Coterm Admissions
Stanford undergraduates may work simultaneously toward a bachelor’s and a master’s degree. The degrees may be granted simultaneously or the bachelor’s degree may be awarded first.
Stanford undergraduates who wish to continue their studies for the Master of Science degree in the coterminal program must have a declared major and have earned a minimum of 120 units towards graduation. This includes allowable advanced placement (AP) and transfer credit. For university coterminal degree program rules, visit the coterm section of the Registar’s website.
Application Deadlines
Proposed MS start quarter: Application deadline
A completed application (including letters of recommendation and transcripts) must be received by the deadline. You may not apply later than the quarter prior to the one in which you expect to finish your undergraduate degree. Stanford undergraduates with any major who are interested in learning more about receiving an Aero/Astro master's degree as a coterm should review the information on the University Registrar’s website and visit the Aero/Astro Student Services Office. A coterm application fee of $125 will be assessed for each coterm application. This fee will be added to your University Bill, should you be admitted to the program and choose to accept the offer of admission.
Coterm Application Checklist
Application and fee ($125)
- Statement of purpose
- Letters of recommendation
- Unofficial transcript
- MS proposed program proposal
Application Fee
Students who accept an offer of admission and are matriculated (enrolled) into a coterm graduate program are assessed a $125 coterm application fee. Eligibility for a co-term graduate application fee waiver is based on the Financial Aid Office’s evaluation of your need-based aid application. Those from families with income below $125,000 and typical assets for that income range will qualify. The waiver is automatically applied and no special request is necessary.
Statement of Purpose
Your statement of purpose should identify personal and professional goals. It should also discuss your development to date and your intentions relative to graduate study and life beyond Stanford. The Aero/Astro Graduate Admissions Committee reads your statement of purpose with interest because, along with the letters of recommendation, it offers insight into who you are as an individual. Your statement of purpose should not exceed two pages in length (single spaced).
Letters of Recommendation
Two Stanford faculty letters of recommendation are required. Please see the online application for information.
Transcripts
Please upload one unofficial transcript to your application, or you may request and submit an official electronic transcript through the online application.
Application Decisions
Applicants will be notified of the admission decision in writing, typically 4 weeks after the application deadline.
If you are accepted into the program, you will need to:
- Submit a response to the offer of admission to Aero/Astro Student Services Office, and correspond with a member of the student services staff to discuss the coterm plan and complete paperwork.
- Submit a new AA-MS program proposal, signed by your advisor, by the Final Study List deadline of your first co-term quarter. An academic advisor will be assigned upon admission.
New coterm students should be sure that all paperwork is completed in a timely fashion to ensure the appropriate transfer of undergraduate coursework toward the MS program. More information is on the University Registrar’s website. After accepting admission to this coterminal master’s degree program, students may request transfer of courses from the undergraduate to the graduate career to satisfy requirements for the master’s degree. Transfer of courses to the graduate career requires review and approval of both the undergraduate and graduate programs on a case by case basis. Courses taken during or after the first quarter of the sophomore year are eligible for consideration for transfer to the graduate career; the timing of the first graduate quarter is not a factor. No courses taken prior to the first quarter of the sophomore year may be used to meet master’s degree requirements. Course transfers are not possible after the bachelor’s degree has been conferred.
Financial Aid
Fellowships: See the university financial aid website. The School of Engineering Dean’s office has a pilot coterminal fellowship program to which students can apply after admission to the coterm. Standard Stanford Fellowships are generally not awarded to coterm applicants. We recommend that you apply for external fellowships to fund your graduate program.
Research Assistantships: Aero/Astro research assistantships (RAs) are usually considered part of a long-term commitment to doctoral-level research, so it is rare for an incoming student to receive an RA offer in this department. The research assistants are selected by individual faculty members, who will usually have worked with the student in one or more courses, and in some directed study, before deciding on an RA appointment.
Course Assistantships: Application information for course assistantships (CAs) will be posted by the Aero/Astro Student Services Office in the spring quarter. Positions are assigned by the department quarterly, beginning in the summer for the following academic year. Applicants are expected to have taken and done well in the course in which they will assist.
Questions?
Email Allysa Bernardo: allysab@stanford.edu