2010-2011 Stanford University Application Thread

[mdphd72]

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It's one of those two dates. 🙂

Do you know if you're going to Stanford or not? I feel like I've seen you in other threads as well and that you've gotten a few acceptances now. 🙂

 

[dfoulad]

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?

no, it was from Dr. Gabriel Garcia, asking for an update of what I did since graduating since my app would be "evaluated soon," and "The experience section does not detail how you are spending your year after graduation." I think it may have been a semi-general email though, because I had actually already sent them an update letter a few weeks before. Did anyone else receive such an email?

Anyways, I didn't get a call today 🙁
Although I still haven't seen a post of someone who got a call today that interviewed on 2/1 (except for maybe the "week of 1/31" person), so there's still a chance??
Any February interviewees got accepted yet?

 

[dfoulad]

It's one of those two dates. 🙂

😕
WHICH?!?

 

[whimsical]

Do you know if you're going to Stanford or not? I feel like I've seen you in other threads as well and that you've gotten a few acceptances now. 🙂

Oh, if only I knew... hopefully financial aid helps me make a choice. It's most definitely up there though. I know someone who is a current student that loves it. 🙂

 

[mdphd72]

no, it was from Dr. Gabriel Garcia, asking for an update of what I did since graduating since my app would be "evaluated soon," and "The experience section does not detail how you are spending your year after graduation." I think it may have been a semi-general email though, because I had actually already sent them an update letter a few weeks before. Did anyone else receive such an email?

Anyways, I didn't get a call today 🙁
Although I still haven't seen a post of someone who got a call today that interviewed on 2/1 (except for maybe the "week of 1/31" person), so there's still a chance??
Any February interviewees got accepted yet?

Well keep your chin up. Even if you get waitlisted, they end up sending offers to 2/3 of interviewers when all is said and done--and that includes the waitlist. I'm crossing my fingers for you!

 

[CattleBruiser]

Well keep your chin up. Even if you get waitlisted, they end up sending offers to 2/3 of interviewers when all is said and done--and that includes the waitlist. I'm crossing my fingers for you!

Is there a source for this information? I'm curious how you know this.

 

[mdeast]

Is there a source for this information? I'm curious how you know this.

It's usually about 1/3 initially. And up to 40-45% after the waitlist moves. Hardest part is getting an interview.

 

[CattleBruiser]

It's usually about 1/3 initially. And up to 40-45% after the waitlist moves. Hardest part is getting an interview.

Very good to hear. Thanks mdeast. Any idea around when the waitlist starts moving? Or is it all at once around May/June? I read through the waitlist thread from last year and last year's Stanford thread...seemed agonizing just reading it last year, but things turned out well.

 

[Rajasthan]

Waitlist usually doesn't move till a bit past May 15th, b/c by then they know how many spots in the class have been filled already. The number of off-the-waitlist offers varies year by year, and of course depends on how many applicants accepted before May 15th choose to matriculate to Stanford (and even then, those applicants might be waiting on waitlisted spots of their own...).

~480 interviewed per year, ~1/3 accepted including those off the waitlist, most of the remaining are waitlisted with some rejected post-interview.

Very good to hear. Thanks mdeast. Any idea around when the waitlist starts moving? Or is it all at once around May/June? I read through the waitlist thread from last year and last year's Stanford thread...seemed agonizing just reading it last year, but things turned out well.

 

[Arsenophilia]

 

[mdphd72]

Is there a source for this information? I'm curious how you know this.

That's what they told us at the interview.

 

[mdphd72]

So has anyone noticed an interview date after 2/1 and before 2/5?? I'm starting to get so nervous!

