FAQ - Related to the COVID-19 pandemic

Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, there have been disruptions in the administration of the MCAT examination. Will Stanford Medicine make any changes to the application requirements as a result of these disruptions?

With the exception of MCAT requirements, all application requirements remain the same.

All MCAT test scores taken are sent automatically by AAMC to the medical schools.

With regard to the 2021 application cycle, applications may be submitted without an MCAT score taken during the COVID-19 pandemic, March 14 - September 30, 2020. For Stanford Medicine applicants without any prior reported MCAT scores, MCAT is optional for the 2021 application cycle.  For Stanford Medicine applicants who have tested, all MCAT scores will automatically be sent to Stanford Medicine. The choice to take or re-take the MCAT examination is up to the applicant.  In fairness to all applicants, the MCAT will not be part of the screening and initial review process for interview decisions.

See the AMCAS 2021 application cycle update for more information.

Will the MCAT deadline be extended as a result of the reduced exam date availability?

The period for acceptable scores has been extended: January 2017 – September 30, 2020. However, taking an MCAT examination during the COVID-19 pandemic, March 14 - September 30, 2020 is optional for the 2021 application cycle. Applications may be submitted without an MCAT score. For Stanford Medicine applicants who have tested, all MCAT scores will automatically be sent to Stanford Medicine. 

How will my application be evaluated without inclusion of an MCAT score?

Stanford Medicine Admissions utilizes a holistic review of the applications.  Due to the disruptions of administrating MCAT examinations during the COVID-19 pandemic, applications may be submitted without a MCAT score.  For Stanford Medicine applicants who have tested, all MCAT scores will automatically be sent to Stanford Medicine.  In fairness to all applicants, the MCAT will not be part of the screening and initial review process for interview decisions for the 2021 application cycle.

My undergraduate institution has changed the grading system for the Spring and Summer quarters exclusively to Pass/ Fail.  Will this be acceptable?

During the COVID-19 pandemic, some colleges and universities moved to pass/fail grading for all spring and summer 2020 coursework. Stanford Medicine does not have pre-requisite course requirements and have accepted pass/fail grades in the past. That will continue. 

More details about requirements are available on our website here.

http://med.stanford.edu/md-admissions/how-to-apply/academic-requirements.html

Are online courses acceptable to fulfill requirements?

Stanford Medicine does not have specific course requirements.  Therefore, this is not applicable.  Online coursework is acceptable.

Please note: Online coursework completed to satisfy requirements for earning a degree from an accredited institution are acceptable.  Degrees earned from “online” institutions do not satisfy our requirement to have earned a Bachelor’s degree at an accredited college or University.

Stanford Medicine joins other California Admissions Deans to Clarify Prospective Student concerns regarding Academic Work and MCAT Tests that are Affected by the COVID-19 Outbreak.

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