Dear Prospective Stanford Graduate Student,
We are delighted that you have been offered admission to graduate study at Stanford, and we look forward to welcoming you to our community. Graduate education has been central to Stanford’s mission since its founding. The achievements of our graduate students have contributed immeasurably to making Stanford a world-class university, renowned for its academic excellence and intellectual innovation.
As a graduate student, you are an important part of the Stanford community. In fact, graduate students—doctoral, master’s, and professional students—are more than half of Stanford’s student enrollment. You will find exceptional resources here, including our outstanding libraries, laboratories, studios, and computer facilities. We encourage you to explore the full range of educational opportunities at Stanford: participate in workshops, attend lectures, take courses from many departments, seek out faculty with diverse interests, and talk with people from other disciplines and parts of the world. And of course, you will have opportunities to venture off campus and explore the ocean, the mountains, redwood forests, and the Bay Area’s dynamic and diverse cities of San Francisco, Oakland, and San Jose.
Our offices collaborate with your school and department so that you can make the most of all that Stanford has to offer. Together with our colleagues across the university, we are committed to creating an environment in which each of you will grow and thrive. You will be part of a diverse and energetic community of fellow students, faculty, and staff. Their intellectual vitality and imagination, combined with the Stanford’s many assets, will foster your intellectual growth and professional development in ways you may not yet imagine. The Grad Gateway offers information and resources to help you smoothly transition to your graduate career at Stanford.
The Office of the Vice Provost for Graduate Education works to enhance the quality of graduate education across Stanford’s seven Schools. Graduate student professional development is a particular emphasis for VPGE. We invite you to reflect on your personal and professional goals, explore everything that the university has to offer, and dive in to take advantage of our abundant resources and opportunities. You might consider applying to the Stanford Graduate Summer Institute, a week-long immersion into Stanford’s vibrant intellectual community before Autumn quarter begins. We believe, as a result of your experiences here, you will be prepared to excel as an effective leader in your field, as a skilled collaborator, and as a valuable citizen of our global society.
The Office of the Vice Provost for Student Affairs offers graduate students opportunities to enhance your learning; develop and grow as leaders; engage with diverse groups; maintain a healthy mind and body; and build a vibrant graduate community. Connecting with other graduate students throughout the university is an essential aspect of your experience. We especially want to draw your attention to the Graduate Life Office and the Graduate Community Center, one of many locations where graduate students come together, learn from one another, and engage in cross-disciplinary conversations.
We look forward to personally welcoming you to Stanford in September. We are confident that you will find this a truly exciting time to begin your graduate career at Stanford.
Greg Boardman, Vice Provost for Student Affairs (VPSA)
Patricia J. Gumport, Vice Provost for Graduate Education (VPGE), Professor of Education