 

[mdeast]

Most popular: Stanford, UCSF, UCLA, U Washington, Harvard

Anesthesiology UCSF
Anesthesiology Barnes-Jewish Hosp
Anesthesiology Harvard MGH
Anesthesiology Stanford Univ.
Anesthesiology Stanford Univ.
Anesthesiology UCSF
Child Neurology Stanford Univ.
Child Neurology U Washington
Dermatology Stanford Univ.
Dermatology UCSF
Emergency Medicine Loma Linda
Emergency Medicine Stanford Univ.
Emergency Medicine U wisconsin Hospital and Clinics
Emergency Medicine UCLA
Emergency Medicine UCLA
Emergency Medicine UCLA
Emergency Medicine UCSF
ENT Stanford Univ.
Family Medicine UCSF
Family Medicine Mid-Hudson Fam Health
General Surgery Harvard BWH
General Surgery Stanford Univ.
General Surgery UCSF
General Surgery UCSF
Internal Medicine UCLA
Internal Medicine Harvard MGH
Internal Medicine Harvard- BID
Internal Medicine Hosp of Upenn
Internal Medicine Johns Hopkins
Internal Medicine Northwestern
Internal Medicine NYP Hosp-Columbia Univ Med
Internal Medicine OHSU
Internal Medicine Santa Clara Valley
Internal Medicine Stanford
Internal Medicine Stanford Univ.
Internal Medicine Stanford Univ.
Internal Medicine Stanford Univ.
Internal Medicine Stanford Univ.
Internal Medicine Stanford Univ.
Internal Medicine UC Davis
Internal Medicine UCSF
Internal Medicine UCSF
Internal Medicine UCSF
Medicine-Preliminary Kaiser Permanente- Santa Clara
Neurological Surgery Dartmouth
Neurological Surgery Harvard MGH
Neurological Surgery NYP Hosp-Columbia Univ Med Center
Neurology Harvard MGH
Neurology Stanford Univ.
Neurology Stanford Univ.
OB-GYN OHSU
OB-GYN U Washington
Opthamology Duke
Opthamology Johns Hopkins
Opthamology Stanford Univ.
Opthamology USC
Orthopaedic Surgery Johns Hopkins
Orthopaedic Surgery Stanford Univ.
Orthopaedic Surgery Stanford Univ.
Orthopaedic Surgery U Washington
Pathology Stanford Univ.
Pediatrics Children's Hospital Boston
Pediatrics Children's Hospital Boston
Pediatrics Einstein
Pediatrics Stanford Univ.
Pediatrics Stanford Univ.
Plastic Surgery Pittsburgh
Plastic Surgery Stanford Univ.
Psychiatry San Mateo Behavioral Health
Psychiatry Stanford Univ.
Psychiatry Stanford Univ.
Radiation-Oncology Einstein
Radiation-Oncology Kaiser Permanente- LA
Radiation-Oncology Northwestern
Radiology-Diagnostic Duke
Radiology-Diagnostic NY Hosp-Weill Cornell Med
Radiology-Diagnostic Santa Clara Valley
Radiology-Diagnostic Stanford Univ.
Radiology-Diagnostic Stanford Univ.
Radiology-Diagnostic Stanford Univ.
Radiology-Diagnostic U Washington
Radiology-Diagnostic UC San Diego
Radiology-Diagnostic UCLA
Urology U Washington
Vascular Surgery Stanford Univ.

 

[mdphd72]

