2014-2015 Stanford University Application Thread

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Yes, by postal mail.
Postal mail only? Do they do these throughout the cycle or towards the end? I was complete in July but haven't heard a peep lol

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Postal mail only? Do they do these throughout the cycle or towards the end? I was complete in July but haven't heard a peep lol

I think the majority of rejection letters go out at the end of the cycle, but no need to lose hope/sleep now over it. Good luck!
 
I think the majority of rejection letters go out at the end of the cycle, but no need to lose hope/sleep now over it. Good luck!
They do tend to come at the end. Back in 2011, I got mine so late in the spring of 2012 that I didn't know I had one. I had already moved out of that apartment. Only to return this summer and realized that my former landlord had saved all my left over mails. I pinned it onto my wall as an interesting reminder now that I've interviewed already
 
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I understand that Stanford is heavily researched centered but have also read that the number of med school graduates choosing to become clinicians is increasing. Does anyone have any stats on that? What is the percentage of Stanford grads that choose academic medicine/ clinical medicine?
Wouldn't it be every MD graduate? Stanford likes research but it's my impression that only the MD/PhD students go on to have research as the majority of their career, unless an MD grad decides to get a PhD after which I assume is very rare.

I would hope each applicant would self-select (MD vs. MD/PhD) as an indication if they'd rather do mostly clinical medicine or research with their career.
 
Wouldn't it be every MD graduate? Stanford likes research but it's my impression that only the MD/PhD students go on to have research as the majority of their career, unless an MD grad decides to get a PhD after which I assume is very rare.

I would hope each applicant would self-select (MD vs. MD/PhD) as an indication if they'd rather do mostly clinical medicine or research with their career.

Many MDs still want to have a mostly research based career without doing the PhD. There's a good chance they will end up in research fellowships down the line during/after residency, and their research tends to be more translational/clinical.
 
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Anyone know when acceptances are supposed to begin?
 
Anyone know when acceptances are supposed to begin?

The first day was told that we should hear back within 6-8 weeks, so hopefully decisions will go out sometime between 11/12 and 11/26 (or so).
 
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Anyone know when acceptances are supposed to begin?
Exact words were: 6-7....or 8-9...
per current students that means we'll have to wait until the last day of week 9....hope not. :eyebrow:

The outside world spins around, how I feel inside everyday
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Since the minor car accident...I suddenly have a lot of free time. Here is what I dug out from Nemo123's last year's post for which she dug out somewhere...

http://med.stanford.edu/irt-resources/web_applications/mesa.html
I always had a impression/guess that Stanford will turn each application into a number by using a scale to evaluate each aspects of the application. Then various numbers will have various weight in the final decision. My reason behind this is because apparently the MMI results come purely in the form of numbers with no comments. Not sure if it is because the rater tend not to leave comments or if they weren't given the space on their portal to do so. I doubt Stanford is the only school that does this though, from what I heard, most schools (WashU for one) use rating system if not all.

This existence of this page goes to confirm my assumption.

However, this may not necessarily mean that Stanford isn't employing holistic approach. First the aspects being rated seem to encompass personal attributes. That was a generic example listed on the website. Since around 2013?, AAMC recommended all medical school to place a greater emphasis on the distance traveled and on other character related quality in the evaluation of the applicants. It seems that the app, if still used by Stanford, can be modified to add different tabs on the page of the reviewer portal and to ask them to evaluate additional quality. Second, humans are involved in the process in the steps of director review and committee review both pre and post interview respectively. Third, turning the quality of each and every aspects of the the applications will make sure that any unusual qualities of the applicants can be easier to keep track of. It must be hard for the brain to Re-process the entire application quickly in the later stage of the review and numbers will help them remember not to overlook something that's extra strong about an applicant.

It looks like the first acceptance went to someone who's extra extra amazing last year in late Nov. While the real wave came around early Dec. Which means that the committee was adhering to the time line promised and likely will do the same this year. But it'll be on the later side of the promise.

Good luck everyone who's waiting. I do wish time slips through a bit faster sometimes, but I guess in the future when I'm so busy in med school, I'll look back and consider myself a big fool to wish the gap year past more quickly. We only have about 9 month of "pre-med" life left...we should all enjoy while it last.
 
