2014-2015 Stanford University Application Thread
Started by gettheleadout
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No. A bad idea would be picking a canned answer you think they want to hear instead of telling them the truth.
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I would say (and probably general consensus) no, definitely not. That's not even the case for MD-PhD
waive
I feel that even uber academic programs like Stanford are aware that some of their graduates will end up in private practice. From my understanding, this is also the case with academic residency programs. Back when Uncle Harvey was around (...) ppl on the site would talk about neurosurgery grads from ultra-academic programs that actually ended up in private practice.
Also, some doctors work in both settings during their career span.
Secondary received! Also PMed the prompt. Believe it is the same as last year, or extremely close
Definitely waive or else the LOR will be heavily discounted.
I have a question about the scholarly concentration (if any Stanford students current or entering are around / or others know about it). It seems like you have to declare a concentration relatively quickly (beginning year 2). What if I don't have a specific project in mind at this point? There are some areas I am interest in, but I do not want to tie myself down too early and miss out on broader learning. Do you feel that the concentration is limiting? (not that I'm assuming I will get in here...def huge reach, but was starting to think about this when writing secondary)
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when are your letters marked as "complete" on the secondary? It says the letter was received by Stanford but is still marked as incomplete
Did you schedule an interview date?
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Does anyone know if the ratio of primaries to secondaries for Stanford?
They don't screen; everyone gets a secondary.
I'm debating whether or not I should apply to Stanford because I've heard that their financial aid isn't very helpful. Can anyone speak on this?
It costs a lot, but I got more than I expected in grants. >$120,000 more than I was offered at HMS (don't get me wrong, still leaves me with >$200,000 in loans). But I think it's worth applying and if you're accepted, dealing with the FA when that bridge needs to be crossed. Stanford has a good enough reputation in FA offerings that it could be worth it.
Thanks for the input. I'm gonna go ahead and apply and see what happens
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no it doesnt
stanford doesn't screen. you should prob call them
Everyone gets one. *insert acapella group harmonizing "Patience"*
The email confirming that the secondary is complete says that interview invitations are given out August through April. Based solely on the fact that the first II was reported on 8/13/13 last year, my guess would be early/mid-August, but it could really be any time.
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@PocketAce
Is the Scholarly Concentrations program exactly like an undergraduate major (ie just a set of certain courses you have to take) or does it include research as well (like does it put you in touch with PIs, etc)? Also, what's the amount of contact with people in other disciplines (ie for Bioengineering, would I be "working" with an engineer as well as an MD)?
Thanks in advance!
Is the Scholarly Concentrations program exactly like an undergraduate major (ie just a set of certain courses you have to take) or does it include research as well (like does it put you in touch with PIs, etc)? Also, what's the amount of contact with people in other disciplines (ie for Bioengineering, would I be "working" with an engineer as well as an MD)?
Thanks in advance!
Canadian shouldn't make a difference. When was your primary verified?
Nah, you'll be fine. If it doesn't come in by early next week, you can call. Just use the time to work on other apps
Overall FA is very good, but they aren't going to talk to you much until you get accepted, and then they work hard to try to make it is that money isn't an issue for not being able to come. That doesn't mean you won't be able to get a very good deal somewhere else, as Stanford doesn't give out merit scholarships (unless you consider MSTP to kind of be one, but you trade time being a research peon).
Anyway, graduates have some of the lowest debt levels. Partly there are some kids from wealthy families, but lots of people on FA.
Anyone?
i turned mine in within a day so I didnt get it
I feel bad singling out one poor guy's comment here, and I'm glad that he has a plan/desire for something he wants to do that will help people. This may have been a quick typo or late night post, and I think we all think we know what he wants to do.
However, this is an example of what would be a red flag if I read it in a personal statement. Trauma surgery and emergency medicine are two different medical specialties, with different paths to get there. An emergency medicine division can be part of the department of surgery, but if it is, it's usually almost independent, and the residency programs for general surgery (which you do before a trauma fellowship) and EM are very different, and EM docs don't call themselves surgeons. Also, many people in EM don't like the term ER, and call the place the ED (emergency department), because at an academic center it is much more than a single room.
Anyway, at the risk of being picky, it struck me that it would help if you can get someone in a medical field to go over your personal statements a bit, and make sure the terminology is in line with more mainstream use. I'm not implying that the original author would write that phrasing in a secondary, but someone else might.
Good luck to you all in your applications, and keep chugging away, it's an ultra marathon, not a sprint.
There is a component of a scholarly project you need to complete. Some of these are artistic or creative projects, like a movie or photo essay or even a piece of literature. However, most are clinical or basic science research.
There are some flexible course requirements, which you can satisfy with electives in the medical school (that's really what the empty Weds slots are often used for), or in the University as a whole. The medical school is fully integrated into the University, as they are co-located, so you can take any course in the University as a whole, from French literature to electrical engineering. Classes in the design and business school are popular, but everyone makes their own path.
<2nd year student> Scholarly Concentrations are a lot less work and more flexible than undergraduate majors. Typically, there are only one or two required courses. You also have to take ~2 additional courses, but you can choose basically any courses you want, as long as you can justify your choice. Med Scholars/Scholarly Concentration are really what you make of them -- if you just want to get them out of the way, they are pretty easy and give you free money (you get money to do a scholarly project). If you are really excited about research/humanities/etc. , this program will give you all the resources you need to gain access to helpful classes, funding, and PIs.
I just did...guess I need to finish this one now.
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submitted!! why am i already checking my email for news...
As did I! Got tired of waiting for that one last LOR to come through so I just paid it. Good luck all!
Honestly? If you're asking about not having a paper/abstract, then probably. The point of having a publication is that it is a measurable unit of production. For better or worse, it is used as a measure of productivity. Then on top of that, the process of getting a paper written, going through the rounds of review, and getting it accepted can be a long travail as well. Once you've gone through that, you know what it's all about and can do more of it.
However, have a research publication is not the same thing as a contribution. The distinct tasks that you did were contributions; if you can work to make them into a coherent story about something you can try to get some opportunities to present them. There are always conferences and symposia looking for poster presentations and even student level talks.
Good luck!
