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Your Two Applications

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The Two Applications

Each incoming Knight-Hennessy Scholar must also apply to, be accepted by, and enroll in a full-time Stanford graduate degree program. Unless you have already been offered and deferred admission to a full-time Stanford graduate degree program, or you are a first-year Stanford PhD student applying to join KHS in your second year, you must submit two separate applications; one to Knight-Hennessy Scholars, and one to your desired Stanford graduate degree program.

Knight-Hennessy ScholarsCompared toStanford degree program
The Knight-Hennessy Scholars application invites you to make your case for selection by demonstrating independence of thought, purposeful leadership, and a civic mindset. PurposeThe Stanford graduate degree program application invites you to make your case for admission to Stanford by demonstrating your qualifications specific to your intended program.
June 1, 2023Application Opens

Varies by program

Consult your graduate degree program directly

October 11, 2023

1:00pm Pacific time

Application Deadline

Varies by program. No later than December, 1, 2023 

See Dates and Deadlines

  • Video statement invitations sent on rolling basis throughout January
  • Finalists notified on January 30, 2024
  • Scholars notified on March 12, 2024
Notification Date

Varies by program

Consult your graduate degree program directly

  • Online application form
  • Resume
  • Transcript & Test Scores
  • Recommendation Letters
  • Short Answers & Essay
Requirements
  • Online application form
  • Resume/CV
  • Transcript & Test Scores
  • Recommendation Letters
  • Essays/Personal Statements
  • Additional requirements vary by program; consult your graduate degree program directly

KHS follows the practices of your graduate degree program: if your graduate degree program does not require standardized tests, then you do not need to submit any with your Knight-Hennessy Scholars program application.

If your graduate degree program requires test scores, you must report them to Knight-Hennessy Scholars by your graduate degree program's application deadline or Knight-Hennessy Scholars application deadline, whichever is later.

Test Score Policy

Varies by program

Consult your graduate degree program directly

No application feeApplication FeeMost Stanford graduate degree programs require a fee to apply. Consult your graduate degree program directly to verify the amount.  KHS cannot waive this fee.
In your KHS application, you will indicate the Stanford graduate degree program(s) to which you apply.Acknowledgement of Other ApplicationIn your Stanford graduate degree program application, you will indicate that you are also applying to Knight-Hennessy Scholars.
KHS Admission committeeReviewed byAdmission committee for your desired program

Application Steps

  • Step 1: Create your two online applications as early as possible.  You do not need to complete the application at once; you may save your progress and return as needed.
  • Step 2: Enter your recommenders’ information in your two applications as early as possible. This allows your recommenders ample time to submit their letters.
  • Step 3: Complete the various sections of the application, saving your progress as you go. Allow yourself ample time to prepare materials that may take longer to prepare, such as essays or personal statements.
  • Step 4: Submit the online applications by their respective deadlines.  (Note: You will not be able to edit your KHS application once you submit it, with the exception of test scores, recommenders, and your intended Stanford graduate degree program)
  • Step 5: If your Stanford graduate program requires test scores and you receive new scores after submitting your KHS application, update test scores for Knight-Hennessy Scholars through your application status page.  

Additional Instructions

  • You must submit all Knight-Hennessy Scholars application materials in English via our online application. We do not accept materials sent via email or postal mail.
  • We highly recommend that you apply using a current version of Google Chrome or Mozilla Firefox.
  • For reference only, here is a PDF sample of the application for the autumn 2023 intake.

Application Tips

 

FAQ (Frequently Asked Questions)

Q: How similar or different should the applications to Knight-Hennessy Scholars and the Stanford graduate degree program be?

A: While we generally encourage a distinct approach to each application, your content may overlap if it satisfies requirements for both applications.

Some materials may be identical across the two applications, like your transcripts.  Others may be very similar, like your resume.  However, you may or may not want to ask the same recommenders to write letters for the two applications.  And you will certainly want to write different essays/personal statements that answer the different prompts in the two applications. 

We encourage you to continue learning about KHS application materials, and also to check with the Stanford degree program to confirm its application requirements.  Your program may require additional materials that KHS does not.

Q: I earned a degree at an institution outside of the U.S. Am I eligible for graduate study at Stanford? 

A: To be eligible for graduate study, you must have earned a U.S. bachelor's degree or its equivalent from a college or university of recognized standing. See Stanford's guidelines for minimum level of study. For questions on this policy, contact the Office of Graduate Admissions, not Knight-Hennessy Scholars.

Q: May I apply to Stanford for a graduate program even if I did not study that field as an undergraduate?

A: In most cases, you are eligible to apply to a graduate program even if you did not study that precise field as an undergraduate; please refer to the graduate degree program’s website for specific information about its requirements.

Last updated October 11, 2023.