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Since the minor car accident...I suddenly have a lot of free time. Here is what I dug out from Nemo123's last year's post for which she dug out somewhere...

http://med.stanford.edu/irt-resources/web_applications/mesa.html
I always had a impression/guess that Stanford will turn each application into a number by using a scale to evaluate each aspects of the application. Then various numbers will have various weight in the final decision. My reason behind this is because apparently the MMI results come purely in the form of numbers with no comments. Not sure if it is because the rater tend not to leave comments or if they weren't given the space on their portal to do so. I doubt Stanford is the only school that does this though, from what I heard, most schools (WashU for one) use rating system if not all.

This existence of this page goes to confirm my assumption.

However, this may not necessarily mean that Stanford isn't employing holistic approach. First the aspects being rated seem to encompass personal attributes. That was a generic example listed on the website. Since around 2013?, AAMC recommended all medical school to place a greater emphasis on the distance traveled and on other character related quality in the evaluation of the applicants. It seems that the app, if still used by Stanford, can be modified to add different tabs on the page of the reviewer portal and to ask them to evaluate additional quality. Second, humans are involved in the process in the steps of director review and committee review both pre and post interview respectively. Third, turning the quality of each and every aspects of the the applications will make sure that any unusual qualities of the applicants can be easier to keep track of. It must be hard for the brain to Re-process the entire application quickly in the later stage of the review and numbers will help them remember not to overlook something that's extra strong about an applicant.

It looks like the first acceptance went to someone who's extra extra amazing last year in late Nov. While the real wave came around early Dec. Which means that the committee was adhering to the time line promised and likely will do the same this year. But it'll be on the later side of the promise.

Good luck everyone who's waiting. I do wish time slips through a bit faster sometimes, but I guess in the future when I'm so busy in med school, I'll look back and consider myself a big fool to wish the gap year past more quickly. We only have about 9 month of "pre-med" life left...we should all enjoy while it last.

I find this very interesting, especially this page, towards the bottom: http://med.stanford.edu/irt-resources/web_applications/mesa_ss1.html

I am curious what their "non-academic" standards are, and if this may be the reason we tend to see such a high proportion of artists/athletes interviewed, as compared to those without artistic/athletic endeavors.
 
I find this very interesting, especially this page, towards the bottom: http://med.stanford.edu/irt-resources/web_applications/mesa_ss1.html

I am curious what their "non-academic" standards are, and if this may be the reason we tend to see such a high proportion of artists/athletes interviewed, as compared to those without artistic/athletic endeavors.
As informative as it is, it seems that the picture wasn't the real thing, it's just a demo for the web based APP. It's also quite outdated. So I can't say.
 
Using penguin as profile pic = II invite.. I'm sensing a theme here......ummmm
 
Completely unexpected, but I got an II today! Also, LizzyM is 74 and complete mid August.
Congrats on the interview!! Do you mind me asking if you have substantial research experience?
 
Congrats on the interview!! Do you mind me asking if you have substantial research experience?

No that's why I'm really surprised. I have one year with prototype fabrication and no publication. Maybe someone is really interested in it?
 
No that's why I'm really surprised. I have one year with prototype fabrication and no publication. Maybe someone is really interested in it?
Well that's awesome to hear. I don't have any research so I figured attending here would be a pipe dream. Thanks for the feedback and best of luck on your interview!
 
What are your stats and when was your application complete?

I don't know why people feel comfortable just demanding to know others' stats & app dates...

Maybe check a couple of their previous posts first (LizzyM 75), or at least ask nicely.
 
I don't know why people feel comfortable just demanding to know others' stats & app dates...

Maybe check a couple of their previous posts first (LizzyM 75), or at least ask nicely.
I apologize if my question came off as rude. No I do not feel entitled to your stats and other information. Thank you for sharing whatever you were comfortable sharing.
 
interview coordinator told us 6-7 weeks, been exactly 6 weeks since my interview...
 
interview coordinator told us 6-7 weeks, been exactly 6 weeks since my interview...

Coming up on 7 weeks here, and no news yet....they might be on the slower end of the bracket this year. I don't think anyone has reported a post-interview decision yet.
 
did anyone here who received a rejection from md/phd later on receive an md-only invite? from browsing this thread it seems like that has happened to only one person and it was immediate (the next day or so). just wondering if anyone has received any more contact from stanford since that decision, whether it was a yes or no? thanks in advance!
 
does stanford normally call people according to when they interviewed?
 
