<p>I’m assuming you or whoever started those rumors are basing that off of the relatively high acceptance rate. In 2005, it was 35.8% for MS + PhD, which means it was even higher than 35.8 for MS only applicants. Just be wary when you look at these numbers because you have to consider self-selection. Many, if not all, of the mediocre engineering students wouldn’t be applying for grad schools, let alone Stanford. They would be going straight into industry, so the only people applying are those who have excelled academically.</p>