Stanford School of Medicine

[BloodySurgeon]

Out of all the medical schools in the world, my number one choice is Stanford. But this forum is not about my personal interest. On the stanford admission page, it says that a foreign language (spanish or asian language) and physical chemistry is recommended. I dun mind taking a second language, but I really don't want to take p-chem. I was wondering if there is anyone here that has been accepted to stanford without taking p-chem and/or a foreign language. Also, what were your stats and do you have any recommendations.

*I'm obsessed with stanford so the more info the better (e.g. Interview, etc.)

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[Arc]

In all honsety, I wouldn't know. You would have a better chance asking in the Med students form. For optimal results, you should take it. What dosent kill your GPA only makes it stronger.



And since i'm a Biochemist, I'm gonna get forced into the subject either way. Stanford, is just too close to home. If anything, thats probably why I would apply there.

 

[BloodySurgeon]

What dosent kill your GPA only makes it stronger.

I am usually very good in chem, all A's and pretty good with problems on MCATs. But looking at those p-chem question, scare the bajeezus out of me.

And a couple of my friends, who are biochem majors, say that this class is no doubt the hardest requirment for their major. So will it hurt my GPA, yes. Will it make me stonger, maybe, but my heart may brake in two when I get a C or lower.

However, if stanford wants, stanford gets. I just hope that I don't jump off a bridge and find out that the adcoms were just using a figure of speech.

 

[Arc]

If you aproach the class with ab attitude like that, you are gonna fail. Before taking that class, chalenge yourself by taking a class like Calculus based-physics, or Calc 2 & 3, so that the logic of the problems dosent faze you.
I'm not too worried about that class, becuase when it comes time to take it, I'll be ready.

I guess I'll apply to Stanford if GPA is above a 3.5. A 2 hou drive for in interview isnt all that bad.

 

[A Tree]

My bff is a first year and she did not take pchem. I have an interview there, and I did. pchem sucked but it built character.

 

[seadizzle]

If you think you are going to get a C in it (not very good at math), then don't take it.

If you think you will get a B+ or better, take it.

The best indication of how you will do in that class imo is second semester calculus based physics or multivariable calc.

 

[airshad8]

If you think you are going to get a C in it (not very good at math), then don't take it.

If you think you will get a B+ or better, take it.

The best indication of how you will do in that class imo is second semester calculus based physics or multivariable calc.

I took Pchem. Got an A in it. I know 5 languages (including several South Asian, Middle Eastern, and Spanish). What I don't have is a damn interview from Stanford...so BLAH!

 

[luv2sd]

I took Pchem. Got an A in it. I know 5 languages (including several South Asian, Middle Eastern, and Spanish). What I don't have is a damn interview from Stanford...so BLAH!

low GPA/MCAT then? BLAH

 

[airshad8]

low GPA/MCAT then? BLAH

40S/3.7x...Just applied late😡

 

[luv2sd]

40S/3.7x...Just applied late😡

let me guess
you didn't even apply to Stanford 😱

 

[airshad8]

let me guess
you didn't even apply to Stanford 😱

...What? No I applied late. Gunner much?

 

[farikanok]

i have an interview at stanford in a couple of months... didn't take p-chem... speak 2 languages in addition to english

 

[Gabujabu]

Had an interview there in November...Spanish minor, no pchem...really, these are just suggestions and shouldn't affect your application much.

 

[photo_girl07]

Just interviewed there...it's really an awesome (magical 😛 ) place.

I did not take p-chem and I speak two other langs (other than Eng)

Glck

 

[Writer1985]

I speak almost-fluent French, a little Spanish (conversational, and I took a Medical Spanish course to learn health terms) and I know a regional Indian language (but don't get too much chance to speak it, so my pronunciation is not so hot). Taking pchem right now as a fourth-year. AMCAS in June, Stanford secondary in August. Rejection in October.

Moral: They may like Spanish and pchem, but it won't necessarily get you an interview.

 

[Ridcully]

Just interviewed there...it's really an awesome (magical 😛 ) place.

Just out of curiosity, what stood out to you the most when you interviewed at Stanford? I've interacted a lot with the med school and their students, in terms of classes/research/volunteering, and while it's definitely a great place, I'm not sure why people refer to it like the Disneyland of med schools. Very likely I'm getting a different perspective than what interviewees get, so I'd just like to know...what sold you on the school?

 

[photo_girl07]

Just out of curiosity, what stood out to you the most when you interviewed at Stanford? I've interacted a lot with the med school and their students, in terms of classes/research/volunteering, and while it's definitely a great place, I'm not sure why people refer to it like the Disneyland of med schools. Very likely I'm getting a different perspective than what interviewees get, so I'd just like to know...what sold you on the school?

