md phd programs low gpa

Is an MD/PhD Program Right for You?

MD-PhD programs may be right for you if you are interested in a career path that melds both clinical practice and in-depth scientific research. MD-PhD graduates aren’t simply doctors; they are “physician-scientists” or “medical scientists.”

MD-PhD programs offer a dual-degree track that combines the clinical training of a standard MD degree with the added coursework of a PhD. The PhD training is particularly rigorous and includes classes usually in the realm of biomedical sciences, as well as advanced research training, lab rotations, and intensive investigative work.

The payoff for choosing an MD-PhD program is that these clinical medicine graduates are equipped to treat patients while also participating in the discovery and development of innovative healthcare solutions. 

Here are a few reasons you might want to pursue an MD/PhD career:

• You want to participate in cutting-edge medical research.
• You want career options beyond clinical medical practice.
• You want to help train future generations of medical doctors.
• You want more collaborative research opportunities with colleagues.
• You want funding opportunities only available to MD/PhD students.

The Difference Between MD & MD/PhD

The difference between MD and MD-PhD is that graduates with an MD-PhD receive PhD training and hold a PhD degree in addition to their MD degree.

The cost of an MD-PhD program varies widely depending on the institution. Still, the stipend and tuition-free training make many of these programs significantly less financially burdensome compared to standalone MD or PhD programs.

MD/PhD students will complete graduate school and medical school qualified to hold positions in academic medicine and biomedical research (in addition to being qualified to practice clinical medicine. 

What Is an MD?

A medical doctor has earned a standard medical degree or MD and is skilled to practice clinical medicine. Medical students must complete 4 years of medical school to earn their degree, followed by 3-7 years of residency and fellowship training to practice medicine.

What Is a PhD?

PhD stands for Doctor of Philosophy in reference to their critical knowledge and research experience in a particular field of study. A PhD is the highest possible academic degree.

Earning a PhD is often considered harder than earning an MD due to the scientific research required to stimulate original thought and develop quality hypotheses.

How Competitive Are MD/PhD Programs?

Physician-scientist programs are slightly more selective and competitive than the average medical program.

Between 2018 and 2023, a little more than one-third of students who applied to an MD/PhD program (37.7%) were accepted. The acceptance rate for medical school applicants in general was 41.2% for the 2022-23 application cycle.

The test scores of these programs also indicate how much more competitive these programs are. The average MCAT score of MD/PhD matriculants in the 2022-23 cycle was 516.2, and their mean GPA was 3.82. In comparison, medical school matriculants overall had an average MCAT score of 511.9 and average GPA of 3.75 during the same cycle.

How Long Are MD/PhD Programs?

The MD-PhD dual degree takes approximately 7-8 years of coursework to complete, followed by an additional 3-7 years of residency to be eligible to practice medicine. 

Generally, MD coursework is emphasized in years 1-2, followed by research training in years 3-5, and ending with medical training and clinicals in years 6-8. 

Requirements for MD/PhD Applicants

If you are considering applying to an MD/PhD program , know that having strong essays and letters is more important than incrementally higher MCAT test scores and GPAs. Numbers get your foot in the door; storytelling gets you a seat at the table. 

In general, the requirements for MD/PhD applicants include:

• MCAT score in the 90th percentile: Specific MCAT requirements for MD/PhD programs vary by school. However, in general, most students have the best chance at success with an MCAT score in the 90th percentile or higher. In the 2022-23 application cycle, MD/PhD applicants had an average MCAT score of 511.3, while matriculants averaged 516.2.
• GPA of 3.7 or higher: Like MCAT scores, the GPA requirements for MD/PhD programs differ by program. But your chances are highest with an average GPA of at least 3.7. In the 2022-23 application cycle, MD/PhD applicants averaged a science GPA of 3.61 and overall GPA of 3.68, while matriculants averaged a 3.78 science GPA and 3.82 overall.
• Compelling personal statement: Your personal statement essay should explain why you want to become a physician and is required for both MD & MD/PhD applications . All prospective doctors must write a personal statement that stands out, and this is doubly true for MD/PhD applicants.
• 2 additional essays: You’ll write one essay conveying your personal interest in pursuing an MD/PhD dual degree specifically, and one essay covering your substantive experiences in the field of research . These may include multiple summer projects, senior thesis research, or 1+ years of post-undergrad research programs and activities.
• 2-3 letters from research mentors who can praise your scientific potential.
• 1-2 letters from clinical mentors who know your aptitude for patient care.
• 1 letter from the premed committee.
• 1 letter from a mentor who can discuss your leadership skills and personal traits in an extracurricular setting.

Questions to Ask Yourself When Considering an MD/PhD Program

By answering these questions, you can choose the graduate program that is the best fit for you over the next 8 years.

• What skills do you want to develop? Choose a program that has ample opportunities to explore your field of interest and in which you can identify potential mentors for rotations and thesis projects.
• What is your preferred MD/PhD program size? Choose a smaller program of MD-PhD students if you prefer hands-on guidance with individualized attention and a larger program if you prefer a larger community with more networking opportunities. 
• Where do you want to live for 8 years of medical school ? Choose a location that fits your needs for cost of living, housing, transportation, extracurriculars, as well as opportunities for fun and making friends. 
• Does the program offer financial aid? Choose a program that meets your financial needs in the form of stipends and tuition waivers. It’s important to note that if you drop out of an MD-PhD program, some schools require you to pay back the investment that the school made in you. 
• Will you fit into the school’s culture? Choose a program after you’ve visited the campus, talked with the current students and faculty, and asked about opportunities in your field of interest as well as other’s experiences at the school and living in the city.
• Does the MD/PhD Program align with your timeline? Choose a program with coursework that allows you to graduate in your preferred timeline, which could be sooner or longer than eight years.

Possible Career Paths for MD/PhD Graduates

A career choice often depends on an individual’s specific interests, such as which medical specialties they are drawn to, whether they prefer working with patients or in a laboratory, and how they want to contribute to advancing medical science.

