Timelines and Decisions

Application Deadline

The application deadline for Fall 2025 entry is December 2, 2024 at 11:59pm (PST). 

Knight-Hennessy Scholars Program Deadline

The deadline to apply to the Knight-Hennessy Scholars program is October 9, 2024 at 1:00pm (PST).

Application Review

All applications are reviewed by the faculty Graduate Admissions Committee. Our review begins promptly after the deadline, so it is important that all of your application materials, including letters of recommendation, are submitted by the deadline. We cannot guarantee the review of any materials received after the deadline.

Virtual Interviews and Visit Days

All interviews are by invitation only and will be conducted virtually. Selected PhD applicants will be invited for our visit days in March 2025. Details regarding our visit days will be sent directly to invited candidates.

Decisions

Decisions are based on a comprehensive evaluation of each applicant’s file. PhD admission decisions are typically available by early March and MS admission decisions are typically available by early April. All applicants will be notified via email of admissions decisions.

Deferral Requests

Admitted students are expected to enroll in the program in September of the year they are admitted. Deferral requests from admitted students will be reviewed by the admissions committee on a case-by-case basis. The maximum length of an admissions deferral granted by Stanford is one year. Typically, deferral requests are only approved for military, medical, visa or education-related purposes.

Decision Feedback

Feedback is not available to applicants denied admission. We recognize that you devote a great deal of time and effort to your application, and may wish to discuss it with a member of our admissions committee or a faculty member. Regrettably, we are unable to provide individual feedback to any applicant.