One of the top medical schools in the world is the Stanford University School of Medicine. Although the actual school didn’t begin until 1908, its roots can be found in the 1858-founded San Francisco Medical Department of the University of the Pacific.
Some of the greatest medical minds the world has ever known have come out of Stanford Medicine over the course of its more than 150-year history.
Stanford Med’s success can be attributed in part to the top-notch resources it has at its disposal. Several prestigious hospitals, including Stanford Health Care and Lucile Packard Children’s Hospital, are partners with the school.
Regularly ranked among the top five hospitals in the state of California is Stanford Health Care. With 620 beds and a level-I trauma center, Stanford Health Care offers students plenty of opportunities to work with a variety of patients.
The Lucile Packard Children’s Hospital is ranked nationally and renowned for its noteworthy resources as a level-I pediatric trauma center. Packard allows students to gain first-hand experience with some of the most pressing pediatric issues thanks to its 361 beds and exceptional resources.
In addition to these features, Stanford Med has one of the best faculty offerings in the world. Current teachers include Thomas C. Physiology or medicine Nobel laureate Südhof and National Medal of Science recipient Lucy Shapiro
Stanford Medical School requirements, admissions statistics and proven strategies to get in fast. Updated in
With admission rates of 1. 19%, no wonder students seek advice on how to get into Stanford Medical School One of the most competitive medical schools in California and the entire world is Stanford School of Medicine. This prestigious institution’s innovative curriculum, ground-breaking research, and internationally renowned faculty members and graduates add to its prestige. Stanford Medical School seeks to enroll outstanding students, researchers, and professionals in their program each year. You will discover exactly how to enter Stanford Medical School with the aid of this blog.
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Being a top-tier, research-focused medical school that advances healthcare through innovation, leadership, and a team-based approach to research, education, and patient care
With Stanford’s MD Discovery Curriculum, students have the option of finishing their pre-clerkship coursework in two or three years. This gives students more freedom to pursue and learn about different aspects of the medical field. The MD program places a strong emphasis on an interdisciplinary approach, integrating clinical instruction with basic science throughout the curriculum. Clinical clerkships can start in May of the second year for students.
Students are prepared for careers in academic investigative medicine through this combined program. The joint training follows the same course requirements as each program individually. The MD/PhD program will, however, take less time to complete than either degree separately. This MD/PhD program typically lasts seven to eight years to complete. Students may apply for this joint program at the same time as they apply for the MD program, along with current MD students. Applicants will be asked to provide additional application components. Preclinical coursework and a two-year lab apprenticeship with enhanced career development for physician-scientists will be combined by matriculated students. In order to be considered for the MD-only program, applicants who are not chosen for the MD/PhD interview process are automatically forwarded to the Medical School Admissions. Decisions about admissions to MD are made independently. To learn more about additional requirements and how to write outstanding MD PhD essays, visit our blog on MD-PhD programs.
A new training program was developed by Stanford to address students’ waning interest in becoming physicians and scientists. With the new MD/Berg Scholars Program, the training period for physician-scientists is shortened to six years without sacrificing the standard of their education. While the sixth year combines an MD with an MS in Biomedical Investigation degree, medical education is combined with lab- or informatics-based training. By putting them in research groups led by top faculty members, this training focuses on the individual career development of MD-only physician-scientists. Students receive full funding in 4-6 years.
This 5-year joint program combines medical and business training. When applying to Stanford Medical School or after starting the MD program, students must also be accepted into the Stanford Graduate School of Business.
Stanford allows its students to pursue both their MD and their Master of Public Health degree in conjunction with UC Berkeley. All MD students enrolled in the Scholarly Concentration Community Health program are eligible for this dual degree. All coursework is completed on the UC Berkley campus, and students must apply to UC Berkley.
With the help of this combined program, Stanford PhD students will be better prepared to conduct translational research and apply recent scientific findings to advance medical care. Candidates for the Master of Science in Medicine program may be recently admitted or current Stanford PhD students. Students who are committed to research but have no interest in becoming clinicians should definitely consider this option.
Students can combine their MD program with master’s degree programs in biomechanical engineering, health policy, epidemiology, biomedical informatics, and other fields.
