1. Undergraduate Admission Requirements
Academic Requirements
- Completion of high school (secondary education) or equivalent
- Strong academic performance with excellent grades
- Recommended subjects:
- English
- Mathematics
- Science (Physics, Chemistry, Biology)
- Social Sciences or Humanities
Required Application Documents
- Completed Common Application or Coalition Application
- Official high school transcripts (translated into English if necessary)
- School Report and Counselor Recommendation
- Two teacher evaluations
- Personal Statement / Essays (Stanford-specific short questions + main essay)
- SAT or ACT scores (optional, but strong results can enhance your application)
- Proof of English proficiency (for non-native English speakers):
- TOEFL iBT: Minimum 100
- IELTS: Minimum 7.0
- Duolingo English Test: Minimum 120 (accepted alternative)
Additional (Optional) Materials
- Portfolio (for Art, Music, or Design applicants)
- Supplemental academic materials or awards
Application Deadlines
- Early Action: November 1
- Regular Decision: January 5
2. Postgraduate Admission Requirements
Academic Requirements
- A bachelor’s degree (or equivalent) from an accredited university
- Strong academic background (usually a minimum GPA of 3.5/4.0 or equivalent)
- Relevant undergraduate coursework or professional experience (depending on the program)
Required Application Documents
- Completed online application (via Stanford’s Graduate Admissions Portal)
- Official academic transcripts from all postsecondary institutions attended
- Statement of Purpose / Personal Statement
- Letters of Recommendation (usually 2–3 academic or professional referees)
- Updated Resume or CV
- GRE or GMAT scores (required for some programs, optional for others – e.g., MBA needs GMAT/GRE)
- Proof of English proficiency (if previous education was not in English):
- TOEFL iBT: Minimum 100 (22+ in each section recommended)
- IELTS: Minimum 7.0
- Duolingo English Test: Minimum 120 (accepted in some programs)
Program-Specific Requirements
- MBA (Graduate School of Business):
- GMAT or GRE
- Resume, 2 Essays, and 2 Recommendations
- Interview (by invitation only)
- Engineering / Computer Science:
- Strong background in math, physics, and computing
- Research experience is an advantage
- Law (LLM / JSD):
- Prior law degree (LLB or JD equivalent)
- Writing sample or legal research paper
- Education / Public Policy / Health Programs:
- Relevant bachelor’s degree
- Work or research experience in related field
3. English Language Waiver (for International Students)
Applicants may be exempt from English testing if:
- Their previous degree was taught entirely in English, or
- They studied for at least three years in an English-speaking country (e.g., USA, UK, Canada, Australia, or Malta)
4. Additional Requirements for International Students
- Passport copy
- Proof of financial resources (bank statement or sponsor letter)
- Student Visa (F-1) – issued after receiving the I-20 form from Stanford
| Requirement | Undergraduate | Postgraduate |
|---|---|---|
| Academic transcripts | ✅ | ✅ |
| English proficiency | ✅ | ✅ |
| Application form | ✅ | ✅ |
| Personal statement | ✅ | ✅ |
| Letters of recommendation | 2 | 2–3 |
| Standardized tests (SAT/ACT, GRE/GMAT) | Optional | Depends on program |
| Resume/CV | Optional | ✅ |
| Portfolio (if applicable) | Optional | Optional |
| Financial proof (for visa) | ✅ | ✅ |