Frequently Asked Questions

General

1. When are applications due?
   All applications are due in early January for admission in the fall. Please see the 'Admissions' section of Stanford’s website for the exact date in January as this changes each year. There are no rolling admissions or spring acceptances. Admissions decisions are mailed out in mid-March. Please do not call the IPS office to inquire about whether you have been offered admission to the program, as decisions cannot be given over the phone.

2. May I submit an extra letter of reference?
   Yes, but please use your judgment to decide whether it is really necessary—that is, whether the extra letter offers information not covered by the other three recommendations. Please include a letter of recommendation from your employer if you have spent time in the workplace that is relevant to your study in IPS.

3. What advice can you give me?
   It is important to leave yourself time to look over your completed application package, trying to see it with an objective eye. If there is anything that you think might raise questions or concerns, please feel free to explain it.

4. Can I request an interview?
   An interview is not part of the IPS program admissions process and we do not accept interview requests. We ask that you treat your statement of purpose as an opportunity to “talk” to the Admissions Committee. Since interviews are not part of the process, a well-written statement of purpose is critical to a successful application. We want to get to know you, so don’t simply reiterate information we can find elsewhere in your application.

5. May I visit the program?
   Applicants who are admitted into the program are invited to visit campus in early April (the date will vary each year) to learn more about IPS, meet faculty and current students, sit in on classes, and tour the campus. Applicants will receive more information about this event once admissions decisions have been made.
   
   Prospective students interested in visiting campus should contact the program coordinator in advance of the visit in order to schedule a meeting.  We encourage those who are interested in the program to come and explore Stanford’s wonderful campus and resources.  At this time we are unable to grant prospective students a space in class or a meeting with the director, but our program staff is happy to meet with you and provide some guidance during your visit.  Additionally, current students are generally willing to meet with prospective students and the campus tour is highly recommended.

6. Is there a one-year option?
   Currently there is only a two-year program. A one-year program for mid-career professionals may be offered in the future.

7. Is there a Ph.D. option?
   No, the Ford Dorsey Program in International Policy Studies only offers the Master of Arts degree.

GRE & TOEFL

1. Can the GMAT or LSAT be taken in lieu of the GRE?
   No, scores from the GRE general test are required of all applicants for graduate study in the School of Humanities and Science at Stanford.

2. What is the minimum GPA or GRE score?
   We see applications from students who have attended universities all over the world. Side-by-side comparisons are difficult and can be misleading. Most students applying to the IPS Program have a GPA above a 3.5 and GRE scores in the 90th percentile, but we do not evaluate applications solely on “the numbers.” Instead, we examine the entire student’s profile, including career experience and objectives. Therefore, while most students admitted present strong GPAs and GRE scores, we encourage you to think of your application in its entirety.

3. What if I schedule my GRE/TOEFL exam in late December or early January?
   The deadline for admission is the same for which all materials should arrive (including the GRE/TOEFL scores).  It is your right to take the exam whenever you are able to do so but if your scores do not arrive by mid-January we cannot guarantee they will be included in your application file when the admissions committee begins their review.  Additionally, we do not take responsibility for your scores not arriving in time to be included in your application file. 
   
   ETS scores can take up to five weeks to arrive and up to one week to be connected to the IPS program’s database.  Careful planning suggests that these exams should be taken no later than mid-December.

4. What is the institution and program code for the GRE/TOEFL?
   Stanford University’s institution code is 4704.  You do not need to indicate a department code since IPS does not have one.

Financial Aid

1. Is financial aid available?
   Limited financial aid is available and there is no separate process to apply for fellowship money from the IPS program. During the first year, there will be a select number of fellowships given while a combination of assistantships and fellowships will be offered to a select number of students in their second year. Admitted students will be notified of a fellowship offer in their letter of acceptance. Please be sure to denote your interest in financial aid on the application.

2. What are some ways to finance my education at Stanford?
   A select number of students may receive a partial fellowship and/or an assistantship through IPS.  During the first year of the program, students are not allowed to have an assistantship so the best options are fellowships, outside funding, loans, etc.  During the second year of the program, students may hold a teaching or research assistantship.  However, during any quarter in which a student has an assistantship, it is required that their units be reduced.  Therefore, students need to plan accordingly during the first year in order to accommodate an assistantship. 
   
   Assistantships can be for one quarter, two, or all three quarters in the academic year and IPS students can generally fit two or three quarters’ worth into their schedules.  Often times, students find teaching assistantship opportunities through the economics or political science departments and research assistantship opportunities through the various research centers on campus.

3. What do assistantships cover?
   Full assistantships (known as 50% assistantships) require 20 hours per work and provide both tuition (up to 10 units) and a stipend.  The stipend amount can vary due to the department or type of position.  There are also 25% and 10% assistantships. 

Prerequisite Courses

1. Are there prerequisites to the IPS program?
   Yes. They are: Calculus-based Statistics, Macroeconomics, Microeconomics, and International Economics. The prerequisites can be taken at any time prior to enrolling in IPS. Successful completion of these prerequisites is a way to bolster your application as it is a good indicator of your qualification for the program.

2. What suffices for an international economics course?
   International economics is essentially international trade and international finance.  Admitted students will need to have taken a course in each (or have both topics covered in a single course) in order to be adequately prepared and to meet the prerequisite requirement.

3. Can I complete the prerequisite courses after I have been admitted?
   Yes, however there are challenges in doing so.  It is recommended that you complete most if not all, of the prerequisites before applying because the admissions committee will want to review your proficiency in those areas.

Language Requirement

1. Does the program have a language requirement?
   Yes. IPS students must show proficiency in a foreign language in order to graduate. Proficiency can be demonstrated by passing an oral and written examination prior to graduation or by three years of university-level course work in a foreign language.

2. Can I complete the language requirement while in the IPS program?
   You may complete the language requirement while enrolled in the program although it is discouraged, as this will very likely extend your time in the program.  The program requires intensive, full-time study, which leaves little space for language courses in terms of units and additional free time.  It can be accomplished but it adds an additional challenge.  Some students choose to participate in an intensive language program during the summer between the first and second year of the program.