The salary range for MD/PhD graduates varies significantly by position and type of work. Policy analysts’ starting salary is around $57,000 per year, while attending physicians who do research can make upwards of $500,000.

Below are careers someone with an MD-PhD might pursue:

Attending Physician with Research Responsibilities

An MD/PhD holder in this position would have a traditional medical role seeing and treating patients, but they might also have dedicated time for research. This role allows one to continue practicing medicine while contributing to academic or clinical research. 

Individuals in this role often split their time among patient care, research activities, and instructional duties. Typically, they are found in educational hospitals or medical schools.

Physicians’ salaries can vary significantly based on specialty and experience, but generally, they are well-compensated. An attending physician in a specialized field can expect to earn upwards of $200,000 to $500,000 or more, especially if they have dual responsibilities that include research.

Translational Medicine Specialist

These specialists work at the intersection of basic research and patient care, focusing on turning research insights into practical medical applications. 

This role may exist within academia, industry, or clinical settings and is tailored for those who understand both the clinical and research aspects of medicine.

The salary for this role can also vary based on industry, location, and level of experience but would likely fall in the range of $150,000 to $250,000 or more.

Biomedical Researcher

Those with MD-PhD qualifications commonly secure jobs as researchers within biomedical science. Employment settings can range from academic institutions and drug companies to governmental agencies like the NIH.

Salaries for biomedical researchers typically fall somewhere between $85,000 and $104,000 per year.

Clinical Research Director

These are medical doctors responsible for overseeing clinical trials and research projects, usually within a hospital, academic institution, or pharmaceutical/biotech company. This role leverages both the clinical insights from an MD and the research methodology of a PhD.

Salaries can vary widely depending on the setting (academia, private industry, etc.) and geographic location. In general, a Clinical Research Director could expect to earn a six-figure salary, often ranging from around $150,000 to $250,000 or more per year.

Pharmaceutical/Biotech Industry Professional

A significant number of MD-PhDs join the pharmaceutical or biotech sectors. Responsibilities might include roles in the development of new medications, overseeing clinical trials, regulatory compliance, or managing medical affairs.

The average salary for this position will likely differ quite a bit depending on the exact role and company, but the average is generally between $125,000 and $133,00 per year.

Medical Director

In this capacity, a person is in charge of the medical elements of a healthcare facility or a specific department within a hospital. The role usually calls for expertise in both medical practice and research.

This position is likely to be one of the most lucrative of the MD/PhD field, with an average salary from $319,000 to $329,000 per year.

Science Policy Analyst/Advisor

Individuals in this role often find themselves in governmental or nonprofit settings, where they influence policy decisions related to scientific research and healthcare.

The typical salary for a science policy analyst starts at around $57,000 per year. Advisors have a slightly higher upper salary range and may make as much as $75,000.

Public Health Official

Some MD-PhDs opt for roles in the public sector where they focus on health concerns at a societal level. They may be employed by organizations such as the CDC or WHO.

In many cases, public health officials can expect to make a yearly salary of between $101,000 and $111,000.

Medical Science Liaison

This role typically serves as an intermediary between pharmaceutical enterprises and medical professionals. These liaisons disseminate information about new treatments and scientific advancements to doctors, researchers, and other medical stakeholders.

This role also typically commands a six-figure salary, usually ranging from approximately $100,000 to $200,000, depending on experience, location, and the hiring organization.

Medical Educator

Professors teach medical students, residents, and fellows in an academic setting while also conducting research. These doctors often have clinical responsibilities as well. An MD/PhD is especially well-suited for this role due to the dual focus on clinical care and research.

They may teach various medical subjects like pharmacology or genetics and actively participate in the educational goals of their institutions.

In academia, salaries can vary widely based on rank (Assistant Professor, Associate Professor, Full Professor), institution, and geographic location. Salaries may range from $100,000 to well over $200,000 for senior roles or those at prestigious institutions.

Best MD/PhD Programs in the US

There are 122 different American Universities that offer MD/PhD degree programs, according to the AAMC list of MD-PhD Programs by State . A further 13 Canadian programs also use the AMCAS application system.

Some MD-PhD programs in the United States are funded by the National Institutes of Health (NIH) through the Medical Scientist Training Program (MSTP). This means that students receive full tuition remission, health insurance, and a living stipend throughout their training.

Medical schools with fully funded MD-PhD programs :

• Dartmouth University, Geisel School of Medicine
• Duke University School of Medicine
• Harvard/M.I.T MD-PhD Program, Harvard Medical School
• John Hopkins University School of Medicine
• Mayo Clinic College of Medicine & Science
• University of Florida College of Medicine
• University of Pennsylvania, Perelman School of Medicine
• University of Southern California (USC), Keck School of Medicine
• Yale University School of Medicine

Medical schools with the most MD-PhD spots historically: 

• Raymond and Ruth Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania
• University of Illinois College of Medicine
• Weill Cornell Medical College
• Washington University in St. Louis School of Medicine
• Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine
• Albert Einstein College of Medicine of Yeshiva University
• University of California, Los Angeles David Geffen School of Medicine
• University of Michigan Medical School
• Columbia University College of Physicians and Surgeons 
• University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine
• Harvard Medical School
• Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine
• Northwestern University The Feinberg School of Medicine
• Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai
• University of California, San Francisco, School of Medicine
• Vanderbilt University School of Medicine
• Ohio State University College of Medicine
• University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health
• New York University School of Medicine
• Stanford University School of Medicine
• Yale School of Medicine

Medical schools with MD/PhD programs that accept international students:

• Emory University School of Medicine
• Northwestern Feinberg School of Medicine
• University of Pennsylvania Perelman School of Medicine
• University of Southern California Keck School of Medicine/California Institute of Technology
• University of Texas Southwestern Medical School
• Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis

The MD/PhD Application Process

The application process for MD-PhD programs is similar to that of typical MD programs. The two major differences are that you’ll designate yourself as an MD/PhD candidate on the AMCAS application, and you’ll submit 2 additional essays on that primary.

