2010-2011 Stanford University Application Thread

[paperflowers15]

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Hey, congrats to all accepted and good luck to those waiting!

I had a question for mdeast and anyone else familiar with Stanford: I've heard a lot about the low debt amassed by Stanford Med grads and the remarkable programs Stanford has (Med Scholars, TAships) to help with financing the cost. I was wondering how difficult it is to get MedScholars fellowships and TAships (I realize there are some rules about getting awards from them at the same time), and how many students participate in these programs?

I really loved Stanford, but finances are (obviously) a big factor. Basically, I want to know if I want to be a TA and get MedScholars funding, can I?

Thanks for your help!

 

[mdeast]

MedScholars is pretty easy is to get. The application is long (you have to write something like a 6 page proposal with background info, etc. on your project), but unless you do a terrible a job, the office will fund what you want to do. You can do this full-time during the summer, or part time during the year. Summertime or year out gives you full tuition support and up to a $6-7k living allowance/quarter. It can also help you graduate slightly early. If you're planning on graduating in 4 years and do your MS1 summer through Med-Scholars...it pays for your entire 14k tuition. You only need a minimum of 13 quarters at Stanford to graduate...so if you're lucky enough to get all you clinical electives in, you technically can graduate and be done with medical school by December of your fourth year (meaning only 1 quarter of tuition your M4 year). Or...take your last quarter as an extra MedScholars project and get paid to do some easy clinical research before heading off to residency instead of continuing to pay tuition.

TAships are not guaranteed and vary in pay. Some like anatomy will pay the equivalent of almost 18k/quarter. Most standard ones pay around 8-9k/quarter. There are a bunch of small lunch seminars you can help organize (order food, coordinate speakers), that you get about 3.5/quarter for. Keep in mind this is usually 1/2 through tuition reduction and 1/2 through salary. Your salary will be taxed. Most of the lunch seminars have less formal application processes...so if you're motivated and have experience in that area it's just a matter of talking to the person who TAed last year. The core courses you take first year do have core TAs that go through a more formal application process (we basically have a TA "match" every year where you interview for and select preferences from 1-10 for the TAships you want). Not everyone gets what they want or any TAship at all, but for the most part if you want to TA something you'll find at least one class that fits into the niche you're good at.

Hope that helps.

 

[mdphd72]

Is it true that they call accepted applicants who were interviewed on the same day together? =( I interviewed on 1/25 as well.. I guess I am just waiting for an envelope in the mail now!

That seems to be the trend so far: people who are accepted are called. And people who interviewed the same day and didn't receive a phone call get a waitlist letter within a week. But the waitlist isn't the end!

 

[scatterbobcat]

Housing mainly depends on you. You'll pay extra for more comfort, and less for a smaller room, older building, etc. Most students in my class did not come in with the intention of living with other first year students. We had a bunch of first years placed sort of randomly together (mainly because we arrive earlier than many other graduate students, so it makes move-in logistics easier for the housing department if they place some of us together). If you meet someone during admit weekend, or have a friend from pre-med school life that also ends up at Stanford, you can apply jointly to live together. Just make sure to get your application in before the deadline (sometime in early May? I think). Otherwise you won't necessarily be guaranteed on campus housing.

Most med students live on campus the first year. I recommend it if you're not used to Palo Alto/Stanford and need time to adjust, or just want a better reason to make sure you're on campus for social events, etc.. It makes life easier when you only have a 5 minute commute everyday to class on your bike. The majority (all but maybe 10-20 first year students) live on campus. That number drops slightly second year, and more sharply your third year once people get busy in clinic and want some "off campus" haven to call home.

Your options first year (prices are guessed). In order of distance to the medical school EV=EV Studios=Rains > Munger > Lyman. With Lyman being the closest.

Escondido Village: Older apartments, in various (sometimes somewhat bizarre) styles. Some of them look like summer camp lodges (low rises). Others like small, two story town houses. There are also mid and high-rise apartments. Price generally $600-900. The $600 apartments have you potentially sharing a room, which for me was a big no-no. EV also has couples housing. Range from 1 bedrooms, 2 bedrooms, 3 bedrooms, 4 bedrooms.