Most popular: Stanford, UCSF, UCLA, U Washington, Harvard

Anesthesiology UCSF
Anesthesiology Barnes-Jewish Hosp
Anesthesiology Harvard MGH
Anesthesiology Stanford Univ.
Anesthesiology Stanford Univ.
Anesthesiology UCSF
Child Neurology Stanford Univ.
Child Neurology U Washington
Dermatology Stanford Univ.
Dermatology UCSF
Emergency Medicine Loma Linda
Emergency Medicine Stanford Univ.
Emergency Medicine U wisconsin Hospital and Clinics
Emergency Medicine UCLA
Emergency Medicine UCLA
Emergency Medicine UCLA
Emergency Medicine UCSF
ENT Stanford Univ.
Family Medicine UCSF
Family Medicine Mid-Hudson Fam Health
General Surgery Harvard BWH
General Surgery Stanford Univ.
General Surgery UCSF
General Surgery UCSF
Internal Medicine UCLA
Internal Medicine Harvard MGH
Internal Medicine Harvard- BID
Internal Medicine Hosp of Upenn
Internal Medicine Johns Hopkins
Internal Medicine Northwestern
Internal Medicine NYP Hosp-Columbia Univ Med
Internal Medicine OHSU
Internal Medicine Santa Clara Valley
Internal Medicine Stanford
Internal Medicine Stanford Univ.
Internal Medicine Stanford Univ.
Internal Medicine Stanford Univ.
Internal Medicine Stanford Univ.
Internal Medicine Stanford Univ.
Internal Medicine UC Davis
Internal Medicine UCSF
Internal Medicine UCSF
Internal Medicine UCSF
Medicine-Preliminary Kaiser Permanente- Santa Clara
Neurological Surgery Dartmouth
Neurological Surgery Harvard MGH
Neurological Surgery NYP Hosp-Columbia Univ Med Center
Neurology Harvard MGH
Neurology Stanford Univ.
Neurology Stanford Univ.
OB-GYN OHSU
OB-GYN U Washington
Opthamology Duke
Opthamology Johns Hopkins
Opthamology Stanford Univ.
Opthamology USC
Orthopaedic Surgery Johns Hopkins
Orthopaedic Surgery Stanford Univ.
Orthopaedic Surgery Stanford Univ.
Orthopaedic Surgery U Washington
Pathology Stanford Univ.
Pediatrics Children's Hospital Boston
Pediatrics Children's Hospital Boston
Pediatrics Einstein
Pediatrics Stanford Univ.
Pediatrics Stanford Univ.
Plastic Surgery Pittsburgh
Plastic Surgery Stanford Univ.
Psychiatry San Mateo Behavioral Health
Psychiatry Stanford Univ.
Psychiatry Stanford Univ.
Radiation-Oncology Einstein
Radiation-Oncology Kaiser Permanente- LA
Radiation-Oncology Northwestern
Radiology-Diagnostic Duke
Radiology-Diagnostic NY Hosp-Weill Cornell Med
Radiology-Diagnostic Santa Clara Valley
Radiology-Diagnostic Stanford Univ.
Radiology-Diagnostic Stanford Univ.
Radiology-Diagnostic Stanford Univ.
Radiology-Diagnostic U Washington
Radiology-Diagnostic UC San Diego
Radiology-Diagnostic UCLA
Urology U Washington
Vascular Surgery Stanford Univ.

That doesn't surprise me at all. Why would you want to leave Stanford?? 😀

 

[CattleBruiser]

That's what they told us at the interview.

hmm I don't remember this at all.

Anyways looking at the MSAR (few years old though) it seems like Stanford interviews ~600 people. Class size is 86 so let's assume they accept 86 people immediately. Then there's the waitlist. So since you said they accept 2/3 of interviewers, that's ~400 people accepted to fill a class of 86? I find that hard to believe.

Also if they accept 1/3 initially, that's 200 people to fill 86 spots. At Stanford. I think our waitlist chances are pretty low...but I'm still gonna wait.😀

Maybe I am misinterpreting what you are saying but I read this:

It's usually about 1/3 initially. And up to 40-45% after the waitlist moves. Hardest part is getting an interview.

as meaning 1/3 of interviewers get acceptances. Some withdraw, some accept. Then 40-45% of the interviewers are also given acceptances once withdraws start coming in. So in the end, about 2/3 of interviewers are given acceptances to Stanford...is this correct?

If so, how is it possible that more people are given acceptances when less spots are available after the first round of acceptances are sent out?

 

[mdphd72]

hmm I don't remember this at all.

Anyways looking at the MSAR (few years old though) it seems like Stanford interviews ~600 people. Class size is 86 so let's assume they accept 86 people immediately. Then there's the waitlist. So since you said they accept 2/3 of interviewers, that's ~400 people accepted to fill a class of 86? I find that hard to believe.

