No-Transfer and Prior Enrollment Policy

Stanford Medicine maintains a strict no-transfer policy and does not accept applications for transfer.  

For purposes of this policy, Stanford Medicine defines enrollment as attendance at or participation in any pre-orientation program, orientation program, or class.

Stanford Medicine reserves the right to deny a supplemental application to applicants who have previously enrolled in another medical school domestically or abroad. Stanford Medicine may consider on a case by case basis, whether to grant a supplemental application to applicants who have engaged in a limited time of study (usually <2 years) of a medical degree program that combines undergraduate and medical studies.

Technical Standards

The MD degree is a broad undifferentiated degree attesting to general knowledge in medicine and the basic skills required for the practice of medicine. Technical Standards are defined as essential abilities and characteristics required for completion of the MD degree and consist of certain minimum physical and cognitive abilities and sufficient mental and emotional stability to assure that candidates for admission, promotion, and graduation are able to complete the entire course of study and participate fully in all aspects of medical training, with or without reasonable accommodation.

Technical Standards in conjunction with academic standards established by the faculty, are requirements for admission, promotion, and graduation. Delineation of technical standards is required for the accreditation of U.S. medical schools by the Liaison Committee on Medical Education. Although these standards serve to delineate the necessary physical and mental abilities of all candidates, they are not intended to deter any candidate for whom reasonable accommodation will allow the fulfillment of the complete curriculum. Candidates with questions regarding technical standards are encouraged to contact the School of Medicine Advising Coordinator immediately to begin to address what types of accommodation may be considered for development to achieve these standards. Admission to Stanford University School of Medicine is conditional on the candidate’s having the ability to satisfy these technical standards, with or without reasonable accommodation, and results from a process that examines and values all of the skills, attitudes and attributes of each candidate on a case-by- case basis.

For more information about technical standards, please visit Stanford University School of Medicine Technical, Non-Academic Standards.

Stanford University admits qualified students of any race, color, national or ethnic origin, sex, age, disability, religion, sexual orientation, gender identity, veteran status, or marital status to all the rights, privileges, programs, and activities generally accorded or made available to students at the University. Consistent with its obligations under the law, in the administration of the University's programs and activities, Stanford prohibits unlawful discrimination on the basis of race, color, national or ethnic origin, sex, age, disability, religion, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, veteran status, marital status or any other characteristic protected by applicable law; Stanford also prohibits unlawful harassment including sexual harassment and sexual violence.  This policy applies to Stanford programs and activities both on and off-campus, including overseas programs.

The following person has been designated to handle inquiries regarding this nondiscrimination policy: Stanford’s Director of the Diversity and Access Office, Rosa Gonzalez, Kingscote Gardens, 419 Lagunita Drive, Suite 130, Stanford, CA 94305-8550; (650) 723-0755 (voice), (650) 723-1791 (fax), equal.opportunity@stanford.edu (email). Stanford’s Title IX Coordinator, Catherine Glaze, has been designated to handle inquiries regarding sexual harassment and sexual violence: Kingscote Gardens (2nd floor), 419 Lagunita Drive, Stanford, CA 94305, (650) 497-4955 (voice), (650) 497-9257 (fax), titleix@stanford.edu (email).  Individuals may also file complaints directly with the Office for Civil Rights, within the United States Department of Education, by following the information on this website:  https://www2.ed.gov/about/offices/list/ocr/complaintintro.html.

Non-U.S. Citizens/DACA

U.S. Permanent Residents

For purposes of admissions and financial aid, U.S. permanent residents are managed similar to U.S. citizens.

International Applicants/Student Visas

International students must have studied for at least one academic year at an accredited college or university in the United States, Canada, or the United Kingdom prior to applying for admission.

International students are considered for admission to Stanford Medicine without regard to their country of origin. Prior to certification of an I-20 document, an international student must prove sufficient funds to meet one year of expenses while studying. Without written evidence of having financial support for one year, an international student will not be granted a student visa. Further information may be obtained from the Stanford Medicine Office of Medical School Admissions.

In order to register as a student, Stanford University requires that all international students must obtain and maintain an appropriate visa status for their stay in the U.S. For more information, please refer to the current section of the Stanford Bulletin on visas.

See also the Bechtel International Center.

DACA or Undocumented Applicants

Stanford has actively supported the DREAM Act legislation since its introduction in 2001, which would enable undocumented students to continue their education and apply for citizenship.  Stanford also supports Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA), an executive action signed by former President Barack Obama, which allowed some undocumented individuals who entered the United States as children to remain in the country.  We are among the more than 600 colleges and universities that have signed a letter in support of DACA.

Individuals who have been granted DACA at the time of application are eligible to apply and matriculate to Stanford Medicine.  Additionally, individuals who have met all other requirements and are otherwise undocumented are permitted to apply and matriculate to Stanford Medicine.

http://immigration.stanford.edu/

Acceptance Policy

All offers of admission are contingent on verification of the fulfillment of admission requirements by Graduate Admissions, Student and Academic Services, and Office of the University Registrar.

All offers of admission are also conditional upon: 

  • Successful and timely completion of undergraduate degree.
  • Maintaining academic performance and professionalism.
  • Satisfying Stanford Medicine's technical standards, with or without reasonable accommodation.
  • Passing a criminal background check.

Deferral of Enrollment

Accepted candidates may petition, in writing, for deferral of enrollment. Deferrals may be approved for up to two years for reasons related to the personal and professional circumstances of the admitted applicant and the furtherance of her/his educational plans. The request for deferral should provide an appropriate degree of detail. The final decision is at the discretion of the Associate Dean of MD Admissions.

Diversity and Access Office

Director of the Diversity and Access Office
Kingscote Gardens
419 Lagunita Drive (Suite 130)
Stanford, CA 94305-8550
(650) 723-0755 (voice)
(650) 723-1216 (TTY)
(650) 723-1791 (fax)

Title IX Office

Title IX Coordinator
Kingscote Gardens
419 Lagunita Drive (2nd Floor)
Stanford, CA 94305
(650) 497-4955 (voice)