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M.d./ph.d. program.

• Applying to the M.D./Ph.D. Program
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UConn’s M.D./Ph.D. program provides students with an intellectually stimulating and highly integrated educational experience leading to completion of both the M.D. and Ph.D. degrees. With many alumni matched to highly competitive residencies, the UConn M.D./Ph.D. program prepares its graduates for successful careers in both medicine and science.

The mission of our M.D./Ph.D. program is to prepare individuals of outstanding potential for productive careers as physician-scientists. The program emphasizes the development of skills necessary to become a highly competent and caring physician and to perform, evaluate, and communicate the results of independent research in the biomedical sciences.

Furthermore, we strongly believe in the importance of diversity, equity, and inclusion in science and medicine. Essential to this is our giving opportunities for students of all backgrounds including underrepresented minority groups, disadvantaged backgrounds, and those with disabilities. We are committed to provide individualized support for students from underrepresented or underprivileged backgrounds.

Our program is dedicated to high quality medical and graduate education tailored to the needs of the individual student. We are a close-knit community of students, faculty, and staff. Collegiality and mentorship are key aspects of the program.

Dedication to Diversity

The M.D./Ph.D. program at UConn Health is fully dedicated to making an environment that is inclusive and accepting of all of our students. To this end, we value diversity in all its forms, and encourage people of all backgrounds to apply to join our community of learning.

We believe that having a wide range of lived experiences adds value to the discussions we have with one another. As future healthcare providers and researchers, understanding differences in lifestyles and cultures help us provide the best care for our patients. The program works towards having a diverse environment to encourage dialogue and strengthen our understanding. Through this, we aim to add diverse and culturally competent physician-scientists to the work force.

We also emphasize outreach to underrepresented communities in our surrounding area through a variety of programs. These programs provide mentorship and education about the career paths in science and medicine, including physician-scientists. Through these, we aim to spread awareness and encourage diversity in the science and medical field in the future.

We welcome you to explore the many ways in which the UConn M.D./Ph.D. program, the School of Medicine, and the Graduate School work to ensure that UConn is a safe and welcoming environment for all. We also ask you to reach out to us with any questions about the M.D./Ph.D. program’s commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion.

Program Structure

M.D./Ph.D. students matriculate for the first 18 months with the regular M.D. students before they pursue their graduate studies, taking four years to complete their Ph.D., and then return for clinical clerkships. During the first two years, in addition to completing the preclinical requirements of the medical school curriculum, students pursue select graduate school coursework and two to three laboratory rotations. Incoming M.D./Ph.D. students have the option to complete their first laboratory rotation the summer before matriculation.

There is an emphasis in continuity of clinical education, providing opportunity to practice clinical skills on patients from the start of medical school and throughout the graduate phase, better preparing students to excel in clinical rotations. Students remain actively involved in the program during all phases of their training via weekly research club, symposiums, leadership opportunities, and other events.

As part of the longitudinal clinical experience, students are required to continue clinical activities in community service clinics or in specialty clinics for a half day per month during the graduate phase in order to maintain their clinical skills. Following successful completion of requirements for the Ph.D. degree, students return to medical school to complete two years of clinical training.

For a full breakdown of program structure, see our page on the M Delta Curriculum for M.D./Ph.D. Students.

UConn School of Medicine is one of the nation's leading public medical schools, featuring a modern, case-based learning curriculum, early clinical experience, and state-of-the-art facilities for clinical simulation, virtual and cadaverial anatomy education

M.D./Ph.D. students engage in UConn School of Medicine’s industry-leading M Delta curriculum.

Learn more about UConn School of Medicine’s curriculum.

Graduate Education

During the graduate phase, students pursue intensive thesis research in one of seven areas of concentration (AOC) in biomedical science and complete additional coursework required by their AOC. The Biomedical Science AOCs are:

• Cell Biology
• Genetics & Developmental Biology
• Molecular Biology and Biochemistry
• Neuroscience
• Skeletal Biology and Regeneration
• Systems Biology

The Jackson Laboratory for Genomic Medicine

The Jackson Laboratory (JAX) offers collaborative research training opportunities for our students in mammalian genetics and genomic medicine on our UConn Health campus. Our students have the option to complete lab rotations and perform their Ph.D. thesis research with a JAX faculty member at the Jackson Laboratory on our Farmington, CT campus at UConn Health, if the JAX faculty member has an appointment as a faculty member of the UConn Graduate School. Learn more about the cooperative Ph.D. program and JAX-GM.

External Fellowship Awards

Tuition waivers and full stipend funding are guaranteed throughout the entire length of our program. For the 2024-2025 academic year the stipend is $39,100. Many of our students succeed in obtaining fellowship grants, such as several of UConn and/or Jackson's Labs T32/T90 Training Programs, NIH F30 Fellowships, and American Heart Association awards. We provide extensive support for trainee grant applications including a mock study section with senior faculty members to prepare our students for success. To read about some of our current student fellowships success stories, read our M.D./Ph.D. student blog.

Residency Placement

Our students routinely match to physician-scientist training programs (PSTPs) and other competitive residencies in a broad range of specialties all over the country. For more details, check out our M.D./Ph.D. Program fact sheet and M.D./Ph.D. student blog .

To learn more about the success of our our past and current students, see our M.D./Ph.D. student blog , Student Profile page, and M.D./Ph.D. Program fact sheet.

Applications

Applicants should have substantive research experience, a strong academic record, and prior clinical exposures. Applicants must complete the online AMCAS application, indicate on their application that they are applying to the UConn M.D./Ph.D. program, and complete the M.D./Ph.D. essay. Learn more about applying to the UConn PhD Program.

Contact Information

M.D./Ph.D. Program News & Blog

• Congratulations Keaven Caro on F30 Award
• Congratulations to MD-PhD M4 students on their Match!
• Congratulations to Justin and Cullen on T90/T32 appointments!
• MD/PhD Program Director’s Innovative Approach to Heart Disease
• MD/PhD Candidate Rachel Cohn Awarded F30 Fellowship from NIA
• Congratulations to our new MD-PhD Graduates!

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The Harvard/MIT MD-PhD Program at Harvard Medical School (HMS), sponsored primarily by the  National Institutes of Health (NIH)  through its  Medical Scientist Training Program (MSTP)  since 1974, provides fellowship support for selected and highly qualified students who have elected to pursue both the MD and PhD degrees. The overall mission is to train the next generation of premier and diverse physician-scientist leaders, who represent a rich spectrum of clinical disciplines and research areas from basic and translational sciences to bioengineering to the social sciences.

MD-PhD Website MD-PhD Curriculum Maps Policy in the Student Handbook Affiliate Program - Students who enter HMS as MD students and decide after admission to pursue both the MD and a PhD degree are eligible to apply for affiliate status in the MD-PhD Program.

Loren Walensky, MD, PhD

Elizabeth barks, johnathan cheng, phd, jennifer deangelo, halie nicolosi, steve obuchowski.

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MSTP Curriculum

The University of Wisconsin Medical Scientist Training Program (MSTP) typically takes between seven and eight years to complete, with flexibility based on an individual’s PhD research and dissertation timeline.

The program is fully integrated with both clinical and research elements throughout the entire program, including weekly seminars, the Integrated Molecular Medicine (IMM) course series and other MSTP-specific courses and events.

Program Timeline

Medical school, phase 1.

(18 months)

Medical school curriculum begins. Integrated public health and clinical experiences include a weekly Integrated Molecular Medicine (IMM) course series led by MSTP directors focused on review of biomedical literature, bioinformatics, scientific presentations and grant writing. Research lab rotations take place during the summer after the first year.

Medical School, Phase 2

(12 months)

Integrated clinical block rotations take place in Madison and communities throughout Wisconsin. Students take the United States Medical Licensing Examination (USMLE) and select their thesis advisor and graduate program .

Graduate School

(3.5 to 4.5 years)

PhD coursework begins, including research and training; clinical experiences continue (with a faculty mentor in specialty area of interest). Students take MED 903 : MSTP Longitudinal Clinical Experience in Graduate School course, conduct dissertation research and plan for thesis defense in spring or summer, as well as completion of a two-week intensive clinical elective prior to Phase 3.

Required: Regular attendance at weekly MSTP seminar ; student research presentations; understanding of ethics and responsible conduct of research discussions; and clinical cases.

Medical School, Phase 3

(12 to 16 months)

Clinical acting internships and applications/interviews for residency begin. Students take MED 902 : MSTP Clinical and Translational Research Elective (CTRE), and other electives.

Integrated Molecular Medicine (IMM) Course Series

You will participate in a weekly one-credit Integrated Molecular Medicine (IMM) course during the first three semesters of medical school.

The first semester course during Phase 1 (IMM1) focuses on evaluation of research articles in the New England Journal of Medicine’s “Clinical Implications of Basic Research” series. It serves to acquaint students with each other’s interests, initiate discussions of research opportunities at UW–Madison and pay attention to ethical and computational issues raised by research articles.

The second semester (IMM2) is led by Director Mark Burkard and concentrates on cell signaling and its relevance to human disease and cancer biology, with activities related to grant writing and a mock study section.

The second-year (IMM3)  is led by Dr. Huy Dinh and some objectives include understanding recent advances in the generation and analysis of large-scale datasets in biological and medical applications, and identifying ethical complexities involved in collecting and analyzing genomic data.