The Application Timeline

• AMCAS (submit by end of May): You’ll fill out a primary application through AMCAS in the spring of the first year of your application cycle (e.g., to matriculate in fall 2026, you’ll submit AMCAS in spring 2025). AMCAS opens at the end of May each year. Aim to submit the primary application no later than the end of June, as early applications are more likely to be reviewed and accepted.
• Secondaries (submit by end of August): You’ll respond to secondary applications in the summer after your primary application is reviewed by each school you submitted it to. Each program sends secondary applications to students who generally meet their minimum requirements.
• Interviews (October-March): You’ll then attend interviews as invited between October and March. Some schools won’t contact you at all to reject your application; others will offer conflicting invites. You must prioritize your options and prepare for the opportunities that do come. 
• Final decisions (December-March): Final decisions are made by schools between December and March. Schools with a rolling admissions cycle (most of them) accept students after completing interviews and determining a student is a fit. A smaller number of programs wait to send acceptances until after all interviews are complete.
• Choose your program (March-April): Students choose where to matriculate between March and April.
• Programs start (June-August): Programs begin between June and August, depending on the school.

How to Prepare for an MD/PhD interview

You should prepare for your MD/PhD interview by practicing mock interviews to rid yourself of the jitters and fine-tune your responses in various scenarios. In addition to developing your personal narrative, you must be able to explain your research training at multiple levels.  

If you’re interested in participating in a mock interview with a physician who has served on an admissions committee, consider a mock interview with MedSchoolCoach .

What to Do if You Get Waitlisted

Finding out that you’ve been waitlisted for the MD/PhD program of your dreams is never a good feeling. However, you are not helpless in the wait. It’s a good idea to remain in contact with program leaders and administrators by sending a Letter of Intent or a Letter of Interest.

Listen: An MD/PHD’s Journey to Medicine [PODCAST]  

What is a Letter of Intent vs. a Letter of Interest? 

A Letter of Intent is a formal statement that you would commit to matriculating into a program if you are accepted. A Letter of Interest conveys that you are strongly interested in the program, but it does not indicate any commitment or explicitly state that a program is your first choice.

Both letters should summarize why you believe the program and school are a great fit for your interests and how you will be able to uniquely contribute to the school, in under one page.

Finding Out You’ve Been Accepted!

The day you receive that phone call or email — the one from the MD-PhD program director contacting you to say you have officially been offered acceptance into their program — provides a feeling of joy worth being patient for!

Our Physician Advisors can support you through the application process for your best shot at getting into the school of your choice.

What specialties can MD/PhD graduates earn their PhD in?  

PhD students commonly choose to specialize in topics such as:

• Cell Biology
• Biochemistry
• Pharmacology
• Neuroscience
• Biomedical Engineering

What is the salary range for an MD/PhD graduate? 

MD/PhD graduates can expect an average annual salary of about $100K, depending on the type of work and place of employment.

What is the difference between a PhD and a Postdoctorate? 

A Postdoctoral Fellowship is a temporary period of mentorship and research training for graduates with doctoral degrees, offered by the National Institutes of Health, to acquire skills needed for a chosen career. A PhD thesis must be successfully defended, whereas a postdoc is a non-defendable temporary employment assignment from an organization such as a university.

Can an MD/PhD be a doctor? 

Graduates who earn an MD/PhD are fully qualified doctors and may practice medicine in a clinical setting upon completing their residency training.

Can an MD/PhD graduate be a surgeon? 

While an MD/PhD graduate CAN be a surgeon if they choose surgery specialties in their residency programs, a surgical resident is not required to obtain a PhD in addition to their MD.

Schedule a free 15-minute consultation with MedSchoolCoach to learn how we can help boost your chances of success getting into medical school .

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• What Counts as Clinical Experience for Medical School?

Renee Marinelli MD

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• Medical School Application

MD-PhD Programs: The Definitive Guide

Including a list of md-phd programs in the us and canada.

Featured Expert: Dr. Jacquelyn Paquet, MD

An MD-PhD program might be the right choice for you if the question “ Why do you want to be a doctor? ” leaves you feeling excited but a little unsure. Are you inspired to work in medicine but not interested in concentrating exclusively on clinical work? MD-PhD programs accept applicants who want to become physician-scientists, a career path that focuses on scientific innovation and research. 

In this definitive guide to MD-PhD programs, you will learn everything you need to know about applying, medical schools in North America that offer this program, admission requirements, funding for MD-PhD programs, and tips to help you get accepted!

>> Want us to help you get accepted? Schedule a free initial consultation here <<

Article Contents 1 min read

List of md-phd programs.

Many schools offer the MD-PhD program in Canada and the United States, and the number of available programs is growing. Here is an up-to-date list, which is also available on the AAMC website. Schools funded through MTSP are starred.

·       University of Alabama School of Medicine*

·       University of Arizona College of Medicine *

·       University of Arizona College of Medicine - Phoenix

·       University of Arkansas College of Medicine

·       Loma Linda University School of Medicine

·       Stanford University School of Medicine*

·       University of California, Davis School of Medicine *

·       University of California, Irvine School of Medicine*

·       University of California, Los Angeles David Geffen School of Medicine*

·       University of California, San Diego School of Medicine*

·       University of California, San Francisco School of Medicine*

·       Kaiser Permanente Bernard J. Tyson School of Medicine

·       Keck School of Medicine of the University of Southern California

·       University of Colorado Health Sciences Center

·       University of Colorado Denver*

·       Colorado State University College of Veterinary Medicine and Biological Sciences*

