Graduate Admission Requirements

The Department of Chemical Engineering has two distinct advanced degree programs: M.S. and Ph.D.

Our Master of Science (M.S.) program is a terminal degree program. It is course-based, no thesis is required. No research is required. It is now open to three cohorts of applicants: [1] active Stanford undergraduates, who should apply via the internal co-terminal degree application progress (see departmental student services), [2] currently matriculated Stanford graduate students (see departmental students services), and [3] external applicants who have completed a bachelor’s degree or will have completed one before matriculating as a graduate student. The deadline for first-round M.S. applications has been extended. The new deadline is Tuesday, March 16, 2010. All available M.S. spaces for 2010-2011 may be filled with applicants who have applied by the March deadline; please talk with the department if you wish to apply for the M.S. program at a later date.

Our Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) program is open to all applicants who have completed a bachelor’s degree or will have completed one before matriculating as a graduate student. A B.S. in chemical engineering is not required; applicants may have degrees in other science and engineering disciplines, for example, bioengineering, biology, chemistry, materials science, mathematics, mechanical engineering, physics. We are looking for coursework or other experiences demonstrating use of higher-level mathematics (e.g. linear algebra, partial differential equations) and recommend completion of core chemical engineering courses (e.g. fluid mechanics, heat and mass transport phenomena, chemical reaction kinetics).; Additionally, a M.S. degree is not a prerequisite for admission or for Ph.D. degree conferral.

GRE and TOEFL examination requirements

All external applicants must take the Graduate Record Examination (GRE), administered by the Educational Testing Service (ETS):

GRE - General Test scores are required.

GRE - Subject Test results are not required.

TOEFL - Scores are required from all applicants whose first language is not English, except for those who have completed a four-year bachelor’s and/or a two-year master’s degree at an accredited institution in which English is the sole language of instruction.

All ETS test results must be reported before our application deadlines, both officially by ETS (directly to Stanford University Graduate Admissions) and unofficially by the applicant (directly to the department). For official scores, the Stanford University score recipient number is R4704; no department number is used. Applicants should also self-report their scores in their application or send photocopies of ETS score reports to the department.

Statement of Purpose

Your Statement of Purpose gives you an opportunity to distinguish yourself beyond grades and test scores. You may choose to write about previous experiences, research interests, your personal and professional goals: Why graduate school? What might follow? What inspires you? What drives you? Why is a research life a good fit for you? What do you need to improve, so you would flourish in graduate school? Have you ever written a research proposal to do independent research (e.g. for a NSF fellowship application)? Is there something else about you that you think is important for us to know? It is not necessary to address each of these issues; we want you to decide how you want to present yourself. The ChemE Graduate Admissions Committee members read this essay with interest and care because, along with the letters of recommendation, it offers us further insight into who you are as a distinct individual.

Academic transcripts and other materials not submitted online

Applicants must send the department two official academic transcripts from each post-secondary institution attended for one year or more. For those who do not apply online, the paper application and accompanying check for the application fee are sent to the department. Letters and other materials not submitted online also are sent directly to the department:

Graduate Admissions
Department of Chemical Engineering
Stanford University
Stauffer III, Room 113
381 North-South Mall
Stanford, CA 94305-5025
USA
Tel: 650.725.3151

Supplemental application materials may be submitted as a complete package or individually, as they are ready.

Familiarize yourself with the University's Graduate Admissions site

To gain a more comprehensive picture of the graduate admission process go to University's Graduate Admissions

All potential applicants who are not active Stanford students and who wish to pursue a graduate degree at Stanford must apply through the University’s official Graduate Admissions application process, using either the online or paper application forms. All active Stanford students should contact ChemE student services for information about applying.

The M.S. application season is mid-September through February

While March 16, 2010, is the deadline for submitting on-line M.S. applications, and all applications received by this date will receive full consideration, applicants are encouraged to submit their applications as soon as their fall quarter or semester grades are available. Those interested in applying after the March deadline should contact the department before applying. All components of a graduate application must be received by the department no later than the appropriate deadline. A complete application consists of a completed application form, a statement of purpose, application fee, three letters of recommendation, ETS examination scores, and academic transcripts. If you have other information, e.g. a publication which you authored that is relevant to your application, you may submit it as well.

The Ph.D. application season is mid-September through December

However, please note that all administrative offices are closed December 19, 2009 through January 3, 2010. Thus submission druing the month preceding the January 6th deadline is strongly encouraged.