Application Deadline ∼ Contact Information ∼ Steps for Applying ∼ Frequently Asked Questions
Application Deadline
The application deadline for admission to Autumn 2016 has passed. Applications are not accepted after the deadline.
The application for Autumn 2017 will be available in mid-September of 2016 and the deadline will be in early December of 2016.
Applications are accepted for admission to the Autumn quarter only.
Contact Information
Before contacting the department, read the information on this page, and on the University Graduate Admissions website.
If your question is not answered on either website, please send an email to: mathgradadmissions@stanford.edu
Steps for Applying
1.) Review the information and instructions on this page. See the Frequently Asked Questions below.
2.) Review the information and instructions on the University Graduate Admissions website.
3.) Submit your application online. The link to the online application is on the University Graduate Admissions website.
Items which must be included in your online application:
- GRE General Test Scores (self-reported)
- GRE Mathematics Subject Test Score (self-reported)
- Statement of Purpose (document uploaded to online application)
- Soft copy of transcripts/academic records (document(s) uploaded to online application)
- Names and contact information of your recommenders; minimum of 3, maximum of 6 (Your recommenders will receive an email with instructions for submitting their letters online.)
- TOEFL Scores (self-reported)
- This is required of applicants whose first language is not English. If your first language is not English, you may be eligible for an exemption.
- Check the Required Exams page on the University Graduate Admissions website.
- Application Fee or Fee Waiver
4.) MAIL 2 hard copies of your official transcripts/academic records from each institution listed in your online application to the following address:
Department of MathematicsGraduate Admissions
450 Serra Mall, Building 380
Stanford, CA 94305-2125
5.) Have ETS send your official test scores to Stanford University.
- Stanford’s ETS institutional code is 4704.
- A department code is not necessary, but it is fine if you gave ETS a department code in addition to the institutional code.
6.) Check the status of required application materials at the Application Activity Status Page on the University Graduate Admissions website. (The link is on the left side of the page, the first item in the Quick Links box under the Apply Now button.)
- Please do not contact the department to see if your application materials are complete, please use the Application Activity Status Page.
- See the Application Status Questions below for instructions if any materials you have sent are not marked as received on the Application Activity Status Page.
Frequently Asked Questions
- Does the Math Department offer a Master’s Degree?
- What fields of mathematics can students study in the PhD program?
- How many years of study is the PhD program?
- If admitted to the PhD program, will I receive financial aid?
- Who will review my application?
- What do you look for in an application?
- Do I need to have gone to an REU? Do I need research experience?
- Should I send you copies of my papers with my application?
- I have an unconventional background, should I apply?
- Do I need to have a Master’s Degree to apply for the PhD program?
- Do letters of recommendation and official transcripts need to be received by the application deadline?
- Are students admitted in the Winter and Spring quarters?
- I missed the application deadline. Can I still apply?
- What GRE score do I need?
- I missed the GRE test date. Can I still apply?
- Do I need to take the TOEFL?
- What TOEFL scores do I need to be eligible to apply?
- How do I submit official test scores?
- How do I know when my GRE and/or TOEFL scores will arrive at Stanford?
- Is it okay if my official GRE or TOEFL scores arrive after the application deadline?
- If I applied to the PhD program last year do I still need to have ETS send official GRE scores?
- I sent hard copies of my official transcripts to the department but they show as unofficial on the Applicant Status Page. What should I do?
- I had ETS send my official GRE and/or TOEFL scores to Stanford but they show as unofficial on the Applicant Status Page. What should I do?
Does the Math Department offer a Master’s Degree?
We do not offer a Master’s Degree to non-matriculated students. For outside (non-Stanford) applicants, the Mathematics Department offers admission to the PhD program only. A list of all graduate programs at Stanford can be found here: https://studentaffairs.stanford.edu/gradadmissions/programs
What fields of mathematics can students study in the PhD program?
Both pure and applied mathematics can be studied. There is no separate applied mathematics program. See the Research Areas page for information about areas of faculty research.
How many years of study is the PhD program?
Five years is the typical amount of time it takes to complete the program. See the PhD Program page for the timeline of progression through the degree.
If admitted to the PhD program, will I receive financial aid?