·       University of Connecticut School of Medicine

·       Yale University School of Medicine*

·       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

·       University of Central Florida College of Medicine

·       Emory University School of Medicine*

·       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 (MTSP) *

·       University of Illinois at Chicago College of Medicine *

·       Carle Illinois 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

·       Western Michigan University Homer Stryker M.D. School of Medicine

·       Mayo Medical School *

·       University of Minnesota Medical School *

·       University of Mississippi School of Medicine

·       Saint Louis University School of Medicine

·       University of Missouri - Columbia School of Medicine

·       Washington University School of Medicine *

·       University of Nebraska College of Medicine

·       Creighton University School of Medicine

·       University of Nevada School of Medicine

·       Geisel School of Medicine at Dartmouth

·       University of Medicine & Dentistry of New Jersey - New Jersey Medical School

·       University of Medicine & Dentistry of New Jersey - Robert Wood Johnson Medical School

·       Cooper Medical School of Rowan University

·       University of New Mexico School of Medicine

·       Albany Medical College

·       Albert Einstein College of Medicine of Yeshiva University *

·       Columbia University Vagelos College of Physicians and Surgeons *

·       Donald and Barbara Zucker School of Medicine at Hofstra/Northwell

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

·       Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai *

·       New York Medical College

·       New York University Grossman School of Medicine *

·       Jacobs School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences at the University at Buffalo

·       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 *

·       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 & Science University School of Medicine *

·       Drexel University College of Medicine

·       Penn State University College of Medicine *

·       Perelman School of Medicine School of Medicine *

·       Sidney Kimmel Medical College at Thomas Jefferson University  

·       University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine *

·       University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine  

·       Lewis Katz School of Medicine at Temple University Philadelphia, Pa.

·       University of Puerto Rico School of Medicine

·       Brown University School of Medicine

·       Medical University of South Carolina College of Medicine *

·       University of South Carolina School of Medicine

·       University of South Dakota School of Medicine

·       Meharry Medical College School of Medicine

·       East Tennessee State University James H. Quillen College of Medicine

·       University of Tennessee, Memphis College of Medicine

·       Vanderbilt University School of Medicine *

·       Baylor College of Medicine *

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

·       Texas Tech University School of Medicine

·       University of Texas Medical Branch at Galveston

·       McGovern Medical School at the University of Texas Health Science Center *

·       University of Texas, San Antonio Medical School *

·       University of Texas, Southwestern Med Center - Dallas *

·       University of Texas Rio Grande Valley School of Medicine

·       University of Utah School of Medicine

·       University of Vermont College of Medicine

·       Virginia Commonwealth University School of Medicine

·       University of Virginia School of Medicine *

·       University of Washington School of Medicine *

·       Marshall University Joan C. Edwards School of Medicine

·       West Virginia University School of Medicine

·       Medical College of Wisconsin *

·       University of Wisconsin Medical School *

·       McGill University Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences Montreal, Quebec

·       McMaster University of Faculty of Health Sciences Hamilton, Ontario

·       Memorial University of Newfoundland St. John’s, Newfoundland

·       Queen’s University School of Medicine Kingston, Ontario

·       Universite de Montreal Faculte de Medecine  Montréal, Québec

·       Universite de Sherbrooke Faculte de Medecine  Sherbrooke, Quebec

·       Universite Laval Faculte de Medecine  Québec, Québec

·       University of Alberta Faculty of Medicine and Dentistry Edmonton, Alberta

·       University of Calgary Faculty of Medicine Calgary, Alberta

·       University of British Columbia Faculty of Medicine Vancouver, British Columbia

·       University of Manitoba Winnipeg, Manitoba

·       University of Ottawa Faculty of Medicine Ottawa

·       University of Toronto Faculty of Medicine Toronto, Ontario

·       University of Western Ontario London, Ontario

MD-PhD programs allow you to obtain a dual degree in medicine and research. When deciding between MD-PhD vs MD programs, it is important to know what MD-PhD programs entail. Upon graduation, students receive a combined degree with advanced, hands-on research training and expertise in a field of their choice.

“MD-PhD … students enter their first year of medical school and complete their pre-clerkship years. During this period they are likely exploring what they are interested in, solidifying their focus in research and seeking supervisors. Then they will take approximately 5 years off of their medical training to complete their PhD. They will then re-engage in their medical training completing their clerkship training, which will complete their program. MD-PhD is a rigorous program and the committee is looking for individuals who are academically strong and possess research skills to succeed in the PhD program. Applicants should be strong clinicians, thus having a breadth of leadership, extracurricular, volunteerism and research experience.” - Dr Jacquelyn Paquet, MD

Is the md-phd program right for me.

The MD-PhD program is for exceptional students interested in a career in medical research, but you’ll still need to be a well-rounded medical school applicant.

“For the MD-PhD they are wanting individuals to possess additional research skills, however recognizing the unique leadership positions of those with doctoral degrees, they are often situated in academic centers, thus involved in administrative and teaching roles as well! They are still wanting applicants to be strong clinicians, thus having a breadth of leadership, extracurricular, volunteerism and research experience are sought.” – Dr. Jacquelyn Paquet, MD.

Keep in mind that even if you choose not to pursue a dual degree program, MDs can still earn their PhDs—and vice versa!

“I pursued a PhD during residency. I had considered doing a MD-PhD as it would provide more opportunities to focus on research prior to initiating my residency training. I opted to complete my MD first and pursue my MSc and PhD during residency as I was concerned about having 5 years off between my pre-clerkship and clerkship years would impact my clinical skills.” – Dr. Jacquelyn Paquet, MD.

Finally, ask yourself, \u201c What is your greatest weakness? \u201d If the answer is research, an MD-PhD program might not be for you. However, if you are determined to pursue medicine and research simultaneously, the MD-PhD program is perfect! ","label":"Question to Ask Yourself","title":"Question to Ask Yourself"}]" code="tab4" template="BlogArticle">

Struggling to decide between MD-PhD and MD programs? Check out our video below!