Rains: Newer than EV. Fair amount of social activities go on here. 2 or 4 bedroom apartments with shared kitchen/living area. 900/month. I think I'd be happy living there.

Lyman: Closest on campus housing to the medical school. "Dorm Style" apartments. These are apartments, but hallways look a bit "dormy" which is why I make that distinction. Thought, admittedly....pretty nice with good central common spaces for holding parties. Usually 2 bedrooms with shared kitchen, living room. Next to tennis courts, open fields, etc. $900/month

EV Studios: Newer than the rest of EV. Large buildings with separate studio apartments for each person. Decently sized. About $1100/month. Full size beds=nice. Clinical students sometimes live here to avoid pricier options off campus...lots of alone time when you need it.

Munger: I live here. It's the best housing on campus, but also the priciest. Just opened up a year or two ago, so everything is brand-new. It's also one of the few places outside of couples housing with full/queen beds. Most apartments are 4 bedroom with large shared kitchen and living room. There are also 2 bedrooms and studios. Private bathrooms in each room (no sharing). Centrally located. New furniture. Feels like a hotel. Lots of parties here. 4 or 2 bedrooms: $1200/month, Studio: $1500/month. There are a select number of 1 BR couples housing here too. Don't know how much they cost.

You'll be fine whenever you end up. And, the somewhat unknown thing about housing is that if you don't get what you want first quarter...you can apply for re-assignment housing and usually have a decent chance of getting what you want the second time around.

mdeast, you are the best - that was so helpful! many thanks!!!

 

[Arsenophilia]

Would anybody be able to tell me how important second look weekend is if i have already made my decision to go here? I'd like to save some money by not flying in but I'm worried that this may be a mistake. Would I be missing out on anything crucial? Financial aid info, housing info, free Stanford t-shirts?

 

[TXbl28]

I just got an invite to interview on the 12th, however at this point flights are over $800 from the east coast. I would love a chance to interview at Stanford, however I don't have limitless funds and I'm wondering what the chances for an acceptance would be at this point. My app was complete Oct 1. Thoughts?

 

[RB93]

Can mdeast (or a current Stanford student) clarify how tuition works? I believe it's around ~$14K per quarter, and the first (two?) years are 3 quarters each. However, are the 3rd and 4th years charged at 4 quarters each? That would make the tuition costs pretty astronomical.

I know they also revamped their structure...it seems like before you only had to pay the full tuition at 13 quarters max. Is this still the case?

I guess I'm just trying to figure out the lowest average indebtedness figure works out. If anyone could clarify, that would be super helpful!

 

[mdphd72]

I just got an invite to interview on the 12th, however at this point flights are over $800 from the east coast. I would love a chance to interview at Stanford, however I don't have limitless funds and I'm wondering what the chances for an acceptance would be at this point. My app was complete Oct 1. Thoughts?

I don't REALLY know, but they appear to only be picking the best of the best from each interview. Which means that it APPEARS to provide the same chance of acceptance even this late in the game. However, if you are waitlisted, you may or may not have less chance. I have no idea how they work through their waitlisted individuals.

 

[Rajasthan]

I just got an invite to interview on the 12th, however at this point flights are over $800 from the east coast. I would love a chance to interview at Stanford, however I don't have limitless funds and I'm wondering what the chances for an acceptance would be at this point. My app was complete Oct 1. Thoughts?

It is hard to say what chances for an acceptance are at this point (or even for earlier interviews). Overall, Stanford will accept around 1/3 of applicants post-interviews when you include acceptances off the waitlist.

If it means anything, 3/12 is the last interview date for this application cycle (unless something drastic happens).

 

[Rajasthan]

I wouldn't say it is necessary, but I think if time/budget/etc. works out, it is worth coming to. The best part is meeting students already at the school and those who are strongly considering coming here. All critical information will be sent to you, but you do learn a lot more about the school during the two main days (admit weekend this year is April 7-9).

