How To Apply
What you need to know
MIP Application Deadline
The Stanford graduate online application has closed for matriculation in September 2020. It will reopen in September 2020 for matriculation in September 2021. 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 cultivates a diverse, multidisciplinary community of emerging leaders from around the world and guides them to collaborate, innovate, and communicate as they prepare to address the complex challenges facing society. Knight-Hennessy Scholars become part of a supportive family of fellow scholars, and follow a program designed to broaden knowledge, develop skills, and strengthen character. KHS will annually identify a group of 80 high-achieving students to receive up to 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 2021, the application deadline for KHS is October 14, 2020 at 1:00 pm (Pacific Time). KHS applicants must submit their application to the MIP program by December 8, 2020 at 11:59pm (Pacific Time).
MIP Admissions Timeline
SEPTEMBER
- Application available in mid-September. Please see below on how to apply.
DECEMBER
- MIP application deadline for Knight-Hennessy Scholars applicants: December 8, 2020 at 11:59pm (PST)
JANUARY
- MIP application deadline: January 12, 2021 at 11:59pm (PST)
- 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 2021-22 academic year will be available through Graduate Admissions in September 2020. There is a non-refundable $125 application fee.
- Statement of Purpose
- Three Letters of Recommendation
- Official Transcripts (Academic Records)
- Official GRE Scores (waived this year)
- 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)
For each post-secondary institution where you have spent at least one academic year, you must:
- Scan and upload one transcript to the online application.
- Have the institution send two sets of official transcripts to MIP to the following mailing address:
MIP Admissions
Encina Hall, C100
616 Jane Stanford Way
Stanford, CA 94305-6055
One password protected official e-transcript may be submitted to mip-admissions@stanford.edu in lieu of two paper transcripts. Note that we cannot accept official transcritps as email attachments.
If possible, official transcripts should arrive by the application deadline, and no later than February 1st.
Official GRE Scores (waived this year)
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.
Note: Due to difficulties and restrictions related to the COVID-19 pandemic, the GRE requirement will be waived for all Fall 2021 applicants.
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.