How to Get Into Stanford Medical School: A Comprehensive Guide

Read our comprehensive guide on how to get into Stanford University School of Medicine for expert tips, insights, and more.

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Stanford University School of Medicine Acceptance Rate: 1.00%

The acceptance rate at Stanford University School of Medicine is 1.00%. Last year, 8,998 students applied, and 90 students matriculated. That means your odds of getting into Stanford Medicine are 1 in 100.

The table below depicts Stanford Medicine’s acceptance rates over the past four admissions cycles, according to archived data from the AAMC.

Over the last four years, Stanford Medicine has averaged an acceptance rate of 0.97%, meaning fewer than 1 in 100 applicants ultimately matriculated. This means about 99.03% of applicants each year did not enroll, underscoring the extreme level of admissions selectivity at Stanford Medicine.

Across this same period, the number of matriculants has been relatively stable, hovering around 90 students each year. In 2021–2022, Stanford Medicine received 11,321 applications, the highest in the dataset, but the class size remained fixed at 90, driving the acceptance rate down to 0.79%, the lowest in four years. 

In contrast, the 2022–2023 cycle saw a smaller pool of 8,407 applicants, which increased the acceptance rate to 1.07%, leaving more than 99 out of every 100 applicants without a seat.

Stanford Medicine has rejected, on average, 8,907 applicants each year, a figure that alone would be larger than the entire applicant pool of many U.S. medical schools. The ratio of rejected applicants to matriculants has averaged roughly 99 to 1 over the last four admissions cycles.

How Hard Is It to Get Into Stanford University School of Medicine?

It is extremely difficult to get into Stanford University School of Medicine. Over the last four admissions cycles, Stanford Medicine has averaged an acceptance rate of just 0.97%, making it one of the most selective medical schools in the world. 

In the 2024–2025 cycle, Stanford Medicine received 8,998 applications, but only 90 students matriculated. That means more than 99 out of every 100 applicants were denied admission.

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We created the Stanford University School of Medicine Admissions Difficulty Scale by comparing acceptance rates and overall selectivity across all accredited US medical schools.

What is Stanford University School of Medicine’s Acceptance Rate for In-State Applicants?

The approximate acceptance rate for in-state applicants at Stanford University School of Medicine is approximately 1.11%. Last year, Stanford Medicine received 2,879 verified in-state applications, and 32 students matriculated. That means just over 1 in 100 California residents matriculated.

In-state students account for about 32% of the total applicant pool, showing that while California residents apply in strong numbers, the school still draws heavily from beyond its home state.

What is Stanford University School of Medicine’s Acceptance Rate for Out-of-State Applicants?

The approximate acceptance rate for out-of-state applicants at Stanford University School of Medicine is 0.91%. Last year, out of 5,518 out-of-state applications, only 50 students matriculated. This translates to fewer than 1 in 100 out-of-state applicants matriculating.

Out-of-state candidates represent 61% of Stanford’s pool, reflecting the school’s national reputation and appeal to applicants nationwide.

What is Stanford University School of Medicine’s Acceptance Rate for International Students?

The approximate acceptance rate for international applicants at Stanford University School of Medicine is 1.33%. Last year, only 8 international students matriculated from a pool of 601 applicants.

International students make up 6.7% of the applicant pool, and while their odds are slightly higher than out-of-state applicants, fewer than 2 in 100 matriculate.

How Many People Apply to Stanford University School of Medicine Every Year?

In the most recent cycle, Stanford University School of Medicine received 8,998 verified applications, but only 90 students matriculated. Over the past four admissions cycles, the school has averaged around 9,400 applications per year, with the class size consistently capped at about 90 students.

How to Improve Your Chances of Getting Into Stanford University School of Medicine

Here are expert tips to help you improve your chances of getting into Stanford University School of Medicine.

1. Build a Cohesive Medical School Application Narrative for Stanford Medicine With Your Personal Statement, Secondary Essays, and Interview

A cohesive narrative is one of the most undervalued assets in a Stanford Medicine application. Applicants often assume their academic stats, activities, and essays can stand alone. But to Stanford Medicine’s admissions committee, a cohesive narrative can decide admissions.

