How to Apply to Physics at Stanford: Apply to the University and Declare With the Department of Physics After Enrolling, Choose Physics or Engineering Physics, and Use the Physics Placement Diagnostic, With Admission Route and Prerequisites for U.S. Domestic, International (Including Chinese) and Transfer Students

Undergraduate physics at Stanford University is taught by the Department of Physics on the quarter system (autumn, winter and spring quarters). The department’s pages describe two undergraduate paths, the Physics major (B.S.) and the Engineering Physics major (B.S.). The pages read do not say which school the Department of Physics belongs to; Stanford’s admissions pages say you apply to the university as a whole rather than to a major, department or school (see the transfer FAQ). Stanford’s course catalog (the Bulletin) is hosted by a third-party platform and was not accessed, and the detailed requirements for Engineering Physics are in the engineering handbook, which was not read; check Stanford’s websites. Mathematics, chemistry, computer science and other majors are not covered here. This guide sets out what you need to know for fall 2027 entry, in sections for U.S. domestic students, international students (with a separate section for students in China) and transfer students.

1. The physics degrees and tracks

• Degrees: the department’s pages show the B.S. in Physics, and students who complete the honors program receive a “B.S. in Physics with Honors.” The physics major page also points to a separate description of the B.S. in Engineering Physics. The pages read do not list astrophysics, applied physics or biophysics as separate majors; this is not published. The department also has a minor, which is not covered here.
• Physics versus Engineering Physics (the department’s own explanation): Engineering Physics students study the same advanced physics topics as physics majors (two quarters of electromagnetism and at least one quarter each of quantum mechanics and statistical mechanics) plus engineering courses; the Physics major adds up to about 80 to 90 units and Engineering Physics closer to 100; first-year courses are basically the same. The department advises students who want formal theoretical physics to choose Physics (perhaps with a double major in math), and says those interested in experimental physics or 21st-century technologies should consider Physics or Engineering Physics.
• Capstone: Physics majors complete one of three options: a senior thesis; a research project plus a capstone paper (written in PHYSICS 191 or 192, with the topic approved by the Director of Undergraduate Studies); or at least one of PHYSICS 100, 108 or 171 (100 and 108 may have limited enrollment, so have a backup).
• Number of courses: the required courses are in the Bulletin and the course-plan sheets linked from the department; the pages read do not list every course, so check the website.

2. How admission works and when you declare

• On the application: the transfer FAQ says that when you apply to Stanford you apply to the university as a whole, not to a particular major, department or school, so there are no additional requirements for certain areas of study; the first-year pages read do not ask you to list a major.
• When to declare: after enrolling, with the department. The “How to Declare” page lists these steps: (1) copy the Physics B.S. course plan and fill in the grades and quarters for completed and planned courses, plus the pathway for depth requirements; (2) email the physics pre-major advisor to set up a meeting, attaching your unofficial Axess transcript and the plan; (3) if you want a non-standard course to count as a substitution, submit a Course Requirements Petition, which only the Director of Undergraduate Studies can approve; (4) declare Physics on Axess (without selecting honors for now); (5) tell Physics Student Services, after which you are assigned a physics faculty advisor.
• Declaration conditions: the department pages read do not mention a cap, grade threshold or prerequisite grade; this is not published. Contact the pre-major advisor or Student Services.
• Internal transfer: the department pages read describe no separate internal-transfer rule; this is not published. See the declaration steps above.