Summer Research Rotations

You will participate in at least three research rotations with research faculty of your choice. These three to four week rotations are done in the summer of Phase 1. If you have not selected a lab after three rotations, an additional rotation can be taken the summer after Phase 2.

Medicine 903

MSTP Longitudinal Clinical Experience in Graduate School (LCE)

To maintain and expand upon the clinical skills you learned during the first two and a half years of medical school, you will be required to complete four semesters of Medicine 903: MSTP Longitudinal Clinical Experience in Graduate School, during your graduate training (one credit per semester). You have the option of completing an additional one to two semesters for a total of up to six credits that fulfill Phase 3 patient care requirements.

You choose a faculty mentor and will work one-on-one in the clinic with them for a total of 40 hours throughout the course of the semester. The recommended format is 10 half-day clinic sessions, but schedules can be flexible depending on clinical scheduling and mentor availability. You will see patients like an advanced Phase 3 medical student and will also discuss several academic articles with your mentor.

Medicine 902

MSTP Clinical and Translational Research Elective (CTRE)

This course fulfills Phase 3 patient care and public health requirements. The purpose of Medicine 902 is to provide an opportunity for you to develop an understanding of how to conduct clinical research through an apprenticeship-style learning experience with a physician-scientist mentor.

Throughout the course, you will connect your research with the public health needs of the community and the state of Wisconsin. You will also learn about the regulatory process by attending Institutional Review Board and Scientific Review Committee meetings, integrating clinical experience with research, and experiencing other facets of a career as a physician-scientist.

MD-PhD, Combined Degree

School of medicine, md - phd, combined degree program.

From its inception, the physician-scientist has been a hallmark of Johns Hopkins medicine and the Johns Hopkins School of Medicine. Indeed, the Hopkins tri-emblem represents the three core values of the institution: teaching, patient care, and research.

The Johns Hopkins School of Medicine offers a variety of opportunities for the training of medical scientists, including a combined curriculum leading to both MD and PhD degrees.  This enables students who aspire to careers in academic medicine to obtain intensive training in specialized areas of the biomedical sciences in addition to top-flight medical training. The traditional diversity and flexibility of the educational opportunities at Johns Hopkins permit the design of individualized programs to meet the needs of students with a variety of interests, educational backgrounds, and career goals.

To accomplish our training goals, we expect students to fully commit to medical training while in medical school and research training while in graduate school.  However, we also take important steps to ensure that students are exposed to the intersection of both worlds early in their training, as well as given the professional and career development advice they need to succeed.

In a word, the MD-PhD curriculum at Johns Hopkins is flexible. Most students decide to complete the first two years of medical school before they begin graduate school and finish the last two years of their medical training after completing their thesis work (see the Timeline below). However, students who want more first-hand experience in clinical medicine before beginning graduate work can elect to complete three years of medical school, followed by their graduate training, and then the last year of medical school. This can give them a better appreciation of the potential clinical relevance of their research. In making a choice, trainees consult extensively with the Program Director, the Dean of Students, members of the MD-PhD Committee, prospective research mentors, and their faculty advisors. Students in the MD-PhD Program are accepted to all graduate programs, so decisions regarding graduate training programs can be made with a strong understanding of each program.  The MD-PhD Committee is responsible for program oversight and admissions.  Students complete MD-PhD training on average in eight years.

Johns Hopkins interdisciplinary organizational structure means each faculty member may be affiliated with several clinical departments, research sections, and graduate programs. 

Formal graduate programs in the School of Medicine encompass the following areas: Biochemistry, Cellular, and Molecular Biology; Biological Chemistry; Biomedical Engineering; Molecular Biophysics; Functional Anatomy and Human Evolutionary Studies; Cell Biology; Cellular and Molecular Medicine; History of Medicine; Human Genetics; Immunology; Neuroscience; Pathobiology; Pharmacology and Molecular Sciences, and Cellular and Molecular Physiology. Students are also eligible to obtain their PhD in one of the 11 graduate programs at the Bloomberg School of Public Health or the School of Arts and Sciences on the Homewood Campus.  

The MD-PhD Program also sponsors special seminars and lectures, and maintains a dedicated library, the Paul Talalay MD-PhD Library, to enrich the educational opportunities of all MD-PhD students. Efforts are made to acquaint MD-PhD candidates with the major advances, concepts, and cutting-edge techniques in contemporary medicine and biomedical sciences.  We also create an environment that promotes  collegiality and a more intimate personal contact with successful medical scientists in this institution.

Admission Procedures.  Individuals who wish to apply for admission to the combined MD-PhD Program of the School of Medicine must submit an application through AMCAS  in which they will indicate the MD-PhD Program.  Once the AMCAS application has been verified and submitted to Hopkins, the applicant will receive an invitation to complete the Hopkins Secondary Application.  Here the applicant will submit the additional materials required for the combined degree.  Johns Hopkins does not allow applicants to apply to both the traditional MD program and the combined program during the same cycle.   

All combined-degree applications are reviewed by a subcommittee of the  MD-PhD Committee , which is comprised of faculty from the basic sciences and clinical arena, as well as faculty from the Bloomberg School of Public Health.  A separate Graduate School application is not necessary. The MD-PhD Committee determines whether or not an interview is indicated.  In general, the committee is looking for students with a passion for research and a commitment to medicine.  This assessment is based on the applicant’s research experience, letters of recommendation, academic performance and extracurricular activities. The Committee considers standardized test scores only in the context of the applicant’s other credentials. If an interview is granted, the applicant is notified by the MD-PhD Office and after the applicant accepts, the process for scheduling an interview begins.  Interview visits generally occur over two days. Applicants are interviewed by members of the MD-PhD Committee and other faculty members who share their research interests. Applicants have many opportunities to meet with current students and tour the campus during their visit. 

Approximately 10-12 MD-PhD students matriculate each year. Students who matriculate to the traditional MD Program but have a clearly demonstrated interest and experience in scientific research, are eligible to apply to the combined MD-PhD Program.  These students may apply for admission during the fall of their first or second year of medical school.  These qualified applicants are evaluated and placed in the pool for the current application cycle and will be considered for MSTP funding.  

All eligible applicants who are admitted to the MD-PhD Program are funded by the NIH Medical Scientist Training Program (MSTP) Award.  This program, supported by the National Institutes of Health, provides full tuition, stipend, and medical and dental insurance for students. Due to federal restrictions, only U.S. citizens and permanent residents are eligible for MSTP funding.  

Graduates of The Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine MD-PhD Program have gone on to become leaders in many areas of academic medicine.  Advice on the scope and opportunities offered by the MD-PhD Program may be obtained from the Director or Administrative Director.

MSTP MD-PhD Program

Frequently asked questions.

• Program Structure

How long does it take to complete both degrees?

The average length of time before graduation is 7.5 years; generally students will take 6 years or 8 years depending on the nature of their graduate research. Students generally complete and defend their PhD thesis before completing their clinical rotations in the last 1 – 2 years.

Can I do one degree before the other?

As above, nearly all students will complete their PhD requirements 1 – 2 years before their MD requirements. An important advantage of combined degree training is the breadth that the first 1 – 2 years of medical school provides for graduate research.  Students must pass part I of the National Board Medical Licensing Examination before commencing full-time laboratory research. Occasionally circumstances will arise when an individual student's training is best served by deviating from this "traditional" plan; these situations require approval and monitoring by the graduate advisor and the MSTP Directors.

How will I be supported during my training?

Stanford MSTP students are fully supported through the entire program, tuition, health insurance and stipend, by a combination of funds from a National Institute of Health training grant, individual graduate programs, and School of Medicine funds.

Are there laboratory rotations?

One of the ways in which we try to make the total time of training less than the sum normally taken to complete MD and PhD degrees is by encouraging MSTP students to choose a potential thesis advisor without a yearlong set of rotations through different laboratories. During the first year of the program, students meet with departmental chairs and research faculty and participate in research seminars and group meetings, so that the summer following the first year can be spent working full-time in a laboratory whose goals, approaches, and personnel are already familiar. In most cases, MSTP students choose this laboratory as the place to carry out their thesis research.

Can I get advanced placement credit for graduate coursework?

MSTP students fulfill the same curricular requirements as "straight MD" and "straight PhD" students. Some PhD Programs may permit substitution of previous graduate course work (or MD courses) for their PhD requirements; this is individual to the program and the student.

Are MSTP students required to complete the MD Scholarly Concentration (SC) program?

The MSTP is a combined effort between the MD program and the PhD programs. All trainees are required to fulfill all requirements for both the MD and PhD degrees. The single exception is the MD program requirement for a Scholarly Concentration. For dual degree MD-PhD students, the PhD substitutes for this requirement.

Will I have special opportunities as an MSTP student?

Yes! In addition to individual regular advising meetings with the Program Directors, we hold seminars, courses, and lunches with guest speakers, covering important topics of professional development and translational medicine.  The MSTP community also meets annually for the MSTP Scientific Conference, to present research, and to share clinical experiences, advice and above all support.

Will I have special responsibilities as an MSTP student?

Of course! Besides the challenge of balancing graduate and medical training, we ask all MSTP students to play an integral role in the recruitment, education, and evaluation of incoming MSTP applicants.

Graduate Programs

Can I get a PhD outside the Medical School?

Yes.  One of the unique aspects of the Stanford MSTP is its close affiliation with departments in other Schools, including Engineering (Bioengineering, Chemical, Computer Science, Electrical) and Humanities and Sciences (Biology, Chemistry, Physics, Statistics).

Can I get a PhD in a clinical department?