Also if they accept 1/3 initially, that's 200 people to fill 86 spots. At Stanford. I think our waitlist chances are pretty low...but I'm still gonna wait.😀

Maybe I am misinterpreting what you are saying but I read this:



as meaning 1/3 of interviewers get acceptances. Some withdraw, some accept. Then 40-45% of the interviewers are also given acceptances once withdraws start coming in. So in the end, about 2/3 of interviewers are given acceptances to Stanford...is this correct?

If so, how is it possible that more people are given acceptances when less spots are available after the first round of acceptances are sent out?

There's a chance that I am remembering the fraction incorrectly and it was actually that 1/3 of all interviewed individuals are eventually provided a spot. But I think in general, you can expect heavy movement of the waitlist because private institutions have such high tuition (despite Stanford's great record with financial aid). But that's just my opinion. But there was definitely a ppt slide that was presented where the individual showed us numbers of those offered spots and said 'and if you do the math, that means ***** of you will get offered a spot when all is said and done'. But now I can't remember if ***** was " a third of you" or "two thirds of you". Regardless, there's still a decent chance.

I feel like MDEast would be more reliable than me.

But also, we should take into consideration that the new interview format may change things because it seems they interviewed A LOT of people. So maybe the fraction got smaller?

 

[CattleBruiser]

There's a chance that I am remembering the fraction incorrectly and it was actually that 1/3 of all interviewed individuals are eventually provided a spot. But I think in general, you can expect heavy movement of the waitlist because private institutions have such high tuition (despite Stanford's great record with financial aid). But that's just my opinion. But there was definitely a ppt slide that was presented where the individual showed us numbers of those offered spots and said 'and if you do the math, that means ***** of you will get offered a spot when all is said and done'. But now I can't remember if ***** was " a third of you" or "two thirds of you". Regardless, there's still a decent chance.

I feel like MDEast would be more reliable than me.

But also, we should take into consideration that the new interview format may change things because it seems they interviewed A LOT of people. So maybe the fraction got smaller?

yeah agreed, I think 1/3 sounds more reasonable. And after waitlists start moving bumping it up to 40% is not a stretch at all so mdeast is most likely right about that.

Are you on the waitlist as well?

 

[mdphd72]

yeah agreed, I think 1/3 sounds more reasonable. And after waitlists start moving bumping it up to 40% is not a stretch at all so mdeast is most likely right about that.

Are you on the waitlist as well?

I should be finding out very soon. They released 2/1 last week, and I interviewed 2/5. But I'm expecting a waitlist. I'm still surprised I got the interview in the first place hahah

 

[CattleBruiser]

I should be finding out very soon. They released 2/1 last week, and I interviewed 2/5. But I'm expecting a waitlist. I'm still surprised I got the interview in the first place hahah

I'm not sure if the Stanford notice is released in order. I read back through some of the posts in this thread and I got my decision before some of the January people even though I interviewed in Feb, and I don't live like 2 blocks away or anything (east coast).

 

[mdphd72]

I'm not sure if the Stanford notice is released in order. I read back through some of the posts in this thread and I got my decision before some of the January people even though I interviewed in Feb, and I don't live like 2 blocks away or anything (east coast).

They definitely have been releasing in order. When did you hear back? It may be that they immediately release some that they are absolutely sure of and then review the rest of them in order? Here's what I mean:

electrikred interviewed 1/22, notified 2/25
bicoastal4 interviewed 1/25, notified 3/4
Puppynina interviewed 1/31, notified 3/11
Whimsical interviewed "week of 1/31" (probably 2/1), notified 3/17

It's been like that for all of what I've been paying attention to. It seems everyone who's accepted gets called by Dr. Garcia a Thursday or a Friday as well.

 

[tutti]

I'm not sure if the Stanford notice is released in order. I read back through some of the posts in this thread and I got my decision before some of the January people even though I interviewed in Feb, and I don't live like 2 blocks away or anything (east coast).

cattlebruiser, when did you interview and hear back?

good luck this week, mdphd72, i'm rooting for you!!!

 

[mdphd72]

cattlebruiser, when did you interview and hear back?

good luck this week, mdphd72, i'm rooting for you!!!