Students may submit an application for a joint MD/MPP (Master of Public Policy) degree after completing the first year of the MD program. They need to obtain permission from the School of Medicine to do that. Students must devote two full years of uninterrupted study to the MD program, followed by one year of uninterrupted study to finish the MPP curriculum.
A joint medical-law degree is not for the weak of heart. Both programs are extremely difficult, even though overlapping classes can be used to cut seven years of study into six. After completing this combined program, students will be immersed in medicine, law, and biosciences. They will also gain credibility in all three fields and have access to a wealth of professional opportunities. Students interested in careers in health law, health policy, biotechnology, or bioethics may find this program particularly useful. You must separately apply to and be accepted by the MD and JD programs. Following acceptance, a schedule is created by both institutions to make the joint program workable for the student.
Stanford is proud of its freshly designed MD Discovery Curriculum. This improved approach to medical study allows MD students to complete their programs at a more personalized pace. Stanford allows its students to complete all their pre-clerkship requirements in two or three years depending on the student’s preference. However, all students must complete the same courses during the first year. Students who are allowed to complete pre-clerkship courses in three years pursue independent research, dual degrees, or other endeavors beneficial to their development as a future physician. Students must ask for permission from the program to finish their pre-clerkship work in three years. Currently, the traditional two-year pre-clerkship option is taken by the majority of students.
The Discovery Curriculum also reorganized some existing courses and added some brand-new ones to the pre-clerkship curriculum. These courses reinforce fundamental ideas and encourage a deeper comprehension of advanced topics by exposing students to earlier clinical experience and pharmacology education. This new curriculum preserves some of the old components. After finishing the pre-clerkship curriculum, students can still choose to take the USMLE Step 1 exam, or they can wait until the first clinical year. Almost no changes have been made to the clerkship curriculum. rotations through the core clinical specialties, with evaluations following each rotation, are still part of the clerkship curriculum.
Pass/Fail is used for pre-clerkship courses and non-required clerkships. You can earn “Pass with Distinction” in required clerkships.
This is the general application timeline for Stanford Medical School. Verify the precise deadlines for medical school applications on their website or in the AAMC portal.
Admissions Statistics and Eligibility
Stanford welcomes applicants from all over the world. They accept applications from people who are US citizens, permanent US residents with a valid visa, people who have received Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) at the time of application, and undocumented students. Prior to applying to Stanford Medical School, international students must have at least one year of academic experience at a college or university in the US, Canada, or the UK.
At the time of matriculation, students must hold a Bachelor’s degree. The MCAT is required. Students must take the MCAT within four years of their intended matriculation year.
Since course content varies greatly between institutions, Stanford Medicine does not have specific course prerequisites. Stanford Medicine advises students to get ready for medical school by taking the proper science and non-science classes. The applicants must demonstrate having knowledge and experience in:
- Biology
- Chemistry
- Physics
- Mathematics
- Laboratory or Field Experiments
- Behavioral and Social Sciences
- Communication
- Fluency in a foreign language is highly recommended
Stanford’s undergraduate advising suggests having the following minimum to get ready for medical school, even though there are no specific requirements for Stanford Medical School.
- General chemistry, organic chemistry, physical chemistry, and biochemistry are all covered in the two years of lab chemistry.
- 1 year of biology with lab
- 1 year of physics with lab
Tuition and fees for in-state and out-of-state students: $61,328
Total cost of attendance: $99,895 per year
Students receiving financial aid: 81%
Average graduating debt at SMS: $97,058
National average graduating debt at public medical schools: $175,607
National average graduating debt at private medical schools: $184,892
Students at Stanford Medical School have access to a variety of financial aid options.
Since there are few internal grants and bursaries available, those who most need them are chosen. Stanford does not offer merit-based scholarships. These loans are intended to lessen the financial burden on students and families who are unable to pay for their medical education. Stanford has a policy that states that students must pay for their education along with their families, including their spouses if they are married. Your family’s income tax will be requested when you apply for this type of loan in order to prove your need.