The PhD must be conferred by a degree-granting department or program, and most clinical departments do not grant PhD degrees. However, most scientists in clinical departments either have joint appointments with basic science departments or are members of interdepartmental programs such as Cancer Biology, Neurosciences, or Immunology, and the only restriction regarding thesis advisors is that they must be members of the Academic Council.

Can I apply to the MSTP and get a PhD in a social science?

If you are a current Stanford MD student and have previously been admitted to a social science PhD program, you may apply to the MSTP for funding.  Admitted PhD candidates may apply through the MSTP internal admissions process.

Are there teaching requirements?

The MSTP itself has no specific teaching requirements, but some PhD programs do.

How will my training differ from other "straight PhD" students?

The short answer is, "It won't." PhD training for MSTP students is just as rigorous and intensive as for students outside the MSTP. However, MSTP students don't spend their first year rotating through different laboratories, and most MSTP students complete their preclinical medical school curriculum before starting full-time laboratory research.

• Admissions Process

How many applicants do you interview and admit?

On average, we invite about 60 students for interviews or about 1 in 9 of those students who submit a secondary application. About 8 - 10 students begin the MSTP every year.

Can I apply to the MSTP after starting medical school?

Yes! One of the unique aspects of the Stanford School of Medicine is its strong emphasis on research, and the MSTP invites current Stanford medical students in their preclinical years, who have made a commitment and contribution to a research-based career, to submit an application for the MSTP.  We refer to this as the “internal” application process . Typically, the MSTP admits 1 – 2 internal applicants every year.

Is there an early decision program?

No. We think making a decision about combined medical school and graduate training is challenging enough! Finding a program that best matches an individual student's interests and goals is facilitated by visiting several universities and meeting with a variety of potential research advisors.

How do I find out about the status of my application?

Just ask (we don't mind).

Can I schedule my interview for a different day?

There are 5 – 6 interview days per season; once invited, interviews are scheduled on a first-come, first-served basis.  We will try to accommodate requests for other dates if necessary.

I don't know whether to apply for Med School or MSTP?

You should only apply to the MSTP if you are committed to a career in biomedical research; such a commitment should be based, in part, on previous sustained and productive research experience as an undergraduate. If you're not sure, consider working full-time in a laboratory after undergraduate school before deciding whether an MSTP is right for you, or, alternatively, starting as a "straight MD" student, participating in a research project in your 2nd or 3rd year, and possibly applying to the MSTP as an internal applicant (see above).

What does the MSTP Admissions Committee look for?

Besides qualification for admission to the medical school itself, the single most important component of an MSTP application is a previous sustained and productive research experience.

When can I expect to hear about the outcome of my application and/or interview?

Interview season is October – February; interview invitations will be issued 3 – 6 weeks before the scheduled interview date. MSTP admission decisions are made on a modified rolling basis.

Are MSTP applicants considered independently for medical school admission?

The MSTP Admissions Committee is separate from, but closely integrated with, the Medical School Admissions Committee.  All applicants to the MSTP are also considered for MD-only admission.  If you are not chosen for an MSTP interview, your application is automatically routed for MD-only consideration.  If you are chosen for an MSTP interview, you will also be required to participate in the MD admission interview process.  These interviews will be scheduled the day before, or day after, your MSTP interviews.  If you are not offered admission to the MSTP, you will be considered for MD-only admission.

• Student Life

Can I afford to live in Palo Alto?

Housing costs in the Bay Area are more than other cities. However, every new graduate student is guaranteed housing on campus or at University associated off-campus sites.  Almost anyone can afford to live comfortably as a Stanford graduate student solely on stipend support.

Will the program pay for health insurance? What about the rest of my family?

We consider health insurance an essential component of all graduate training programs. The program covers the entire cost for individual students and offers a mechanism for subsidizing dependents.

Isn't there more to do in San Francisco than in Palo Alto?

It depends whether you would rather watch street vendors in Union Square or go hiking in the Los Altos foothills. Seriously, downtown San Francisco is a short train ride away from Stanford, but the two environments offer different (and complementary) experiences. Downtown Palo Alto doesn't have skyscrapers but it does have a thriving economy, a diverse population, and an environment that attracts many students to stay here for postgraduate training and career opportunities. Come see for yourself!

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MD-PhD Timeline

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Years 1 and 2

Year 3 and 4 through phd defense.

During the summer following their 6 months of Integrated Clinical Clerkships, MD-PhD students study for and take USMLE Step I. There is also time to complete an additional research rotation, if necessary, and to take a vacation. The Step 1 exam must be taken by December 31 of Year 3. Students meet with their Director of Graduate Studies to formally affiliate with a PhD department and research laboratory at the start of Year 3 and complete program or department-specific coursework, teaching and qualifying examination requirements in Years 3 and 4. A thesis prospectus is submitted in Year 3 or 4, which coincides with participation in the MD-PhD Program’s Grant Writing Workshop to prepare NIH NRSA F30/F31 and other private foundation applications. Students are required to submit a first author paper and successfully write, defend and submit their PhD dissertation before returning to the wards in October or January of their penultimate year of training.

There is a strong emphasis on maintaining engagement in clinical activities during the PhD thesis years of the MD-PhD training. Clinical activity during research years is an explicit part of the IDP review process, and thesis advisors are informed that this is an encouraged training activity for dual-degree candidates. Most students participate in one or more longitudinal clinical experiences (LCEs) or the student-run “Wednesday Evening Clinic” (WEC) for which they receive elective credit. A student-organized monthly Clinical Reasoning Seminar employs a clinical case-based approach to review diagnosis, pathology and treatment/management with a clinical faculty expert. In addition to maintaining clinical fluency, customized LCEs allow students to explore clinical (sub)specialties related to their research work and interests and are precepted by physician-scientists whenever possible. These experiences allow students to gain a richer understanding of possible career paths for physician-scientists and expose them to the advantages and challenges of combining research with clinical care. Strategies to manage wellness and resilience in a physician-scientist career are discussed during annual program retreats and recurring Brown Bag lunch discussions, while a Curriculum in Leadership and Research Management for Physician-Scientists provides ongoing career development training and experiential learning to MD-PhD students.

Re-entry and Final Year

Md-phd timeline.

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M.D./Ph.D. Program

How to Apply

Educating physician-scientists to bridge biomedical research and clinical care.

The University of Louisville School of Medicine offers a Physician Scientist training program for the fulfillment of requirements for M.D. and Ph.D. degrees. The comprehensive program includes two years in pre-clinical medical training, followed by graduate training in one of U of L's basic research departments, and two years of medical rotations for clinical training.

The small size of the program ensures a high quality training experience providing individualized attention to its students. As a UofL MD/PhD student you'll experience great flexibility in designing a research program and have exceptional access to a wide variety of research experiences in top-flight research laboratories. You will receive hands-on experience in the patient simulation center and work with standardized patients beginning in the first year. A wide variety of clinical experiences are available through our hospital partnerships in Louisville and statewide. Applicants should have fulfilled prerequisites for admission to the School of Medicine (including the MCAT standardized examination) and have a proven commitment to biomedical research. Students in the program will receive full tuition remission, a stipend during all phases of the curriculum, and health insurance during the graduate research phase.

Training Structure

The MD-PhD Program at Dartmouth is organized to permit students to achieve the full potential of both degrees in an efficient and effective manner while also developing an understanding of the health care system as a whole.

There are three major phases of training. Broadly stated, students complete M1 & M2 (Geisel School years 1 and 2), then their PhD graduate training, and finally M3 & M4 (Geisel School years 3 and 4). This is referred to here as a "2-P-2" structure.

• During the first two years, students complete M1 & M2 (Geisel School years 1 & 2 ), take up to three laboratory rotations, and choose their PhD graduate program and thesis lab.
• During the PhD thesis phase, students complete all requirements for their PhD thesis program and participate in clinical tutorials.
• Following completion of their thesis work, students complete M3 & M4 (Geisel School years 3 & 4 ).

For further details, please refer to the MD-PhD Student Handbook .

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Curriculum Overview

The MD/PhD curriculum at the University of Kentucky follows a traditional MSTP-style curriculum. Students usually graduate in seven or eight years; our average length of training is 7.3 years. Below is the typical time-line for training; in rare instances, individuals may tailor a different program.

Year 1 (M1):

Students are encouraged to perform a research rotation in the summer before their first year of medical school. In addition, students are encouraged to enroll in the Medical Student Summer Research Program. For more information on this fellowship, please see  Transitions .

Most students will matriculate into the first year of medical school (MS1). The medical school curriculum has a module block structure that provides an intensive, concentrated exposure in each content area. Blocks include Human Structure, Cellular Structure and Function, Neurosciences, and Human Function. During the summer after MS1, students perform their first (or second) research rotation.

Year 2 (M2):

Courses in the second year of medical school (MS2) include Immunity, Infection and Disease, and Mechanisms of Disease and Treatment. Students take Step I of the USMLE board exam in May 18th after MS2 and perform another research rotation in the summer, if they have not yet selected a dissertation laboratory. Students are expected to have identified a Department for their dissertation research by July after MS2 and their dissertation mentor by the end of the summer after MS2. A graduate school application has to be completed during the spring of the second year of MS2. Please note: it is recommended that this application be completed in early January of MS2. Refer to  Transitions  for more specific details on applying to The Graduate School. 