The most important admission requirements and prerequisites for MD-PhD programs are your research background and lab experience. MD-PhD programs require the completion of a four-year undergraduate degree and background in the following disciplines:

2 years of clinical training to prepare you for residency. After clerkships, you will complete the USMLE Step 2 exam and any other MD requirements of your program.  "}]">

These medical school prerequisites are the baseline. Your academic record should include a variety of science and non-science courses. Admissions committees will note your coursework’s difficulty levels and academic improvement over time.

Check with your program of choice for specific course requirements.

We’ve compiled a list of our top tips for getting accepted into an MD-PhD program, based on expert advice and experience:

GPA and MCAT

According to the latest AAMC statistics, the average GPA of MD-PhD matriculants is 3.7, while the average MCAT score is 511. If your academic record does not reflect these numbers, you need to get your grades up. Here are four ways you can start to get into medical school with a low GPA.

• Re-enroll in classes you performed poorly in and get a higher grade.
• Ask your instructors and teaching assistants for extra credit assignments.
• Find a tutor to help with areas where you struggle.
• Plan your school schedule to include subjects in which you excel.

Your MCAT score is an indicator of your academic prowess. Before you take the test, make sure you know what is a good MCAT score and when to start studying for the MCAT . Here are four strategies that can help your MCAT score.

• Give yourself ample time to prepare.
• Start by taking an MCAT practice test to determine areas for improvement.
• Create an MCAT study schedule.
• Take multiple practice tests to monitor improvement. If you consistently score at the 90% percentile in your practice tests, you can start planning to take the actual MCAT.

If you’re still wondering “ When should I take the MCAT ?”, read our blog for tips.

CASPer Test

If your schools require the completion of the Acuity Insights Suite, you will complete the Duet profile and CASPer test. Preparing for each component is challenging, but CASPer remains the most intimidating.

The CASPer test is an online situational judgment test designed to assess the suitability of students applying to professional schools. The timed format is challenging, so knowing how the CASPer test is scored is helpful. Learn how to prepare for CASPer and review these CASPer practice questions to ace your test!

“Thanks to BEMO I got a 4th quartile on my casper test!!!!! It took me long to understand the BEMO structure but practice and great coaching made the difference. Without BEMO I would of probably gotten a 2. So don’t hesitate signing up with them, if you are committed, you will also get a 4! Also, buy the BEMO casper book!” - Mike, Former BeMo Student

You will need to submit a total of three essays for the MD-PhD program:

• Your personal statement,
• The research interest statement , and
• The MD PhD essay .

Note: If you’re applying through TMDSAS, you will need to submit the Dual Degree essay along with the other essay application components.

“In your personal statement you want to highlight your breadth and skillset in research and areas of interest. You also want to highlight how completing a PhD will make you a stronger clinician and if you are aware, how you see yourself fulfilling the roles of researcher and clinician.” – Dr. Jacquelyn Paquet, MD.

While your medical school personal statement answers the question “Why do you want to be a doctor?”, the MD-PhD specific essays demonstrate your research expertise and explain why you have chosen to pursue an MD-PhD. The significant research experience essay outlines your most valuable research experiences, including the nature of the work, your role and contributions, project length, and details about the principal investigators. Your MD-PhD essay tells the story of how you became involved in scientific research and how you want to apply your research to medical practice.

“I used BeMo consulting when applying to my MD/PhD programs this year. As a first time applicant to these programs, it can be overwhelming. Luckily, BeMo’s services are helpful and easy-to-use. They have a fast response and helped me greatly in writing my essays." -- Zhinan Liu, former BeMo student.

Want to know how to write an MD-PhD essay? Check out our video below!

Research Experience

As an MD-PhD program applicant, you must have research experience to demonstrate your exposure to research methods and techniques.

Dr. Monica Taneja, BeMo expert and Psychiatry resident at Harvard South Shore, reminds students that it is important to consider your own passion when finding research opportunities, not focusing solely on what you think the admission committee is looking for.

“I definitely felt that public health gave me a lot of unique opportunities to delve into research related to the social determinants of health and health equity. I noticed that research in this area was not as common compared to basic science or clinical research.” - Dr. Monica Taneja, MD, Harvard South Shore – Psychiatry.

Make sure you can identify what you learned from your research experiences – you will have to outline valuable lessons and skills you acquired in multiple parts of your MD-PhD application and interviews. To bolster your research background, try looking for research assistant positions.

• Talk to your instructors and teaching assistants about participating in their research projects.
• Check for research position postings on your school’s website.
• Reach out to former instructors and ask about research opportunities.
• Contact physicians you volunteered with or shadowed to find out if they are involved in research projects. Even if they are not, physicians can often recommend research-oriented organizations and medical professionals.

You need a strong application, including a research assistant cover letter and CV, to apply to research positions. If academia is your passion, you might want to look into special master’s programs . These graduate degrees are designed to enhance students’ medical school applications and may improve the quality of your research background.

Clinical experience is one of the essential extracurriculars for medical school , and having no clinical background will decrease your chances of being accepted to an MD-PhD program.

You can gain clinical experience through:

• Working and volunteering in clinics, hospitals, and hospices.
• Volunteering in long-term care and retirement homes.
• Working as a health professional’s assistant.
• Volunteering as a medical scribe or a personal caretaker.

Shadowing a physician can also increase your knowledge of clinical practice. Take note of memorable lessons you learn – they may be invaluable sources for your MD-PhD essays. Make sure you know how many shadowing hours are required for medical school to fulfill the requirement and how to ask to shadow a doct or.

Dr. Neel Mistry, MD, a graduate from the University of Ottawa medical school and a BeMo admissions expert, says this about his clinical experience:

“These experiences helped solidify my passion for medicine and why I wanted to become a doctor. I was able to draw on these experiences during my medical school application and the interview process.” - Dr Neel Mistry, MD

Md-phd residency.

