Coterminal Program

Please note that the Coterm program is for current Stanford students only. Procedures for applying are different from our regular Masters admissions process. Coterm applications are currently accepted via hardcopy only.

Qualifying for Coterminal Status:

• All Applicants must have earned 120 units toward graduation (UTG) as shown on the undergraduate unofficial transcript. This includes allowable Advanced Placement (AP) and transfer credit.
• Applications must be submitted no later than the quarter prior to the expected completion of your undergraduate degree. In general, applications would have to be filed in Winter Quarter prior to the Spring Quarter graduation.
• Applications must be submitted by the deadline for each quarter.
• Coterminal students cannot defer admission. Students must start the quarter for which they apply.

Please note the deadlines  for Coterm Applicants.

Remember to order 2 copies of your Stanford transcripts! Also note that the Computer Science Department requires 3 letters of recommendation. Your Coterm Application and supporting documents must be sent directly to the Computer Science Graduate Admissions Office. Based on past experience, we strongly advise that you submit your recommendation letters and transcripts simultaneously with your coterm application. Some schools and some references will only send information directly to Stanford. In these cases, we will accept material sent under separate cover.

To avoid missing the application deadline, make sure any material sent under separate cover by others has been sent in a timely fashion directly to the CS Graduate Admissions Office. It is recommended that all parts of the application be strong as many outstanding applications are received.

THE FOLLOWING SUPPORTING DOCUMENTS/MATERIALS MUST BE RECEIVED BY THE DEADLINE:

1. Completed Coterm Application Form.
   

   • Coterminal application forms can be downloaded here.
   • You can download the Statement of Purpose form here.
   • You must also fill out the Supplementary Information form.

2. Statement of Purpose - concise, focused, and well written.
   

   • Instead of turning in a preliminary program proposal, the department requests that you write about general coursework that you are planning on taking as part of your coterm program within the body of your Statement of Purpose.

3. 3 letters of recommendation (we recommend that at least 2 of these letters be from academic sources).
   

   • Note: our requirement differs from the University requirement of 2 letters.

4. 2 sets of current Stanford transcripts as well as transcripts from any classes taken outside of Stanford.
   

   • GPA calculation: Maximum GPA at Stanford for most students is 4.3. It is best to use the GPA that is reflected in Axess as of the application deadline.

5. All Applicants are required to take the General GRE test. All applicants must provide GRE scores from an examination taken within the last 5 years of the application deadline. You must mail or fax to the Computer Science department a photocopy of the ETS score report that was sent to you by the deadline in addition to having your score reported directly to the University by ETS.

It will not be possible to answer inquiries regarding the status of any application. We will contact you if any component of your application is missing.If you have questions or concerns, please send an e-mail to admissions@cs.stanford.edu.