MSTP Admissions
Deadline for receipt of all application materials:
November 15, 2009 (11:59 pm PST)
2009-2010 Interview Days
October 19-20, 2009
November 9-10, 2009
December 7-8, 2009
January 25-26, 2010
February 22-23, 2010
NEW THIS YEAR, interviewing MSTP applicants will have two days of interviews.
Monday interviews will be with MSTP Admissions Committee Members for MSTP evaluation, Tuesday, the second day, will be with MD interviewers for MD evaluation. Interviewing applicants must be available both Monday and Tuesday.
The MD-PhD admissions process begins with submission of the AMCAS application. When an AMCAS application is received by the Office of MD Admissions, it is evaluated, and the information, forms, and instructions necessary for completion of Stanford's supplementary application are made available. When the application file is complete, it will be reviewed by members of the MSTP committee.
Admission to the Medical Scientist Training Program is contingent on acceptance to Stanford University MD program, and the application process for both programs is collaborative. All admissions materials, including AMCAS, Stanford Supplementary Application, letters of recommendation, MCAT scores, and final transcripts, are to be sent to the Stanford Medical School Admissions office. There is no need to send duplicate copies to the Medical Scientist Training Program office.
In addition to letters of recommendation for the MD application, the MSTP Committee wants to see letters from your research mentor, or mentors, addressing your experiences in the laboratory. Be sure that these letters are included in your application. The MSTP at Stanford does not require submission of GRE scores.
Applications that are not selected for MSTP interviews are automatically routed to Medical School Admissions to be considered for the MD program. Decisions by the MD admissions committee are made independently from the MSTP decision.
Stanford's MSTP is interested in identifying students with significant undergraduate research experience that would predict successful completion of a PhD program. In addition, our successful candidates must meet the standards expected of the very best MD candidates. Please see the MD Admissions site for additional information on Stanford University's Medical School Admissions policies, deadlines, admissions criteria, maps, directions to Stanford, and local accommodations.
Stanford MSTP is committed to expanding the participation of underrepresented minorities in our program, and to increasing the number of minorities in academic medicine. The Center for Excellence in Diversity has been established by the School of Medicine to support this goal.
Eligibility
Prerequisites, requirements, and consideration of international students for the MSTP follow the same guidelines as admission to the MD Program. However, stipend or tuition support from the MSTP can only be provided for U.S. citizens and permanent residents.
What is the interview process?
Stanford MSTP conducts interviews on designated Mondays during the admissions season, usually November through early February. We invite approximately 50 candidates for MSTP interviews. If you are selected, you will be contacted via email and asked to select from one or two dates for your interview day. Formal interviews are a one-day schedule, from 8:00 am - 5:30 pm. MSTP interviews cover both the MD and MD-PhD portions of your application and you will not need to schedule additional interviews for the MD application.
The second-year MSTP class plans an informal early dinner on Sunday evening prior to your interview day. This is an optional event that our students enjoy hosting as it provides a relaxed opportunity to meet you and answer questions about Stanford's MSTP.
Stanford MSTP does not provide travel funds for interviews (sorry).
Interview Schedule
| 7:30 | 8:00 | 9:00 | 10:00 | 11:00 | 12:00 | 1:00 | 2:00 | 3:30 | 4:00 - 5:30 |
| Arrive and name badge photos | Meet with MSTP Program Directors |
Faculty Interview |
Faculty Interview |
MSTP Student Interview |
Lunch with MSTP students |
MD Curriculum Overview | Faculty ResearchVisit |
Wrap-up with Program Directors | Med Center Tour |
Your interview day will begin with a morning meeting with the Program Directors to talk about the structure and unique aspects of the Stanford program. You will have formal interviews with faculty and advanced MSTP students, then with lunch with MSTP students, followed by an overview of the MD curriculum. You meet again with the Program Directors to wrap up the day and they will invite you to bring your questions and comments about the program and the admissions process. The day ends with a tour of the Medical Center given by a current MSTP student.
Afternoon appointments will be arranged with Stanford faculty whose research interests represent those you plan to pursue during your graduate work. You should use these informal meetings to learn about our faculty and potential research opportunities. You can familiarize yourself with faculty research interests through the Community Academic Profiles.
When will I hear about my MSTP application decision?
Decisions regarding your MSTP application will be made after the Medical School Admissions Committee has made a decision regarding your MD application. The Medical School Admissions Committee makes decisions on a rolling basis, and if you receive an 'Accept' to the MD program, you remain in the MSTP pool. If you receive a 'Hold' or 'Reject' from the MD program, the MSTP cannot make an offer to you….we can only make MSTP offers to candidates who have received an acceptance to the MD program.
MSTP offers will be made on a 'modified rolling basis'. Our program offers 8-10 new positions each year, and our offers are made with the expectation that student decisions can be made in a fairly short time frame. To facilitate your decision process, we encourage you to take advantage of your visit to the Stanford campus, advice from your mentors, and other sources you may identify, so that you have sufficient knowledge to decide if Stanford's MSTP is a good match for your interests and goals. Your ability to rank your choices for programs will greatly facilitate the entire admissions process both at Stanford and other programs across the country.
Internal Admissions
The Stanford MSTP invites applications from current
medical students who are already in a laboratory pursuing a research project.
The application consists of a research proposal based on the work in progress,
a letter of support from your research mentor, and an educational plan for your continued
progress in an MD/PhD program. These applications are solicited at the
end of Autumn quarter each year and are due early in Winter quarter. Please check with program administrator for the exact deadline date.
NIH GRADUATE PARTNERSHIPS PROGRAM (GPP): Please note that the Stanford MSTP is currently not participating in this program.
updated 08/11/2009
