Statistics Coterm Eligibility

• Declaration of an undergraduate major.
• Completion of 120 units towards graduation as shown on the undergraduate transcript, including credit earned from transfer credit, Advanced Placement exams, and other external test credit.
• Completion of six non-Summer quarters at Stanford; or two non-Summer quarters at Stanford for transfer students.
• Students may apply to one coterm program per quarter, and may not apply to another coterm master's program until the admissions process for the initial application has been completed, including the student's response to the offer of admission (if admitted).
• Coterminal students can defer admission, but must have one overlapping quarter before conferring their undergraduate degree. You are permitted to request a leave of absence for the first quarter of the graduate program.

University policy resource links:

• Applying to Coterm
• Coterm Advising
• Coterm Academic Progress
• University requirements for the master’s degree

The application must provide evidence of potential for strong academic performance as a graduate student.
Coterminal applicants must have completed one course in each of the following categories with a letter grade. 

If you are applying while currently enrolled in a course, you must have a recommendation letter from the instructor of that course.

It is the applicant's responsibility to ensure he or she meets all eligibility requirements before applying. All application materials, including supporting documents, must be submitted by the application deadline.

Required Prerequisite Coursework (2025-2026)

Acceptable Courses (choose one in each category)

1. Probability:
   • Stats 117
   • Stats 118
   • Math 151
   • Stats 217
   • Math 136 / Stats 219
   • Math 230a / Stats 310a
   • Other probability courses, such as CS 109 or MS&E 120, are not acceptable for application to the co-term.
2. Statistics
   • Stats 191
   • Stats 200
   • Stats 203
   • Stats 300A
   • Stats 305A
3. Linear Algebra
   • Math 51
   • Math 61CM or DM
   • Math 104
   • Math 113
   • Engr 108
4. Programming
   • CS 106A
   • CS 106B
   • Datasci 112

Deviations from the courses listed above are not permitted. Students who have taken another course that they believe is equivalent to one of the courses above should take another course in that category that can count towards the co-term program, if admitted.

• Transcripts: Upload your current official Stanford transcript
• Official GRE Scores: Not required
• Statement of Purpose:
  • Explain the nature of your interest in Statistics. Include details about your preparation for this field of study, your future career plans, and any other aspects of your background and interests that may aid the admissions committee in evaluating your aptitude and motivation for graduate study. Overall, the personal statement should be concise, focused, and well written.
  • Typed, single-spaced, and no longer than two pages with a one inch margin at the top of each page.
• Resume: Upload your resumé or CV.
• Statistics MS Program Proposal: Complete and upload the Statistics Masters Program Proposal form (select File and Make a copy).
  • Although this is a preliminary form to provide information to the committee on your planned program completion, it is strongly recommended to share and discuss your plan with Statistics department SSO prior to submitting the application. 
  • An MS advisor signature is not required for the application.
• Two Letters of Recommendation: Submit two letters of recommendation from Stanford faculty members/advisors/supervisors who are qualified to evaluate your potential for graduate study. Applicants should ask for recommendation letters as early as possible as they are often asked to write reference letters for many students. We also advise that you ask for one more recommender than is required, in case one of them is unable to provide a letter for you by the deadline.
  • You will enter their information in the application and a request for a recommendation letter will be emailed to them. Reminders can be sent to the recommender between application submission and the application deadline.
  • Applicants may send reminders to their letter writers in the Activity Status page. 

• Application review begins promptly after the application deadline.
• Decision Notification is sent via email only.
•  A $125 application fee will be assessed by the Registrar’s office for those accepted and matriculated into the program.

If you have questions or concerns, please send an e-mail to: stat-coterm [at] lists.stanford.edu (stat-coterm[at]lists[dot]stanford[dot]edu)

May 2025