fi Verplanke, email: verplanke@stanford.edu. Please make every attempt to get your application done and questions answered early. The student services coordinator, Tori Gottlieb, email: tgottlieb@stanford.edu, will also be available to answer questions.

Late Applications on a Space-Available-Only Basis

We can only accept late applications if there is still space in our incoming class. Please contact the department if you are unable to apply by the deadline. For the Ph.D. program, financial aid is highly unlikely if you miss the deadline.

Full-Time Study Starts Fall Quarter

Full time Ph.D. and M.S. students generally begin during the Fall Quarter. Starting a different quarter is highly unlikely due to the nature and structure of our program.

Part-Time Study Available

We do offer the M.S. degree through the Stanford Center for Professional Development on a part-time basis for working students. Students who participate in this program may begin in Fall, Winter or Spring and can apply accordingly.

Obtaining Both M.S. and Ph.D. Degrees

If you expect to obtain both an M.S. degree and a Ph.D. degree, apply to the Ph.D. program only. Apply to the M.S. program only if you want a terminal M.S. degree. We do not accept direct applications for the Engineer's degree program.

Suitable Backgrounds

Any engineering discipline or related science discipline (i.e., physics, chemistry, etc.), or mathematics is a good base for graduate study in materials science and engineering.

Notification of Admission Decisions

We make admissions decisions first, then make financial aid offers from among those students who have been accepted to the Ph.D. program. You will receive emails as well as letters regarding any admissions decisions and financial aid you may be offered. If you are admitted to our Ph.D. program, you will be invited to visit Stanford during February to meet the faculty and current students, and get a feel for graduate life here. We will ask if you plan to attend the visit day when you are accepted.

Campus Housing

On campus housing is promised to first year students willing to accept any housing assignment AND who apply by the housing deadline which is in early May, so submitting your application on time and making your school choice is important for that reason.

 

We look forward to receiving your application and are willing to do whatever we can to help you get through the process of submitting it. Please contact us with any questions you have at: matsciengr@stanford.edu. We will get back to you as soon as we can.