Well, I think my interview date was extremely well scheduled...they are super friendly and help you out.

they do a really great job about giving you options here- you can get involved in the Med scholars program, TAships, travel scholars (essentially you get paid for research, TAing, travel pjts....). Also, Stanford grads have the lowest debt (next the Uniformed Services). And you can take an additional yr at (the cost of next to nothing...i think 15% cost of tuition). Also, you have access the undergrad campus...if you wanna take classes (even golf on their course 😀 .

The campus is beautiful and the weather (unbeatable). And most ppl I met were really happy...I guess it was more of a personal thing...everyone may have different opinions. Just my 0.02$

glck

 

[szhao]

40S/3.7x...Just applied late😡

lol if ur a girl want to be my best friend, so u can teach me how to be smart

 

[szhao]

I did not take p-chem and I speak two other langs (other than Eng)

not sure why this matters, but your magical, does computer languages count? hehe

 

[Towelie]

I didn't take pchem and my only language is English. I interviewed there a month ago. Don't worry about the suggestions of the website.

Stanford seems very interested in non-traditional students--much more than most schools. Their class is 53% minorities (half of which are URMs), and they have 7 previous PhDs in their first year class this year. I would think that the best way to get in there would be to really focus on the "different" areas of your application, that make you a unique candidate. I imagine it would be tough to get in there as a bio/chem/physics major with no time off after college, unless you did something absolutely extraordinary. In addition, you should make sure to focus on your research--from what I've heard, they only want students who are research oriented (it's part of their mission).

Stanford is definitely my top choice, even above Harvard and Hopkins.

 

[akademiks1989]

If you plan on taking a language, take Arabic. It is hard and challenging, but once you get it, it feels so damn good.

Good luck.

 

[szhao]

I didn't take pchem and my only language is English. I interviewed there a month ago. Don't worry about the suggestions of the website.

Stanford seems very interested in non-traditional students--much more than most schools. Their class is 53% minorities (half of which are URMs), and they have 7 previous PhDs in their first year class this year. I would think that the best way to get in there would be to really focus on the "different" areas of your application, that make you a unique candidate. I imagine it would be tough to get in there as a bio/chem/physics major with no time off after college, unless you did something absolutely extraordinary. In addition, you should make sure to focus on your research--from what I've heard, they only want students who are research oriented (it's part of their mission).

Stanford is definitely my top choice, even above Harvard and Hopkins.

do u mean bio/chem/physics as bio or chem or physics, how about bio and chem and physics for the same person. i can't imagine why it would be disadvantaged against per say a psychology major, granted there are research topics in psychology and medicine, but not as much as biology and medicine. i do agree that if it is a research oriented school, research is probably important.

 

[pyrois]

I am usually very good in chem, all A's and pretty good with problems on MCATs. But looking at those p-chem question, scare the bajeezus out of me.

And a couple of my friends, who are biochem majors, say that this class is no doubt the hardest requirment for their major. So will it hurt my GPA, yes. Will it make me stonger, maybe, but my heart may brake in two when I get a C or lower.

However, if stanford wants, stanford gets. I just hope that I don't jump off a bridge and find out that the adcoms were just using a figure of speech.

My sister is over there. She didn't take pchem, nor did any of her roommates.

 

[pyrois]

If you plan on taking a language, take Arabic. It is hard and challenging, but once you get it, it feels so damn good.

Good luck.

From English, Arabic is a level 4 language. In fact it's the third most difficult language to learn according to the whatever language group thing. Only two languages harder are Chinese (Mandarin/Cantonese) and Japanese.

 

[szhao]

My sister is over there. She didn't take pchem, nor did any of her roommates.

can your sister be my best friend if i get in on the small chance of .0001%

 

[Towelie]

do u mean bio/chem/physics as bio or chem or physics, how about bio and chem and physics for the same person. i can't imagine why it would be disadvantaged against per say a psychology major, granted there are research topics in psychology and medicine, but not as much as biology and medicine. i do agree that if it is a research oriented school, research is probably important.

I think that bio, or chem, or physics majors straight out of college would be at a big disadvantage at a school like Stanford, because they fit into the mold of a "typical" pre-med. A psychology major straight out of college would also be at a disadvantage, but not to the same extent. They seem to go out of their way to take unique students, who are not typical pre-med students. Thus, their average age is high compared to similar schools, and they have a lot of minorities and students with very diverse experiences. My pre-medical advisors told me that Stanford considers research more than any other school in the country, and that they only want students that have the potential to be future researchers.