As an MD-PhD student, you need to find residencies developed to train physician-scientists by fully integrating research into clinical training. The number of residency programs for MD-PhDs is growing, and a wide range of clinical specialty choices exist. During your dual degree program, you’ll have plenty of opportunities to explore research in different medical specialties.

“By having an area of focus, it allows you to explore if you do want to indeed be a clinician-scientist in the area you have considered or if you have a different scope of the project that might lend itself better to a complimentary specialty. For instance, someone who is interested in head and neck cancers may be quite interested in pursuing otolaryngology however when they focus on their project, they recognize that they prefer the radiology or oncologic treatments and thus pursue interventional radiology, radiation oncology or oncology.” – Dr. Jacquelyn Paquet, MD.

You will use the ERAS application to apply to American residency programs and CaRMS to apply to programs in Canada.

1. WHAT ARE MY CAREER OPTIONS WITH AN MD-PHD?

Individuals with an MD-PhD have career options across academia, research institutions, healthcare organizations, and private industry. The versatility of an MD-PhD equips graduates to make significant contributions to medical practice and scientific innovation.

Career paths for MD-PhDs include:

• Academic careers, working in universities or medical schools, where time is shared between patient care, teaching, and conducting research.
• Leadership roles within healthcare organizations, directing research programs or shaping healthcare policy.
• Private industry, such as pharmaceutical companies, biotechnology firms, or healthcare consulting.
• Government agencies, advancing medical research and public health initiatives.

2. HOW LONG ARE MOST MD-PHD PROGRAMS?

MD-PhD programs can take up to 8 years to complete. Factors influencing the duration include clinical and PhD requirements and research progress. Two common tracks are the 2-3-2 or 2-4-2, involving initial MD coursework, followed by PhD research, and concluding with clinical training.

3. IS IT HARDER TO GET INTO AN MD-PHD PROGRAM?

Getting into an MD-PhD program can be harder because you have to meet the admission requirements for both the MD and PhD programs, and have research experience. MD-PhD programs can be very selective and highly competitive.  

4. ARE THERE ANY FUNDED MD-PHD PROGRAMS?

MD-PhD program funding can include tuition waivers and a stipend to help cover the costs of living expenses. The National Institute of General Medical Sciences (NIGMS) provides financial support to dozens of MD-PhD programs through the Medical Scientist Training Program (MSTP). These programs are extremely competitive as the funding offers a tuition allowance and a basic stipend, with most institutions supplementing the stipend.

5. DO I STILL NEED TO GET CLINICAL AND SHADOWING EXPERIENCE IF I AM APPLYING TO THE COMBINED PROGRAM?

While research is going to be the major focus of the MD-PhD, you must still have sufficient clinical and shadowing experience to assure that medicine is also a desired component of your career.

6. SHOULD I GET A MASTER’S DEGREE BEFORE I APPLY TO MD-PHD?

Most applicants do not have master’s degrees. However, some students pursue a special master’s program to gain valuable research experience and bolster their MD-PhD applications.

7. WHAT IS A GOOD RESEARCH EXPERIENCE FOR MD-PHD?

You do not need to have research experience in the medical field to qualify for MD-PhD. Many research skills are transferable across disciplines. As long as you learn valuable research skills and understand the process, your research experience can come from any field you like.

8. HOW MUCH RESEARCH EXPERIENCE DO I NEED TO GET ACCEPTED?

The quality of your research experience is most important. It is not necessary to be involved in dozens of research projects or make any ground-breaking scientific discoveries to enter the MD-PhD program. In your application, focus on what you have learned and accomplished and don't be afraid to discuss your setbacks in addition to your accomplishments.

9. DO I NEED TO BE A PUBLISHED RESEARCHER TO ENTER THE MD-PHD PROGRAM?

Having published research can give you a competitive edge as not every applicant will have this experience. Keep in mind that you must have an in-depth understanding of this research because you will be asked about it during your interviews. However, many students apply directly out of undergrad and admissions committees understand that it is difficult to contribute to publication at such an early stage in your education.

10. WHAT IS THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN MD-PHD AND MSTP?

Medical Scientist Training Program (MSTP) is an MD-PhD program that has been awarded a training grant (T32) from the National Institute of General Medical Science that financially supports trainees in the program. There are currently about 49 MD-PhD programs that have T32 awards. Non-MSTP MD-PhD programs also provide environments where students obtain outstanding dual-degree training.

11. WHO SHOULD WRITE MY RECOMMENDATION LETTERS FOR THIS TYPE OF PROGRAM?

Ideally, at least one of your writers will be the head of a research project in which you participated. It is important to have a person who can speak to your research skills and progress. Other writers can include professors and instructors, volunteer and work supervisors, athletics coaches, or a physician you worked with or whom you shadowed.

12. CAN I CHANGE MY RESEARCH INTERESTS DURING MY STUDIES, OR WILL I HAVE TO STICK TO THE RESEARCH FIELD I IDENTIFIED IN MY PERSONAL STATEMENT AND MY MD PHD ESSAY?

It is completely normal to change direction in your research throughout your studies and many students change their research fields after they gain more research experience.

13. CAN I BECOME A PHYSICIAN-SCIENTIST WITHOUT OBTAINING AN MD-PHD DEGREE?

It is certainly possible to become a physician-scientist without obtaining an MD-PhD degree. However, the joint program is the most effective way to become a physician-scientist. You can also complete an MD and PhD separately, but this route takes much longer. Some schools will let you transfer into their MD-PhD program if you've completed a year or two in their medical program.

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MSTP MD-PhD Program

Criteria & application requirements, to apply for stanford mstp boost, please click here . , eligibility:.

