Admissions
Before you Apply
Students are admitted to our graduate PhD program specifically to work with an individual faculty member (or two, if co-advised); please note that Oceans faculty are based on main campus in Palo Alto or at Hopkins Marine Station in Monterey Bay. Therefore, it is important that you familiarize yourself with the research conducted by departmental faculty (visit Faculty profiles.) It is strongly recommended that you reach out to individual faculty members directly to discuss their recruitment plans for the upcoming year, current research projects and how your background and goals may be a fit for their respective lab.
It is important to note that bringing together diverse opinions, experiences, backgrounds, and skills is an essential aspect of our interdisciplinary, solutions-based education, and research. The department encourages applications from members of underrepresented groups, individuals with non-traditional academic training, international students, and others whose backgrounds and experiences would make significant contributions to a more diverse community.
For additional tips and information on applying to graduate school, please visit the Doerr School's Community DEI Resources and advice from recent graduate students.
Application Deadline
The graduate application portal is now closed for the 24-25 admissions; it will reopen in September for the 25-26 cycle, with submission deadline in early December. Exact dates will be posted by summer 2024.
Fee Waivers
If you qualify for one of the following, you may request an application fee waiver. Submit your fee waiver request by the deadline and before you submit your online application for graduate study to ensure a timely decision.
| Type | Eligibility | Deadline to Request Waiver |
|---|---|---|
| GRE Fee Reduction Waiver | U.S. citizens or permanent residents who have received a GRE Fee Reduction Voucher from ETS | 10 business days (two weeks) before application deadline* |
| Diversity Program Participation Waiver | Participants in good standing in one of the listed diversity programs | 10 business days (two weeks) before application deadline* |
| School-Based Waiver | Those who meet School eligibility requirements and do not qualify for the GRE Fee Reduction Waiver or the Diversity Program Participation Waiver | 10 business days (two weeks) before application deadline* |
Application Status
Due to the high volume of applications, we cannot respond to individual inquiries about the status of an application or of documents submitted. We will accept letters of recommendation and official test scores after the regular application deadline. Decisions will be made on all applications by the end of March.
For more information about the application process and specific requirements, please visit Graduate Admissions.