Acceptance call last Friday! So they have started I guess.
Wait what?????!!!!! It already started?????!!!!!!! Omg I thought I didn't have to deal with the constant heart palpitation and periodically hyperventilation until much much later. I am 2 weeks behind you, so here goes my next 2 weeks which will be spent fantasizing about the call.
Congrats you lucky man!
 
So it that kind of it for people who interviewed on Oct 1 (the first day) or do they go out of order ever? (i.e., in a truly rolling system)
 
So it that kind of it for people who interviewed on Oct 1 (the first day) or do they go out of order ever? (i.e., in a truly rolling system)

Looking at last year's thread...6 people said they interviewed on the first day (10/2/13). 1 was accepted the Friday of the 6th week, 1 was later accepted on 2/4/14, 1 was waitlisted on 2/8/14, and 2 were rejected on 2/6/14. So it might not be a death knell, since that 2/4 person received an acceptance after others, but I don't think it's a particularly good sign. :/
 
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Looking at last year's thread...6 people said they interviewed on the first day (10/2/13). 1 was accepted the Friday of the 6th week, 1 was later accepted on 2/4/14, 1 was waitlisted on 2/8/14, and 2 were rejected on 2/6/14. So it might not be a death knell, since that 2/4 person received an acceptance after others, but I don't think it's a particularly good sign. :/

Great research. That girl who heard back so early last year was quite a MDApp legend that our morals cann't really measure up to. Current students said people who interview on the first few days have at least a 50% chance to be accepted. (Overall it's 40% chance) Her actual words were: "for those who actually showed up for interview, it's about 50%". Wait? There exist people who doesn't show up for Stanford interview??!!! Anyway.

Because people are completing earlier this year, they could probably fill the first few days all with the best applicants more so than before. I am predicting that, at the end of the year, Oct interviewees might have a even higher chance than 50:50. But that's just theory that I came up with to give myself some hope.

Honestly, I was a little speck among the giants and the extraordinaries whom I met on my day. It would not make me feel unjustified even if I don't end up hearing back.
 
did anyone here who received a rejection from md/phd later on receive an md-only invite? from browsing this thread it seems like that has happened to only one person and it was immediate (the next day or so). just wondering if anyone has received any more contact from stanford since that decision, whether it was a yes or no? thanks in advance!
Good luck Pink with getting MD II! Remember, the current director of MSTP program at Stanford was an Stanford MD only who was once rejected by the very program of which he has been in charge.
 
Good luck Pink with getting MD II! Remember, the current director of MSTP program at Stanford was an Stanford MD only who once rejected by the very program he has been in charge.

Wow. I did NOT know that. I wonder if this means they'll have more or less sympathy. :shrug: lol.
 
Great research. That girl who heard back so early last year was quite a MDApp legend that our morals cann't really measure up to. Current students said people who interview on the first few days have at least a 50% chance to be accepted. (Overall it's 40% chance) Her actual words were: "for those who actually showed up for interview, it's about 50%". Wait? There exist people who doesn't show up for Stanford interview??!!! Anyway.

Because people are completing earlier this year, they could probably fill the first few days all with the best applicants more so than before. I am predicting that, at the end of the year, Oct interviewees might have a even higher chance than 50:50. But that's just theory that I came up with to give myself some hope.

Honestly, I was a little speck among the giants and the extraordinaries whom I met on my day. It would not make me feel unjustified even if I don't end up hearing back.

I have a google doc with this information for every person who gave an interview date/response date...when I get nervous/panicky, I start trying to put things in numbers.

50% is nothing to sneeze at...but you have a point - people at my interview date were pretty accomplished, so I can see how it'd be a pretty competitive pool, and little boring me would have a hard time standing out. I'm trying to keep the faith, though - and good luck to you as well!
 
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care to share it? plz
I have a google doc with this information for every person who gave an interview date/response date...when I get nervous/panicky, I start trying to put things in numbers.

50% is nothing to sneeze at...but you have a point - people at my interview date were pretty accomplished, so I can see how it'd be a pretty competitive pool, and little boring me would have a hard time standing out. I'm trying to keep the faith, though - and good luck to you as well!
 
Completely unexpected, but I got an II today! Also, complete mid August.

Congrats! Would you mind telling us approximately when they're booking interviews for now?
 
Congrats! Would you mind telling us approximately when they're booking interviews for now?

There was 1 December date and 2 January dates, but when I went back to the calendar before confirming, the December date was already filled, so I had to pick a January date. The calendar went to April, so there's probably still plenty of time!
 
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