- PhD
Eligibility
Prior degrees: PhD applicants must hold a BA or BS degree from an accredited US college or university or its equivalent from an international institution of recognized standing, as listed in the Graduate Admissions site.
GRE Scores: GRE verbal, quantitative, and analytical writing scores from a test taken within five years are required. No subject-based test is required. E-IPER does not have a minimum GRE requirement.
English Language Skills: Applicants whose first language is not English must submit Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) scores from an examination taken within 18 months of applying. A score of at least 600 on the paper-based, 250 on the computer-based, or 100 on the internet-based TOEFL is expected in order to begin graduate studies. Applicants with a BA or BS or 2-year masters degree from an accredited, English-speaking university may request an exemption from the TOEFL requirement from the Stanford Graduate Admissions office.
Quantitative Skills: E-IPER's interdisciplinary coursework and research typically requires foundational quantitative skills including, at minimum, college level calculus and statistics. Admitted students lacking minimum skills should be prepared to take "refresher" summer courses at Stanford or other appropriate training.
Process
E-IPER requires a two-part application process described below. The electronic Stanford application and all supporting documents listed in Part 1 must be received by 11:59 p.m. PST on Tuesday, December 1, 2009. Due to E-IPER’s tight review schedule, this deadline is final. Documents (including letters of recommendation, transcripts and GRE/TOEFL scores) received after the deadline will not be considered.
Part 2 of the application requires completion of the application in the School of Earth Sciences’ Admissions (SES) Database. Because access to the database is granted 24-48 hours AFTER submission of the electronic Stanford application, Part 2 has a separate deadline of 11:59 p.m. PST on Friday, December 4, 2009.
In early January 2010, finalists will be invited to attend an on-campus site visit on February 11 and 12 at Stanford's expense. Finalists will interview with several faculty members and meet current E-IPER students and staff. Offers of admission will be extended in March 2010.
We hope this information is helpful and look forward to reviewing your application.
APPLICATION MATERIALS AND SUBMISSION
PART 1—Electronic Stanford Application DEADLINE DECEMBER 1, 2009
Step 1- Submit your application electronically through Stanford's Graduate Admissions page, following the instructions here and in the Graduate Admissions Guide.
Your Stanford application must include two uploaded documents:
a) the Statement of Purpose (2 single spaced pages maximum) should describe your academic and professional preparation for E-IPER, why you are seeking an interdisciplinary graduate program, and how your research will integrate traditional disciplines. While faculty sponsorship is not required for application purposes, the Statement of Purpose should identify 2-4 Stanford faculty members with whom you would like to work.
b) the Application Summary Form (download form) should be completed and uploaded into the Additional Information section of the Stanford application.
Step 2 – GRE and TOEFL Scores Request that ETS send your GRE scores (verbal, quantitative, and analytical writing required), and TOEFL scores if required, directly to Stanford using the general code 4704 (E-IPER does not have a specific department code). Students are strongly advised to take the GRE and TOEFL no later than September 2009 to ensure scores are transmitted by the December 1, 2009 deadline.
Step 3 – Letters of Recommendation Request that your three letters of recommendation be submitted electronically by the December 1, 2009 deadline, following the instructions here. If letters cannot be submitted electronically via the application database, they may be sent by the letter writer in a signed, sealed envelope directly to E-IPER at the address below, and must be received by the December 1st deadline.
Step 4 – Transcripts Request that ONE official transcript from all colleges and universities you have attended full time for at least one year be mailed directly to E-IPER at the address below, to be received by the December 1, 2009 deadline. While the University states that two transcripts are required, E-IPER needs only one for review purposes. The second transcript will be requested from admitted students prior to matriculation.
MAILING ADDRESS:
E-IPER Admissions
Yang and Yamazaki Environment and Energy Building-4210
473 Via Ortega, Suite 226
Stanford, CA 94305
PART 2-- SES Admissions Database DEADLINE 4, 2009
Materials submitted electronically through Part 1 (Stanford application, letters of recommendation, GRE/TOEFL scores, E-IPER Application Summary Form) will automatically be uploaded to the SES Admissions Database. However, to complete your application, you must upload a plain text version of your Statement of Purpose, identical to the one you submitted in Step 1 above, and an unofficial copy of your transcripts.
Because you will not be able to access the SES Admissions Database until 24-48 hours AFTER you submit your Stanford application (Part 1), there is a separate deadline for completing your application in the SES Admissions Database. Please complete the steps below by December 4, 2009*:
Step 1-- Access the SES Admissions Database.
Step 2-- Enter the e-mail address you put on your application into the specified field and wait up to 30 minutes to receive an e-mail with a one-time link to the page where you will upload your materials
Step 3-- Upload a plain text copy of your Statement of Purpose and PDFs of your unofficial transcripts, each as a single PDF in English
* If the Database does not recognize your login after you have waited 48 hrs, please contact EIPERadmissions@stanford.edu
You may check the receipt status of your application components after uploading your Statement and transcripts. To upload documents and request receipt status updates more than once, you must re-enter the database, following the instructions above, to receive a new one-time link.
If you have any questions about the application materials or process, send an e mail clearly stating your problem or question to EIPERadmissions@stanford.edu
Funding
Regardless of their financial circumstances, all admitted E-IPER PhD students are guaranteed up to 12 quarters of funding, compiled from a variety of sources including teaching assistantships, research assistantships, gifts, and endowed funds. However, PhD applicants are encouraged to investigate outside funding opportunities, such as the National Science Foundation Graduate Fellowships, EPA Science to Achieve Results (STAR) Fellowships, the Department of Energy (as federal agencies, these opportunities are limited to US citizens and permanent residents), and other opportunities for which they might be eligible. Fellowship opportunities are listed on the Resources page.
Questions?
If you have any questions about the application materials or process, send an e-mail clearly stating your problem or question to EIPERadmissions@stanford.edu. Please only send inquiries via e-mail.