FAQs

You can presume this program will continue unless otherwise directly noted by us. We will promptly update the website if that changes and we cannot continue with programming.

The admissions timeline is posted on our homepage in the panel of “Important Dates”. The dates are updated in November preceding the next admissions cycle. In general, the application portal opens in January and closes in February.

All applications will be reviewed after the application portal closes. All interview invitations will be sent at the same time. There is no benefit to finishing the application process early other than to ensure that you meet the application portal close deadline. Post-interviews, admission offers will continuely be sent out until our cohort is full.

• Hold a bachelor’s degree (or equivalent) from an accredited four-year college or university by end of June of your application year.
• Have completed all necessary coursework for your bachelor’s degree by end of June of your application year.
• U.S. Citizen, Permanent Resident, or DACA or non-citizen with current work authorization (see work eligibility requirements from the US I-9 form https://www.uscis.gov/sites/default/files/document/forms/i-9.pdf).
• At least 18 years of age.

GPA is certainly considered. But it is not the most important factor, and we do not have GPA requirements for admission. The GPA range for admitted postbacs is 2.5 – 4.0 on a 4.0 scale. The GPA average of postbacs accepted into the program is ~3.6 on a 4.0 scale. 

The Postbac Program is open to all to apply. Specific applicant demographics are not evaluated during admissions nor available to view by review committee.

You do not need to know exactly what career path you want to take for this program. Postbac programs in general are a great way to hone in on your research and/or career interest. However, since this program is a full-time research-intensive program, you do need to already know that you like research. This program is best suited for participants who are figuring out what type of research they like rather than whether or not they like research. Furthermore, because this program is positioned within the Stanford School of Medicine, it is best suited for participants interested in medicine or basic/translational science research.

You can learn more of these details in our yearly info session in January. The registration link is in our “Important Dates” section, and is active between the months of November – December that precedes the date of the info session.

Optional Practical Training (OPT) is required for International students on F1 visa to conduct full-time research with this program for the full duration of the employment term. Academic Training (AT) is required for International students on J1 visa to conduct full-time research with this program for the full duration of the employment term. This program will not be able to sponsor work visas.

Students without prior research experience are welcome to apply. Previous research experience is not required, though you will need to still demonstrate a potential to conduct full-time research through your application materials. While we have several postbacs without prior research experience that performed well in this program, the learning curve is steep and this program is perhaps best suited for applicants with some research experience.

We welcome those with or without prior computational research experience to apply. Computational skills are viewed positively in admissions, but lack of computational skills does not reflect negatively.

Yes.

This program requires a bachelor’s degree (or equivalent) from a four-year college or university by the beginning of the program start date. Applicants with a bachelor’s along with other higher education experience (e.g. master’s/graduate degree) are not restricted from applying and being admitted into the program.

Yes.

Yes.

Yes. While most of our participants are 0-3 years out of undergraduate college, we do not have any restrictions on eligibility based on this criteria.

Of course! As long as you still meet our eligibility requirements you will still be evaluated and considered for admission.

You can learn more of these details in our yearly info session in January. The registration link is in our “Important Dates” section, and is active between the months of November – December that precedes the date of the info session.

The application is free. And we do not charge tuition. Participants are paid ~$35/hour or ~$72,800/year for 2026. Participants also receive full health care benefits as well as access to all Stanford recreational and research facilities.

No. This program has a separate application platform and process, evaluation metrics, and admissions criteria than graduate and medical schools.

This is largely up to you based on who you feel knows you best and can advocate for you and have the appropriate pedigree to evaluate. However, we suggest academic mentors who know you well and can advocate strongly and holistically for you, like an academic advisor, research mentor, or professor.

Beginning 2026, you are required to submit 2 and may optionally submit a 3rd.

1. Double check that you have not mis-typed your recommender’s email address.
2. Instruct your recommender to check all inboxes (including spam and junk folders).
3. Provide a non-institutional personal email address for the recommender (sometimes email domains will automatically reject our emails).
4. Please email us at reachpostbac@stanford.edu. Do not have recommendation letters sent by email unless requested.

No, it is optional.

Yes. Your application will not be considered if it is not complete.

We have 5 pillars that our programming is based in. Research support is the primary component; followed by professional, academic counseling, community, and mental health support. You can learn more of these details in our yearly info session in January. The registration link is in our “Important Dates” section, and is active between the months of November – December that precedes the date of the info session.

This is not an academic postbac program. It is a research-intensive postbac program. While some courses are available to you, we do not offer coursework for credit. There is no formal curriculum that will be available to you.

This is not a GPA-boosting program. It is a research-intensive postbac program. While some courses are available to you, we do not offer coursework for credit. Some postbacs have benefited from taking online or nights/weekend courses through non-Stanford extension programs while in this program, but it not offered nor are expenses covered by the program.

Many postbacs participate in shadowing, clinical, and volunteer opportunities here at Stanford, but this program does not arrange these opportunities for you.

This is a research-intensive program. We may provide MCAT support with tutors, resources, and some study time, but your MCAT preparation is largely your responsibility.

In most cases, yes. You are allotted pay-time off (PTO) that you may use for interview travel. However, postbacs will need to arrange the specifics of time off with their respective Lab Mentors.

The Postbac program will likely select no more than 20 each year.

You are welcome to contact faculty to discuss a research experience/opportunities. Research areas: https://med.stanford.edu/profiles/browse?affiliations=capFaculty Lab placements with specific faculty are not guaranteed. We encourage you to attend our yearly information session in January to learn more explicit details about the match-making process. The registration link is in our “Important Dates” section, and is active between the months of November – December that precedes the date of the info session.

The start date will be in the month of July. Please check the “Important Dates” section for application timeline updates.

The program will be offered as a one-year program. Postbacs may have an opportunity to be formally hired into their lab for a second year if both parties agree to it.

Campus housing will not be available and this program does not provide or arrange housing for participants. However, we will provide you with resources on how to find housing in the area.

The application is free. And we do not charge tuition. Participants are paid ~$35/hour or ~$72,800/year for 2026. Participants are also provided full health care benefits as well as access to all Stanford recreational and research facilities.

Yes, healthcare benefits include the employee’s dependents (spouse and children).