3. Prerequisites, course choice and credit

• High school courses: there are no required courses for admission; Stanford only recommends four years of English; four years of rigorous mathematics including calculus; at least three years of history/social studies; at least three years of science (in courses like biology, chemistry, physics, computer science); and at least three years of one world language. It stresses these are recommendations, and that you do not need every AP or IB class.
• Where the physics major starts: the department says that to complete the Physics or Engineering Physics major in four years, students must finish MATH 21 and PHYSICS 41 and 43 (or AP or other equivalent) by the end of the first year, and MATH 51, 52, 53 (or 61CM, 62CM, 63CM) and PHYSICS 61 + 61L, 71 + (79L or 89L), 81 + (81L or 71L) by the end of the sophomore year. It provides six sample plans.
• Introductory series:
  • PHYSICS 20 series: assumes no calculus, intended mainly for biological-science majors;
  • PHYSICS 40 series: PHYSICS 41 (mechanics, autumn and winter), 43 (electricity and magnetism, winter and spring) and 45 (thermodynamics and optics, autumn); a five-unit PHYSICS 41E (extended, winter) is meant for students with little or no high school physics;
  • PHYSICS 61, 71, 81: begins in autumn only, with special relativity and a deeper treatment of mechanics, intended for students who have taken physics at the level of PHYSICS 41 and 43 or who have a strong background in mechanics, some in electricity and magnetism, and strong calculus; physics and engineering physics majors are required to take 61, 71 and 81, possibly after 41 and 43;
  • the department says students with strong high school physics (for example at least a 4 on AP Physics C) may be ready to start with PHYSICS 45 or PHYSICS 61.
• Physics Placement Diagnostic: if you intend to enroll in PHYS 41E, 41, 45 or 61 and have never taken an entry-level physics course at Stanford, you must take this online diagnostic regardless of any AP, IB, A-Level or transfer credit. It takes over an hour, calculators are not allowed, its advice is advisory and it is not meant to be a barrier. The department advises taking the Math Placement Diagnostic first.
• AP / IB / A-Level credit: the department says Stanford grants credit for physics in AP, GCE A-level and IB, and that credit is granted by the Registrar, not the Physics Department. It says that, depending on the score, AP Physics B and AP Physics 1/2 receive credit for PHYSICS 21 and possibly 23, while AP Physics C may receive credit for PHYSICS 41 (mechanics) and/or 43 (electricity and magnetism). The AP scores required are not stated on the department pages read; this is not published; see the Registrar’s AP page. Calculus AP credit was not read.
• Honors sequence: the department does not describe a separate honors introductory sequence; honors in the major is covered in the next section.
• Physics competitions: the admissions pages read do not say how they are viewed; this is not published.

4. Labs, undergraduate research and the senior thesis

• Labs: the sophomore-year requirements on the department page include the lab courses PHYSICS 61L, 79L or 89L, and 81L or 71L (see above); the pages read give no further detail on other lab courses.
• Physics Summer Research Program: offered by the Departments of Physics and Applied Physics and SLAC to Physics and Engineering Physics majors and undeclared first-year students considering them; ten weeks (22 June to 28 August in 2026, with applications already closed; check the site for other years). A base stipend of $8,500, plus a need-based supplement of up to $1,500 for qualifying students. No research experience is required for beginners. The department says it can support every major for at least one quarter, usually with no funding for a third quarter. Applications had two parts in 2026, due 16 January and 20 February.
• Senior thesis: not required for the B.S. but required for graduating with honors, and one way to meet the capstone. The application is due by 3 p.m. Pacific on the Thursday before Thanksgiving break in the year you plan to graduate; at least 3 units of PHYSICS 205 for a letter grade; written thesis and presentation in mid to late May. The department says most theses run 20 to 60 pages.
• Honors: the B.S. with Honors needs a completed senior thesis, an overall GPA of 3.30 or higher and 3.50 or higher in the courses required for the major, and an Honors Program Application by mid-May.