Years 3-6 (Graduate Years, or Gs):

The graduate school application has to be completed in the spring of the second year (MS2) in order for students to enroll in a graduate program in their third year. During the graduate years (GY1-4), students complete requirements as determined by their particular graduate department, including coursework, qualifying exams, and dissertation requirements. Students who select a graduate department in the College of Medicine can receive credit for successful completion of the first two years of medical school to satisfy the requirements of first year of the Integrated Biomedical Sciences Program curriculum.  

While in graduate school, students complete an MD/PhD-specific "Introduction to Clinical Medicine" course, which provides clinical training and pairs students with a clinical CATalyst to introduce them to translational approaches. The CATalysts (aptly named for their function and the Kentucky Wildcats) are experienced and influential faculty and talented junior faculty who spark enthusiasm for building collaborative research teams. Upper level MD/PhD students lead clinical pathology conference discussions three times a year.

Year 6 or 7 (M3):

Most students return to medical school in the summer or fall of MS3. The third-year curriculum provides the student with broad exposure to the major medical disciplines, including rotations in Clinical Neurosciences, Family and Community Medicine, Internal Medicine and Emergency Care, Obstetrics and Gynecology, Pediatrics, and Surgery.

The CPX is a requirement for the third year medical students immediately following the end of third year rotations; taking and passing the CPX (graded on a Pass/Fail basis) is a requirement for graduation. Students cannot take Step 2 CS until after they have taken the CPX and been apprised of their grade. Students with a failing grade will be required to undergo remediation through the Office of Medical Education. This remediation may take the form of specific exercises, repeat testing, or specific M4 course requirements. Students who pass the CPX may take Step 2 CS at any time prior to December 31st of that calendar year.

Year 7 or 8 (M4):

During MS4, students complete two four-week acting internships, one in a medical discipline and one in a surgical discipline. In addition to Advanced Clinical Pharmacology and Anesthesiology and the Dean’s Colloquium, students complete 16 weeks of elective rotations at the University of Kentucky or another approved site. MD/PhD students are exempt from the M4 off-site/2nd AHEC requirements; these comprise one course.

Medical Student Education Curriculum Overview

MD-PhD Program With Caltech

The MD-PhD program is a fully funded, dual-degree program jointly offered by the California Institute of Technology (Caltech) and the Kaiser Permanente Bernard J. Tyson School of Medicine (KPSOM). Students receive their training leading to the Doctor of Medicine (MD) degree at KPSOM, and research training leading to the Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) degree at Caltech. 

This program is designed for students interested in pursuing in-depth research to identify and bridge gaps to advance health. Students typically perform summer research rotations at Caltech before, during, and after the first two years of medical school at KPSOM. They then carry out their doctoral degree work in any of the multiple areas of research offered at Caltech, ranging from bioengineering and biochemistry to computational and neural systems. During their Caltech years, students also continue to see patients at Kaiser Permanente, to ensure that their clinical skills are sharply maintained. Upon completion of their PhD dissertation, students return to KPSOM to finish their MD studies. 

MD-PhD program graduates will be prepared to not only excel at patient care but also to successfully challenge current and future impediments to the well-being of their patients and communities. They will be poised to become leaders of change by advancing health through scientific discovery.

KPSOM MD-PhD Program with Caltech

2024-2025 admissions timeline.

Frequently Asked Questions

Still have questions, admissions process, which tests are required to apply to the md-phd program.

The MCAT and AAMC PREview exam are required.

Applicants must complete the MCAT no later than September 2024. For the 2025 application cycle, KPSOM considers MCAT scores dating back to July 2022. Applicants do not need to take the GRE.

What happens after I submit my AMCAS application?

All applicants who complete the primary application through AMCAS and submit an MCAT score will be invited to submit our MD-PhD secondary application. Applicants selected to interview will be notified via email by the KPSOM Office of Admissions to interview at KPSOM during the fall semester. After that, qualified candidates will be selected to interview with Caltech in November/December 2024. Interviews will be conducted virtually.  (MD-PhD applicants do not need to submit a separate application for Caltech.)

How do I check the status of my application?

All applicants will receive access to our applicant portal to view their admission status at any time.

What does the MD-PhD Admissions Committee look for?

The MD-PhD Admissions Committee looks for applicants who demonstrate alignment to the KPSOM mission and a commitment to research.

How many letters of recommendation may be submitted?

Three to six individual letters or one committee letter will be accepted.

Can students from the KPSOM MD program transfer to the MD-PHD program with Caltech?

Yes, on occasion. If you are admitted as a regular MD student and would like to be considered for the MD-PhD program, please contact the program director, Dr. Jose Barral.  Note : Transfers are not guaranteed and will be at the discretion of the program director.

May international students apply?

No. KPSOM is currently unable to accept international students on student visas.

Does the MD-PhD program require a summer rotation before medical school begins?

Yes, students are encouraged to do a four-week summer rotation at Caltech prior to starting at KPSOM.

Interview Process

How long after i submit my application will i be notified of an interview.

MD-PhD applicants selected for an interview will be notified via email in September/October of each year.

How many applicants do you interview and matriculate?

The KPSOM Office of Admissions interviews approximately 24 MD-PhD applicants for up to three available MD-PhD seats in each cohort.

How is the interview day structured?

At KPSOM, applicants will interview virtually and participate in Multiple Mini-Interviews (MMI) and a traditional one-on-one interview with a faculty member. Applicants will also have the chance to engage with the Program Directors, the Senior Associate Dean for Admissions and Equity, Inclusion, and Diversity, current students, and staff from the Office of Admissions.

Will I need to interview with both KPSOM and Caltech?

Yes. The interview with KPSOM is the first step in the interview process for the MD-PhD program. If an applicant is chosen to progress following the KPSOM interview, they will receive a separate interview invitation from Caltech. Upon completion of the Caltech interview, final admissions decisions will be rendered jointly by KPSOM and Caltech.

Program Structure

What is the structure of the md-phd program.

Students admitted to the MD-PhD program complete their first two years of medical instruction at KPSOM, including all core clinical clerkships. In this manner, selection of their PhD program of study at Caltech is informed by their experience at the bedside. Subsequently, MD-PhD students carry out their PhD study in any of the programs of research offered by Caltech. MD-PhD students will generally be expected to complete their PhD training in four years. After completing their PhD training, students return to KPSOM to complete the last two years of clinical training. Also, MD-PhD students will typically perform four-week summer rotations at Caltech before, during, and after their first two years of medical study at KPSOM. Additionally, while undergoing their PhD study at Caltech, MD-PhD students will continue to be engaged in clinical training by performing approximately monthly half-day sessions in Kaiser Permanente Urgent Care facilities.

How long does it take to complete the MD-PhD Program?

MD-PhD students are generally expected to complete their entire MD-PhD training in eight years (two years at KPSOM followed by about four years at Caltech and then two years back at KPSOM).

In what fields may I study for my PhD?

MD-PhD students may carry out their PhD study in any of the programs (options) of research offered by Caltech.  View the program options  .

What stipend and benefits do current MD-PhD students receive?

The stipends for Academic Year 2204-25 are:

• KPSOM: $44,892 (includes health insurance and requirement to do a summer rotation)
• Caltech: $45,000

How do laboratory rotations work?

MD-PhD students are expected to do three four-week summer rotations: one before they start their first year at KPSOM, one between Year 1 and Year 2, and one after Year 2. Students receive support from Program Directors as they consider and select their dissertation mentors.

Are there teaching requirements?

There are no teaching requirements for MD-PhD students.

Do MD-PhD students have special responsibilities at KPSOM?

No, MD-PhD students do not have any special responsibilities at KPSOM.

Faculty Mentors

What types of mentorship opportunities are available for md-phd students.

There are multiple opportunities for mentorship for MD-PhD students. Both MD-PhD Program Co-Directors and Assistant Directors at KPSOM and Caltech serve as mentors when students first arrive, to orient them to the Program and guide them as they become acclimated to their new environment. While at KPSOM, students are in close contact with researchers in the Clinical Science and Health Systems Science departments, who may guide their interests in clinical and health services research.

How are students paired with a faculty mentor?

Students are exposed to research mentors at Caltech in multiple ways. Formally, the three summer research rotations before they join Caltech provide opportunities to explore future mentors and research laboratories. The close physical proximity of the KPSOM and Caltech campuses provides opportunities for students to attend seminars, laboratory meetings, and social events at Caltech during their first two years, where they can interact with potential future mentors. The Caltech Program Co-Director guides students throughout the process of finding and selecting mentors at Caltech.

• Medical School Admissions

How to Get into an MD/PhD Program

MD-PhD Programs: How to get in (2021-2022)

Are you passionate about medicine and research? If so, you should consider pursuing an MD-PhD program. These rigorous programs prepare students who excel in these areas to become physician scientists.

Only about 600 students enter MD-PhD programs each year, according to the Association of American Medical Colleges (AAMC) — a far smaller number than tens of thousands who matriculate at medical schools. But that doesn’t mean these programs are any less selective or prestigious than medical school.

Are you considering applying to an MD-Phd program? Here’s what you should know and how to prepare.

Table of Contents

What are MD-PhD programs?

MD-PhD programs give students a grounding in both clinical training in medicine and research. After successfully completing your program, you will earn both degrees. 

Like many dual-degree programs, this is an extremely rigorous and challenging route to take. You will need to complete the requirements associated with both degrees, including writing a dissertation and treating patients.

How Long Do These Programs Take to Complete?

