Stanford School of Medicine has an obligation to evaluate the performance of each student on an ongoing basis from matriculation until graduation with an MD degree, and to endorse each student as being suitable in terms of meeting academic, professional, and technical, non-academic standards for the practice of medicine. It is therefore the responsibility of the faculty – through this committee – to review any concerns regarding the ongoing fulfillment of the Standards for Satisfactory Academic Performance (SAP).

The CP3 is composed of 13 voting members, including its chair. A total of seven voting members are required for a quorum. Voting members are basic science or clinical faculty who have been appointed by the Stanford School of Medicine Faculty Senate for three-year terms. A quorum of voting members of the CP3 is required to be in attendance (either physically or via speaker phone) for decision-making activities. Ex officio non-voting committee members may include (but are not limited to) the Academic Advising Deans, the Assistant Dean for Medical Education, Assistant Dean for Medical Student Affairs and the Associate Dean of Minority Advising and Programs.

1. The primary responsibility of the committee is to review the development and performance of each student on an ongoing basis in the areas of the fulfillment of academic, technical, and professional standards. This includes:
   1. Evaluation of achievement of all requirements for promotion. 
   2. Identification of students having difficulty meeting requirements and/or expectations for academic, professionalism, or technical performance, and recommendation of individualized learning plans that support academic and professional development, which may include academic support and required remediation, as necessary.
   3. Evaluation of achievement of required remediation.
   4. Taking such action (including dismissal from the Stanford School of Medicine MD program) as the CP3 deems appropriate under the facts and circumstances.
2. The CP3 generally will meet once quarterly. The chair may call additional meetings if necessary.
3. Except for the CP3 chair, the Academic Advising Deans, the Assistant Dean of Medical Education, the Assistant Dean for Medical Student Affairs and the Associate Dean of Minority Advising and Programs, members of the committee will not discuss decisions or pending actions with students and should not be approached by students with inquiries.

The CP3 also considers student petitions on various matters, including for:

• Extensions related to the Number of Years to Complete Degree Programs.
• Leaves of absence that either individually or cumulatively exceed a total of one year. 
• Applications for reinstatement.
• Requests related to USMLE Step 1 and Step 2 CK examinations.
• A reconsideration request of CP3 decisions.

Approval is not guaranteed and will be based on student’s academic progress and the feasibility of the proposed plan.

Submitting Petitions:

• Students must meet with their Academic Advising Dean before submitting a petition.
• Students should refer to the relevant School of Medicine policy related to their request, as petition requirements may vary depending on the type of request.

• Petitions must include:
  • A clear and compelling justification for the request.
  • A detailed timeline for completing all remaining degree requirements.
  • Pre-approval by an Academic Advising Dean.
• The written petition should be submitted to the Associate Director for Medical Student Advancement, who serves as a CP3 representative, at jshields@stanford.edu.

updated August 2025