Admissions

The Department of Biochemistry welcomes graduate applications from individuals with a broad range of life experiences, perspectives, and backgrounds who would contribute to our community of scholars. The review process is holistic and individualized, considering each applicant’s academic record and accomplishments, letters of recommendation, prior research experience, and admissions essays to understand how an applicant’s life experiences have shaped their past and potential contributions to their field and how they might enrich the learning community at Stanford.

The Department of Biochemistry recognizes that the Supreme Court issued a ruling in June 2023 about the consideration of certain types of demographic information as part of an admission review. All applications submitted during upcoming application cycles will be reviewed in conformance with that decision.

The Stanford Biosciences Admissions Office opens in a new tab, not the Department of Biochemistry, processes applications for the Ph.D. program. Information on how to apply for graduate study at Stanford is available on the university’s  Graduate Admissions opens in a new tab website. All materials should be uploaded electronically to the online application.

For Autumn 2027-2028: Admissions Timeline

• Application Opens: Mid-September 2026

• Application Deadline: Please check the Biosciences's Admissions page for more information here opens in a new tab.

• Interview Session (in-person): March 3 through March 6, 2027

Those applying for graduate study should have at least a baccalaureate degree and complete work in cell and developmental biology, basic biochemistry and molecular biology, and genetics. Also required are: at least one year of university physics; differential and integral calculus; and organic, inorganic, and physical chemistry. The department is especially interested in applicants with research experience in biology or chemistry. All applicants are urged to compete for non-Stanford fellowships or scholarships, and U.S. citizens should complete an application for a National Science Foundation Predoctoral Traineeship.

Postdoctoral research training is available to graduates with a PhD or an MD degree. Qualified individuals may write to individual faculty members for further information.