Admissions

Applications to the Biology Coterm program will be reviewed by a panel of faculty within the department. The admission committee will will be looking to see that you are prepared to succeed in graduate level coursework.

For this reason, all applicants are expected to have an undergraduate GPA of 3.0 or higher. 

The Application

Application Procedure

Complete Coterminal Master's applications will include the following:

Online Application
Statement of Purpose
1-2 pages explaining why you wish to enter the program and what you plan to accomplish while in the program

The statement should also supply information about your science capabilities if your undergraduate academic record does not accurately reflect them. For example, if your is GPA low, then you should explain any changes that may indicate improvement in coursework.

Letters of Recommendation

Two letters of recommendation are required. The letters must come from Stanford faculty who are on the Academic Council, and it is preferable that the letters be written by faculty in Biology.

To determine Academic Council status, search their name on StanfordWho (logged in). On their profile page it will say if they are an Academic Council member.

Unofficial Transcript

You will upload a copy of your unofficial Stanford transcript showing coursework in the introductory courses, foundational courses, laboratory courses, and breadth courses as outlined in the Biology undergraduate major requirements or related curricula.

Preliminary Program Proposal

Complete the Program Proposal Form with your intended course list.

Application Deadlines

The Biology Department will accept applications twice per year: 

  • For entry in Winter or Spring 2023-2024, applications are due Thursday October 26, 2023 at 11:59pm.
  • For entry in Summer or Autumn 2024-2025, applications are due Thursday, April 18, 2024 at 11:59pm.

All application materials are required by these stated deadlines. Late applications will not be accepted. The application deadline for all previous quarters has now passed.

Notification

Notification of Decision

Applicants will typically be notified 3-4 weeks after the application deadline. If a student is offered admission to the coterm program, they must respond to the department within the same quarter the offer of admission was made.

Ready to get started?

Apply here!