1. Admissions & Matriculation

• 1.1. Undergraduate Admission

  Stanford admits a diverse, highly qualified undergraduate class from around the world based on intellectual vitality, achievement, and potential, without quotas or preference for background, while maintaining need-blind admissions (for U.S. applicants) and meeting demonstrated financial need.

• 1.2. Graduate Admissions

  The Office of Graduate Admissions oversees the processing of applications, admissions, and matriculation for graduate programs. To be eligible for admission to graduate study, applicants must have a bachelor's degree or its equivalent and demonstrate sufficient English proficiency. The university reserves the right to withdraw an offer of admission under certain circumstances, including misrepresentation in the application process or a serious lack of judgment or integrity.

• 1.3. Coterminal Admissions

  Stanford undergraduates with strong academic records can apply for admission to a Master of Arts (M.A.) or Master of Science (M.S.) program through a coterminal admission process, provided they meet certain conditions. These conditions include having a minimum one-quarter overlap between their undergraduate and graduate programs, completing a specific number of units, spending a certain number of quarters at Stanford, declaring an undergraduate major, and adhering to application procedures. If eligible, students can apply for admission to only one master's program at a time, and if accepted, they are subject to an application fee. Deferral of admission and changing programs are possible under certain circumstances.

• 1.4. Undergraduate Non-Matriculated Study

  Nonmatriculated study at Stanford is a limited, discretionary privilege that allows certain students to enroll without being admitted to a degree program, does not guarantee future admission, and does not include financial aid. It is generally restricted to specific groups, such as summer visitors, visiting research interns, or qualified high school students, with additional eligibility requirements and approvals.

• 1.5. Graduate Non-Matriculated Study

  Stanford’s non-matriculated enrollment is limited to specific groups, such as eligible Stanford alumni and individuals with a bachelor’s degree who are admitted by a department, and requires an application process and approval. These students may take limited courses for credit under strict restrictions and time limits, while non-degree programs and postdoctoral appointments operate separately with their own admissions, funding rules, and participation requirements.

• 1.6. Visa Requirements for Registered Students

  Stanford requires all international students to obtain and maintain appropriate visa status—primarily F-1 or J-1—supported by university-issued eligibility documents and proof of financial resources. Each visa type has specific rules for enrollment, dependents, work, and study.

• 1.7. Rescission of Admission

  Stanford University reserves the right to withdraw an offer of admission in situations where there was a significant drop in academic performance, misrepresentation in the admissions process, or a display of inappropriate behavior prior to the first day of enrollment at Stanford.