Application Process
• How to Apply to Stem Cell Biology and Regenerative Medicine
• Required Supplemental Application Form • Deadline • Criteria • Application
Application Fee • Statement of Purpose • Letters of Recommendation
• Transcripts • GRE Results
• Application Status Inquiries • Contact Us
How to Apply to Stem Cell Biology and Regenerative Medicine
Go to Stanford's Graduate Admissions Website. Please carefully read all information and instructions.
Here is the link to our Graduate Admissions official program page: https://www.stanford.edu/dept/registrar/bulletin/89060.htm
FAQ
Q: Can I apply to the Biosciences Program and the Stem Cell Biology and Regenerative Medicine Program at the same time, choosing one or the other as my second choice?
A: No. At this time, Stanford does not allow applications to more than one program. If you are interested in one of the Biosciences programs please indicate this in your application. We will then forward your application to this program.
Required Supplemental Application Form
In addition to the standard graduate student application, students interested in the Stem Cell Biology and Regenerative Medicine Program must fill out a program-specific supplemental application. Complete this form and upload it to page 15 of your application under "Additional Information." Indicate information type as "other." Naming convention of the supplemental application form should read as follows:
SCBRM SuppAppForm _Applicant First Initial Last Name
(Example: SCBRMSuppAppForm_DSmith)
Please note: save the supplemental application first, then fill it out.
Deadline
Applications will not be accepted after the December 1, 2011 deadline. All supporting documents must be postmarked by the deadline in order for your application to be considered in the review process. Applications to the Ph.D. program are considered for admission in the autumn quarter only.
Criteria
To be eligible for admission to graduate programs at Stanford, applicants must meet one of the following conditions:
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completion of a bachelor's degree from a U.S. college or university accredited by a regional accrediting association; or
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completion of an international degree that is equivalent to a U.S. bachelor's degree from a college or university of recognized standing.
The competition for admission is keen, and is granted to students who exhibit an excellent academic record and strong research potential.
Students will be expected to enter with a series of core competencies in biology, chemistry, or physics. The backgrounds of students entering the program will be assessed by the examination of their undergraduate transcripts, test scores and research experiences.
Application
Applications must be submitted using the on-line application form. Paper applications are not accepted. When you use the online application, your information enters our database directly, making the admissions process smoother and faster. A built-in monitor ensures that you do not forget to include important information, and you can save your progress. When your department downloads your application, you will know that it is legible and complete.
If you are interested in one of the Biosciences programs please indicate this in your application. We will then forward your application to this program. At this time, Stanford does not allow applications to more than one program.
Application Fee
The Application Fee is $125.00. Online application fee payments can be made by credit card (Visa or MasterCard) ONLY. Stanford University cannot accept checks or money orders.If you require an application fee waiver, please fill out this survey to determine if you qualify. General information regarding the Biosciences application fee waiver and the university application fee waiver can be found on their respective websites.
Statement of Purpose
Your statement of purpose should describe succinctly your reasons for applying to the Stem Cell Biology and Regenerative Medicine Program at Stanford. It would be helpful to include what you have done to prepare for this degree program. Please describe your research interests, past research experience, future career plans, and other details of your background and interests that will allow us to evaluate your ability to thrive in our program. If you have interests that align with specific faculty member, you may state this in your application. Your Statement of Purpose should not exceed two pages in length (single spaced).
Letters of Recommendation
We strongly encourage your recommenders to submit your letters of recommendation on-line. Three letters of recommendation are required; two letters must come from an academic source. Please utilize the instructions in the on-line application to have your recommenders submit letters directly on-line. Here are some tips to ensure they get submitted online:
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Enter their email addresses early and inform them that they will be receiving instructions via e-mail.
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Instruction e-mails to your recommendation providers will indicate you as the sender, and have the subject, "Please submit your recommendation" but will actually come from CollegeNet.
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Your list of recommenders is accessible from your Activity Log in your application account. You will be able to see if they have submitted their letters and to send reminders if necessary.
We suggest including the following note from Stanford University when you ask individuals for recommendations:
"Thank you for taking the time to write on behalf of this candidate who is applying to the Stem Cell Biology and Regenerative Medicine graduate program at Stanford. The most useful recommendations provide detailed descriptions supported by specific anecdotes illustrating the candidate's intellectual abilities and personal qualities. In addition to considering traditional indicators of academic performance (G.P.A., quality of undergraduate institution/program, G.R.E. exam scores) we are very interested in the applicant's creative abilities, effectiveness in implementation, leadership skills, and personal qualities. Letters of Recommendation are a very important source of this information."
If for some reason, your recommender is unable to submit your letter of recommendation online, please be sure to fill out the Recommendation Form for Graduate Study and be sure to note whether you are waiving your right to see the letter of recommendation or not. Recommendations not submitted on-line must be submitted with this form, sealed and signed on the back of the envelope by the recommender, and postmarked by December 1, 2011 to:
Stem Cell PhD Program Office
Stanford University, School of Medicine
Institute for Stem Cell Biology and Regenerative Medicine
Lorry I. Lokey Stem Cell Research Building
265 Campus Drive, Room G3021
Stanford, California 94305-5463
Transcripts
We require two official and sealed copies from all previous colleges or universities attended for one year or more full time. The institution should send your transcripts in a sealed envelope. Transcripts received opened are not considered official. In addition to the paper transcripts, applicants are required to upload scanned unofficial transcripts as part of their application.
Some institutions do not release transcripts directly to students. In such cases, we will accept transcripts sent directly from the institution.
Send official transcripts to:
Stem Cell PhD Program Office
Stanford University, School of Medicine
Lorry I. Lokey Stem Cell Research Building
265 Campus Drive, Suite G3021
Stanford, California 94305-5463
GRE Results
Applicants are required to take the GRE aptitude test (verbal, quantitative, and analytical). No GRE Subject test is required. Scores must be reported to the Graduate Admissions office by the Educational Testing Service (photocopies of scores sent to you are not acceptable.) Our institution code for ETS is 4704. You do not need a department code. It is strongly recommended that the GREs be taken before the end of August for the scores to arrive in time for the consideration of your application. The program has no established absolute cutoff scores.
GRE general results must be from an examination taken within the last five years. For more information on GRE requirements, please see the "Are You Ready to Apply?" section at the graduate admissions website.
Application Status Inquiries
We are unable to answer inquiries regarding the status of any application. We will contact you if your application is incomplete; be sure to keep your e-mail address updated. Admission decisions will be made by late March.
If you do not receive an e-mail from our office by the posted decision date, you may e-mail us at [email protected] and include your first and last name as used on the application. Please do not call our office with this particular inquiry, as we are unable to provide any applicant information over the phone.
Contact Us
If you have additional questions not answered here, you may call us at (650) 723-6716.