All admitted PhD students who make satisfactory progress are fully funded for five years. Funding sources include department fellowships, teaching assistantships and research assistantships.
Who will review my application?
A committee of several math faculty members reads the files. The composition of the committee varies each year.
What do you look for in an application?
By and large, we like to see that you are eager to learn and can handle difficult mathematics. In most cases, this is evidenced by taking and doing well in advanced math courses (admitted students usually have close to perfect GPAs in math courses), as well as having close interaction with faculty who can testify to this.
If you are applying from a school from which we rarely get applicants, it is helpful if some of your recommenders can compare you to others who have gone on to comparable math graduate schools.
Do I need to have gone to an REU? Do I need research experience?
Although you’re certainly welcome to include letters from faculty mentors about research experience, we don’t expect you to have such experience or to have attended an REU.
Should I send you copies of my papers with my application?
No. Unfortunately we simply don’t have the time that would be needed to look at research papers in any detail. Instead, please ensure that you have a letter of recommendation that addresses them. If you wish, include a weblink to the paper in your statement of purpose.
I have an unconventional background, should I apply?
Although we do not formally require e.g. a math major, we do expect you to have a math background that is comparable to it. In such cases, please explain your experience carefully in your statement of purpose.
Do I need to have a Master’s Degree to apply for the PhD program?
No.
Do letters of recommendation and official transcripts need to be received by the application deadline?
Yes.
Are students admitted in the Winter and Spring quarters?
No. Students are admitted into the PhD program for Autumn quarter only.
I missed the application deadline. Can I still apply?
No, we do not accept late applications.
What GRE score do I need?
We do not have a cutoff. Most admitted applicants have a GRE Mathematics subject score of above 800.
I missed the GRE test date. Can I still apply?
No. GRE General and Mathematics Subject scores are required of all applicants. There are no exceptions.
Do I need to take the TOEFL?
For complete TOEFL requirements please see the University Graduate Admissions Required Exams page.
What TOEFL scores do I need to be eligible to apply?
For complete TOEFL requirements please see the University Graduate Admissions Required Exams page.
How do I submit official test scores?
Official scores must be reported directly to Stanford from the Educational Testing Service (ETS). Stanford’s ETS institutional code is 4704. A department code is not necessary, but it is fine if you gave ETS a department code in addition to the institutional code.
How do I know when my GRE and/or TOEFL scores will arrive at Stanford?
Please see the ETS (Educational Testing Service) website (www.ets.org) for scoring information.
Is it okay if my official GRE or TOEFL scores arrive after the application deadline?
You must take the exam in time so that you can provide your self-reported scores on the application. It is OK if the official scores arrive up to a week after the application deadline. For the GRE Mathematics Subject test you must take it by the October test date. For the GRE General test or TOEFL test you should allow two weeks from your test date for the official scores to arrive at Stanford.
If I applied to the PhD program last year do I still need to have ETS send official GRE scores?
Yes. You must submit a complete application and application materials each time you apply to the PhD program. This includes letters of recommendation, test scores, and transcripts.
I sent hard copies of my official transcripts to the department but they show as unofficial on the Applicant Status Page. What should I do?
Official transcripts are sorted and marked as complete on the Applicant Status Page AFTER the application deadline. This process is completed by mid-December. If we have not received your official transcripts by that time we will contact you. Please do not contact the department to see if your official transcripts have been received, check the Applicant Status Page (see step 6 above).
I had ETS send my official GRE and/or TOEFL scores to Stanford but they show as unofficial on the Applicant Status Page. What should I do?
Official scores are sent electronically to Stanford and matched to applicants’ records around once per week. If any identifying information on your ETS score report is different from your online application, your scores may not be matched to your record. As long as you self-reported your scores on your application, those can be used for the initial review. If we have not received your official scores by mid-December we will contact you. Please do not contact the department to see if your official scores have been received, check the Applicant Status Page (see step 6 above).
When are admission decisions made?
Admission decisions are made between late January to mid-February.
How will I be notified of my admission decision?
We will notify all applicants via email as soon as decisions have been made. Please do not contact the department to see if a decision has been made unless you haven’t heard by the end of February.
Print this page