We recently spoke with Dr. Johnson, who led a panel in an Inspira Advantage webinar. Dr. Johnson graduated from Stanford University School of Medicine and is an admissions counselor at Inspira Advantage. In the webinar, he said:

“The ones that are going to stand out are those where the picture is painted for them and it's cohesive and it makes sense ... Your narrative should be jumping from bit to bit and have little pieces of it to present something that's wrapped up in a nice bow tie.”

Dr. Johnson reinforces that instead of submitting an application that feels like a list of disconnected accomplishments, aim to build a single, coherent narrative that runs from your personal statement to your secondaries to your interviews. 

If your central theme is health equity, every element should refer to that, such as clinical experience in underserved areas, public health research, advocacy work, and even letters of recommendation that speak to these values.

2. Reflect on Your Strengths and Values Before Applying to Stanford Medicine

Stanford Medicine’s admissions process hinges on understanding who you are, not just what you’ve done. This requires a level of introspection that most applicants skip in favor of cramming in achievements. But at a school that prizes authenticity and diversity of thought, the admissions team seeks extensive depth.

Dr. Johnson also spoke about the value of reflection. He said:

“[Think about] what qualities, traits would make me a good doctor? It's different for everyone … maybe it's your perseverance, maybe it's your ability to connect with people.”

You can start by journaling or voice-recording answers to questions like: 

• What moments changed how I see medicine? 
• When did I feel most fulfilled helping someone? 

Then map your insights to AAMC core competencies such as ethical reasoning, teamwork, or resilience. Stanford Medicine is known for producing innovators and leaders in research and policy, but those paths start with self-knowledge. 

Demonstrating that you’ve thought deeply about your character will help you stand out in the admissions process, as Stanford Medicine values this introspection.

3. Write a Standout Personal Statement for Stanford Medicine

Your personal statement is the entire core of your application. While every med school reads it, Stanford Medicine puts particular weight on this section because it reveals something stats cannot: your personality, priorities, and narrative voice.

Dr. Johnson provided expert advice on how to approach your personal statement. He said:

“You have to tell a story. You have to be cohesive. But you have to give it depth as well ... Show them how you embody the principles of being a doctor.”

Instead of using the personal statement to summarize everything, choose one story that entirely encapsulates your journey. Write about how your experience impacted you and shaped who you’ll be as a physician. 

Avoid clichés like “I’ve always wanted to help people.” Instead, focus on special formative moments, like working at a mobile clinic, translating for a parent, navigating your own illness, and tie them to a larger theme like justice, curiosity, or trust. Stanford Medicine is looking for voice-driven writing that feels personal, not performative.

4. Know How to Strengthen Your Weaknesses in Your Stanford Application

Stanford Medicine’s holistic review allows space for weaknesses only if they’re honest, thoughtful, and growth-oriented. Admissions officers aren’t expecting perfection from every applicant. They’re looking for self-awareness and the ability to reflect on challenges without deflecting responsibility.

Dr. Johnson reflected upon his approach to strengthening weaknesses. He suggested:

“There’s a key difference between showing growth and twisting something into a strength ... It’s not about the challenge itself—it’s about how you approached it.”

That means you should avoid generic responses like “I’m a perfectionist.” Instead, pick a real limitation, like fear of public speaking, difficulty setting boundaries, or a moment of burnout, and show how it shaped you. 

For example, if you failed an organic chemistry exam, address how you changed your study system, found support, and developed resilience. This type of reflection shows Stanford Medicine admissions officers that you’re emotionally grounded enough to handle the intense demands of medical training.

5. Learn How to Address Gaps or Imperfections in Your Application

Even the strongest Stanford Medicine applicants have application gaps. Whether it’s a low GPA semester, a gap year, or switching majors, Stanford Medicine doesn’t automatically penalize these as long as you address them honestly and strategically.

Dr. Johnson provided expert insight on addressing imperfections in your application. He highlighted:

“There is always, always a story to tell … It's always more important to be honest about that and acknowledge those gaps and show how you're growing to fill them.”

If there’s an issue in your transcript, don’t leave it unexplained. Use your secondary essays to contextualize the situation and, more importantly, emphasize what changed.

Stanford Medicine seeks applicants who can grow from adversity, not cover it up. A recovery story, told with reflection and humility, is often more compelling than a clear, straight-A record.