Would anybody be able to tell me how important second look weekend is if i have already made my decision to go here? I'd like to save some money by not flying in but I'm worried that this may be a mistake. Would I be missing out on anything crucial? Financial aid info, housing info, free Stanford t-shirts?

 

[Rajasthan]

Not always, but that has been the trend. Decisions come within 2+ weeks, but the range can vary. So it is possible that for applicants on a given day, some get accepted/waitlisted/rejected two weeks post-interview, but others the admissions committee chooses to "sit on" for a longer period of time before making a decision.

That seems to be the trend so far: people who are accepted are called. And people who interviewed the same day and didn't receive a phone call get a waitlist letter within a week. But the waitlist isn't the end!

 

[Rajasthan]

Details can be found here: http://medscholars.stanford.edu/newtuitionstructure.pdf.

Take-away points:
1) You have to pay full tuition during 13 quarters. 12 of those quarters will be during the school year (fall, winter, spring for MS1-MS4), and most students take their "extra" quarter during the summer after MS1 to do research. A 100% Med Scholars project would cover your tuition costs during the summer.

2) You can take up to 5 full quarter equivalents of MedScholars funding to do research. During your first full quarter (likely during the summer after MS1), you will be funded ~$16K, thus leaving you $2K for living expenses (which isn't that much). But for the next four quarters, you are given ~$6.6K, which is way more than you need.

3) Stanford ends up as one of the cheapest private medical schools out there through a few factors: generous financial aid to start off with, Med Scholar opportunities, and TAships. The latter are offered to MS1 students in March, thus resulting in current MS1 students TAing incoming students in SMS Entering Class of 2011 starting in Fall 2011. Many students will get to TA, and TAships pay on the order of $50-$60/hour. So while Stanford's pricetag is high (but just as high as many peer private med schools), it is reduced through financial aid, research funds, and TAship salaries.

Can mdeast (or a current Stanford student) clarify how tuition works? I believe it's around ~$14K per quarter, and the first (two?) years are 3 quarters each. However, are the 3rd and 4th years charged at 4 quarters each? That would make the tuition costs pretty astronomical.

I know they also revamped their structure...it seems like before you only had to pay the full tuition at 13 quarters max. Is this still the case?

I guess I'm just trying to figure out the lowest average indebtedness figure works out. If anyone could clarify, that would be super helpful!

 

[Rajasthan]

As for all schools, the following principles apply:

1) Waitlist movement depends a lot on how many people initially accepted choose to come. For Stanford historically, they interview ~500, accept low ~100s initially, then fill in the rest through waitlists to reach the magic number of 86 students in the class. Which means overall, they accept ~1/3 of interviewed applicants.

2) Be persistent and really follow up with the school that you are interested in! Make them excited about you, and hopefully that feeling is reciprocated.

I understand that there is a lot of variability from year to year, but does anyone have an idea about what percentage of waitlisted applicants are typically accepted? Should waitlisted applicants be very hopeful at this point?

Mdeast, do you have any suggestions for waitlisted applicants?

 

[RB93]

Details can be found here: http://medscholars.stanford.edu/newtuitionstructure.pdf.

Take-away points:
1) You have to pay full tuition during 13 quarters. 12 of those quarters will be during the school year (fall, winter, spring for MS1-MS4), and most students take their "extra" quarter during the summer after MS1 to do research. A 100% Med Scholars project would cover your tuition costs during the summer.

2) You can take up to 5 full quarter equivalents of MedScholars funding to do research. During your first full quarter (likely during the summer after MS1), you will be funded ~$16K, thus leaving you $2K for living expenses (which isn't that much). But for the next four quarters, you are given ~$6.6K, which is way more than you need.

3) Stanford ends up as one of the cheapest private medical schools out there through a few factors: generous financial aid to start off with, Med Scholar opportunities, and TAships. The latter are offered to MS1 students in March, thus resulting in current MS1 students TAing incoming students in SMS Entering Class of 2011 starting in Fall 2011. Many students will get to TA, and TAships pay on the order of $50-$60/hour. So while Stanford's pricetag is high (but just as high as many peer private med schools), it is reduced through financial aid, research funds, and TAship salaries.

