Working with Pre-med Students

Pre-med students are often interested in learning about opportunities related to research, clinical shadowing, service, and clinical volunteer roles. Students may seek guidance and resources related to  coursework, and medical school applicants may ask for help with application components such as letters of recommendation. Here are a few resources that may be helpful as you work with pre-med students.

On this page: Resources for Pre-med Students • Stanford Immersion in Medicine Series (SIMS) • Letter of Recommendation Tool • Volunteer Guide • Research Opportunities • Curricular Recommendations • Writing Letters of Recommendation • Referrals to Pre-med Advisors

Curricular Recommendations

There is no pre-med major at Stanford, so many majors have cohorts of pre-med students. Pre-med students major in an area of interest and often complete requirements for medical school admission alongside major and university requirements, which often have some overlap with the pre-med curriculum.  You can learn more about course requirements for the MCAT and for medical school through our Academic Planning Guide.

If you are a course instructor for introductory science courses and have premed students concerned about their academic performance, you might consider sharing these Recommendations from your Pre-Med Advisors.

Writing Letters of Recommendation

To support premed students, faculty may be interested in information and materials related to letters of recommendation for medical school applicants. Stanford does not have a committee letter process for medical school applicants and Stanford applicants provide individual letters to medical schools in support of their applications. Because medical schools prefer specific numbers and types of letters (which varies from school to school), Stanford students are encouraged to cultivate relationships with faculty who teach them in courses in the sciences, social sciences, and humanities, as well as others who they meet through roles they take on in public service, clinical settings, research, athletics or other endeavors.

The Letter of Recommendation Tool listed above was developed in collaboration with the Premed Advisory Committee, consisting of faculty and course instructors from the natural sciences, to assist letter writers and applicants. AAMC also has developed a set of Guidelines for Writing a Letter of Evaluation for Medical School Applicants that faculty and staff may find helpful.

Referrals to Pre-med Advisors

Academic Advising has a team of Pre-professional Advisors who are available to help students navigate the pre-med curricular and co-curricular offerings and ultimately, the medical school application process. Pre-med Advisors offer programming (including hosting professional school visits) and advising resources, and they are available for one-on-one appointments to meet with Stanford students and alumni interested in the health professions.

If you are working with a pre-med student who has questions or concerns related to their path to medical school, you are encouraged to refer the student to Stanford's team of pre-med advisors in Academic Advising. This advising team is available to support pre-med students and consult with faculty and staff when needed. Contact information and appointment calendars are available here: Make an Appointment.