Palo Alto, CA
Allopathic Medical Schools | Private Non-Profit
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Overall, applicants ranked the school in the top 11% of interviews, indicating it is highly regarded. They found the interview generally impressive with a moderate stress level and felt they did okay.
⭐ Overall Impressions ▼
SDN Interview Experience Score
8.4
Above Average
Higher scores indicate a smoother, more positive interview experience with professional staff, organized logistics, and a supportive environment.
Based on 257 responses
Score Reference:
9–10 Exceptional
8–8.9 Very Good
7–7.9 Good
6–6.9 Mixed
< 6 Needs Improvement
The SDN Interview Experience Score (SIES) is a composite metric that represents applicants overall impressions of their interview experience, based on multiple factors such as professionalism, facilities, responsiveness, and stress levels.
What was the stress level of the interview?
Most respondents rated their interview as average stress.
How do you rank this school among ALL other schools?
Most respondents rank this school above all other schools.
How did the interview impress you?
Most respondents felt positively about their interview.
Positively (80%)
Negatively (8%)
No change (13%)
How you think you did?
Most respondents thought they performed well at the interview.
Great (41%)
Good (31%)
Average (15%)
Poor (13%)
What are your general comments?
Applicants generally found Stanford to be an amazing school with a strong emphasis on research opportunities, individualized attention, and a welcoming campus environment. Feedback highlighted the personalized interview experience, the campus beauty, and the importance of faculty interviewers in shaping overall impressions.
Top 5 Responses: (Click below to see additional responses)
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Stanford was my #1 choice going into interview day and cemented itself at the top of my list afterwards.
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Loved the school.
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Everyone told me about research, research, research--and did we mention everybody gets paid to do it? Also, they use a "flipped classroom" model which is the greatest thing since the Flexner Report (it actually does sound nice but the administration's self-regard on this matter is a bit over the top). In general, the day was well-organized and the MMI was clearly thought out well. I wish they could try to involve more 4th/5th year students so we can get a sense of the clinical years!
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This school is really big on 'personalizing' your education. Consequently you do everything one on one. Meet with the dean one on one. Financial aid one on one. Each interview was paired with one student on the interview. You really only at with the other 2-4 interviewees at lunch...interesting...
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The campus is gorgeous, and some of the admissions staff is really friendly. I was blown away by the facilities and buildings. But overall I left feeling unimpressed due to the unfriendliness of my interviewers.
💬 Interview Process ▼
Length, number, and type of interviews
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Length:
47 Minutes Average
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Number:
2.5 Interviews Average
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Interview Type (Interaction):
100% One-on-One
0% Group Interview
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File Type:
95% Open-File
5% Closed-File
Stanford-COMP interviews are an average of 47 minutes, with an average of 2.5 interviews. 100% of interviews are one-on-one, and 5% are closed-file.
What is one of the specific questions they asked you?
The most commonly asked interview questions at medical schools include inquiries about the applicant's background, research experiences, career goals, reasons for pursuing medicine, specific volunteer work, family background, and areas of specialty interest. Some respondents mentioned being subject to an MMI format interview with nondisclosure agreements, while others were asked about their research contributions, interests, and motivations for choosing medicine as a career, often in a detailed and personalized manner.
Top 5 Responses: (Click below to see additional responses)
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NDA
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Can't say
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Can't say! Signed an NDA.
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Tell me about yourself?
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Tell me about your research in X. Have you thought about what your academic concentration be? Why Stanford? Detailed research questions.
What was the most interesting question?
Students said most interesting question asked at Stanford University School of Medicine discussed a wide range of topics, including ethical dilemmas, personal motivations for pursuing medicine, and specific details about their research projects. The interview format may have been an MMI (Multiple Mini Interview) based on responses that hinted at unique or scenario-based questions, possibly subject to a nondisclosure agreement given the lack of specific examples shared publicly.
Top 5 Responses: (Click below to see additional responses)
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I got asked to discuss a problem in an interviewer's lab.
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Why medicine and not law?
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If a patient was brain dead and on life support, how would you make the decision on whether or not to discontinue life support?
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What makes Stanford different?
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N/A
How did you prepare for the interview?
Many applicants prepared for their interviews by extensively reviewing school websites, Student Doctor Network (SDN), and their application materials. They also engaged in conversations with current students, read up on curriculum specifics, and practiced answering standard questions commonly asked during medical school interviews.
Top 5 Responses: (Click below to see additional responses)
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A lot of MMI prep
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Read up on MMI
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Looked up MMI materials available online, especially related to McMaster University. These were very helpful in feeling prepared for the types of prompts to expect, though every MMI is different.
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SDN, website, secondary
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SDN, school website
What was the most difficult question?
Students said the most difficult question asked at Stanford University School of Medicine discussed a wide range of topics including justifying research projects, Nobel Prize winners, healthcare systems, ethical dilemmas, personal motivations for pursuing medicine, and leadership qualities. The interviews, possibly in an MMI format, also delved into specific research questions and the challenges faced by physicians today, with some respondents mentioning nondisclosure agreements and conversational yet detailed queries.