Thanks!! 😀 I need all the support I can get! 😉 It's much appreciated!

 

[dfoulad]

Well keep your chin up. Even if you get waitlisted, they end up sending offers to 2/3 of interviewers when all is said and done--and that includes the waitlist. I'm crossing my fingers for you!

thanks! same here
and I hope you hear back this week!
(I'll let you know if I get news this week.)

(sorry if it brings down anyone's spirits, but they told us at my interview that the chances of getting off the waitlist from Stanford are super low (so the 1/3rd of total interviewees getting ultimately accepted sounds closer to right, but it's probably even much less than that; BUT that doesn't mean that there still isn't a chance).

 

[mdeast]

thanks! same here
and I hope you hear back this week!
(I'll let you know if I get news this week.)

(sorry if it brings down anyone's spirits, but they told us at my interview that the chances of getting off the waitlist from Stanford are super low (so the 1/3rd of total interviewees getting ultimately accepted sounds closer to right, but it's probably even much less than that; BUT that doesn't mean that there still isn't a chance).

The waitlist is variable but people get in off of it every year...myself included. According to USNews (publicly available information)...last year we interviewed about 430 applicants and accepted about 190. 45% acceptance rate once you interviewed. This is pretty typical.

Just a FYI as well that the Stanford campus is currently on it's official Spring Break...so I'm not entirely sure whether or not the admissions committee will be meeting this week to make decisions depending on whether or not the administration decides to take a vacation as well.

 

[CattleBruiser]

cattlebruiser, when did you interview and hear back?

good luck this week, mdphd72, i'm rooting for you!!!

Interviewed late Jan/early Feb, got word early March --> WL.

But best of luck to everyone else, I am not gonna hold my breath.

 

[mdphd72]

Just a FYI as well that the Stanford campus is currently on it's official Spring Break...so I'm not entirely sure whether or not the admissions committee will be meeting this week to make decisions depending on whether or not the administration decides to take a vacation as well.

No!!😱
I'm so eager!
But I guess they deserve a break too.

 

[Rajasthan]

I believe this year ~480 students were interviewed. Something in the range of 170-190 total acceptance is likely.

I think they only shut down for winter break. And there are definitely more meetings for them to come given that the last interview day was just 1.5 weeks ago.

The waitlist is variable but people get in off of it every year...myself included. According to USNews (publicly available information)...last year we interviewed about 430 applicants and accepted about 190. 45% acceptance rate once you interviewed. This is pretty typical.

Just a FYI as well that the Stanford campus is currently on it's official Spring Break...so I'm not entirely sure whether or not the admissions committee will be meeting this week to make decisions depending on whether or not the administration decides to take a vacation as well.

 

[Rajasthan]

To clarify:

2/3 is way to high for post-interview acceptances.
1/3 is low-balling it and closer to initial number of acceptances post-interview (so before May 15th).
35-45 percent sound about right when waitlist movement has been complete. This depends on the year.

thanks! same here
and I hope you hear back this week!
(I'll let you know if I get news this week.)

(sorry if it brings down anyone's spirits, but they told us at my interview that the chances of getting off the waitlist from Stanford are super low (so the 1/3rd of total interviewees getting ultimately accepted sounds closer to right, but it's probably even much less than that; BUT that doesn't mean that there still isn't a chance).

 

[Berkely10]

I heard Stanford is the worst and everyone should definitely withdraw their acceptances.

(I hope this works )

 

[mdphd72]

I heard Stanford is the worst and everyone should definitely withdraw their acceptances.

(I hope this works )

Hahah Yeah I totally agree 😛

 

[tutti]

I heard Stanford is the worst and everyone should definitely withdraw their acceptances.

(I hope this works )

 

[mdphd72]

To clarify:

2/3 is way to high for post-interview acceptances.
1/3 is low-balling it and closer to initial number of acceptances post-interview (so before May 15th).
35-45 percent sound about right when waitlist movement has been complete. This depends on the year.