5. Rounds, materials and testing

• Restrictive Early Action: deadline 1 November (15 October with the optional arts portfolio), decisions by mid-December, reply by 1 May. It is non-binding, but if you apply you may not apply to other private colleges under Early Action, Restrictive Early Action, Early Decision or Early Notification, nor to public universities under binding early plans; exceptions include non-binding public early plans, non-binding rolling admission, non-binding non-U.S. institutions and military academies. Outcomes: admit, deny (final; no reapplying in Regular Decision) or defer to Regular Decision (final decision by early April).
• Regular Decision: deadline 5 January (5 December with the optional arts portfolio), decisions by early April, reply by 1 May. Stanford says it evaluates applications the same way whether you apply early or regular. The pages print no year, so check that these dates are for fall 2027 entry.
• Materials: Common Application, the $100 nonrefundable application fee or a fee waiver request, ACT or SAT scores, School Report and counselor recommendation, official transcripts, letters from two academic teachers, and a midyear transcript (due 15 February). Stanford recommends teachers from grade 11 or 12 in English, math, science, world language or history/social studies; it does not require a science teacher. Applicants are limited to three applications to Stanford in total (first-year and transfer combined).
• Testing: the ACT or SAT is required; self-report your highest scores and send official scores if admitted. There is no preferred test, no minimum score and no score that guarantees admission; superscores are accepted; the ACT Science and Writing sections and the SAT Essay are optional. AP exams are not mandatory, but you must self-report all AP scores you have, including self-studied ones.

6. U.S. domestic students

• Same application: requirements are the same for all applicants regardless of citizenship or country of residence. Stanford’s websites read do not describe in-state or out-of-state differences or a preference or guarantee for state residents, and the student budget lists one tuition figure.
• Aid: aid is based on demonstrated financial need, and Stanford meets the full need of admitted students; it does not offer merit scholarships beyond a limited number of athletic ones. For U.S. citizens, permanent residents, undocumented students and Eligible Noncitizens, a request for aid is not a factor in admission (need-blind), wherever they attend high school. The Restrictive Early Action priority aid deadline is 15 November, with notification by mid-December.
• Testing: the ACT or SAT is required; the testing page notes that scores were optional for the Class of 2029.

7. International students

• Requirements: the same for all applicants regardless of nationality. There is no need to convert marks to a U.S. GPA; Stanford says there are no required courses or minimum scores, recommends completing the coursework needed to apply to a bachelor’s program in the country where you study, and requires a secondary school diploma (or equivalent) by the time you enroll.
• Testing: the ACT or SAT is required; students in an IB Diploma programme outside the U.S. must have a school official send predicted IB marks (including TOK/essay points), and students in the British system must send GCSE results and predicted A-Level marks.
• English: no English proficiency exam is required; you may self-report scores from any English exam, but it cannot substitute for the ACT/SAT. Stanford says English fluency is a prerequisite for admission.
• Documents: transcripts and teacher recommendations must be translated into English and the originals submitted too; applicants cannot translate them themselves. Official documents noting marks or predictions must be sent directly by the school.
• Proof of funds and credential evaluation: not described on the pages read; this is not published. Admitted international students receive visa information.
• Financial aid (important): for applicants who are not U.S. citizens, permanent residents, undocumented students or Eligible Noncitizens, a request for aid is a factor in the admission evaluation, making the process more selective, although Stanford meets the full need of those admitted. Those admitted after saying they will not apply for aid cannot apply at any time in the four years unless their status changes. Stanford says aid resources for international citizens are limited, but it does admit a number of them each year. International students should submit the CSS Profile; those who cannot afford the fee or live where College Board cannot process payment may submit the International Student Application for Financial Assistance (ISAFA). Stanford offers no CSS Profile fee waiver codes.
• Scholarships: no merit scholarships, apart from a limited number of athletic ones.

8. Students in China

• Same process as other international applicants.
• Gaokao: the pages read do not say whether or how the Gaokao is used; this is not published. English tests cannot replace the ACT/SAT. Ask the Office of Undergraduate Admission.
• Transcripts and school-leaving exam records: Stanford requires an official transcript (grades 9–12), and academic results and predictions for international curricula where available; it says its staff are familiar with education systems around the world and no GPA conversion is needed. It has no specific notes on Chinese transcripts or school-leaving exam records; this is not published.
• English: no English exam is required; see above.