Most MD-PhD programs take around 7-8 years to complete, although some students do it in a longer or shorter period of time. After completing the program, you will need to train and prepare for work in your field, which takes another several years — the length of time varies based on your specialty.

What is the Typical Structure of an MD-PhD Program?

While there can be some slight variations in the exact structure of an MD-PhD program, the basic structure is listed below:

• Years 1 and 2: Take basic science classes with your entering medical school class
• Years 3, 4, 5, and 6: Complete PhD research
• Years 7 and 8: Complete years three and four of medical school which are your clinical rotations

What Are Medical Scientist Training Programs?

Funded by the National Institute of Health (NIH), Medical Scientist Training Programs (MSTP) describe MD-PhD programs that come with special benefits, including full tuition coverage and stipends for housing and living. These programs are highly competitive but extremely rewarding, and students enjoy additional career-development opportunities like conferences, mentorship, and additional resources.

Related Article: Medical School Acceptance Rates, Admission Statistics + Average MCAT and GPA for every Medical School

How competitive are md-phd versus md-only programs.

Getting into MD-PhD programs is more difficult than getting into MD-only programs. Why? With MD-PhD programs, you need to get “accepted” by both the MD portion of the program and the PhD portion of the program. So, not only do you have to meet criteria for both, but the process is often longer and more drawn out. Everyone once in a while a student approaches us thinking applying for MD-PhD will help improve chances of admission and this is the opposite of the truth!

Let’s review the data:

• MCAT and GPA: In 2020-2021, the average GPA for MD-PhD matriculants was 3.8 and the average MCAT was 516.2 .  Compare this to the average GPA and MCAT of medical school matriculants: 3.73 and 511.5 .
• Acceptance Rate: There were a total of 701 MD-PhD matriculants of 1855 applicants for an acceptance rate of 37.7% . Compare this to an MD-only acceptance rate of 41.9%

Are There Alternatives to MD-PhD Programs?

The primary alternative to an MD-PhD program is to take a gap year or two during medical school to pursue research in the specialty you hope to pursue. In fact, for more competitive residencies and specialties, this is becoming increasingly more common as having valuable research experience is important for the most competitive specialties in medicine. Keep in mind that one or two years of research will not earn you an additional degree like a formal MD-PhD will so choose the option that is best aligned with your future goals.

Tips for Applying

Understand the differences in the application process..

MD-PhD applicants follow a similar process as MD applicants do. They generally submit applications through the American Medical College Application Service (AMCAS). However, students must declare their intention to apply as MD-PhD candidates and complete two additional essays as part of the application. Make sure you complete the essays quickly but thoughtfully.

Bolster Your Academic Credentials.

In the 2020–2021 , there were 1,825 MD-PhD applicants to MD-PhD programs, and 701 students ended up matriculating. While this admissions rate is on par with that of MD programs, arguably, MD-PhD programs are more self-selective, meaning only students who are truly passionate about this career path tend to apply, and that number is significantly smaller than those who aspire to be physicians. Moreover, there are far fewer of these programs available.

That means you will need to have a high GPA and MCAT score . You may need to retake the MCAT and bolster your GPA by adding additional courses if they aren’t quite there.

Have a Strong Resume with Impressive Research Experience.

Because these programs emphasize research, you will need to demonstrate plenty of research experience when you apply. Seek out opportunities to work in labs, with professors, as an intern, and so on. Aim to be listed as an author on several publications — this will make you that much more competitive candidate.

Not having stellar research experience is one of the primary reasons we advise students not to apply ot MD-PhD programs and instead to apply only to MD programs.

Consider Applying to MD-only Programs Simultaneously.

You’ll improve your chances of being admitted to at least one program if you also apply for medical schools simultaneously. You can even be considered as an MD-only candidate at schools where you’re not admitted as an MD-PhD program. Just mark this on your application.

MD-PhD AMCAS Essay Prompts and Character Limits:

Md-phd essay.

If you are applying to an MD-PhD program(s), you are required to provide two additional essays, the MD-PhD Essay and the Significant Research Experience Essay. Use the MD-PhD Essay to state your reasons for pursuing the combined MD-PhD degree. Your response will be forwarded only to your designated MD-PhD program(s). This essay is limited to 3,000 characters.

Below this essay, you’ll be asked to enter your total hours of research experience.

Significant Research Experience Essay

In addition to the MD-PhD Essay, you are required to write an essay that describes your significant research experiences. In this essay, please specify your research supervisor’s name and affiliation, the duration of the experience, the nature of the problem studied, and your contributions to the research effort. The essay is limited to 10,000 characters.

If your research resulted in a publication on which you were an author, please enter the full citation in the Work/Activities section of your application

What to Focus on in Your Essays

Keep in mind that your two additional MD-PhD essays will be considered together with your AMCAS medical school personal statement and work and activities . These two additional essays should be straightforward and direct. 

This is not the place to get creative. Instead, express why you want to pursue an MD-PhD: What are your research interests and how and why would an MD-PhD allow you to reach your goals? Why do you want to merge a career in clinical medicine and research? What are your future goals?

We suggest asking a principal investigator or mentor to review your significant research experience essay to make sure it includes the necessary details about your research.

Where Do Graduates Work?

Physician scientists have many career paths available to them. After completing their residencies, they can go onto work at teaching hospitals, medical schools, independent research labs, government agencies, pharmaceutical companies, and more

Remember, too, that graduates can rely on one degree over another or apply them both to their work. Ultimately, there are numerous options to explore.

List of MD-PhD Programs in the US (*NIH-Funded Programs)

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MD-PhD Programs: The Ultimate Guide (2024)

Everything you need to know about md-phd programs and how to get in, including example md-phd essays and complete lists of md-phd and mstp programs by state.

Learn what it takes to get into top md-phd programs

(Note: We recommend using this resource alongside our free, 102-page comprehensive guide to medical school applications,  Get Into Medical School: 6 Practical Lessons to Stand Out and Earn Your White Coat .)

Part 1: Introduction

Part 2: an overview of md-phd programs, part 3: how to apply to md-phd programs, part 4: how to write md-phd essays (examples included), appendix a: complete list of medical scientist training program (mstp) institutions, appendix b: complete list of md-phd programs.

If your career goals include both practicing medicine and diving deep into scientific research, you may have your eye on MD-PhD programs. You might also wonder if applying to MD-PhD programs differs from the traditional medical school admissions process .

The two processes are distinct in several ways. Yet, while the majority of medical schools offer these dual-degree programs, the differences between MD and MD-PhD admissions are neither widely discussed nor well understood—largely because far fewer students apply to become “physician scientists.” In the 2023–2024 admissions cycle, there were 52,577 MD applicants vs. just 1,795 MD-PhD applicants —nearly 30 times fewer.

Because the number of MD-PhD applicants is comparatively small, there’s also less information available to help prospective applicants navigate the MD-PhD admissions process. That’s why we created this guide, which will answer the many questions that we commonly receive about MD-PhD applications.

We’ll provide information to help you decide whether these programs are right for you, strategies you can use should you choose to apply, discussions of the required MD-PhD essays (including examples), and complete lists of MD-PhD and MSTP programs so you can maximize your odds of getting in.

What are MD-PhD programs?

MD-PhD programs are joint (i.e., dual-degree) programs that allow you to receive medical training and develop expertise in a research area. Most MD-PhD students complete dissertation research in biomedical sciences like biochemistry, genetics, and neuroscience, to name just a few examples. However, some may specialize in other fields, including anthropology, public health, bioengineering, and bioethics. Different schools will offer different options for the fields you might focus on for the PhD portion of the degree.

What are Medical Scientist Training Programs (MSTP)?

MSTP programs are a subset of 50 MD-PhD programs that are funded by the National Institute of Health (NIH). While MSTP admissions are very competitive, these programs come with significant benefits including full tuition coverage, a living expenses stipend, and professional development opportunities such as seminars, conferences, and mentorship. The MSTP initiative is meant to encourage the development of physician scientists to advance the medical field through research. The NIH began awarding the MSTP designation in 1964, with Albert Einstein College of Medicine , Northwestern University, and New York University being the original three MSTP programs. A number these programs also allow students to complete the PhD portion of the program at an allied institution outside of the home university. For example, the MSTP program at the University of California, San Francisco allows students to complete their PhD work at University of California, Berkeley.

It should be noted that many non-MSTP programs will also provide some of the aforementioned benefits, such as tuition remission and living stipends. Each program’s resources and offerings will differ, so we recommend looking into each of them individually.

How many MD-PhD programs are there?

As of March 2024, there are 122 MD-PhD programs in the United States and 13 in Canada. You can find the full list of current programs at the end of this guide, as well as on the AAMC website .

How long are MD-PhD programs?

MD-PhD programs are designed to be completed in 7 to 8 years. A minority of students complete the program in 6 or 10 years.

Here’s what the typical MD-PhD curriculum looks like:

Years 1–2 will be spent mostly on completing medical school coursework.

Years 3–6 will consist mostly of PhD research.

Years 7–8 will be spent mostly completing clinical rotations.

Following the completion of your MD-PhD program, the majority of MD-PhD grads go on to match into medical residencies and fellowships—this means another 3–7 years of training, depending on what field you enter. As you can see, earning an MD-PhD is a substantial time commitment.

What are the benefits of having MD-PhD attached to your name?  

Physician scientists are uniquely equipped to investigate diseases because of their extensive scientific and medical training. This type of work has the potential to impact the lives of millions of patients. While MD physicians can also pursue meaningful research, they typically don’t receive specialized training unless they seek it out.