Private loans that are subsidized and made available by Stanford University They are granted to students with limited financial resources. Your eligibility will be determined by the financial aid office. During the residency and fellowship periods, you may defer payments for up to eight years.
Federal loans are only available to eligible US citizens and permanent residents. They will be granted to students based on need. There are two types of federal direct loans:
1. Federal Direct Unsubsidized Loan
2. Federal Direct Grad PLUS Loan
Applying and processing for federal loans must be done through the MD Financial Aid Office. Each year that a loan is taken out, Stanford Medical School requires borrowers to complete loan counseling.
Stanford encourages its students to seek out external funding. The Financial Aid Office provides SU students with a list of the types of funding opportunities as they become available.
Stanford Medical Scholars Research Program
This course gives students the chance to conduct independent research in any area of medicine. It is intended to foster understanding of and competence in the investigative scholarly process. This could involve the design of the study, the actual data collection, the interpretation of the results, and the verbal and written presentation of the findings and accomplishments. The students must deliver their research orally in order to meet course requirements for completion.
This funding program assists medical students in their local and distant research. Under the supervision of professors at the institution, students are required to conduct academic research in hospitals or clinics. MD students enrolled at Stanford are eligible to apply. The only conditions under which MD students with a PhD before matriculation may apply to this program are if their research is significantly different from their doctoral research projects.
When a student “steps out” to pursue the second part of their degree, they may not apply if they are pursuing a dual degree (MD/MDA, MD/MPH, MD/MS, and others). The student should seek financial assistance from the department they are currently enrolled in since they are no longer paying tuition to the School of Medicine for that period of study. Once they “step back” into the MD program, the students are qualified for this funding program. Students pursuing MDs or PhDs are ineligible to apply for this funding program.
Types of MedScholars Proposals:
Discovery Grants: for research in summer after first year only. Normally 100% of students’ time.
Research Fellowships: for significant projects during transition years or when a curriculum is split Normally students spend 3 to 4 continuous quarters on this project, while committing 100% of their time
Innovation Grants: for study in different arrangements that fit the project and the schedules of the students
Students must apply online through a special application system.
Completion requirements:
1. The annual Stanford Medical Student Research Symposium is where students are encouraged to present their research. The prerequisite may also be met by another regional, national, or international conference or colloquium.
2. 6 months after the last quarter of funding, a written report must be submitted. It must be submitted electronically in manuscript format, with an emphasis on the results, along with the hypothesis, methods, and bibliography. If the advisor accepts that a significant amount of work has already been done, then this does not have to be a lengthy academic paper. A publication that the student significantly contributed to may serve as the final report.
3. Your report must also be submitted via MS Online. It will follow the same procedure as your initial funding application, and the faculty advisor and mentor letter of summary will have to approve it.
Check out our video for more advice on how to get into Stanford Medical School:
Getting into Stanford Medical School is no easy task. The school received 7506 applications last year, but only 480 of them were invited for an interview, a 6 percent decrease. 4% success rate and only 90 students were admitted (1. 19%). Last year’s matriculants represented 24 states and 4 countries. Although Stanford Medicine does not have a list of precise science medical school prerequisites and do not expect their applicants to have a science degree, 82% of last years matriculants were science and math majors As previously mentioned, the average accepted GPA is 3. 89, while the average accepted MCAT score is 519. These are incredibly challenging goals to reach, even for exceptional students. Your application must be outstanding.
Your GPA average is particularly significant because your undergraduate performance is the most valuable indicator of your academic abilities. Some colleges will take into account applicants whose GPA is below their typical cutoff, but Stanford Medical School does not. Your GPA must meet Stanford’s requirements as they are constantly looking for ways to weed out applicants due to the high volume of applications they receive. If your GPA average is lower than 3. 89, work hard to raise it. You can re-enroll in courses you did poorly in or try to earn extra credit to improve your current grade. Consider enrolling in classes in subject areas where you excel and enjoy learning.
