I'm gonna bullet point it, about things that I think make Stanford unique.
1. University Atmosphere. Stanford Med is one of the few US medical schools located directly on a larger university campus. The only others I can think of off the top of my head are UChicago and Penn. This means you'll be living in graduate housing with PhD students, law students, business students, etc. who often represent many of the best minds in these fields (Stanford is almost universally top ranked in most disciplines, #1 business, #2 law, etc.). This certainly afford social and networking opportunities. But, also given the flexibility of the Stanford curriculum and the ability to take any class at another graduate school or undergraduate school for free...means you can tailor your education program to whatever you want. You also feel a part of larger community- there are grad school mixers, you can attend Stanford-Cal football games, hit up the gym, the main libraries. The campus has it's own golf course, lake, running and hiking trails through the mountains. It's a self-contained city of intellectuals that only requires a short bike or drive to escape. I'll admit this environment isn't for everyone, but it's someplace I could see myself happy in.
2. Scholarly Concentrations. Stanford is one of the only schools in the country to require students to pursue a "major" in medical school. You can pick things like community health, bioengineering, health policy, health education, or design your own. Mine might be called "Business and Policy of Bioinnovation"- I'm interested in studying new biomedical advances and how they can be made to fit into a changing economic and political scene to increase their accessibility to patients both domestically and internationally. In the end, everyone leaves having the opportunity to pursue an individual interest that makes their time at Stanford unique. I'm a liberal arts student at heart, so this was important for me. I also have a ton of interests outside strict clinical medicine, and Stanford not only provides the environment to pursue them, they actually almost passionately encourage you to do so.
3. P/F grading. Stanford is incredibly devoted to a non-competitive atmosphere. There is no AOA or class rank. The first two years are P/F. The last two year are P/F/distinction. Distinction scores are based on a rubric and anyone can obtain them (not a set 10% of class, etc. like is done at most schools). You leave studying with some of the best minds in medicine...but never feeling like you're competing against them. Creating a very laid back atmosphere compared to many top schools.
4. Resources- Med Scholars, TAing, Research Funding. Stanford has the second largest medical school endowment but also one of the smallest medical school student bodies (86 students/class), meaning there are ample resources to be distributed to students. What to get involved in a research project with a faculty member? Want to TA a class? Want to do a rotation abroad in South America? Or, attend a conference in the US or abroad?Stanford will pay you do this....and they'll pay you handsomely. Med Scholars provides free tuition reimbursement plus up to 7k in living expenses per quarter (12-16 week block). You can earn up to 8k/quarter (32k/year) in tuition and salary as a TA with minimal commitment (most students comment it's about 5-6 hours/week). What's great about these programs is that the faculty actively encourage you to take advantage of them. They make it easy, such that you see most first year students even working on a research project. At most schools these tend to be more strictly clinical projects during the year. Whereas at Stanford, many students find the time and mentorship to unravel basic science questions even during the school year in one of Stanford's top laboratories (#1 for Biology PhD program in the US, most well funded labs of any US institution). I'm a basic science geek, and even though I don't think I'll pursue this path permanently, I like that I'll be able to continue to dissect these things as a med student.
5. Great advising system. As a MS1, you receive two faculty advisors. A career coach who will keep you on track with the opportunities available at the school and what you should be pursuing based off your interests and where you want to end up. And, also...a clinical skills coach (Educators 4 Care) who work one-on-one with you to develop your clinical skills as well as arrange shadowing opportunities and early clinical experiences at Stanford affiliated hospitals as a MS1/MS2.
6. Respect for Medical Students. Stanford does a whole lot of things that represent why it cares so much about it students and wants to give them a unique experience. Take for instance the "white coat ceremony". Which is instead called a "stethoscope" ceremony, because the white coat separate the patient from the physician, while the stethoscope connects them. Also, stanford med students are given full length white coats, to remind others on the wards that they are considered peers of residents and attending physicians in the hospital. I can't think of another medical school that does this.
6. Location, diversity and beautiful weather. While Stanford isn't located in an urban area, it is only a 30 minute drive from SF (one of the best cities in the US). With mostly sunny weather and mild temps year round, it means med students can stay active- biking, running, weekend hikes, etc. Close driving distance to the Beach, Wine Country, the City, numerous national parks. For weekday distractions you have the Penisula towns with decent restaurants, bars, cocktail lounges, etc. filled with interesting people who are often defining our generation (Google, Apple, etc. employees). Wanted something more fast paced? Hop on the train or drive into the city (although, there is a debatable amount of inconvenience associated with this). At the end of the day though, I've spent the last 4 years of my life living in ultra-urban areas...and I was impressed by the diversity of the weekend options available in an area with so much natural beauty so close to an urban playground. But, even amongst this beautiful, wealthy atmosphere...there is diversity in the patients you see (most are spanish speaking) and the clinical sites you spend time in. You rotate through Stanford Hospital (Top 20 tertiary care center), Santa Clara County (one of the best county hospitals in the country), Kaiser, the VA...which together serve a larger population than even UCSF's hospital system.
7. 15.5 months of required clinical clerkships. Most schools require you do 20, and aren't flexible about the order you complete them. Stanford allows you to do any rotation you want as a MS3 (in any order, subject to lottery, etc.). This gives you flexibility to complete the rotations you're interested in for residency first, and the ones that are "required" but don't interest you last. It also opens 4th year up to flexibility. You'll be done your clerkships by the end of autumn quarter of your last year. You can graduate early (no more tuition!), spend more time in the clinic, get paid to do research, TA some classes, golf, etc. Your fourth year becomes very relaxed because of how flexible the clerkship schedule is....or very busy if you want it to be!
8. New Med School Building. See it in person. Beautiful lecture rooms, the country's most advanced clinical simulation center. A 4th floor entirely dedicated to student space: large, beautiful gym, outdoor balcony for parties with views of the mountains, 70" TV, bar and kitchen, student rooms and lounges, free printing.
That's all I can think of off the top of my head. But yes, I've become really excited about Stanford over the last few weeks. So, definitely give it a try. I don't think the place is for everyone. But for those who fit in, I can't think of a better medical school with a more impressive student body (that, paradoxically, is also one of the most relaxed).
with your application!