• Sophomore or above at a  4-year university. You are eligible if you have graduated from a 4-year university.
• Students who, by reason of their culture, class, race, ethnicity, sexual orientation, gender identity, disability, background, work and life experiences, and/or skills and interests would bring diversity (broadly defined) to graduate study in the medicine and biological sciences
• Demonstrated interest in pursuing a MD-PhD in the biosciences (i.e. prior scientific research experience or intent to participate in research in the upcoming academic year)
• Completed application submitted by the deadline
• Must be available for the entire program
• Note: in general, a cumulative GPA of 3.0 or higher will be competitive for this program. However, applicants with GPA below 3.0 may still apply; applications will be considered on a case-by-case basis, incorporating relevant information from the essay responses which might explain lapses in academic performance.

Application Requirements: 

• Copy of an unofficial transcript (official transcripts will be required later for students who are accepted into the program)
• Two letters of recommendation 
• Essay responses on application form
• Application opens November 1, 2023
• Application closes January 20, 2024 at 11:59PM PST
• Selected participants will be notified in early February; selected participants will have 48 hours to accept or decline the offer
• Stanford MSTP BOOST will run from April 24-26, 2024

Recommendation Letters:

• All applicants to Preview must have two letters of reccomendation. 
• The recommendation letter is submitted through the online application via a link sent to the recommender.
• Recommendation letters from someone familiar with your previous research and/or graduate level research potential (PIs, research program directors, etc.) are strongly encouraged.
• Recommendation letters should touch upon the your potential and resiliency for an academic career.
• Note: Redundant letters (e.g. from two mentors involved in the same or similar projects) are strongly discouraged.

Stanford MSTP BOOST Application Logistics

Applicants who wish to be considered for both Stanford MSTP BOOST and the Stanford ADVANCE AUI  ( https://ssrp.slideroom.com/#/permalink/program/61071 )  can  apply to both programs using a single application link.  Please note your preference of the two programs. You may use the  same letter of recommendation for both applications.

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If you can’t imagine a medical career without helping patients and participating in research, you’ve probably considered the MD-PhD track. Learn all about applying to MD-PhD programs and get our expert tips for strengthening your application.

Is an MD-PhD Program right for you?

The MD-PhD is a dual doctorate degree program for students who are interested in careers as “physician-scientists." By graduation, you’ll have fulfilled requirements for both the MD and PhD degrees. The MD-PhD takes about 8 years to complete during which you receive medical training AND become an expert in a specific research field. The program also requires dissertation research in your field of graduate study, which can range from biomedical laboratory disciplines like biochemistry or genetics to fields like economics, sociology, or anthropology . After graduation, MD-PhD students usually work as researchers or as faculty members at medical schools and universities.

Learn more about MD combined degree programs .

What are Medical Scientist Training Programs?

Medical Scientist Training Programs (MSTP) are MD-PhD programs that are funded by the National Institute of Health. Students who are admitted to these highly-competitive programs receive full tuition coverage, living expenses, and a stipend. There are currently 45  NIH-funded MSTP programs .

Are all MD-PhD programs free?

Over 60 medical and osteopathic medical schools  maintain their own MD-PhD or DO-PhD programs that are not funded by the NIH. Depending on the school, these programs offer full or partial financial support for their students.

Applying to MD-PhD Programs

Nearly all MD-PhD programs use the same application process as MD admissions—via the American Medical College Application Service (AMCAS) application . One key difference? MD-PhD applicants submit two additional essays: the MD-PhD Essay and the Significant Research Experience Essay:

• The MD-PhD Essay asks you to explain your reasons for pursuing the combined degree program.
• The  Significant Research Experience Essay asks you to describe your key research experiences, including your research supervisor's name and affiliation, the duration of the experience, the nature of the problem studied, and your contributions to the project.

Read More: Guide to Your Med School Applications

Do you need to take the GRE Test to apply for the Md-Phd Program?

Programs have different policies, so some schools may require both the MCAT and the GRE for combined degree applicants. For example, an MD-Phd in Anthropology at one school may require the GRE, while the MD-PhD in Immunology may not. Check with your prospective med schools to make sure you’re covered.

Timeline for MD-PhD Admissions

The MD-PHD application timeline is virtually the same as for MD admissions. (Remember you are using the same application service!) Here are the important dates for MD-PHD admissions:

• Early May: AMCAS opens and begins accepting transcripts
• Early June:  AMCAS begins accepting application submissions
• October–March: MD-PhD applicant interviews
• December–March: Admissions decisions sent to applicants
• March–April: Md-PhD applicants make their final decisions
• June–August: MD-PHD programs begin!

Tips for Boosting Your Md-Phd Application

Competition for MD-PhD applicants is fierce. After all, you have to convince medical schools to invest significant time and financial resources in you. Of the total 1,936 MD-PhD applicants in 2016–17, only 649 matriculated in a U.S. med school. Here’s what you can do to strengthen your overall application.

1. You need strong MCAT scores and a high GPA

If your grades and scores aren’t where they need to be, address it before you apply!  Check out these admissions stats for MD-PhD matriculants to U.S. medical schools from 2016-2017:

SOURCE:  Association of American Medical Colleges

Make a smart MCAT prep plan and retake the exam if necessary. Consider completing additional grad school work to raise your GPA and take advantage of our online tutors for pre-med requirements!

2. You need sustained research background + a clear picture of your future in research

3. you need the right recommenders.

Most letters of recommendation should come for your research mentors, professors who run the labs you work in, and the postdoctoral fellows you work with. Make sure your recommenders know that you are applying to MD-PhD programs as this will affect the letters they write.

Want to get an edge over the crowd?

Our admissions experts know what it takes it get into med school. Get the customized strategy and guidance you need to help achieve your goals.

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MD-PhD Degree Programs by State

New section.

Combined MD-PhD degree programs provide students the opportunity to earn both the MD and the PhD in areas pertinent to medicine.

Combined MD-PhD degree programs provide students the opportunity to earn both the MD and the PhD in areas pertinent to medicine. Below is a list of schools offering a combined MD-PhD degree, with links to their web sites. Please contact the institutions directly for curriculum information and admission requirements. School administrators may contact [email protected]  with any omissions or corrections to this listing.