Another critical component of your Stanford application is your MCAT score. In general, if the GPA is strong, many schools will overlook a lower MCAT score, and vice versa. To even be considered for admission to Stanford Medical School, you must achieve the standard MCAT score. You can retake the MCAT exam up to three times in one year and seven times in your lifetime if you didn’t do well on it the first time. Retaking the test to improve your results is very common. Use our MCAT CARS practice sample to see some of the trickiest questions and how to respond to them so you’ll know when to start studying for the MCAT. Take as many practice tests as possible. Take the exam once you can see that your score is consistently high. Important information: Stanford considers your MCAT scores from each attempt. To increase your overall score, they will add up the scores from each section.
Stanford Medicine values the personal statement and secondary essays much like most schools do. The admissions committee assesses applicants based on numbers and grades before reading personal statements: GPA, MCAT scores, coursework, and so forth. A personal statement is an opportunity to share your journey. It won’t be enough to simply state that you want to become a doctor. Your personal statement has to be well written and cohesive. How did you decide to submit an application to Stanford Medical School? Include first-hand experiences that show how you investigated the medical field, how those experiences influenced your decision to apply, and how you see your future as a potential physician. You don’t have to specify the specific specialty you want to pursue, but you should provide some broad ideas about the course you want to take. Please read our blog to see some effective examples of personal statements for medical school. Check out some sample personal statements for Harvard Medical School if you’re applying to both Stanford and Harvard.
1) The Admissions Committee sees the diversity (broadly defined) of an entering class as a crucial component in advancing the school’s educational mission. The Committee on Admissions strongly encourages you to discuss any distinctive, personally significant, or difficult aspects of your background, including the standard of your early educational setting, socioeconomic status, culture, race, ethnicity, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity, and life or employment experiences. Please explain the influences on your objectives and training for a career in medicine (2000 characters).
2) What do you believe to be the most likely clinical situation for your future in medicine?
Select the single response that most accurately sums up your career objectives and practice environment:
- Academic Medicine (Clinical)
- Academic Medicine (Physician-Scientist)
- Non-Academic Clinical Practice
- Health Policy
- Health Administration
- Primary Care
- Public Health/Community Health
- Global Health
Please limit your answer to 1,000 characters including spaces. What knowledge, skills, and attitudes have you acquired that have equipped you for this career path, and why do you feel that you are particularly suited for this practice scenario? (1000 characters)
(1000 characters) How will the Stanford curriculum, and particularly the requirement for a scholarly concentration, help you achieve your professional aspirations?
4) Is there anything else you’d like to tell us to help us better understand your unique contribution to Stanford Medicine? (OPTIONAL)(1000 characters)
All three types of recommendation letters—the Committee Letter, Letter Packet, and Individual Letter—are accepted by Stanford. Stanford requests a minimum of three individual letters of recommendation. Six is the maximum number of letters accepted. Every letter of recommendation needs to be printed on business letterhead and signed by the committee or author. Committee letters are not required, but only the individual letters will count toward the total number of recommendations if they are submitted. A committee letter alone will not substitute individual recommendations. In other words, the requirement is not met if you submit a letter packet that includes a committee letter and two individual letters of recommendation!
The online application system will be used to submit all recommendation letters. You must submit the names and contact details of your writers, including their email addresses. Instructions on how to move forward will be sent to recommenders via email. DO NOT send your letters through regular post or email. Our blog has all the information you need to know about recommendation letters for medical school.
The majority of Stanford MD students have engaged in a variety of medically related activities prior to matriculating to the MD program, so your extracurricular activities are very significant. This is the breakdown of last year’s matriculants’ activities:
Your extracurricular activities demonstrate your interest in the social and practical facets of the medical field and your understanding of what it entails. However, you should remember that quality always trumps quantity. Try to concentrate rather than dividing your time between numerous activities. For instance, volunteering at the ER for a few hours each week is fantastic, but Stanford Medical School might not be impressed. Instead, seek out volunteer opportunities at businesses or institutions where you can assume leadership positions and exhibit a serious time commitment. Starting your own project or program is another excellent way to impress the admissions committee. Perhaps you could set up a mentorship program or a colloquium for pre-med students. Your extracurricular activities must demonstrate initiative and commitment to advancing humanity. Check out our blog to learn how to choose the best extracurriculars for medical school.
