Reflections from Stanford: Choosing the Right Medical School
by Hanan R.
I found out that I was accepted to Stanford for medical school while teaching a grammar lesson on colons and semicolons to my high school students. Because I’m a southerner with no contacts in the Bay Area, the 650 area code that appeared on my phone was a near-total giveaway that the dean of admissions was calling to share my acceptance, a tradition upheld at the school. I was so beside myself with surprise and excitement that I had to step out of the classroom to share the update with my parents.
It has been over a year since I first arrived on this massive campus, and I’m finally feeling rooted here. One unique aspect of the medical school is its location on the main campus where all students in the different programs are based. I can take electives in any department, pretty much satisfying any academic curiosity I have. I also love the atmosphere of campus, which includes actual neighborhoods where families live. It’s refreshing to see carefree kids at the playgrounds on weekends and after school, especially during periods of increased stress. The beauty of campus never gets old, and I still find it amusing that Stanford has its own zip code, art museum, and mall.
Besides these lifestyle perks, Stanford Medicine also stands out when it comes to academics and research. The medical school is highly regarded for the quality of the education it provides, and it is also a research powerhouse. Over the past few months, I have been at work on a research project exploring what it is like to be a doctor with a chronic illness or disability. It has been a privilege to interview amazing physicians with diverse disability experiences, and as an added bonus Stanford gave me funding to carry out this project. To get exposure to different paths within medicine, I can turn to specialists and sub-specialists from every field in the extensive Stanford Health Care ecosystem.
I briefly mentioned funding, but I think it deserves its own paragraph. The financial aid office is generous, making finances one fewer burden for students to carry. To earn extra money, students sometimes elect to conduct research, teach, or pursue a campus job. There is even a fund that graduate students can tap into whenever an emergency expense arises. I recognize how fortunate I am to be in this position, and I am grateful every day.
If you are interested in attending medical school, I encourage you to think about these factors. Studying medicine can be very taxing, and it is crucial to attend a school that aligns with your lifestyle preferences. It is also important to look at the quality of the educational experience that each place can offer. Lastly, given that most medical students are saddled with astronomical debt, I encourage you to consider your financial well-being when exploring different schools.