Thanks for clarifying! They definitely talked about a 1/3 or 2/3 fraction at the interview, so they were probably talking about how many initial acceptances they handed out. But I'm surprised they didn't interview a lot more than 500 this year. There were so many people at my interview date!

 

[CattleBruiser]

What are the biggest factors that are drawing you guys to Stanford over other schools say Penn or Hopkins vs Stanford?

 

[BrainBuff]

What are the biggest factors that are drawing you guys to Stanford over other schools say Penn or Hopkins vs Stanford?

I think that at the end it is a matter of "vibes" and location. I get the feeling that most east coasters are preferring Hopkins or Penn.

 

[CattleBruiser]

I think that at the end it is a matter of "vibes" and location. I get the feeling that most east coasters are preferring Hopkins or Penn.

Ok just wanted to make sure there weren't any tangible reasons other than if say you wanted to do residency in CA.

 

[Arsenophilia]

Ok just wanted to make sure there weren't any tangible reasons other than if say you wanted to do residency in CA.

Thats an oversimplification on our part and on your part. Even when you say that we want to do it in California, thats a complex answer. Its not just location, weather or the physical aspects. There is a definite California feel. When I interviewed at other schools out east I didn't sense the same style that I was looking for.

And I'm sure there are a variety of other reasons for most people, but even the most simple ones have a profound (sometimes subconscious) rationale.

 

[CattleBruiser]

Thats an oversimplification on our part and on your part. Even when you say that we want to do it in California, thats a complex answer. Its not just location, weather or the physical aspects. There is a definite California feel. When I interviewed at other schools out east I didn't sense the same style that I was looking for.

And I'm sure there are a variety of other reasons for most people, but even the most simple ones have a profound (sometimes subconscious) rationale.

yeah I am looking for tangible things rather than a "California feel" (what does this mean?) or profound subconcious rationale. If you can elaborate on that it might be more helpful.

 

[jr24]

Does anyone know Stanford's last interview date? I'm assuming they are over, but haven't received any correspondence.

 

[RB93]

What are the biggest factors that are drawing you guys to Stanford over other schools say Penn or Hopkins vs Stanford?

This is definitely a tough decision. I've browsed some past threads...I agree it just comes down to personal preference and possibly financial aid. One thing I really like about Stanford is that the smaller class size makes it seem like it's easier to stand out and design an individualized path through medical school. Also, the location can't be beat IMO - the weather is amazing and the campus is beautiful, though people who like cities might prefer Philly (or Baltimore?). But I think all of these schools are amazing, and wouldn't hinder anyone from pursuing their career goals despite the small differences between them.

I've also heard conflicting things in terms of matching in CA...some people say regional ties are important, but others say it doesn't really matter. Not sure if Stanford has a (significant) edge there. Anyone else have any thoughts on any of this?

 

[CattleBruiser]

This is definitely a tough decision. I've browsed some past threads...I agree it just comes down to personal preference and possibly financial aid. One thing I really like about Stanford is that the smaller class size makes it seem like it's easier to stand out and design an individualized path through medical school. Also, the location can't be beat IMO - the weather is amazing and the campus is beautiful, though people who like cities might prefer Philly (or Baltimore?). But I think all of these schools are amazing, and wouldn't hinder anyone from pursuing their career goals despite the small differences between them.

I've also heard conflicting things in terms of matching in CA...some people say regional ties are important, but others say it doesn't really matter. Not sure if Stanford has a (significant) edge there. Anyone else have any thoughts on any of this?

There is definitely a regional bias. If you look at Stanford's match list (earlier posted in this thread by mdeast) it is basically all Stanford > UCSF > some other CA places > Harvard for match. I see the same trend for the east coast as well, so besides this regional bias for residency, I was curious what tangible benefits there were. 86 vs 90 vs 100...not a huge difference if you ask me, but Penn's class is like double that I think so good point there. I agree the location is absolutely awesome and who wouldn't want to be there for 4 years, not to mention the name will open many doors, but I see these as intangibles. I guess at the top tier only small differences and personal pref differentiate between schools.

