Information for Prospective Students

Admissions & Financial Support

We admit students on the basis of their academic achievements, letters of recommendation, statement of purpose, work experience and Graduate Records Examination (GRE) scores. There are no minimum grade point averages or GRE scores: the admissions committee reviews each application carefully to determine the overall demonstrated and potential ability. Applicants requesting financial aid must submit a complete application (including test scores and three letters of recommendation) by January 12 for the subsequent Autumn Quarter. New graduate students are normally admitted only in the Autumn Quarter.

All applicants must submit scores from the general GRE tests taken within the last five years. Strong quantitative skills are essential for successful completion of all programs, therefore the admissions committee expects a high quantitative store. Tests of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) scores from an examination taken within the last eighteen months are required for applicants whose first language is not English. A TOEFL score of at least 575 is necessary for M.S. applicants, 600 or better for Ph.D. applicants. The TOEFL is waived for applicants who have recently completed two or more years of study in an English-speaking country.

Research and teaching assistantships for all programs are available to qualified U.S. and international applicants. Academic merit and availability of funds are the primary considerations in the awarding of graduate student financial support. Research assistantships require 20 hours per week of research prescribed by the funding of project. This work is usually relevant to the research requirements for the degree. Assistantships include a tuition allowance for ten units of course work per quarter. To cope with the combination of lectures, exams, problem sets and research takes dedication and hard work, particularly in the first couple of quarters. Single students on the assistantships, living on campus, are able to meet all reasonable tuition and living expenses from the stipend and tuition allowance. When students are given an award in their first year, an effort is made to provide the same level of support in subsequent years, assuming satisfactory progress.

For more information contact:
Academic Administrator
Department of Energy Resources Engineering
Stanford University
Stanford, CA 94305-2220

Telephone: (650) 723-8314
Fax: (650) 725-2099
E-mail: ere@sesmail.stanford.edu

Learn more about Admissions and Financial Support