Thanks so much for the response! Can you get MedScholars and TAships regardless of financial "need?" (is everyone eligible)? Also, for MedScholars, I assume you find a faculty mentor first before you design the proposal (is that true?)...it sounds like there are definitely plenty of faculty willing to work with med students?

 

[mdeast]

Thanks so much for the response! Can you get MedScholars and TAships regardless of financial "need?" (is everyone eligible)? Also, for MedScholars, I assume you find a faculty mentor first before you design the proposal (is that true?)...it sounds like there are definitely plenty of faculty willing to work with med students?

Everyone qualifies regardless of financial aid. You need to find a faculty mentor for Med Scholars and go through an application process (sort of far in advance....March for the summer, July for the Fall, etc.). It's pretty easy to find faculty mentors, and there are constantly emails going around from upper class students looking for younger students to take over a project, or from PIs who want to advise a med student. In addition to full-quarter Med Scholars, you can get part-time Med Scholars during the school year. So for instance, if you want to continue research 10 hours/week during your second year, Med Scholars will pay you about $2500/quarter to do so in tuition reduction (i.e. not taxable). This is especially helpful for students who want to graduate in 4 years but still take advantage of the financial benefits of Med Scholars.

Keep in mind that MedScholars funding does not defer you from applying for some types of additional grants. Although the first summer only provides you with $2k in living expenses, I've already applied for two outside, national grants ($4k, $5k respectively) to make sure I have, most likely, more money than I could possibly need for the summer.

 

[RB93]

Everyone qualifies regardless of financial aid. You need to find a faculty mentor for Med Scholars and go through an application process (sort of far in advance....March for the summer, July for the Fall, etc.). It's pretty easy to find faculty mentors, and there are constantly emails going around from upper class students looking for younger students to take over a project, or from PIs who want to advise a med student. In addition to full-quarter Med Scholars, you can get part-time Med Scholars during the school year. So for instance, if you want to continue research 10 hours/week during your second year, Med Scholars will pay you about $2500/quarter to do so in tuition reduction (i.e. not taxable). This is especially helpful for students who want to graduate in 4 years but still take advantage of the financial benefits of Med Scholars.

Keep in mind that MedScholars funding does not defer you from applying for some types of additional grants. Although the first summer only provides you with $2k in living expenses, I've already applied for two outside, national grants ($4k, $5k respectively) to make sure I have, most likely, more money than I could possibly need for the summer.

Thanks so much mdeast, you are so helpful! Stanford definitely seems to have one of the less straightforward cost calculations, due to all of the different options.

 

[pliosaur]

So... is the expectation that 2/5 interviewees will hear this weekend? Seems like the turn-around after interviews has been about a month.

 

[mdphd72]

So... is the expectation that 2/5 interviewees will hear this weekend? Seems like the turn-around after interviews has been about a month.

I also interviewed 2/5.

They have been providing results each week in order of the interview date. They released 1/25 last week. So I think it might still be a couple weeks before we hear back. But there's always a chance. I don't know how many interviews they had the last week of Jan/first week of Feb.

 

[purpleweasel]

I know there was an interview day on 1/31...Anyone know of others between then and 1/25?

 

[pliosaur]

I know there was an interview day on 1/31...Anyone know of others between then and 1/25?

Noooo! If they keep going one interview day per week this is going to drag on for a longgggg time. I remember being told 2/5 would hear early march so hopefully the pace of being notified will be picking up.

 

[dfoulad]

I know there was an interview day on 1/31...Anyone know of others between then and 1/25?

I interviewed on 2/1.
No news yet, but HOPING to hear back tomorrow.

 

[mdphd72]

Noooo! If they keep going one interview day per week this is going to drag on for a longgggg time. I remember being told 2/5 would hear early march so hopefully the pace of being notified will be picking up.

