Stanford University School of Medicine: what it looks for, GPA and MCAT
Stanford University School of Medicine is a private medical school in California (Palo Alto).
What Stanford University School of Medicine says it looks for
Experiences
Letters encouraged to illuminate leadership, innovation, research independence, clinical/caring experience, cultural humility and advocacy.
Qualities
Past accomplishments demonstrating originality, creativity and independent critical thinking explicitly sought.
Mission and background
Interest in advancing medicine and biomedical science.
The school names these on its own admissions pages. It is not a full list of how it decides. Summarized from the school's admissions page, checked October 2026. Not a ranking, a rubric or a prediction of admission.
Admissions statistics
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| Median GPA of admitted students | 3.96 |
| Median MCAT of admitted students | 520 |
| Interview invite rate | 5.1% |
| School type | Private |
| State | California |
| Applications (AAMC FACTS Table A-1, 2025-2026) | 9,793 |
| Matriculants | 90 |
| In-state share of entering class | 40% |
Sources: GPA, MCAT and interview rate: 2026 school dataset (dataset updated 2026-08-04). Applications and entering class: AAMC FACTS Table A-1, 2025-2026. Not a ranking or a prediction of admission. AesculaMD is not affiliated with Stanford University School of Medicine, the AAMC or AACOM.
Common questions
What does Stanford University School of Medicine look for in applicants?
From Stanford University School of Medicine's own admissions pages (checked October 2026): Experiences: Letters encouraged to illuminate leadership, innovation, research independence, clinical/caring experience, cultural humility and advocacy. Qualities: Past accomplishments demonstrating originality, creativity and independent critical thinking explicitly sought. The school names these on its own admissions pages. It is not a full list of how it decides.
What is Stanford University School of Medicine's mission focus?
Interest in advancing medicine and biomedical science. Summarized from the school's published guidance, checked October 2026.
What GPA and MCAT do students admitted to Stanford University School of Medicine have?
The median GPA is 3.96 and the median MCAT is 520 (2026 school dataset). A median is the middle of the admitted class, not a minimum: half were admitted below it.
Related: Why strong applicants are still rejected · How many schools to apply to · Where applications fall short