Stanford University 453 Quarry Rd, Palo Alto, CA 94304, United States
37.43221168055808, -122.17080326587282
Reviews academic achievement, preparatory coursework, preparatory clinical experience, references, essay; welcomes diverse/disadvantaged backgrounds.
Summarized from the program’s official admissions / selection-process pages. Always confirm current details on the program’s website.
★ Straight From the Program — 2026 PAEA Virtual Admissions Fair
Stanford’s admissions team made one point they clearly wanted applicants to hear: submitting by the deadline is not the same as meeting it — the application must actually reach and hold “complete” status by the deadline, so build in buffer for verification. Rather than a traditional required-course list, the program categorizes coursework as recommended and strongly recommended: applications are reviewed regardless, but more of that preparatory coursework makes you more competitive, and the program’s applicant self-assessment checklist is essentially a rubric to use before you write. The schedule reserves one weekday for electives and scholarly work, and mentorship is layered — a faculty advisor, a clinical PA mentor, a thesis advisor and a learning-strategies specialist. Core rotations are normally completed within Stanford’s own health system, with away electives available.
Shared by this program’s admissions team at the PAEA Virtual PA Admissions Fair on July 11, 2026, and paraphrased here. Admissions guidance changes between cycles — always confirm requirements, deadlines and prerequisites on the program’s official website.
After CASPA verification and admissions review, Stanford sends interview invitations by email anytime between late August and October, while applicants not advancing receive a denial letter by email instead. The program's admissions and FAQ pages do not specify interview format or whether interviews are in person or virtual.
Summarized from Stanford University’s own admissions and interview pages — verified 2026-08-01. Interview formats and dates change between cycles, so confirm with the program before you make travel plans. See the program’s interview page.
The mission of the Stanford School of Medicine Master of Science in Physician Assistant (MSPA) Studies Program is to educate and train compassionate and diverse PAs who can provide high-quality patient-centered care, are dedicated to improving access to healthcare, and are inspired to become leaders in healthcare.
A free 10-day email course on actually getting into PA school — the three kinds of deadline and which one quietly ends applications, what your CASPA GPA really is, how to build a school list you qualify for, and what committees are looking for in your essay and your interview. One short email a day, written by a practicing PA.
