With admission rates of 1%, no wonder students seek advice on how to get into Stanford Medical School. Stanford School of Medicine is one of the most competitive programs among medical schools in California and in the world. Each year, Stanford Medical School looks to admit exceptional scholars, researchers, and professionals into their program. With the help of this blog, you will learn exactly how to get into Stanford Medical School.
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Mission Statement
To be a premier research-intensive medical school that improves health through leadership, diversity, and a collaborative approach to discovery and innovation in patient care, education, and research.
Available Programs
Academic Curriculum
Stanford is proud of its unique MD Discovery Curriculum. This improved approach to medical study allows MD students to complete their programs at a more personalized pace. All students must complete the same courses during the first year and then have a flexible option to complete pre-clerkship requirements in two or three years. Students use the extra year to pursue independent research, dual degrees, or other endeavors beneficial to their development as a future physician.
Students can also choose whether they take the USMLE Step 1 exam immediately following completion of the pre-clerkship curriculum or in the first clinical year. Clerkship at Stanford consists of rotations through core clinical specialties with evaluations at the conclusion of each rotation.
Grading system
Pass/Fail is used for pre-clerkship courses and non-required clerkships. You can earn “Pass with Distinction” in required clerkships.
Application Timeline
This is the general timeline of the Stanford Medical School application process. Make sure you check the exact medical school application timelines on their website or in the AAMC portal.
Admissions Statistics and Eligibility
Overall Acceptance Rate: 1.0%
In-state Acceptance Rate: 0.97%
Out-of-state Acceptance Rate: 1.0%
International Acceptance Rate: 1.23%
Median GPA: 3.92
Median MCAT: 519
Eligibility
Stanford welcomes applicants from all over the world. International students are welcome, however, they must have at least one year of academic experience at a college or university in the US, Canada, or the United Kingdom before applying to Stanford Medical School.
Students must have a Bachelor’s degree at the time of matriculation. The MCAT is required. Students’ MCAT must be written within four years before matriculation year.
Prerequisites and Recommended Courses
Stanford Medicine does not have specific course prerequisites, since course content differs significantly among institutions. However, 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
Recommended Courses
Stanford recommends having the following minimum to prepare for medical school:
- 2 years of chemistry with lab (including exposure to general chemistry, organic chemistry, physical chemistry, and biochemistry)
- 1 year of biology with lab
- 1 year of physics with lab
Tuition and Debt
Tuition and fees for in-state and out-of-state students: $66,500
Total cost of attendance: $113,318 per year
Students receiving financial aid: 86%
Average graduating debt at SMS: $122,830
Funding Opportunities
Stanford Medical School offers different types of financial aid to its students. Their official website will have more information on specific eligibility and application requirements.
Institutional aid
Internal grants and bursaries are very limited and therefore are awarded to students with the most need. Stanford does not offer merit-based scholarships. These loans are meant to ease the burden of costs for students and families that cannot afford to fund their medical education.
Stanford loan
Stanford University loans are subsidized private loans that are offered by the university. They are granted to students with limited financial resources. Your eligibility will be determined by the financial aid office.
Stanford Medical Scholars Research Program
This program provides opportunities for students to carry out independent research in any area of the medical field. It is designed to inspire appreciation and proficiency for the investigative scholarly process. This funding program supports medical students’ academic research both locally and off-site in research labs, clinics, and hospitals. MD students enrolled at Stanford are eligible to apply.
MedScholars proposals have a variety of applications and regulations depending on your program. Check out the MedScholars website for more information.
Get some more tips on how to get into Stanford Medical School from our video:
Selection Factors
MCAT and GPA
As previously mentioned, the average accepted GPA is 3.92, while the average accepted MCAT score is 519. While there are no minimum cut-offs, you should be aiming for these scores and you should have an outstanding application if your scores are slightly below the averages. GPA is one of the hardest factors to control as it represents years of work. However, through careful course selection and time management you can achieve an excellent GPA. Check out our blog medical school GPA requirements for more tips on maximizing your GPA.
Your MCAT score is also an important factor in your Stanford application. Important note: Stanford looks at MCAT scores from all the times you took the exam. So while retaking the MCAT is a possibility, keep in mind Stanford will combine the scores of all attempts.
Applicant Essays
Like most schools, Stanford Medicine puts a lot of value into the personal statement and secondary essays. The personal statement is an opportunity to share your journey and how this will ultimately make you an excellent physician. If you're applying to Stanford you already have an excellent GPA and MCAT score. You do not need to brag about your scores in the letters. Instead focus on what makes you unique. Consider Stanford's core values as a research-intensive school training the leaders of the medical field. How has your journey prepared you for a place in this institution? Focus on activities and experiences that display research excellence, leadership, and why you are uniquely qualified to be in Stanford's program.
Make sure to read our blog to review some successful Stanford Medical School essay examples. You will be required to answer three prompts, with an optional fourth prompt.
