More forgiving on GPA: The average accepted overall GPA (3.5) is in the lower quarter nationally, which makes this a realistic target for applicants whose numbers are the weakest part of their file.
Higher cost: In-state tuition of $182,924 is in the most expensive quarter nationally. Worth weighing against your expected starting salary and loan burden.
ONE-ON-ONE HELP
Book a Pre-PA Counseling session and spend thirty minutes one-on-one with a practicing PA who knows what admissions committees look for. We will go through your GPA, patient care hours, and school list together, and you will get a written plan for your next steps in your inbox within 24 hours.
Stanford University is located in California. The details below come straight from the program and are re-checked on a rolling basis.
At a glance
Location: California
Institution type: Private
Program length: 27 months
Class size: 28 students
Start month: August
Application deadline: July
Rolling admissions: No
In-state tuition: $182,924
Average overall GPA: 3.5
Average science GPA: 3.5
Minimum PCE hours: 500 hours
Letters of recommendation: 3
First-time PANCE pass rate: 93%
Accreditation status: Continued
Admission requirements
GRE: Optional
PA-CAT: Yes
CASPer: No
TOEFL (international applicants): No
Supplemental application: No
Shadowing: Recommended
Letters of recommendation: 3, a physician assistant, a physician, and a person who can speak to the applicant's academic potential
Patient care experience: 500 hours minimum
Interview format: Traditional
Prerequisites
Prerequisite expiration: 10 years
In-progress prerequisites accepted: No
AP or CLEP credit accepted: No
Pass/Fail coursework accepted: Yes
Online coursework accepted: Yes
Required coursework
Biology (at least one semester/quarter, 3-5 units or credits of General Biology or Human Biology)
Microbiology (at least one semester/quarter, 3-5 units or credits of Microbiology)
Anatomy & Physiology (at least one semester/quarter, 3-5 units or credits of Anatomy and at least one semester/quarter, 3-5 units or credits of Physiology including Animal, Human, or Exercise Physiology, or two semesters/quarters, 6-10 units or credits of combined Anatomy and Physiology course)
Chemistry (at least one semester/quarter, 3-5 units or credits of General Chemistry or Biochemistry)
Organic Chemistry (at least one semester/quarter, 3-5 units or credits of Organic Chemistry)
Statistics (at least one semester/quarter, 3-5 units or credits of General Statistics or Biostatistics)
Psychology (at least one semester/quarter, 3-5 units or credits of General Psychology)
Upper Division Courses (three additional upper-division bioscience courses, 3-5 units or credits each)
Recommended: Medical Terminology
Cost
In-state tuition: $182,924
Seat deposit: $1,000
Want to compare your stats to this program? Pre-PA Bestie is a free, always-updated PA program database where you can save schools and see how your numbers line up. Check out Pre-PA Bestie.
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Program website: Stanford University
Admissions page: Admissions information
Prerequisite details: Prerequisite coursework
Email: [email protected]
Phone: 650-725-6959
Address: 291 Campus Drive, Palo Alto, CA 94305-5408
Program information last verified June 26, 2026. Requirements change, always confirm directly with the program before applying.
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