Since the interviews have slowed down (only one in March), I guess there's always a chance that they will be able to go over more day's worth at meetings? Or maybe meet more frequently?

 

[purpleweasel]

Since the interviews have slowed down (only one in March), I guess there's always a chance that they will be able to go over more day's worth at meetings? Or maybe meet more frequently?

That's both logical and optimistic 😀

 

[lsj011]

I was looking at the budget page: http://med.stanford.edu/md/financial_aid/files/2010-11 SOM Budget (4) - New Tuition Structure.pdf

and got really hopeful when I saw on the last page that they reimburse electronics after purchase (up to $3000) but realize that this may mean just adding more loan money to your package. Is it loans...or might be grant money? Would definitely not mind waiting 5 months to buy a laptop if it meant I would get it paid for...otherwise I will go ahead to buy the computer and put myself in debt early :-D

 

[lsj011]

I was looking at the budget page: http://med.stanford.edu/md/financial_aid/files/2010-11 SOM Budget (4) - New Tuition Structure.pdf

and got really hopeful when I saw on the last page that they reimburse electronics after purchase (up to $3000) but realize that this may mean just adding more loan money to your package. Is it loans...or might be grant money? Would definitely not mind waiting 5 months to buy a laptop if it meant I would get it paid for...otherwise I will go ahead to buy the computer and put myself in debt early :-D

Okay so I think I found the answer haha: http://med.stanford.edu/md/financial_aid/files/10-11 New Student Standard Budget 2.pdf

...I think I'll go get that computer now.

 

[mdphd72]

Wait. No one got the call today?? I hope this is just because no SDNers got called and not because they didn't meet this week.

 

[dfoulad]

I interviewed on 2/1.
No news yet, but HOPING to hear back tomorrow.

still no news (from the 2/1 interview date). i called the office and they said, 1 or 2 more weeks. Did anyone from a post-1/25 interview date get good news today/yesterday?

 

[mdphd72]

still no news (from the 2/1 interview date). i called the office and they said, 1 or 2 more weeks. Did anyone from a post-1/25 interview date get good news today/yesterday?

Man, at this rate I won't hear back until April!🙁

 

[mdphd72]

still no news (from the 2/1 interview date). i called the office and they said, 1 or 2 more weeks. Did anyone from a post-1/25 interview date get good news today/yesterday?

Maybe it was 1/31 last week and just nobody got accepted from that date? Or just no one from SDN anyway. Did they sound annoyed when you asked?

 

[dfoulad]

Maybe it was 1/31 last week and just nobody got accepted from that date? Or just no one from SDN anyway. Did they sound annoyed when you asked?

I'm guessing either that, or they just took a break last week.
No, the person i talked to didn't really know what was going on, but was nice; she looked up my app, and saw that it hasn't been sent to committe yet, and assumed one or two more weeks. But there's good news: I got an email today that my app will be evaluated "soon," so i'm guessing that means I may get a response at the end of this week. (Feb. 1 interview)

 

[mdphd72]

I'm guessing either that, or they just took a break last week.
No, the person i talked to didn't really know what was going on, but was nice; she looked up my app, and saw that it hasn't been sent to committe yet, and assumed one or two more weeks. But there's good news: I got an email today that my app will be evaluated "soon," so i'm guessing that means I may get a response at the end of this week. (Feb. 1 interview)

Oh really? I didn't realize they sent out that sort of email. I don't remember anyone mentioning it here on the boards. Did it look like an automatic email of sorts? Or maybe it was the person you talked to on the phone sending you a follow up?

 

[puppynina]

Hi everyone, first time user of these forums. Just wanted to let you know that I got a call on 3/11 saying I was admitted. I interviewed on 1/31. On interview day, they told us that we would know by the end of February, but it appears they are running a tad behind. Good news nonetheless! 😀

Also, I went to Stanford undergrad class of 2009, so happy to answer questions about Palo Alto/Stanford life in general.

 

[LSU Gladiator]

Hey guys, congrats to all who were accepted! Ya'll come to Stanford.

 

[schismal]

Double congrats!