MD-PhD graduates, on the other hand, develop the necessary research skills during their graduate studies to eventually pursue independent research projects, run their own labs, and so on. Moreover, in some circles, MD-PhD graduates enjoy additional prestige because they’re seen as research experts simply by virtue of going through such a rigorous program.

What kind of residencies do MD-PhDs enter?

MD-PhD graduates have traditionally entered medical residencies in internal medicine, pediatrics, or pathology. While those are still the most common choices, the range of specialties chosen by MD-PhDs has widened. Other relatively popular specialties include psychiatry, general surgery, anesthesiology, neurological surgery, and neurology.

There are also a growing number of “research residency programs.” Specifically designed with physician scientists in mind, these programs integrate research alongside clinical training. This often shortens specialty training by a year.

No matter what residency you match into, MD-PhD grads are generally considered desirable candidates for programs at top academic institutions due to their additional training.

What is the average MD-PhD salary and career?

The average physician scientist salary is currently $207,635. However, your salary will depend largely on whether you work in the public or private sector, and what medical specialty you choose.

One thing to keep in mind is that, although some programs are fully funded, MD-PhD programs take 3–4 years longer to complete than an MD program. Therefore, MD-PhD graduates will not begin earning a salary until several years after their MD counterparts.

Your typical career path as an MD-PhD graduate will be to become a faculty member in an academic medical center, such as a medical school or teaching hospital, where most of your time will be spent on research activities; other duties usually include teaching, administrative work, and clinical service. A large portion of your compensation will come in the form of research grants. Around 75% of MD-PhD grads follow this path.

Another sizable portion of physician scientists—around 16%—work as physicians in private practice.

These two career paths account for the vast majority of MD-PhD grads. Still, there are those who earn a comfortable living in the private sector working for pharmaceutical or biotech companies. Others work in governmental or nonprofit research organizations like the NIH and the Howard Hughes Medical Institute.

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How competitive are MD-PhD programs? Is it harder to get into an MD-PhD program than an MD program?

The competitiveness of MD-PhD programs vs. MD programs depends on how you look at it.

Comparing programs at the same school: At some highly competitive medical schools, less than 3% of applicants are admitted to the MD program, whereas about 10% of MD-PhD applicants get in due to a smaller applicant pool.

Comparing overall acceptance rates: During the 2023–2024 application cycle, 707 out of 1,795 applicants (39.4%) matriculated into an MD-PhD program . This number is slightly lower than the overall admissions percentage to MD programs during the same cycle (43.7%).

Comparing stats: In the most recent admissions cycle, the mean GPA and MCAT score for MD-PhD matriculants were 3.82 and 516.0. For MD matriculants , the mean GPA and MCAT score were 3.77 and 511.7.

Overall, it’s fair to state that MD-PhD admissions are more difficult than MD admissions. However, because MD-PhD programs so heavily emphasize your research track record, you may be more or less competitive for them depending on your stats and extracurricular profile .

(Suggested reading: Average GPA and MCAT Score for Every Medical School )

Do MD-PhD programs require that I take the GRE in addition to the MCAT?

It depends on the specific medical school and PhD discipline you’re applying to conduct research in. Non-medical disciplines (e.g., sociology) are far more likely to ask for your GRE score in addition to your MCAT score . You should review application requirements as early as possible to ensure that you have adequate time to prepare for the GRE if it’s required for your particular program.

How should I prepare differently to apply for MD-PhD programs?

The key differentiator between MD-PhD and MD programs is their research emphasis. If you’re considering applying to MD-PhD programs, make sure you will be able to demonstrate a longstanding commitment to research, preferably in one to three different labs. Moreover, aim to become an author on multiple publications to boost your admissions odds. Finally, make sure to develop strong rapport with your labs’ PIs so that you can secure strong recommendation letters when the time comes to apply.

With regard to coursework, the same courses that satisfy MD program requirements will satisfy MD-PhD programs’ requirements. In other words, you won’t need to take additional prerequisites to qualify for MD-PhD programs.

How many MD-PhD programs should I apply to?

It depends on several factors, including:

Your stats and extracurricular background: The higher your stats and the stronger your extracurricular—especially research—background, the greater your overall odds.

The competitiveness of your school list: The more selective the school, the lower your admissions odds there.

The number of concurrent MD applications: The more schools you apply to overall, the greater your total admissions odds.

Overall, we recommend that you apply to 20–35 schools across MD and MD-PhD programs.

Can I apply to MD and MD-PhD programs at the same time?

Yes. Simply indicate on your AMCAS application application which schools you’d like to apply for as an MD candidate vs. an MD-PhD candidate. For most schools, if they reject you for their MD-PhD program they will still consider you for their regular MD program. This point, however, is important to confirm with each individual school.

What is the MD-PhD application timeline like?

It mimics the MD application timeline . Ideally, you’ll want to submit your primary application as soon as possible after AMCAS opens for submissions in late May/early June. You should then aim to pre-write your secondary essays so you can submit your supplemental applications within two weeks of receiving them, usually sometime in July. MD-PhD interviews typically take place between October and March, with most interview invitations sent out during that same period.

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Do I face a disadvantage if I apply MD/PhD, get rejected, and essentially lose out on the early rolling admissions benefit?

In our experience, we have observed no such disadvantage. We have students who get into some MD/PhD programs, while others get deferred but are ultimately accepted into MD programs. Therefore, we encourage you to apply MD/PhD wherever you hope to attend such programs.

How does the MD-PhD application differ from the MD application?

You’ll have to submit two additional essays through AMCAS—on top of your personal statement and Work and Activities section —for MD-PhD consideration:

The MD-PhD essay, which asks for your reasons for pursuing the dual-degree program

The “significant research experience” essay, which asks for details about the scientific research you have conducted

Below, we’ll go over how to approach each MD-PhD essay, show you full-length examples, and discuss what makes them successful.

MD-PhD essay

In this essay, you’ll explain why you want to enter a dual-degree program. Your essay should thus focus on why you need to complete both an MD and a PhD, and why you wouldn’t be fulfilled by a career that didn’t include both research and clinical work. This essay will be forwarded only to your designated MD-PhD programs and it is limited to 3,000 characters (including spaces).

To explain their reasons for applying, applicants sometimes write about how they love both research and medicine, and simply couldn’t decide which to focus on. A weakness of this approach is that these essays often end up describing research and medicine in isolation from each other, which highlights that the applicant hasn’t really thought through how they interact. This might inadvertently suggest to adcoms that you actually would be better off in a standalone MD or PhD program.

Instead of this, we suggest discussing how you can’t envision not having both in your life. In other words, focus on why the combination of research and medicine is important to you. How have you and how will you apply research to your clinical work and vice-versa? What does their integration offer you that a standalone program won’t? By showing how the two areas cross over and impact each other, you’ll be able to make the case that an MD-PhD program is right for you.

Here’s an example that discusses this successfully:

My clinical work and research during college seemed separate. As a longtime psychiatric emergency department (ED) volunteer, I worked firsthand with patients and families in medical and psychological crises. As a researcher, I initially organized patient files before creating and managing a new patient database for a project identifying risk factors for stroke and cerebrovascular disease in underserved Latino populations. It wasn’t until my postgraduate years that I began to integrate my passion for mental health treatment with research.

After graduating from college, I accepted a research associate position in the Columbia University Department of Psychiatry, where I worked in Dr. Joan Stephenson’s autism assessment lab. I trained to reliably evaluate individuals suspected of having autism spectrum disorder (ASD) using behavioral observation and clinical interview methods to determine their eligibility for study participation. While my experiences in the Stephenson Lab were markedly different from working in the psychiatric ED, I realized that the importance of empathic care transcends the acuity of a patient’s condition. For instance, I distinctly remember a mother who feared that her 2-year-old son would receive an ASD diagnosis like his older brother, despite her and her husband praying for years that they would have one child with typical development before they were unable to have other children. When the lead psychologist confirmed their younger son’s ASD diagnosis, the mother broke down in tears. Before providing information on the boy’s prognosis and ASD treatment options, the psychologist and I spent the next 15 to 20 minutes validating the mother’s concerns. At that point, we figured the mother needed someone to tell her that her feelings were normal and that she wanted the best for her children. Doing so helped the mother be more receptive to our treatment recommendations.

My fascinations with mental health and cognitive psychology stem from believing that differences among human beings are not limited to the physical or social or mental aspects of development, but encompass their interaction. Reflecting on the challenges of living with Tourette Syndrome and coming from an immigrant family, I realize that the distinct combination of life events we experience, referred to simply as “environment,” is what truly makes each of us unique.

My life and research experiences have collectively taught me how conditions aren’t merely something you study in a lab out of curiosity, but rather how they dramatically impact patient life and outlook. Moreover, these experiences helped me realize my desire to become a physician scientist and pursue translational research that directly improves peoples’ lives on a larger scale.

Why does this essay work?

This applicant does an excellent job of explaining how he came to realize that his passions for clinical work and psychiatric research, once separate, actually complement and benefit each other. For example, he discusses an experience in which empathy, which is typically thought of a trait of physicians rather than researchers, came into play while working as a research assistant.

He also writes about how research doesn’t exist in isolation in a lab or purely for the pursuit of knowledge but, rather, has a real-life impact on people’s lives. By incorporating specific examples, including his own experiences of living with Tourette Syndrome, he convincingly makes the case that he has a firsthand understanding of the practical importance of research.