Recommendation Letters
Stanford accepts all three recommendation letter options: Committee Letter, Letter Packet, and Individual Letter. Stanford requests a minimum of three and a maximum of six individual letters of recommendation. Committee letters are not mandatory, but if submitted, only the individual letters will count towards the number of recommendations. A committee letter alone will not substitute individual recommendations. If you submit a letter packet with one committee letter and two individual letters of recommendation, the requirement is not fulfilled!
Letter writers should come from a variety of backgrounds and be able to back up the information in your secondary essays which showcase why you will make an excellent physician. Stanford puts a high value on academic and research excellence; remember this when picking your letter writers. You should select someone who can speak to your abilities in these categories, but also someone who is in a relevant position. For example, a tenured professor who supervised your research directly is a stronger letter writer than a graduate student lab instructor in a course you excelled in.
Learn all you need to know about medical school recommendation letters from our blog.
Extracurriculars
Your extracurriculars are very important! The majority of Stanford MD students have participated in a variety of activities relating to medicine before matriculating to the MD program. Here is a breakdown of the type of extracurriculars successful applicants participated in:
What does this figure tell you about getting into Stanford? Almost every single successful applicant (99% to be exact!) had research experience coming into Stanford. You must prioritize research experience if you want to get into Stanford. There are a number of ways to gain research experience in your undergraduate program, from volunteering in a professor’s lab to participating in REU programs. Extracurriculars show that you have explored the practical and social aspects of the medical profession and that you have an idea of what being a physician will entail. However, you should remember that quality always trumps quantity, it is not enough to just have a long list of activities. Your extracurriculars must show initiative and dedication to the field of medicine.
Interview Format
Stanford holds Multiple Mini Interviews (MMI). The interviews are facilitated in a specially designed simulation floor. This layout allows smooth relocation of students from room to room. To get ready, you should prepare for the different types of MMI questions you might face. In addition, try going over our sample MMI questions and common medical school interview questions to get some practice! It’s also worth reviewing some Stanford medical school interview questions, too.
MSTP (MD/PhD) and MD interviews are conducted separately on two consecutive days. Your MSTP interview will include a meeting with the Program Director, who will discuss the unique structure and aspects of the Stanford program. You will also have formal interviews with faculty and advanced MSTP students.
Acceptance and Waitlist Information
Stanford Medical School acceptance letters are usually sent between late January and early March. Students who received an acceptance have up to two weeks to acknowledge receipt of the offer of admission through the electronic system. You can defer entrance requests.
Every year Stanford Medicine does have a variable number of waitlist positions. Generally, offers of admissions are sent out from the waitlist to acceptable candidates in late April until the class size is filled. Learn how to get off a medical school waitlist in our blog.
Contact information
Stanford admissions website.
Stanford Medical School homepage.
FAQs
1. What kind of undergraduate degree do I need to get into Stanford Medical School?
Stanford admits applicants from different disciplines to their MD program. If you're interested, have a look at our blog for medical school acceptance rates by major.
2. Are there specific extracurricular activities that enhance my chances of admission to Stanford Medical School?
While there are no required activities in terms of type or length, Stanford prioritizes research experience. In past years 99% of successful applicants have had research experience before matriculating at Stanford.
3. What are the application requirements for dual degree programs at Stanford Medical School?
Requirements vary by program, but generally for all dual degree programs you must complete all requirements and separate applications for BOTH the MD program and the dual degree program you are applying for. For a full list of programs and requirements see the dual degree website.
4. Can I receive financial aid or scholarships at Stanford?
Stanford Medical School offers many different types of financial aid to its students from scholarships to loans. Stanford’s official website has information on specific eligibility and application requirements.
5. How do I pick my references for letters of recommendation
Make sure to pick someone who both knows you well and can speak to your academic and research excellence. Check out our blog on picking the best referees for more information.
6. Does Stanford Medical School accept international students?
Yes! However, international students must have studied for at least one academic year at an accredited college or university in the United States, Canada, or the United Kingdom prior to applying for admission.
7. Will my online degree be accepted for admission at Stanford Medical School?
No. Fully online degrees will not be accepted at Stanford Medical School.
8. My MCAT score is below the average, can I retake it?
While you can always retake the MCAT if you think you can improve your score, Stanford will include all scores in their admissions process. It is important to both do as well as possible on your first try and to only retake the test if you are confident your score will significantly improve.
To your success,
Your friends at BeMo
BeMo Academic Consulting
Disclaimer: BeMo does not endorse or affiliate with any universities, colleges, or official test administrators. The content has been developed based on the most recent publicly available data provided from the official university website. However, you should always check the statistics/requirements with the official school website for the most up to date information. You are responsible for your own results.
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1 Comments
Lovelas Flaure-Marie
How can I apply for a scholarship in Stanford medical school please!?
Reply