Stanford Translation Requirements
Undergraduate · Graduate · Post-Admission WES | Simpler Than You Think
Stanford requires literal, complete English translations. Undergraduate: by school official or English teacher. Graduate: by institution or professional service. Self-translation not accepted. WES evaluation typically only after admission — not during application.
Reviewed by Elena Sokolova
Senior Academic Credential Translation Strategist
“Stanford is refreshingly simple compared to Ivy League schools. No school-by-school evaluation maze. Get a good certified translation, apply, and deal with WES only if Stanford asks for it after admission. Most applicants overthink the Stanford translation process because they have been reading about Columbia or NYU requirements.”
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Stanford Translation Requirements: What the University Expects
Stanford requires certified English translations of all non-English academic documents. The core standard is the same for all applicants: translations must be literal, complete versions of the original academic records. Both the original-language documents and the English translations must be submitted together.
The translator restriction differs by level. For undergraduate applicants, an English teacher or school official at the applicant's school can provide the translation. For graduate applicants, the translation must come from the educational institution itself or from a professional translation service. In neither case is self-translation accepted.
Stanford's approach to credential evaluation is notably different from peer institutions. While Columbia requires WES ICAP during the application and NYU Gallatin requires evaluation at submission, Stanford typically requests WES evaluation only after a student has been admitted and accepted. This reduces the upfront complexity for applicants.
Stanford requires your certified translation to include:
- Literal, complete translation of the entire academic record
- Courses completed, grades received, duration of study, degrees awarded
- Original grading scales preserved — no conversion to U.S. GPA
- All seals, stamps, signatures, and institutional markings translated
- Signed Certificate of Accuracy (graduate applications)
Official Callouts
Stanford translation standard
Literal, complete English translations alongside original-language documents. Self-translation not accepted at any level.
Undergraduate translator
Translation by an English teacher or school official. Does not need to be from a professional translation service.
Graduate translator
Translation from the educational institution or a professional translation service. Literal and complete versions required.
Stanford: Undergraduate vs Graduate Translation Standards
Stanford's undergraduate and graduate admissions have slightly different translation expectations. Understanding the difference helps you prepare the right level of documentation.
For undergraduates, the translation requirement is more flexible. Stanford accepts translations from an English teacher or school official at the applicant's high school. This is a lower bar than most graduate programs and reflects Stanford's understanding that high school students may not have easy access to professional translation services. However, a professional certified translation also satisfies this requirement and provides a more reliable, complete result.
For graduate applicants, the standard is higher. Translations must come from the educational institution or a professional translation service. They must be literal and complete — no summaries, no paraphrasing. Graduate applications also involve a stronger possibility of post-admission WES evaluation, so having a professional certified translation from the start positions you for both the application and any future evaluation requirement.
Standard Requirements
- Literal, word-for-word rendering — no summaries or paraphrasing
- Original document layout preserved — tables, columns, page order
- All seals, stamps, signatures, and institutional markings translated
- Original grading scale preserved (no conversion to U.S. GPA)
- Signed Certificate of Accuracy with translator credentials (graduate)
Stanford translation requirements — undergraduate vs graduate
Stanford follows a simpler structure than Ivy League schools. The main difference is the translator requirement and WES timing.
| Aspect | Undergraduate | Graduate |
|---|---|---|
| Who can translate | English teacher or school official | Educational institution or professional translation service |
| Self-translation | Not accepted | Not accepted |
| Credential evaluation | Not required | WES Document-by-Document ICAP may be required post-admission |
| When evaluation is needed | N/A | After admission and acceptance — not during application |
| WES cost | N/A | Approximately $220 USD (Document-by-Document ICAP) |
| Application-stage documents | Official transcripts sent by school official | Unofficial transcripts uploaded; official required after admission |
A professional certified translation satisfies both undergraduate and graduate standards. It also works for any post-admission WES evaluation.
How to Submit Your Translation to Stanford
Stanford's process is simpler than most peer institutions because credential evaluation is typically post-admission. Focus on getting the translation right and submitting it with your application.
Determine if you need undergraduate or graduate translation
Undergraduate applications accept translations from school officials. Graduate applications require professional translation. Both require literal, complete translations alongside original-language documents.
Get your certified English translation
Have your academic documents translated. For graduate applications, use a professional translation service that provides a signed Certificate of Accuracy. The translation must cover all courses, grades, duration of study, and degrees awarded.