Interview Format for MD and MD/PhD Applicants
Stanford holds Multiple Mini Interviews (MMI). The interviews are facilitated in a specifically designed simulation floor. This design makes moving students easily between rooms possible. You should practice for the various MMI question types in order to be ready. Additionally, for practice, try reviewing our list of typical medical school interview questions and our sample MMI questions!
Interview candidates are urged to benefit from the educational sessions hosted by Stanford Medical School students. Applicants will have the chance to interact with current students, take part in student-led campus tours, and partake in social activities.
Interviews for the MSTP (MD/PhD) and MD are held separately over the course of two days. The Program Director will speak with you during your MSTP interview to go over the special features and elements of the Stanford program. Additionally, faculty and advanced MSTP students will conduct formal interviews with you. To conclude the visit, you will then speak with the program director once more. This is the time to voice any concerns or questions regarding the course and the application procedure. You can also set up a meeting with Stanford faculty members whose research aligns with your own plans for graduate study and who may later supervise your thesis. On the day of your interview, MSTP students will arrange for you to have a casual dinner and lunch. Although it’s optional, doing so might give you a laid-back opportunity to interact with potential peers.
Acceptance and Waitlist Information
Acceptance letters from Stanford Medical School are sent out between the middle of January and the end of May. Students who were accepted have up to two weeks to electronically confirm that they have received the admissions offer. You can defer entrance requests. Stanford Medicine does have a number of waitlist positions available each year. The number varies annually. In general, offers of admission are made to qualified applicants on the waitlist in late April and remain open until the class size is filled. Visit our blog to find out how to get off a medical school waiting list.
Stanford admissions website.
Stanford Medical School homepage.
1. What sort of undergraduate qualification is required for admission to Stanford Medical School?
Stanford admits applicants from different disciplines to their MD program. Your Bachelor’s degree does not have to be in science. Check out our blog to see the acceptance rates for medical schools by major if you’re interested. Online degrees will not be considered in the application process.
2. Does Stanford accept transfer students?
Stanford Medical School does not accept any transfer students.
3. Do I need to apply for financial aid every year?.
Yes, you must apply for financial aid every year.
4. Are international students and undocumented students eligible for financial aid?.
Yes, based on financial need, international and undocumented students are eligible for financial aid.
5. Can my letters of recommendation be submitted after my application?.
The application deadline is final. A request is not complete until all necessary letters are received. If the AMCAS application requests more than three letters, at least three of those letters must be received by the deadline. The application will be deemed incomplete and may be withdrawn from consideration if the required minimum of three letters is not met. So keep in mind that your application must include at least three recommendation letters and be received by the deadline at 11:59 p.m.
The only part of your application that can be submitted after the rest of it is your GRE scores from ETS. Sometimes these scores take extra time to match. Only if you have self-reported GRE scores in your application will Stanford process and review your application without ETS scores.
6. Who qualifies for a three-year pre-clerkship curriculum extension?
Any medical student who has finished the first year may submit an application to divide the three-year pre-clerkship program. There are no additional academic requirements. Your justification for needing to extend your studies will determine whether or not your request is granted. You will still be considered a full-time student.
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BeMo disclaims endorsement of and affiliation with any colleges, universities, or organizations in charge of official test administration. The most recent publicly available data from the university’s official website served as the foundation for the content development. To get the most recent information, you should always check the statistics and requirements on the school’s official website. You are responsible for your own results.
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FAQ
What percent of Stanford undergrads get into med school?
Is Stanford good for pre-med?
#3: Stanford Stanford isn’t just a top-ranked college—it also houses a top-ranked medical school. Pre-med advisors are available to talk about ideas, plan your coursework, assist you in visualizing your long-term goals, and provide you with options for gaining relevant experience.
What GPA is required for Stanford Medical School?
As previously mentioned, the average accepted GPA is 3. 89, while the average accepted MCAT score is 519. These are incredibly challenging goals to reach, even for exceptional students. Your application must be outstanding.
What’s the lowest GPA Stanford accepted?
To have your application reviewed or to be admitted to Stanford, there is no set minimum GPA, test score, or number of AP or honors courses you must have taken.