 

[szhao]

I think that bio, or chem, or physics majors straight out of college would be at a big disadvantage at a school like Stanford, because they fit into the mold of a "typical" pre-med. A psychology major straight out of college would also be at a disadvantage, but not to the same extent. They seem to go out of their way to take unique students, who are not typical pre-med students. Thus, their average age is high compared to similar schools, and they have a lot of minorities and students with very diverse experiences. My pre-medical advisors told me that Stanford considers research more than any other school in the country, and that they only want students that have the potential to be future researchers.

hehe good to know, i just hope the csc, math, and physics gives me something than nothing. thanks

 

[Stolenspatulas]

my student host at columbia was an econ major and told me he just shifted into premed his junior year (and ended up taking all the required courses). he did not take pchem, at least im pretty sure he didnt. out of the top schools that he applied to (and he applied to all of em), he said he had a choice bw stanford and columbia... he told me that stanford interviews less than 200 applicants a year... it was my understanding that stanford may be the hardest top school to get into outside of maybe harvard and ucsf.... but from stories like these, it seems there is no method to their maddness.... stanford saw in him something that other top schools didnt. i really think u cant prep yourself for these things (unless someone creates some sort of databank and finds patterns of acceptance due to nature/length/leadership of extracurricular activities)


ive also heard that stanford loves college athletes.

 

[photo_girl07]

my student host at columbia was an econ major and told me he just shifted into premed his junior year (and ended up taking all the required courses). he did not take pchem, at least im pretty sure he didnt. out of the top schools that he applied to (and he applied to all of em), he said he had a choice bw stanford and columbia... he told me that stanford interviews less than 200 applicants a year... it was my understanding that stanford may be the hardest top school to get into outside of maybe harvard and ucsf.... but from stories like these, it seems there is no method to their maddness.... stanford saw in him something that other top schools didnt. i really think u cant prep yourself for these things (unless someone creates some sort of databank and finds patterns of acceptance due to nature/length/leadership of extracurricular activities)


ive also heard that stanford loves college athletes.

I think Stanford does have a lower acceptance rate (even compared to Haarvard)...but as above posters have mentioned, they really want someone who is unique.

This year, they received 6500 applications...interview close to 300-500 and admit double their class size (86 right now).

So, it's a long shot (even at the interview phase....but it's a amazing school 😍

 

[Towelie]

Stanford stats:

Applied: 5648
Interviewed: 362
Accepted: 163
Enrolled: 86


However, there is a huge difference in the interviewed/accepted ratio for in-state vs. out of state. If you are in state, you have about a 30% chance of being accepted post-interview. If you are out of state, your chance is exactly equal to 50%.

They really don't give out many interviews. Far less than any other top 10 school (Harvard, for example, interviews over 1000).

 

[airshad8]

lol if ur a girl want to be my best friend, so u can teach me how to be smart

Sorry bro-I am neither😛

 

[airshad8]

If you plan on taking a language, take Arabic. It is hard and challenging, but once you get it, it feels so damn good.

Good luck.

Also because it's so awesome- you can yell YALLAH! and say YANNI anytime you're frustrated-
or at least that's what i primarily use it for...

 

[farikanok]

Also because it's so awesome- you can yell YALLAH! and say YANNI anytime you're frustrated-
or at least that's what i primarily use it for...

yalla ya akhi yalla!

 

[etngu]

Towelie: would you mind telling me where you got those admission stats? It says something else in the MSAR.

 

[nozzie]

I received an interview from Stanford and did not take pchem. I do however speak an Asian language (but, imo, I really doubt that this played a significant role in their decision to interview me).

 

[Arc]

If you can bring something unique to your application that doesn't make you look like the average 4.0, 42S MCAT geek then you have a chance. I know someone got into Stanford as a undergrad, and I'm guessing thats it.

 

[Towelie]

Towelie: would you mind telling me where you got those admission stats? It says something else in the MSAR.

US News.

 

[gsingh]

Well, I think my interview date was extremely well scheduled...they are super friendly and help you out.

they do a really great job about giving you options here- you can get involved in the Med scholars program, TAships, travel scholars (essentially you get paid for research, TAing, travel pjts....). Also, Stanford grads have the lowest debt (next the Uniformed Services). And you can take an additional yr at (the cost of next to nothing...i think 15% cost of tuition). Also, you have access the undergrad campus...if you wanna take classes (even golf on their course 😀 .

The campus is beautiful and the weather (unbeatable). And most ppl I met were really happy...I guess it was more of a personal thing...everyone may have different opinions. Just my 0.02$

glck

Hey
I just received an interview invitation from stanford. I was trying to sign up online, but there are no days open till april. Did you have similar problems? I dont want to interview that late. do u know if we can change a day after initial scheduling?
Thanks

 

[byong_soo]

gsingh, there is no option to change schedule after your initial scheduling. Yea they are almost running out of spot I suspect. Sign up asap as you can! =)