Upload through the Stanford application portal
Submit both the original-language documents and the English translation through the application portal. For undergraduate, official transcripts must be sent directly by a school official. For graduate, unofficial transcripts are sufficient at the application stage.
Submit official documents if admitted
If admitted and you accept, Stanford may request official transcripts and degree conferral documents. Submit these through the channels Stanford specifies.
Complete WES evaluation if requested (graduate only)
If Stanford requests a WES Document-by-Document ICAP evaluation after admission, apply through WES and list "Stanford Graduate Admissions" as the recipient. Upload the same certified translation you used for the application. Stanford does not provide financial support for WES evaluations, though some programs may include a stipend.
Timeline
- Our certified translation: about 24 hours for standard academic records
- WES Document-by-Document ICAP: typically 2–4 weeks (if requested post-admission)
- Application deadlines vary by program — check Stanford-specific dates
Pro Tip
Unlike Columbia or NYU, you do not need to coordinate WES evaluation during the Stanford application process. Focus on submitting a strong application with properly translated documents. If WES is needed later, the same translation works.
Why Stanford Flags Translated Documents — and How to Avoid It
Stanford document issues are less complex than at more fragmented universities. Most problems involve translation completeness or self-translation.
1Self-translated documents
What happens
Stanford admissions requests a new translation from an approved source.
Why it happens
Applicants translate their own documents. Stanford does not accept self-translation for either undergraduate or graduate applications.
How we prevent it
Every translation includes a signed Certificate of Accuracy identifying the translator as an independent professional.
2Incomplete or summarized translation
What happens
Stanford cannot verify the complete academic record.
Why it happens
Translators summarize content, skip institutional notes, or omit seals and annotations.
How we prevent it
We translate every element: full text, grades, course titles, institutional notes, seals, stamps, and signatures — literal and complete.
3Missing original-language documents
What happens
Stanford cannot cross-reference the translation with the original.
Why it happens
Applicants submit only the English translation without the original-language version.
How we prevent it
We deliver translations clearly labeled for pairing with originals and include a reminder to submit both together.
4Grade conversion
What happens
Stanford evaluators cannot assess the original academic system.
Why it happens
Translators convert grades to U.S. GPA. This is the evaluator's job.
How we prevent it
We preserve original grading scales. Stanford provides the equivalency interpretation.
Translation Cost for Stanford Application
Stanford applicants benefit from a simpler cost structure than many peer schools because WES evaluation is typically post-admission rather than during application.
Certified Translation
Starting Rate
Typical Total (Most Stanford-bound academic sets: 2 to 6 pages)
$59.90–$179.70
Pay only after you review the quote
Institution / WES Specific Fees
Typical Subtotals
- • WES fees are approximate and subject to change.
- • Many Stanford admitted students never need WES — it is requested selectively.
- • Review current translation pricing at /pricing.
Common Questions About Stanford Translation Requirements
Does Stanford accept certified translation?
Yes. Stanford accepts certified translations from professional translation services. For undergraduate applications, translations from a school official or English teacher are also accepted. Self-translation is not permitted.
Does Stanford require WES evaluation?
Stanford may request a WES Document-by-Document ICAP evaluation, but typically only after a graduate student has been admitted and accepted — not during the application process. Stanford evaluates international credentials internally for admission decisions. Many admitted students are never asked for WES.
Can I translate my own documents for Stanford?
No. Stanford does not accept self-translation. For undergraduate, an English teacher or school official must translate. For graduate, the educational institution or a professional translation service must provide the translation.
When should I get my Stanford translation done?
Get the certified translation before you start the application. Stanford requires both original-language documents and English translations submitted together. Our turnaround is about 24 hours for standard academic records — well within any application timeline.
Does Stanford require credential evaluation during the application?
No. Unlike Columbia (WES ICAP required at application) or NYU Gallatin (evaluation at submission), Stanford evaluates credentials internally during admissions. WES evaluation is only potentially requested after admission and acceptance.
Can I use the same translation for Stanford and WES?
Yes. If Stanford requests WES evaluation after admission, you submit the same certified translation you used for the application. No retranslation needed.
How much does Stanford WES evaluation cost?
The WES Document-by-Document ICAP evaluation costs approximately $220 USD. Stanford does not provide financial support for this, though some graduate programs may include a stipend for new international students. This cost is only relevant if Stanford requests evaluation after admission.
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We format translations for Stanford admissions: literal, complete, with a Certificate of Accuracy. Same translation works for the application and any post-admission WES evaluation.
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