Why KHS

As you consider whether Knight-Hennessy Scholars is the right complement to your Stanford graduate studies, we invite you to explore why we exist, who we are, what we do, where we do it, and how we financially support you. We also encourage you to consider the benefits of joining a multidisciplinary and multicultural cohort.

Knight-Hennessy Scholars has no restrictions based on age, college or university, field of study, or career aspiration. We encourage citizens and residents of all countries to apply.  We do not require applicants to seek endorsements from colleges, universities, or other institutions.

A Multidisciplinary Cohort

Nearly 3,000 graduate students enroll at Stanford annually. Next year, more than 80 (growing to 100 over time) will be Knight-Hennessy scholars. Knight-Hennessy scholars span all seven schools at the university and bring a wide array of diverse academic experiences prior to enrolling at Stanford.  Knight-Hennessy scholars are surrounded by fellow Stanford graduate students solving complex problems from different disciplinary approaches.

A Multicultural Cohort

Knight-Hennessy scholars have lived, studied, and worked in a wide array of communities and cities, colleges and universities, companies and organizations throughout the world. Knight-Hennessy scholars also bring varied cultural perspectives based on (but not limited to) sex and gender identity, race and ethnicity, sexual orientation, religion, socioeconomic status, veteran status, and more.  Each cohort includes a breadth of backgrounds, beliefs, lived experiences, and aspirations. This is a multicultural community united by independence of thought, purposeful leadership, and civic mindset.

There are two baseline eligibility requirements.

Requirement 1: Admission to Stanford

First, in addition to applying to Knight-Hennessy Scholars (KHS), you must apply to, be accepted by, and enroll in a full-time Stanford graduate degree program including, but not limited to, DMA, JD, MA, MBA, MD, MFA, MPP, MS, or PhD programs.  You must meet at least one of the following four conditions:

1. You are applying separately but concurrently to KHS and a full-time Stanford graduate degree program such that you will start both in the same year.
2. You have already been offered and deferred admission to a full-time Stanford graduate degree program, and will apply to KHS such that you will start both in the same year.
3. You are a current Stanford graduate student who will apply to add a second full-time Stanford graduate degree program, such that you will start both KHS and the new program in the same year.
4. You are a current Stanford PhD student in your first year of enrollment, and will apply to KHS such that you will start KHS in your second year of PhD enrollment.

There are no quotas by discipline or program. Note that we will give priority consideration to those who will spend at least two years studying at Stanford.

Please note that a small number of Stanford graduate degree programs are not eligible for Knight-Hennessy Scholars:

• Applicants to the Honors Cooperative Program
• Applicants to the Master of Liberal Arts
• Applicants to the Doctor of Science of Law (JSD)
• Current Stanford students applying for coterminal graduate study
• Current Stanford PhD students adding an MA or MS degree in their current discipline

Requirement 2: Undergraduate Degree Date

Second, you must have earned, in January 2017 or later, a U.S. bachelor’s degree or its equivalent from a college or university of recognized standing.