How To Apply
What you need to know
MIP Application Deadline
The Stanford graduate online application is now open for matriculation in September 2020. The application deadline is January 7, 2020. Applicants who are offered admission to MIP may only matriculate in Autumn Quarter in any given academic year.
Knight-Hennessy Scholars Application Deadline
The Knight-Hennessy Scholars (KHS) program will annually identify a group of 75 high-achieving students from around the world to receive three years of full funding to pursue a wide range of graduate studies at Stanford, including MIP and our joint and dual degree options. Applicants must submit separate applications to both KHS and MIP. For matriculation in September 2020, applications to KHS are due by October 10, 2019, and applications to MIP are due by December 10, 2019.
MIP Admissions Timeline
SEPTEMBER
- Application available in mid-September. Please see below on how to apply.
JANUARY
- MIP Application Deadline: 11:59p.m. (PST) on January 7, 2020
- MIP Application Processing:
- Applicants should log into the application system to check on their application status; please view the "Checklist" tab.
- Official Test Scores and Official Transcripts must be received for applications to be marked "Complete".
FEBRUARY
- Admissions Committee application review.
MARCH
- Decision letters sent to applicants by mid-March (via email).
APRIL
- "Admit Day" held in early April for admitted students.
- Enrollment decisions due April 15.
Application Requirements
The online application for the 2020-21 academic year is now available through Graduate Admissions. There is a non-refundable $125 application fee.
- Statement of Purpose
- Three Letters of Recommendation
- Official Transcripts (Academic Records)
- Official GRE Scores
- TOEFL Scores
- Writing Sample
- Resume/CV
- Prerequisite Coursework
- Frequently Asked Questions
Statement of Purpose
Statement of Purpose
We ask that you treat your statement of purpose as an opportunity to “talk” to the Admissions Committee about the reason(s) you are interested in the MIP program, and the field of international policy in general, and why this program is a good fit with your future goals.
Three Letters of Recommendation
At least one letter should 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 academic potential for graduate work.
Official Transcripts (Academic Records)
One transcript must be scanned and uploaded to the online application. Two official transcripts must be sent to MIP at the following mailing address:
Mailing Address:
MIP Admissions
Encina Hall, C100
616 Jane Stanford Way
Stanford, CA 94305-6055
Official e-transcripts may be submitted to mip-admissions@stanford.edu
Official GRE Scores
Educational Testing Service (ETS) administers required exams. Applicants are encouraged to register early to maximize the chances of scheduling preferred test dates and times. For details and registration information explore the ETS web site.
TOEFL Scores
Adequate command of spoken and written English is required for admission. Applicants whose first language is not English must submit an official test score from the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL). Stanford accepts only ETS (Educational Testing Service) scores.
Writing Sample
We require an academic writing sample, in English. It must be between 7-15 pages, double-spaced. The topic should be related to international policy; however, a piece of analytical writing in another field is acceptable.
Resume/CV
We require a recent resume and/or CV.
Prerequisite Coursework
The MIP program requires University-level introductory courses in microeconomics and macroeconomics, taken either as part of a student's undergraduate education, at another accredited educational institution, or through an approved online course. In addition, while not required, we strongly recommend applicants to complete an introductory course in statistics. An understanding of calculus may also be helpful in preparation for the Research Methods course sequence. All prerequisites must be completed prior to the start of classes in late September, however they do not need to be completed at the time of application.