- PhD FAQs
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- Do I have to hold a Masters degree to be eligible to apply for the E-IPER PhD?
No, all individuals who hold a U.S. bachelors degree or its equivalent from a college or university of recognized standing are eligible to apply for admission to Stanford graduate degree programs. However, many of our successful applicants have a Masters degree and/or professional work experience. - Are there course prerequisites for application to the E-IPER PhD?
Though E-IPER has no course prerequisites for application purposes, it is expected that students will enter the program with foundational quantitative skills. These skills can certainly be obtained through E-IPER coursework as long as students understand that this may extend the length of their program. Additionally, the strongest candidates will be able to demonstrate coursework, experience or research in multiple disciplines including physical, biological and social sciences. Further, the admissions committee would hope to see some coursework or practical experience in the applicant's areas of proposed research.
- Do I have to hold a Masters degree to be eligible to apply for the E-IPER PhD?
- How long will it take to complete the E-IPER PhD?
E-IPER is very flexible and individualized, so program duration will vary among students. The average duration of the program is anticipated to be 5 years. Earning a PhD includes the completion of 135 units. - Back to Top
- Which code do I send GRE scores to?
You must request through ETS that your scores are transmitted to Stanford's general code 4704. E-IPER does not use a departmental code. - Must I apply using the electronic application and how early can I apply?
If you are unable to apply online, you may request a paper application from Stanford Graduate Admissions. You must do so in writing (no phone calls or e-mails), and your request must include a statement explaining why you are unable to use the online application. More information here. Applicants will be able to access Stanford's electronic application on September 15, 2009. Note: all dates are subject to change - What is the application deadline for the E-IPER PhD degree program? Are there autumn and spring deadlines?
E-IPER accepts applications for autumn matriculation only. The application deadline is generally the first Tuesday in December. Interviews occur in February, and offers are extended in March. This year's application deadline is posted here. - Can I apply to more than (1) one Stanford graduate program per year?
Stanford policy allows applicants to apply for only (1) one graduate program per year. However, if the department reviewing your application feels you are better suited to another program, they can opt to transfer your file to another department if you authorize this action on your application. You must contact both departments/programs to specifically request this action. Although E-IPER makes every effort to accommodate such requests, it is not always possible. - Are there any Stanford sponsored programs that promote or support minority applications to graduate programs?
Stanford participates in Project 1000, a program which assists minority students in applying to graduate programs. Project 1000 pays for the application and test fees. Students submit their application materials to Project 1000, which then distributes them to participating Universities. However, should you apply to E-IPER through Project 1000, you must send another essay directly to E-IPER in which you discuss specifically why you want to pursue an interdisciplinary PhD, why you want to do it at Stanford, and how your research interests relate. Visit the Project 1000 web site for more information. Please note that all communication regarding applying through Project 1000 should be done through an assigned Project 1000 coordinator. - What is the required length of the Statement of Purpose portion of the application? Should I submit a thesis proposal as well?
The Statement of Purpose should be approximately (2) pages. Your research topic should be identified in your personal statement; a separate document is not necessary. Additional content information here - Is there a place on the application where I can explain extenuating circumstances?
There is an Additional Information section in which you can explain the circumstances of an incomplete class, low grade, or low score component. - Should I contact the faculty with whom I am interested in working prior to application submission?
While applicants are welcome to contact Stanford faculty members of interest, we ask that applicants first become familiar with faculty research projects via their websites and published works (the Woods Institute for the Environment's Faculty Database is a great resource). Because applicants are not required to secure an advisor for application purposes, a faculty member may not respond to an inquiry at this early stage. This should not discourage one from applying. Applicants who proceed to the next round will be invited to Stanford in February to meet with potential advisors and current students to discuss research interests and collaborations. Please note that the E-IPER program does not arrange meetings prior to this event. - Do recommenders send letters to E-IPER or is this done electronically?