Top 5 Responses: (Click below to see additional responses)
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I got asked to discuss a problem in an interviewer's lab.
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None
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Detailed research questions: What temperature are your samples stored at, what issues have you encountered in your research, what future considerations are you looking toward, I think you and your PI are wasting your time: Justify your research project.
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Which of your recommenders knows you best?
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N/A
What impressed you positively?
Applicants were overwhelmingly impressed by the beautiful campus and facilities, the friendly and enthusiastic student body, the generous financial aid, and the plethora of research opportunities available at Stanford Medical School. Many highlighted the low student debt, pass/fail grading system, and the flexibility of the curriculum as additional positive aspects of the institution.
Top 5 Responses: (Click below to see additional responses)
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The facilities at the school were amazing, the opportunity to do interdisciplinary research or obtain a dual-degree in any of Stanford's other excellent programs, and the people - the students were genuinely excited to meet the interviewees and took a lot of time out of their day to talk to us.
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Flexmed curriculum
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Amazing research opportunities, lots of money for students
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Friendliness and contentment of the student body. Focus on innovation. Abundant research opportunities. Gorgeous campus. Evident prosperity of the school.
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Smallness of the class, how happy everyone was, there's tons of money for students
What impressed you negatively?
Applicants commonly expressed concerns about weak clinical rotations, unimpressive clinical sites, lack of engagement with potential negatives of the school, a cold or disinterested demeanor from interviewers, a suburban location with limited activities, outdated facilities, long class hours, and a focus on research over clinical training. Suggestions included improving clinical experiences, enhancing interviewer professionalism, updating facilities, providing more engaging class hours, and balancing research with clinical training.
Top 5 Responses: (Click below to see additional responses)
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Clinical rotations seem weak.
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Clinical sites were average
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Did not get to meet anyone who had done any clinical rotations; this was especially disappointing given that the quality of these rotations is the weakest part of Stanford's reputation. With the students, a lack of self-reflection/engagement with potential negatives of the school.
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The location
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My student interviewer was harsh in the questions being asked. It was not what I expected from a student, and reflected poorly on the school in my opinion. After a seemingly good interview with a faculty, I asked for e-mail contact and was told "no, I don't need fan mail." Kind of cold and shocking.
What did you wish you had known ahead of time?
Applicants commonly wished they had known about the length and intensity of the interviews, the importance of preparing for detailed research questions, the potential for financial aid limitations, and the diverse experiences offered by the school. Many also noted the campus layout and the suburban surroundings of Stanford as surprises they wished they had been informed about in advance.
Top 5 Responses: (Click below to see additional responses)
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This is the most minor thing but it was quite warm on interview day, maybe bring a water bottle for the campus tour?
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The interview itself was not very stressful.
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The Bay Area can still be cold
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I would mostly meet M1s and not get to ask anyone about the clinical experience.
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That the tour was gonna be really long.
🤝 Campus and Facilities ▼
How do you rank the facilities?
Most respondents rank the facilities as above average.
How would you rate the Location and Cultural Life?
0 = Low, 10 = High
How is the friendliness of the admissions office?
Most respondents said the admissions office was friendly.
How is the responsiveness of the admissions office?
Most respondents said the admissions office was responsive.
What are your suggestions for the admissions office?
Applicants commonly suggest that the admissions office provide clearer instructions for interview confirmation to reduce stress and confusion. Additionally, applicants appreciate friendly and organized admissions staff and thorough, informative orientations.
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The interview invitation says you have to "confirm" your interview five business days beforehand. This is confusing. Do you have to email, or call? Exactly five business days, or at least (or at most)? Will the office reach out and remind you? This has caused numerous applicants stress, and it doesn't seem to be an actual requirement.
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Stanford does a superb job of executing a very thorough, informative orientation.
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This was the friendliest, most helpful, most organized admissions staff in my experience!
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Thank you for the wonderful day!!
📍 Travel and Logistics ▼
Airports Used
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SFO
60% interviewees used SFO (SFO), with 25% using SJC (SJC) and 5% using sjc (sjc) and 5% using San Jose (San Jose) and 5% using DCA (DCA).
What was your primary mode of transportation?
Most interviewees traveled by airplane to the interview.
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59% Airplane
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32% Automobile
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5% Train or Subway
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3% Other
Hotels Recommended by Other Interviewees
Most interviewees stayed at the Hotel California (average ranking 7/10), with some staying at Stanford Guest House (average rating 10/10). (Top 3 displayed)
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Hotel California
7/10
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Stanford Guest House
10/10
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SLAC
8/10
What was the cost and time spent traveling?
Cost: Low Cost to High Cost
What is your in-state status?
Most respondents are out of state students.
Where did you stay?
Most respondents stayed either With students at the school or with students at the school.
Who was the tour given by?
Tours were most commonly given by a Student
Student (100%)
How did the tour guide seem?
Most tour guides were enthusiastic about the school.
Enthusiastic (95%)
Neutral (5%)
All Responses
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