How To Apply to the Coterminal Master’s Program

IMPORTANT NOTICE ABOUT SOCIOLOGY COTERMINAL MA DEADLINE AND PROGRAM CHANGES: Effective immediately, applications for the coterminal MA program in Sociology will be accepted once a year. For entry to the coterm program in Spring quarter 2009-2010, applications are due no later than February 15, 2010. Applications will not be accepted at any other time. GRE scores are now required as part of the application process (general test only).

All application materials are submitted directly to Sarah Giberman in the Sociology graduate student services office.

The following materials are required for application to the program. Please carefully review detailed descriptions below:

1. Application

All application forms are available via the registrar’s website.

• Please complete the application as neatly as possible.
• You will need to obtain a signature from your undergraduate program student services office.
• Don’t forget to sign the application!
• Download the application and other forms

2. Statement of Purpose

The statement of purpose should describe succinctly your reasons for applying to the Coterminal Master’s program in Sociology at Stanford.

• Be sure to clearly state your intended field of study (if applicable).
• Recommended details to include in your written statement are: your study and research interests, future career plans, and other aspects of your background and interests which may aid our admissions committee in evaluating your aptitude and motivation for pursuing a Master’s degree in Sociology.
• Most statements of purpose are three to five pages long.

3. Unofficial Transcript

• A recent transcript that you run yourself in Axess is sufficient.

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4. Letters of Recommendation

• Two letters of recommendation from faculty are required for admission to the program. We cannot admit students without letters from faculty who have had you in class – letters from PWR lecturers, advisors, lecturers, employers, TAs, etc. are not acceptable as “primary” letters. A quick search on "StanfordWho" can help you determine if your potential recommender is faculty or not.
  
• Please complete a recommendation coversheet (included in the forms from the registrar’s website) and give it to your recommender when you ask them to write your letter.
• Please notify your recommenders of the application deadline, and ask them to put the letters in a sealed envelope with their signature on the seal.
• We strongly encourage you to pick up your letters of recommendation and submit them along with the rest of your application to the Sociology department.
• Do not have the recommender mail the letter!

5. Preliminary Program Proposal

This form (page 5 of the PDF from the registrar’s website) is where you "map out" your Sociology course plans. Use the current Stanford Bulletin to choose courses you plan to take. Please note: this outline is not set in stone! There is not a way to predict which courses will be scheduled for your time in the program, so give it your best shot. You do not have to adhere to the program proposal; it is part of the application.

6. GRE Scores

There is no minimum score to apply. Only scores from the general test are required.

7. Coterminal Course Transfer Form

You may be eligible to transfer up to 10 units from your undergraduate career. These units cannot be from courses fulfilling GER or Major requirements. This form (page 6 of the PDF from the registrar’s website) should only be submitted if you are planning to transfer units. Your undergraduate student services office must sign this form.

8. CV or Resume

We do not require a CV or resume for application, but if you would like to include yours that is fine.

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