The Ford Dorsey Master’s in International Policy is part of the Freeman Spogli Institute for International Studies.
MIP How to Apply
How To Apply
What you need to know
MIP Application Deadline
The Stanford graduate online application is now closed. The application deadline was January 11, 2022 (11:59pm PST) for matriculation in September 2022. 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 6, 2021 at 1:00 pm (Pacific Time). KHS applicants must submit their application to the MIP program by December 1, 2021 at 11:59pm (Pacific Time).
MIP Admissions Timeline
OCTOBER
- Application available in late September or early-October. Please see below on how to apply.
DECEMBER
- MIP application deadline for Knight-Hennessy Scholars applicants: December 1, 2021 at 11:59pm (PST).
JANUARY
- MIP application deadline: January 11, 2022 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 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 2023-24 academic year will be available through Graduate Admissions in late September 2022. There is a non-refundable $125 application fee.
Statement of Purpose
- Statement of Purpose
- Three Letters of Recommendation
- Writing Sample
- Resume/CV
- Official GRE Scores
- TOEFL Scores
- Prerequisite Coursework
- Official Transcripts (Academic Records)
- Frequently Asked Questions
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. The Statement of Purpose should not exceed two pages in length, single-spaced.
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.
Writing Sample
We require an academic writing sample, in English. It must be between 7-15 pages, double-spaced (excluding title page, end notes, and bibliography). The topic should be related to international policy; however, a piece of analytical writing in another field is acceptable. You must be the sole author of the submitted writing sample.
Resume/CV
We require a recent resume and/or CV. There are no format or length requirements for this document.
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.
Note: Due to difficulties and restrictions related to the COVID-19 pandemic, the GRE requirement was waived for all Fall 2021 and Fall 2022 applicants. A decision about the GRE requirement for the upcoming cycle (Fall 2023) will be communicated here in July.
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. IELTS scores cannot be accepted.
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.
Official Transcripts (Academic Records)
For each post-secondary institution where you have spent at least one academic year, you must scan and upload one official transcript to the online application. Then, if you are offered admission and decide to enroll, (and after conferral of your latest degree) you must have the institution(s) send final official transcripts to our offices, following one of the delivery methods outlined in the Office of Graduate Admissions' Official Transcripts page.
For individuals using the Certified Electronic Transcripts method of delivery, please have your institution(s) direct e-transcripts to mip-admissions@stanford.edu.
For individuals using the Traditional Paper Documents method of delivery, please have your institution(s) address two sets of paper transcripts to:
MIP Admissions
Encina Hall, C100
616 Jane Stanford Way
616 Jane Stanford Way
Stanford, CA 94305-6055
Note that transcripts uploaded to the application are not considered official, and that official transcripts sent as email attachments cannot be accepted.