Either option is acceptable, but when possible, electronic submission is STRONGLY preferred. Three letters of recommendation must be received by the application deadline. If submitting electronically, your recommenders will do so through the online application system that you use to apply. When you have logged in to your application, the left side of your screen lists links to all application sections. Click "Recommendations" for detailed instructions. When you enter and save the name/contact information of the recommenders, an e-mail with instructions and a PIN will be sent to each designee. If this is a problem, your recommenders can send letters directly to E-IPER. You can download a PDF of the recommender form by selecting, "Downloadable Forms" from the same list of links from which you selected "Recommendations." Ask your recommenders to seal and sign the back of the envelope. Or, you can collect them and send them as a packet as long as they are sealed and the back is signed by the recommender.
Send to: E-IPER Admissions
Yang and Yamazaki Environment and Energy Building-4210,
473 Via Ortega, Suite 226
Stanford, CA, 94305 - Who should submit letters of recommendation on my behalf?
It is required by the University that at least one of the recommenders be a faculty member at the last school you attended as a full-time student unless you have been out of school for more than five years. Substitutions for faculty recommendations may include work associates or others who can comment on your potential for graduate work. It is advised by E-IPER that at least two letters of recommendation come from academic sources. - I applied to the E-IPER PhD degree program last year and was not admitted; however I am applying again this year. Do I need to resubmit all application materials and am I required to pay the application fee?
You are required to complete the online application again, which incurs an application fee. Your application must include a revised Statement of Purpose. E-IPER will reuse your transcripts, and Letters of Recommendation if you wish, however, if any changes to these documents attest to your improved suitability to the program, they should be resubmitted. You must also arrange for ETS to resend all test scores to the Stanford general code 4704. - How do I submit the transcript portion of my application?
See the PhD Process page of the Apply Section here. - Back to Top
- When should I take the GRE and TOEFL?
GRE and TOEFL (if applicable) scores must be RECEIVED by E-IPER's annual early December application deadline (specific date posted here) to be considered as part of the application. To ensure ETS has sufficient time to transmit your scores, it is strongly advised that you take the required exam(s) by the September prior to the December deadline. GRE scores must be from an exam taken within 5 years and TOEFL scores must be from an exam taken within 18 months of applying. ETS must transmit scores by the 5-year or 18-month expiration date, sometime between June 1 of the application year and the application deadline. - Are there any exceptions to the GRE requirement for applicants to the PhD program?
GRE scores are required for all doctoral applicants, no exceptions. Although test scores are not the determining factor, they are considered as part of the application packet. GRE scores must be from an exam taken within 5 years of applying. E-IPER will accept both CBT (Computer Based Test) and PBT (Paper based Test) formats. - Is there a minimum GRE score requirement?
There is no score requirement. Applications are reviewed comprehensively, and other areas of particular strength can in some cases outweigh a relatively weaker GRE component. However given the competitiveness of E-IPER admissions, an all-around exceptional application, including GRE scores as a factor, is expected. - Are there any exemptions to the TOEFL requirement?
Applicants who hold a bachelor's degree or a two-year master's degree from an accredited English speaking university are exempted from the TOEFL requirement. If you believe you are eligible for an exemption, send a request to gradadmissions@stanford.edu. If approved, Graduate Admissions will instruct you on how to communicate the exemption on your electronic application. For those required to take the TOEFL, 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. ETS must transmit scores by the 18-month expiration date, sometime between June 1 of the application year and the application deadline. - Back to Top
- Does Stanford offer any financial aid?
All admitted E-IPER PhD students are eligible for up to 12 quarters of funding, compiled from a variety of sources including assistantships, gifts, and endowed fellowships. However, PhD applicants are encouraged, and admitted students are required to seek external funding opportunities for which they might be eligible. Some of these fellowship opportunities are listed in the Resources section. - Are international students eligible for E-IPER funding?
Yes, all E-IPER students are eligible for the program funding described above regardless of their citizenship. However, there are several fellowship programs, which fund international students to study in the U.S. Some of these programs are listed in the Resources section. - How do I go about requesting E-IPER funding and are supporting documents required?
No action required, as all admitted PhD students are eligible for program funding, as specified above.Additional questions? Contact EIPERadmissions@stanford.edu
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