6. Know How to Use Every Section of the Stanford Medical School Application Effectively

One of the biggest mistakes applicants make is redundancy. Stanford Medicine’s application is long because it wants depth in an applicant’s story. Dr. Johnson’s approach ensures “you're not repeating the same story, the same values, and therefore wasting that precious space.”

That means: 

• Your personal statement should focus on your “why.” 
• Your most meaningful activities should show your “how.” 
• Your secondaries should reveal your “fit” and “who.” 
• Your letters of recommendation should provide external validation. 

Your Stanford Medicine is akin to building a 360-degree view of yourself. Every section should complement the others, not repeat the same information.

7. Work With a Former Admissions Officer

Working with a former Stanford University School of Medicine admissions officer is the best way to improve your admissions odds. At Inspira Advantage, our former admissions officers work with each applicant to strengthen their weaknesses, reinforce their application narrative through personal statement drafts and essays, and prepare for interviews with mock sessions.

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With expert guidance from a med school admissions advisor, you can overcome the extremely selective acceptance rate at Stanford Medicine and matriculate this application cycle.

Stanford University School of Medicine MD Programs Offered

Here are the 10 MD programs offered at Stanford University School of Medicine.

Stanford University School of Medicine Tuition and Scholarships

Here are the tuition and fees for in-state and out-of-state students at Stanford University School of Medicine.

How Much Does Stanford University School of Medicine Cost for 4 Years?

The estimated total cost of attendance for a four-year MD program at Stanford University School of Medicine is approximately $204,228 for students living off-campus. This figure includes tuition, fees, living expenses, transportation, insurance, and academic supplies over the span of 16 quarters. 

Students living on campus can expect a slightly lower estimated total of $146,148, though costs vary depending on housing choices and personal spending.

These projections are based on Stanford Medicine’s official 2025–2026 cost of attendance figures, with tuition alone totaling $92,884 across four quarters and standard non-tuition expenses, such as rent, food, and insurance, accounting for the remainder.

Scholarships

Stanford Medicine offers scholarships to reduce the cost of medical education. Financial aid is awarded through a combination of need-based grants, scholarships, and low-interest federal loans. The two primary scholarships at Stanford Medicine are Knight-Hennessy Scholars and Medical Scholars Research Program (MedScholars).

Students are automatically considered for merit-based scholarships during admissions, and many receive need-based assistance after submitting financial documentation.

Stanford University School of Medicine Application Timeline

Here is the 2025-2026 application timeline for Stanford University School of Medicine.

FAQs

1. Does Stanford Medicine Accept Updates or Letters of Intent After Applying?

Yes, Stanford University School of Medicine accepts application updates and letters of intent. However, these can be submitted after an applicant has been invited to interview.

2. Is Research Experience Required to Apply to Stanford Medicine?

No, research experience is not required to apply to Stanford Medicine. However, an average of only 1% of applicants in the last four admissions cycles applied without research experience, so it’s highly recommended to have relevant research experience.

3. How Important Are Non-Clinical Activities for Stanford Medicine?

Non-clinical activities such as volunteering or community service are considered very important at Stanford Medicine. Last year, only 17% of applicants had no volunteering/community service experience.

4. Do I Need a Science Major to Apply to Stanford Medicine?

No, you don’t need a science major to apply to Stanford Medicine because admissions officers accept students from all academic backgrounds. While most applicants major in a science-related field, many accepted students come from the humanities, engineering, and social sciences. What matters most is that you demonstrate strong competency in core scientific principles and clinical readiness.

Get Accepted to Stanford Medicine With Our Support

Gaining admission to Stanford University School of Medicine is an extraordinary achievement, and for good reason. With one of the lowest acceptance rates in the country and a curriculum that combines discovery with innovation, Stanford Medicine attracts applicants who are not only academically excellent but also future leaders in medicine, research, policy, and entrepreneurship.

To stand out, you must set yourself apart from thousands of other applicants. Working with a former admissions officer at Inspira Advantage can help you matriculate this admissions cycle. With over 15 years of experience helping applicants matriculate to Stanford Medicine, our admissions officers know how to improve your application.

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Dr. Jonathan Preminger was the original author of this article. Snippets of his work may remain.