And do it! We're pretty awesome over here.

 

[LSU Gladiator]

mdeast, you are the best - that was so helpful! many thanks!!!

Who is this MDEast, and how are his/her finals going? 😀

 

[schismal]

Who is this MDEast, and how are his/her finals going? 😀

Clearly yours aren't too stressful, heh. 😉

 

[mdeast]

Who is this MDEast, and how are his/her finals going? 😀

Oh, LSU. Shouldn't you be studying instead of making me come here via messages I see on other social networking sites?

 

[mdphd72]

Hi everyone, first time user of these forums. Just wanted to let you know that I got a call on 3/11 saying I was admitted. I interviewed on 1/31. On interview day, they told us that we would know by the end of February, but it appears they are running a tad behind. Good news nonetheless! 😀

Also, I went to Stanford undergrad class of 2009, so happy to answer questions about Palo Alto/Stanford life in general.

Congrats! And thanks for letting us know. 🙂

I'm starting to daydream about them calling me again hahah. I went through the same thing when I was waiting for an interview invite hahah

 

[moxche]

mdeast, do you know how they select people from the waitlist? Do they do another review of files or have we already been ranked? Any tips for improving our chances?

 

[mdphd72]

still no news (from the 2/1 interview date). i called the office and they said, 1 or 2 more weeks. Did anyone from a post-1/25 interview date get good news today/yesterday?

You should be getting a call tomorrow (or possibly earlier today) if you got in. Good luck!

 

[pliosaur]

You should be getting a call tomorrow (or possibly earlier today) if you got in. Good luck!

I have a feeling more than just 2/1 might be hearing today. Second look is around 4/9 from what I remember, and I'd like to think that they would give people at least two weeks to plan on coming.

Just a hunch though and I really am just hoping I won't have to wait too much longer. This is the only school I haven't heard from yet.

 

[mdphd72]

I have a feeling more than just 2/1 might be hearing today. Second look is around 4/9 from what I remember, and I'd like to think that they would give people at least two weeks to plan on coming.

Just a hunch though and I really am just hoping I won't have to wait too much longer. This is the only school I haven't heard from yet.

I could see that, but at the same time, I can't imagine they have many seats left to hand out. And I know at least one other example of schools not giving a huge amount of time. For instance, Boston University releases all their Spring acceptances the last week of March/first week of April. :/ But I don't know if I would go to second look anyway. The cost of tickets on this short of notice is probably astronomical.

 

[whimsical]

Fyi, I interviewed the week of 1/31 and got the call yesterday! to everyone still waiting.

 

[tutti]

Fyi, I interviewed the week of 1/31 and got the call yesterday! to everyone still waiting.

congrats!!! what date did you interview?

 

[mdphd72]

Fyi, I interviewed the week of 1/31 and got the call yesterday! to everyone still waiting.

CONGRATS! Man, I get more and more envious with every one of these posts. 😛

This is the first I've seen where they released acceptances from an interview date over 2 weeks. :/ I'm seriously wondering if my interview date (2/5) will hear back before April at all.

 

[mdphd72]

congrats!!! what date did you interview?

Lol... they said 1/31 in the post you quoted hahah 😛

 

[SCUBAfan]

I finally got my rejection letter today (pre-interview). I knew it was coming, and it almost feels better to stop dreaming of an interview invite.

 

[tutti]

Lol... they said 1/31 in the post you quoted hahah 😛

haha I thought so too, but then I looked again and he/she said WEEK OF 1/31... so it could be 2/1? 😛 I'm getting too antsy about this, I know...

 

[whimsical]

haha I thought so too, but then I looked again and he/she said WEEK OF 1/31... so it could be 2/1? 😛 I'm getting too antsy about this, I know...

It's one of those two dates. 🙂

 

[mdphd72]

It's one of those two dates. 🙂

Oh goodie!! That means it probably WAS 2/1st and they are still going to be telling me sooner rather than later! 😀

I'm crossing my fingers that there were no interview dates between 2/1 and 2/5 so I can just KNOW ALREADY!!