The essay ends with the applicant’s goals for his career. In your own essay, you might go one step further than this applicant did by providing greater specificity—for instance, if you have a particular research interest you hope to pursue, mention it. That said, it’s not necessary to know yet exactly what problem or topic you hope to research so long as you can mention a broad field of interest, as this applicant did. 

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Significant research experience essay

Your significant research experience essay is where you’ll provide details about your notable research experiences. This should include:

The durations of your research experiences

Your research supervisors’ names and affiliations

The nature of the problems you studied

Your contributions to the research efforts

In writing about their research projects, applicants are sometimes unsure of how technical or detailed their descriptions should be. You don’t want to include so much jargon that your essay reads like a scientific manuscript submission, but it’s okay to include technical details so long as they’re at a level that any scientist will be able to understand.

While describing your experience is your main goal in this essay, you might also take on the secondary goal of communicating what kind of student and researcher you are and hope to develop into. Remember that adcoms are looking for candidates who will be able to handle the strenuous challenges of an MD-PhD program. So, this essay can be a space to convey personal qualities like resolve, problem-solving, initiative, leadership, and the ability to absorb lessons and grow. You’re given 10,000 characters (including spaces) to work with in this essay.

Here are a few ways that you might incorporate personal qualities into your significant research essay:

Write about what you learned from specific research experiences and how you’ll apply those lessons going forward.

Describe not only your successes, but also your failures and what they taught you.

If you played a leadership role in some of your research experiences, make sure to highlight that you weren’t simply taking directions from someone else.

Let’s take a look at an example:

I have had X significant research experiences:

1. Professor Sean Guo, MD/PhD, Columbia University Department of Psychiatry, March 2016 - August 2018

The Guo Lab investigates the development of child psychiatric conditions through imaging genetics. My project focuses on conducting cross-modal imaging genetics analyses between genes in the catecholamine system, including ADRA2A, 5-HTTLPR, DAT1, and DRD4, and functional and connectivity imaging data to unravel the genetic bases of neural networks underlying response inhibition (RI) in children. Alongside Dr. Guo, I found that youth with greater levels of impulsivity and inattentiveness, based on standardized behavioral rating scales, displayed greater latency on a computerized RI task.  Moreover, impulsive and inattentive traits, as well as performance on the RI task, was negatively associated with functional anisotropy (FA) and functional coupling between the presupplementary motor area (preSMA), interior frontal cortex (IFC),and subthalamic nucleus. Atypical connectivity and functional coupling among these brain areas were observed to be fixed and nonprogressive regardless of age. Furthermore, we found a positive association between the blood-oxygen-level-dependent signal (BOLD) and FA in the preSMA, right IFC, STN, and occipital lobe.

Identifying genetic effects on neural function and connectivity related to RI have helped us begin elucidating neural pathways of inhibitory control. This project is translational by virtue of its integration of previously unexplored genotypes and behavioral data with functional and white matter connectivity. Our next step is to apply these early causal models of RI to develop targeted interventions. This is particularly relevant given that RI deficits are associated with numerous conditions of clinical, public health, and economic significance, including substance disorders, addiction, and obesity. 

I co-authored these findings in two manuscripts published in [Journal] and [Journal]. I also co-designed and presented a poster at the [Year, Conference]. Moreover, my colleagues and I plan to submit a paper to [Journal] in the coming weeks. If accepted, this would be my third first-authored publication.

Through this project, I learned a number of neuroimaging research techniques, including recruiting, consenting, and imaging study participants, processing functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) and diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) data, conducting statistical analyses, and writing manuscripts for peer-reviewed journals. It was extremely gratifying not only to learn these new skills, but also to take greater ownership over a project than I have in the past. This experience helped me to better understand what goes into a study from start to finish and has prepared me for future leadership.

(Note: The applicant goes on to include additional significant research experience entries using the format above.)

Let’s analyze what’s working in this essay:

The applicant provides all the relevant details about a specific research experience. Note that it’s not always necessary to go into this level of detail—given that you can use up to 10,000 characters, how much detail to include will often depend on how many significant research experiences you want to convey. This excerpt uses about 2,800 characters, meaning that the applicant has room to add 2–3 more experiences at this level of detail.

He uses an entry format, which is a great strategy to provide clarity and structure to your essay. If you wish, you can also discuss your experiences in narrative form.

He concludes the entry by talking about what he learned both in terms of specific skills but also in terms of lessons that he will apply to future work. This helps adcoms get a glimpse of the human behind the accomplishments.

Final thoughts

For the aspiring physician scientist, MD-PhD programs will provide the training you need to integrate research and clinical work. The MD-PhD admissions process is challenging and differs from that of traditional medical school admissions. In addition to completing medical school prerequisites and earning excellent grades and MCAT scores, you’ll want to ensure that your research experience is robust going into application season. Then, plan to devote significant time to your required application materials, including the two MD-PhD supplementary essays, in order to give yourself the best chances of acceptance.

About the Author

Dr. Shirag Shemmassian is the Founder of Shemmassian Academic Consulting and one of the world's foremost experts on medical school admissions. For nearly 20 years, he and his team have helped thousands of students get into medical school using his exclusive approach.

Note: This list contains MD-PhD programs funded by the NIH for award period 7/1/2021 - 6/30/2022​​​​.

University of Alabama at Birmingham School of Medicine

University of Arizona College of Medicine

Stanford University School of Medicine

University of California, Davis School of Veterinary Medicine

University of California, Irvine School of Medicine

University of California, Los Angeles School of Medicine/California Institute of Technology (Joint Program)

University of California, San Diego School of Medicine

University of California, San Francisco School of Medicine

Colorado State University College of Veterinary Medicine and Biological Sciences

University of Colorado Denver School of Medicine

Connecticut

Yale University School of Medicine

University of Miami School of Medicine

Emory University School of Medicine

Northwestern University School of Medicine

University of Chicago School of Medicine

University of Illinois College of Medicine

Indiana University School of Medicine

University of Iowa College of Medicine

University of Kansas Medical Center

Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine

University of Maryland School of Medicine

Massachusetts

Harvard Medical School/Massachusetts Institute of Technology (Joint Program)

Tufts University School of Medicine

University of Massachusetts School of Medicine

University of Michigan Medical School

Mayo Clinic School of Medicine

University of Minnesota Medical School

Washington University School of Medicine

Albert Einstein College of Medicine

Columbia University College of Physicians and Surgeons

Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai

New York University School of Medicine

Stony Brook University School of Medicine

University of Rochester School of Medicine and Dentistry

Weill Cornell Medical College/The Rockefeller University/Memorial Sloan-Kettering (Tri-Institutional Program)

North Carolina

Duke University School of Medicine

University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill School of Medicine

Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine

The Ohio State University College of Medicine

University of Cincinnati College of Medicine

Oregon Health and Science University School of Medicine

Pennsylvania

University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine

University of Pittsburgh/Carnegie Mellon University (Joint Program)

South Carolina

Medical University of South Carolina

Vanderbilt University School of Medicine

Baylor College of Medicine

The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston/MD Anderson Cancer Center (Joint Program)

University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio

University of Texas Southwestern Medical School

University of Virginia School of Medicine

University of Washington School of Medicine

Medical College of Wisconsin

University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health

Note: This is an exhaustive list of MD-PhD programs.

University of Alabama School of Medicine

University of South Alabama College of Medicine  

Mayo Clinic Alix School of Medicine - Phoenix

University of Arizona College of Medicine - Phoenix

University of Arkansas College of Medicine

Loma Linda University School of Medicine  

University of California, Davis School of Medicine  

University of California, Irvine School of Medicine  

University of California, Los Angeles School of Medicine  

University of California, San Diego School of Medicine  

University of California, San Francisco School of Medicine  

Keck School of Medicine of the University of Southern California  

University of Colorado Health Sciences Center  

University of Connecticut School of Medicine  

Yale University School of Medicine  

District of Columbia

Georgetown University School of Medicine  

Howard University College of Medicine  

University of Florida College of Medicine  

University of Miami Miller School of Medicine  

University of South Florida College of Medicine  

Emory University School of Medicine  

Medical College of Georgia  

Morehouse School of Medicine  

Medical College of Georgia at Augusta University

Loyola University of Chicago - Stritch School of Medicine  

Northwestern University Medical School   

Rosalind Franklin University of Medicine and Science - Chicago Medical School  

University of Chicago Pritzker School of Medicine (MSTP)

University of Chicago Pritzker School of Medicine (MD-PhD)

University of Illinois at Chicago College of Medicine  

University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign College of Medicine  

