The MS program in Biology is only open to current Stanford students. Coterminal MS admissions is handled by the Student Services Office. Please see the Coterminal MS page for more information.
PhD Admissions - deadline for Fall 2009 is December 2, 2008
The PhD program trains students for careers in research and teaching. In addition to a wide range of courses, the PhD program offers informal but intensive instruction in laboratories and seminars, characterized by close contact between students and their faculty advisors. Biology is one of thirteen home programs in the Biosciences, which span the School of Medicine and the School of Humanities and Sciences.
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Apply
Online
Stanford
University’s Graduate
Admissions’ site contains information about programs,
applying online, requirements, and Frequently
Asked Questions. We strongly recommend
that you use Stanford's online
application. When applicants use the online application, information
enters our database directly, which makes the admissions process
smoother and faster, plus it saves you an additional processing
fee.
Application
Deadline
Fall 2009 PhD
applications, including supporting documents, are due by December 2, 2008. Applications are considered for admission in
autumn quarter only.
Requirements
- U.S. Bachelor's degree or its foreign equivalent
- Graduate
application
- Application
fee = $105.00 (non-refundable)
-
Statement of Purpose
-
Three Letters of Recommendation (a maximum of six letters will be accepted)
- Two Official Transcripts from each postsecondary institution attended for at least one year as a full-time student
- GRE
Graduate Record Examination
- TOEFL
Test of English as a Foreign Language (required for non-native English speakers)
General
Admissions Information
Applications
for the PhD program in Biology are processed by the
central Biosciences Admissions Office. Please arrange to have recommendations,
transcripts, and other supporting materials submitted to the Biosciences
Admissions Office by December 2, 2008:
Biosciences
Admissions Office
Stanford University
300 Pasteur Drive, Alway Bldg M105
Stanford, CA 94305-5121
General
Information about the PhD Program in Biology
Frequently
Asked Questions:
- Do
I have to have an undergraduate degree in Biology in order to
qualify?
- Which
GRE tests do I need to take?
- Do I have to take the TOEFL?
- What is the minimum GPA and GRE score required for admission?
- Do you accept international students?
- Can I get an application fee waiver?
- Does the department provide funding to PhD students?
-
How long does it typically take to complete the
program?
-
Will my application be considered for the MS program if I am not admitted to the PhD program?
1.
Do I have to have an undergraduate degree in Biology in order to
qualify?
You
should have the equivalent to an undergraduate degree in Biology from Stanford University. For more detailed information
about the undergraduate degree, please visit the Bulletin.
2.
Which GRE tests do I need to take?
All
applicants are required to take the general GRE exam. The subject GRE exam is not required. We recommend that all applicants take the general GRE exam by October 2008.
3.
Do I have to take the TOEFL?
Scores are required of all applicants whose first language is not English. Exception: individuals who have completed a U.S. bachelor’s degree or a two-year master’s degree (or the equivalent of either degree) at a recognized institution where all instruction is provided in English are not required to submit TOEFL scores; this exception does not apply if the courses were completed in a country where English is spoken, though not all courses were provided in English. Being a citizen of the United States 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.
4.
What is the minimum GPA and GRE score required for admission?
There are no minimum GPA or GRE scores required. The admissions committee looks at test scores, grades, letters of recommendation, research experience, and your personal statement when evaluating applications.
5. Do you accept international students?
Yes, we accept both domestic and international students.
6. Can I get an 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.
7. Does the department provide funding to PhD students?
Yes, all PhD students receive an annual stipend, and 100% coverage of tuition and health insurance fees.
8.
How long does it typically take to complete the program?
Students
typically complete the PhD program in 5-6 years.
9. Will my application be considered for the MS program if I am not admitted to the PhD program?
No, our MS program is only open to current Stanford students.
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