 

[BrainBuff]

If you look at Hopkins match lists thru the years, almost 2/3 students end up getting into Hopkins and Harvard programs. Penn's is very east coast heavy as well. I have not looked closely at Stanford's but I think that regional ties are important overall.

I also think that the clinical experience (variety of cases, pathology, etc) is much better at Hopkins and Penn than Stanford. You can not compare Palo Alto (with UCSF nearby sucking up a lot of referrals as well) with Baltimore nor Phili. I think that for residency, Stanford may even be less attractive.

 

[RB93]

If you look at Hopkins match lists thru the years, almost 2/3 students end up getting into Hopkins and Harvard programs. Penn's is very east coast heavy as well. I have not looked closely at Stanford's but I think that regional ties are important overall.

I also think that the clinical experience (variety of cases, pathology, etc) is much better at Hopkins and Penn than Stanford. You can not compare Palo Alto (with UCSF nearby sucking up a lot of referrals as well) with Baltimore nor Phili. I think that for residency, Stanford may even be less attractive.

This is a common knock on Stanford, but I was under the impression that Stanford had very desired residency programs in a number of areas (obviously not family practice, but others). Can anyone comment on this or the clinical experience in general (maybe mdeast - I remember he had experience with both Penn and Hopkins)?

 

[mdphd72]

What are the biggest factors that are drawing you guys to Stanford over other schools say Penn or Hopkins vs Stanford?

For me, it was the support of the staff. When I was at Stanford medical school, I felt like the students could accomplish anything they could fathom and have the full support of the institution. I also like how they strongly embrace interdisciplinary education. They take it to an extreme that I wish most medical schools embraced by expecting most students to take more than 4 years because of extra studying in education, business, extensive and breakthrough research, or really anything you could want to study. I just feel like Stanford is providing an open ended potential for complete self exploration and growth that other institutions don't provide. Other schools just have a mold and 4 year-based program that they expect you to complete in nearly identical fashion as the rest of the class. Notably though, I don't know much at all about Hopkins or Penn because I didn't apply there.

 

[mdphd72]

For me, it was the support of the staff. When I was at Stanford medical school, I felt like the students could accomplish anything they could fathom and have the full support of the institution. I also like how they strongly embrace interdisciplinary education. They take it to an extreme that I wish most medical schools embraced by expecting most students to take more than 4 years because of extra studying in education, business, extensive and breakthrough research, or really anything you could want to study. I just feel like Stanford is providing an open ended potential for complete self exploration and growth that other institutions don't provide. Other schools just have a mold and 4 year-based program that they expect you to complete in nearly identical fashion as the rest of the class. Notably though, I don't know much at all about Hopkins or Penn because I didn't apply there.

I should probably add that my boyfriend of nearly 5 years is an engineer/entrepreneur and California is a great place to be in order to start your own company.

 

[mdphd72]

Does anyone know Stanford's last interview date? I'm assuming they are over, but haven't received any correspondence.

Based on posts on this forum, it looks like the last interview date was March 12th. 🙁

 

[CattleBruiser]

This is a common knock on Stanford, but I was under the impression that Stanford had very desired residency programs in a number of areas (obviously not family practice, but others). Can anyone comment on this or the clinical experience in general (maybe mdeast - I remember he had experience with both Penn and Hopkins)?

I'm interested in this residency information as well. Also I'm not sure what people mean by California feeling as a big plus of CA schools. Sorry I am a New England kid and don't understand.

 

[BrainBuff]

For me, it was the support of the staff. When I was at Stanford medical school, I felt like the students could accomplish anything they could fathom and have the full support of the institution. I also like how they strongly embrace interdisciplinary education. They take it to an extreme that I wish most medical schools embraced by expecting most students to take more than 4 years because of extra studying in education, business, extensive and breakthrough research, or really anything you could want to study. I just feel like Stanford is providing an open ended potential for complete self exploration and growth that other institutions don't provide. Other schools just have a mold and 4 year-based program that they expect you to complete in nearly identical fashion as the rest of the class. Notably though, I don't know much at all about Hopkins or Penn because I didn't apply there.