Indiana University School of Medicine  

University of Iowa College of Medicine  

University of Kansas School of Medicine  

University of Kentucky College of Medicine  

University of Louisville School of Medicine

Louisiana State University, New Orleans School of Medicine  

Louisiana State University, Shreveport School of Medicine  

Tulane University School of Medicine  

Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine  

National Institutes of Health Intramural MD-PhD Partnership  

Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences  

University of Maryland at Baltimore School of Medicine  

Boston University School of Medicine 

Harvard Medical School  

Tufts University School of Medicine 

University of Massachusetts Medical School 

Michigan State University College of Medicine  

University of Michigan Medical School  

Wayne State University School of Medicine  

Mayo Medical School

University of Minnesota Medical School  

Mississippi

University of Mississippi School of Medicine  

Saint Louis University School of Medicine  

University of Missouri - Columbia School of Medicine  

University of Missouri - Kansas City School of Medicine  

Washington University School of Medicine  

Creighton University School of Medicine  

University of Nebraska College of Medicine

University of Nevada School of Medicine  

New Hampshire

Geisel School of Medicine at Dartmouth  

Rutgers - New Jersey Medical School  

Rutgers - Robert Wood Johnson Medical School  

University of New Mexico School of Medicine  

Albany Medical College  

Albert Einstein College of Medicine of Yeshiva University  

Columbia University College of Physicians and Surgeons  

Hofstra North Shore - LIJ School of Medicine

Weill Cornell/Rockefeller/Sloan-Kettering Tri-Institutional MD/PhD Program  

Mount Sinai School of Medicine  

New York Medical College  

New York University School of Medicine  

SUNY at Buffalo School of Medicine  

SUNY at Stony Brook Health Sciences Center  

SUNY Downstate Medical Center College of Medicine  

SUNY Upstate Medical University  

University of Rochester School of Medicine  

Wake Forest School of Medicine  

Brody School of Medicine at East Carolina University  

Duke University School of Medicine  

University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill School of Medicine  

North Dakota

University of North Dakota School of Medicine  

Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine  

Northeastern Ohio College of Medicine  

Ohio State University College of Medicine  

University of Cincinnati College of Medicine  

University of Toledo College of Medicine  

Wright State University School of Medicine  

University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center  

Oregon Health Sciences University School of Medicine  

Drexel University College of Medicine  

Sidney Kimmel Medical College at Thomas Jefferson University  

Penn State University College of Medicine  

University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine  

University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine  

Temple University School of Medicine  

Rhode Island

Brown University School of Medicine  

University of South Carolina School of Medicine  

South Dakota

University of South Dakota School of Medicine  

East Tennessee State University James H. Quillen College of Medicine  

Meharry Medical College School of Medicine  

University of Tennessee, Memphis College of Medicine  

Vanderbilt University School of Medicine  

Baylor College of Medicine 

McGovern Medical School at UTHealth/MD Anderson Cancer Center/University of Puerto Rico Tri-Institutional Program

Texas A&M University Health Sciences Center College of Medicine College 

Texas Tech University School of Medicine 

University of Texas Medical Branch at Galveston 

University of Texas Health San Antonio, Long School of Medicine 

University of Texas, Southwestern Med Center - Dallas 

University of Utah School of Medicine 

University of Vermont College of Medicine 

Eastern Virginia Medical School 

Virginia Commonwealth University School of Medicine 

University of Virginia School of Medicine 

University of Washington School of Medicine 

West Virginia

Marshall University School of Medicine 

West Virginia University School of Medicine 

Medical College of Wisconsin 

University of Wisconsin Medical School 

McGill University Faculty of Medicine 

McMaster University of Faculty of Health Sciences 

Memorial University of Newfoundland Faculty of Medicine 

Universite de Montreal Faculte de Medecine 

Universite de Sherbrooke Faculte de Medecine 

Universite Laval Faculte de Medecine 

University of Alberta Faculty of Medicine and Dentistry 

University of Calgary Faculty of Medicine 

University of British Columbia Faculty of Medicine 

University of Manitoba Faculty of Medicine 

University of Saskatchewan College of Medicine 

University of Toronto Faculty of Medicine 

University of Western Ontario 

(Suggested reading: Medical Schools in Canada: How to Get In )

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MCOM Graduate & Postdoctoral Affairs

Quick links, graduate & postdoctoral affairs, md/phd program.

The USF Health Morsani College of Medicine MD/PhD program is designed to foster the development of the next generation of physician-scientists who will make major contributions via translational medicine to enhance the diagnosis and treatment of human disease.

About our program.

The MD/PhD program is oriented towards a small group of highly qualified and motivated students and is structured to provide outstanding medical education, scientific training, and state-of-the-art clinical practice by integrating these experiences in an interdisciplinary environment. The program is uniquely tailored to meet the needs of each student, and to promote a deep sense of scientific discovery combined with the application to modern medicine. 

Students in the MD/PhD program have access to the Florida Blue Health Knowledge Exchange , an interactive and almost entirely digital hub of medical information. This innovative technology is located on the Morsani College of Medicine downtown campus. 

Read more about the MD/PhD Program here .

Students in the MD/PhD Program receive: 

• Annual stipend (currently $37,000/year)
• Waived tuition and fees
• Health insurance
• Personalized advising and support throughout the program
• Membership in the American Physician Scientists Association (ASPA)

The MD/PhD Program is designed to be completed in approximately 7-8 years. 

Students complete their first 2 years of the MD program and participate in research lab rotations during the summer semesters. Additionally, students are invited to participate in a variety of seminars and student events through the PhD program. At the end of their second year, students complete USMLE Step 1. 

Students identify a primary research lab and enroll in coursework relevant to their research concentration. They work with their mentor to prepare for and complete the Comprehensive Qualifying Examination, then begin their dissertation research. 

After successfully completing their PhD dissertation defense, students complete their final 2 years of the MD program, culminating the completion of USMLE Step 2. 

Application Process & Admissions

Requirements.

Prospective students must apply for admission via the AMCAS application; within that application, indicate interest in the MD/PhD program. Students must meet the standards and prerequisites for admission to the both MD and PhD programs in the Morsani College of Medicine and the University of South Florida. 

View the MD Academic Requirements . 

Candidates will also be evaluated based upon submission of a modified essay, the extent and level of their previous education, awards and honors, other relevant research experience, professional training, and publications and reference letters, considering both the numerical rankings and the text of the letters which will be used to assess a student’s desire and motivation to become a physician-scientist. Competitive applicants will have significant biomedical research experience. 

Effective as of the 2024-2025 cycle, anyone who chooses to apply to the MD-PhD program will ONLY be considered for the MD-PhD program.

The AMCAS application opens in June, and students must apply by November 15 to be considered for the MD/PhD Program; however, because admission is rolling, applicants are encouraged to apply early.

Details regarding the MD application and admission process can be found on the MD Admissions website .

For More Information

MD Admissions

(813) 974-5488 [email protected]

PhD Admissions

(813) 974-2836 [email protected]

MD-PhD Program

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Discover what you’ll learn in your first year at Icahn Mount Sinai.

Building on a Strong Foundation

Learn how you’ll expand and refine your knowledge in your second year.

Pre-Clerkship Phase

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Your preclinical training Students begin by completing the Pre-Clerkship Phase , which includes anatomy, physiology, pharmacology, and pathology. Before starting in the laboratory, students will engage in clinical learning through hands-on patient care experiences and didactic exercises. In addition to the medical school curriculum, you will focus on finding a research mentor and a laboratory through individualized advising with MD-PhD leadership and Multidisciplinary Training AreasTA directors. Find out more about the Pre-Clerkship Phase .

Throughout the first year, students are also encouraged to meet with prospective research mentors . These mentors will be an invaluable resource during the lab rotations they will complete when they begin the PhD Phase. Choosing a compatible research advisor and laboratory will be an extremely important factor in the success of each student’s training experience.

We recognize the value of interdisciplinary collaboration, which is why we seek to accommodate an interest in performing clinically relevant thesis research in the lab of any member of the training faculty of the Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences at the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai , irrespective of a student’s chosen training area.

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2 years of undergraduate medical training, 3 years of research, last 2 years of undergraduate medical training. Learn more

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Ms / ph.d. pathway.

For those who have just completed their bachelors degree and already have a strong commitment to pursuing a research career we have the MS / Ph.D. pathway. Students on this pathway complete an MS and Ph.D degree in the usual way (and receive both qualifications when completed), but subject to meeting the requirements for progression can move directly from MS to Ph.D. without having to reapply to the University. Students benefit from greater certainty about their direction and can seamlessly deepen their relationships and focus.

We offer an MS across 17 different subjects. Unlike many MS programs at other universities our program is funded, allowing students to focus on their studies full time. Competition for places on our programs is high and so prospective students are expected to be strong academically and encouraged to apply early.

Key information

Program Benefits

Work with leading faculty.

At KAUST, you’ll have the opportunity to learn, work, and live alongside some of the best minds in their field.

State-of-the-art Research Facilities

Get access to cutting-edge facilities, equipment, expertise, and training.

Live in a Diverse, International Community

Join an international community of scholars and scientists living and working together in an all-inclusive campus.

Program Outcomes

As a KAUST Ph.D. student, you will work alongside some of the brightest minds in science and engineering while utilizing state-of-the-art research facilities. The university's international and interdisciplinary environment creates a diverse community of researchers, allowing for the exchange of ideas, knowledge, and perspectives. As a result, you’ll have the chance to accelerate your career through your knowledge, experience, and the valuable connections you’ve cultivated. 

Entry Requirements

We’re looking for exceptional students from around the world to join us on our mission to solve the world’s most pressing challenges. To find out more about our entry requirements and how applications are evaluated, please visit our entry requirements page .

Cost of Study

Program Structure

The program structure for the MS / Ph.D. pathway follows that for the MS and Ph.D. programs.

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I’m doing fascinating research with stem cells. The courses so far have all been amazing, but the laboratory experience, while demanding, is on another level.

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KAUST equipped me with various cutting-edge hard and soft skills such as mathematical epidemiological modeling, RNA-sequencing analysis, and cross-cultural intelligence.

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KAUST, as my academic journey's culmination, melds a vibrant community, boundary-pushing mentorship, and a culture of flourishing innovation into a transformative educational experience.

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