Admissions

The application deadline for Autumn 2023-24 has passed.

Applications for Autumn 2024-25 will be available in September 2023. 


How to Apply

Important Dates

  • November 29, 2022: Application Deadline (Late applications will not be accepted)
  • Early January 2023: Invitations to Interview Session Sent
  • February 14-16, 2023: Interview Session (Virtual). Neurosciences interviews will be conducted on Feb 14-15; optional programming may be scheduled on Feb 16. 
  • Late February 2023: Offers of Admission Begin
  • March 16-19, 2023: In-Person Visit
  • April 15, 2023: Deadline to Accept Offer of Admission

Why Stanford Neuroscience?

Research

Students have the opportunity to work with any of the faculty members who are affiliated with the Neuroscience program. Our faculty come from departments campuswide including Neurobiology, Neurology & Neurological Sciences, Neurosurgery, Biology, Genetics, Comparative Medicine, Electrical Engineering, Otolaryngology, Psychiatry, Psychology, Applied Physics, Molecular & Cellular Physiology, Ophthalmology, and Anesthesia. All are distinguished scientists who have made fundamental discoveries in all areas of neuroscience from molecules to cognition, and have international reputations for excellence in both research and teaching.

Academics

Graduate students can choose how they would like to distribute their credit requirements, offering great flexibility in their coursework. Students are also encouraged to take courses in other departments that may benefit their research (i.e. biosciences, math, and engineering). Stanford School of Medicine continually strives to improve the graduate education system. Most recently, the kernel course, an introductory course for all bioscience students, and mini courses, one to three week practical courses, have been introduced into the curriculum.

Community

The program has a strong community, fostered in part by the SIN boot camp for first year students, an annual retreat held in Monterey, and many other student-run events that encourage mingling such as happy hours, inter-class dinners, and the Stanford Neurosciences Institute seminar series. Starting in the fourth year, students present their work to the community during monthly Superfriends gatherings. In addition to the existing book club for discussing popular science literature, our students also lead a homegrown neuroblog - NeuWrite West - to improve their own skills in communicating science to a general audience.

Neurosciences Student Life

Stanford

Students participate in a variety of activities both on and off campus. The gorgeous weather year-round allows students to hike, bike, and rock climb in the area, with weekend ski trips to Lake Tahoe common in the winter. Our students have performed with the Stanford Shakespeare company, swing and salsa clubs, and local music groups. The graduate community organizes social events including movie nights, restaurant outings, and parties.