UPenn and Hopkins provide exactly the same support. I have not found any differences. At both institutions most students graduate after 5 years exactly because of that reason. I do think that all three schools give you a different "vibe" and that is what I am going with. Of all three schools, Hopkins assigns the students to four "colleges" of roughly 30 students each. Advisors and faculty stay with you throughout the medical school years as a way of fostering cooperation, closeness among students and professors, etc. UPenn has the largest class of all three, and I am looking forward to see how that plays out during PennPreview. Stanford has the smallest class size (but only 18 less than Hopkins).

Anyway, those with other personal experiences feel free to chime in.

 

[CattleBruiser]

For me, it was the support of the staff. When I was at Stanford medical school, I felt like the students could accomplish anything they could fathom and have the full support of the institution. I also like how they strongly embrace interdisciplinary education. They take it to an extreme that I wish most medical schools embraced by expecting most students to take more than 4 years because of extra studying in education, business, extensive and breakthrough research, or really anything you could want to study. I just feel like Stanford is providing an open ended potential for complete self exploration and growth that other institutions don't provide. Other schools just have a mold and 4 year-based program that they expect you to complete in nearly identical fashion as the rest of the class. Notably though, I don't know much at all about Hopkins or Penn because I didn't apply there.

I agree with most of this, but I don't think it's fair to say other schools just have a mold and Stanford lets you explore and other places don't. I'd say Duke does this more than any other med school. They give you a full year to do whatever you want, and you still graduate in 4 years so I don't think you can say Stanford is the most flexible and most accommodating to dual-degrees/other pursuits. Yet while they are not the most accommodating school they are definitely one of the most accommodating schools. So, I think people really love Stanford because it is a great school with a great name/reputation, top notch research, and is in a very vacation-esque location. I really think location is probably the #1 reason people pick Stanford over Penn/Hopkins and even Harvard.

 

[Arsenophilia]

yeah I am looking for tangible things rather than a "California feel" (what does this mean?) or profound subconcious rationale. If you can elaborate on that it might be more helpful.

I was using that as just an example, but let me elaborate on the feel. You probably can't get it unless you have experienced it first hand, but there is a definite difference. In general, when I spoke with east coast faculty there was a more reserved, distinguished, inner sanctum of science feel to them. Nothing against that style because they have every right to give it off if they are faculty in a medical school. However, the west coast faculty that I've interacted with at UCSF, UCSD and Stanford had a more informal feel. They were closer to drinking buddies or people that you might meet on the street. It really depends the type of atmosphere you prefer when interacting with faculty, but I prefer this relaxed feel. I'm sure I haven't done it justice and there are definitely exceptions to the rule, but this is a rough illustration of the "California feel."

and when I consider schools based on this "California feel" it is more of a subconscious decision of where i felt most comfortable than a psychoanalytic rationale of what the feel means and why it influenced me to prefer a school.

 

[CattleBruiser]

I was using that as just an example, but let me elaborate on the feel. You probably can't get it unless you have experienced it first hand, but there is a definite difference. In general, when I spoke with east coast faculty there was a more reserved, distinguished, inner sanctum of science feel to them. Nothing against that style because they have every right to give it off if they are faculty in a medical school. However, the west coast faculty that I've interacted with at UCSF, UCSD and Stanford had a more informal feel. They were closer to drinking buddies or people that you might meet on the street. It really depends the type of atmosphere you prefer when interacting with faculty, but I prefer this relaxed feel. I'm sure I haven't done it justice and there are definitely exceptions to the rule, but this is a rough illustration of the "California feel."

and when I consider schools based on this "California feel" it is more of a subconscious decision of where i felt most comfortable than a psychoanalytic rationale of what the feel means and why it influenced me to prefer a school.

Ok I see what you mean now. California feel means "laidback," which is what I prefer as well. And in terms of faculty do you mean the people that interviewed you?