9. Costs, scholarships and outcomes

• 2026-2027 student budget (US$): tuition 67,731; housing and food 22,944; student fees allowance 2,610; books and supplies 855; personal expenses 3,405; travel varies; total $97,545. New students (freshmen and transfers) also pay a one-time New Student Orientation Fee ($525) and Document Fee ($250), which are included in new students’ budgets. Stanford notes that most students do not pay this full cost and offers a Net Price Calculator.
• Department scholarships: the physics pages read list no scholarship specific to physics majors; this is not published. The Summer Research Program stipend is described in section 4.
• Outcomes: the department’s Engineering Physics page says: “A significant fraction (over half) of both Physics and Engineering Physics majors go on to pursue advanced degrees (Masters or PhD) in engineering or physics.”

10. Transfer students

• Eligibility: students who have earned college credit since high school apply as transfers; coursework must come from an accredited degree-granting institution; students dual-enrolled in high school and college apply as first-years; students who already hold a bachelor’s degree are not eligible. There is no minimum number of credits or years, but Stanford says its most competitive applicants typically have the equivalent of two years of college-level coursework and are in their second year of full-time, in-person college study when applying.
• Entry term: fall only.
• Deadlines: 15 March for the application, missing-document notices in April, decisions about mid-May, reply by 1 June (the page prints no year, so check it is for fall 2027 entry). The ACT or SAT is required, along with two instructor evaluations, transcripts from every college and a College Report.
• Physics-specific requirements: the transfer pages say there are no required courses for admission and no extra requirements for particular majors; Stanford expects students who have attended college for more than a year to have begun to focus on a potential major. The department says that to complete the major in four years you need MATH 21 and PHYSICS 41 and 43 in the first year and MATH 51–53 and PHYSICS 61, 71, 81 in the second; students with previous college courses should email the pre-major advisor about placement and possible transfer credit.
• Credit: the Registrar awards credit under Faculty Senate policy. Generally a course must be completed at an accredited institution, be substantially similar to a Stanford course, earn at least a “C-” or Pass, not duplicate previous coursework, and not have been used for high school graduation. A maximum of 90 quarter units (roughly two years of full-time study) transfers, and at least two years of full-time enrollment at Stanford are required for the degree. For physics, the Registrar first awards units and the department then evaluates equivalence and placement (transcripts, the other school’s grade and the syllabus are needed). Stanford has no articulation agreements, and whether specific courses transfer is decided after admission.

Checklist

U.S. domestic students:

• Submit the Common Application by 1 November (Restrictive Early Action) or 5 January (Regular Decision); take the ACT or SAT; prepare two teacher recommendations, the counselor recommendation and the $100 fee
• After enrolling, take the math and physics placement diagnostics; follow the advice for the PHYSICS 40 series or 61, 71, 81; complete MATH 21 and PHYSICS 41 and 43 in the first year and MATH 51–53 and PHYSICS 61, 71, 81 in the second; meet the pre-major advisor and declare on Axess

International students (including students in China):

• Same deadlines and materials; take the ACT or SAT; no English exam is required, though you may self-report one
• Attach English translations (not your own) of transcripts and recommendations; if you need aid, submit the CSS Profile (or ISAFA if you cannot pay the fee) and remember that asking for aid is a factor in admission

Transfer students:

• Apply by 15 March; submit the ACT or SAT and two instructor evaluations; up to 90 quarter units transfer, with course-by-course decisions made after admission
• Contact the physics pre-major advisor about your calculus and physics sequence

Sources: Stanford University, Physics: the physics major; Physics: how to declare; Physics: prospective students; Physics: advanced placement and transfer credit; Physics: placement diagnostic; Physics: engineering physics; Physics: senior thesis and honors; Physics: undergraduate research; First-year requirements and deadlines; Regular Decision and Restrictive Early Action; Preparing for Stanford academics; Standardized testing; Transcript, School Report and recommendations; Application fee; International applicants; Transfer requirements and deadlines; Transfer eligibility; Transfer academic preparation and credit; The student budget. The first-year and transfer deadline pages do not print a year, so check that the dates are for fall 2027 entry; costs are for 2026-2027. Check Stanford’s website for the latest.