University of Alabama School of Medicine Birmingham, Ala.

University of South Alabama College of Medicine   Mobile, Ala.

University of Arizona College of Medicine Tucson, Ariz.

University of Arizona College of Medicine - Phoenix Phoenix, Ariz.

University of Arkansas College of Medicine Little Rock, Ark.

Loma Linda University School of Medicine   Loma Linda, Calif.

Stanford University School of Medicine Stanford, Calif.

University of California, Davis School of Medicine   Davis, Calif.

University of California, Irvine School of Medicine   Irvine, Calif.

University of California, Los Angeles School of Medicine   Los Angeles, Calif.

University of California, San Diego School of Medicine   La Jolla, Calif.

University of California, San Francisco School of Medicine   San Francisco, Calif.

Keck School of Medicine of the University of Southern California   Los Angeles, Calif.

University of Colorado Health Sciences Center   Denver, Colo.

Connecticut

University of Connecticut School of Medicine   Farmington, Conn.

Yale University School of Medicine   New Haven, Conn.

District of Columbia

Georgetown University School of Medicine   Washington, D.C.

Howard University College of Medicine   Washington, D.C.

University of Florida College of Medicine   Gainesville, Fla.

University of Miami Miller School of Medicine   Miami, Fla.

University of South Florida College of Medicine   Tampa, Fla.

Emory University School of Medicine   Atlanta, Ga.

Medical College of Georgia   Augusta, Ga.

Morehouse School of Medicine   Atlanta, Ga.

Medical College of Georgia at Augusta University Augusta, Ga.

Loyola University of Chicago - Stritch School of Medicine   Maywood, Ill.

Northwestern University Medical School   Chicago, Ill.

Rosalind Franklin University of Medicine and Science - Chicago Medical School   North Chicago, Ill.

University of Chicago Pritzker School of Medicine (MTSP)  Chicago, Ill.

University of Chicago Pritzker School of Medicine (MD/PhD) Chicago, Ill.

University of Illinois at Chicago College of Medicine   Chicago, Ill.

University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign Carle Illinois College of Medicine   Urbana, Ill.

Indiana University School of Medicine   Indianapolis, Ind.

University of Iowa College of Medicine   Iowa City, Iowa

University of Kansas School of Medicine   Kansas City, Kan.

University of Kentucky College of Medicine   Lexington, Ky.

University of Louisville School of Medicine   Louisville, Ky.

Louisiana State University, New Orleans School of Medicine   New Orleans, La.

Louisiana State University, Shreveport School of Medicine   Shreveport, La.

Tulane University School of Medicine   New Orleans, La.

Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine   Baltimore, Md.

National Institutes of Health Intramural MD-PhD Partnership   Bethesda, Md.

Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences   Bethesda, Md.

University of Maryland at Baltimore School of Medicine   Baltimore, Md.

Massachusetts

Boston University School of Medicine   Boston, Mass.

Harvard Medical School   Boston, Mass.

Tufts University School of Medicine   Boston, Mass.

University of Massachusetts Medical School   Worcester, Mass.

Michigan State University College of Human Medicine   East Lansing, Mich.

University of Michigan Medical School   Ann Arbor, Mich.

Wayne State University School of Medicine   Detroit, Mich.

Mayo Medical School  Rochester, Minn.

University of Minnesota Medical School   Minneapolis, Minn.

Mississippi

University of Mississippi School of Medicine   Jackson, Miss.

Saint Louis University School of Medicine   St. Louis, Mo.

University of Missouri - Columbia School of Medicine   Columbia, Mo.

University of Missouri - Kansas City School of Medicine   Kansas City, Mo.

Washington University School of Medicine   St. Louis, Mo.

Creighton University School of Medicine   Omaha, Neb.

University of Nebraska College of Medicine   Omaha, Neb.

University of Nevada School of Medicine   Reno, Nev.

New Hampshire

Geisel School of Medicine at Dartmouth   Hanover, N.H.

Rutgers - New Jersey Medical School   Newark, N.J.

Rutgers - Robert Wood Johnson Medical School   Piscataway, N.J.

University of New Mexico School of Medicine   Albuquerque, N.M.

Albany Medical College   Albany, N.Y.

Albert Einstein College of Medicine of Yeshiva University   Bronx, N.Y.

Columbia University College of Physicians and Surgeons   New York, N.Y.

Hofstra North Shore - LIJ School of Medicine Hempstead, N.Y.

Weill Cornell/Rockefeller/Sloan-Kettering Tri-Institutional MD/PhD Program   New York, N.Y.

Mount Sinai School of Medicine   New York, N.Y.

New York Medical College   Valhalla, N.Y.

New York University School of Medicine   New York, N.Y.

SUNY at Buffalo School of Medicine   Buffalo, N.Y.

SUNY at Stony Brook Health Sciences Center   Stony Brook, N.Y.

SUNY Downstate Medical Center College of Medicine   Brooklyn, N.Y.

SUNY Upstate Medical University   Syracuse, N.Y.

University of Rochester School of Medicine   Rochester, N.Y.

North Carolina

Wake Forest School of Medicine   Winston-Salem, N.C.

Brody School of Medicine at East Carolina University   Greenville, N.C.

Duke University School of Medicine   Durham, N.C.

University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill School of Medicine   Chapel Hill, N.C.

North Dakota

University of North Dakota School of Medicine   Grand Forks, N.D.

Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine   Cleveland, Ohio

Northeastern Ohio College of Medicine   Rootstown, Ohio

Ohio State University College of Medicine   Columbus, Ohio

University of Cincinnati College of Medicine   Cincinnati, Ohio

University of Toledo College of Medicine   Toledo, Ohio

Wright State University School of Medicine   Dayton, Ohio

University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center   Oklahoma City, Okla.

Oregon Health Sciences University School of Medicine   Portland, Ore.

Pennsylvania

Drexel University College of Medicine   Philadelphia, Pa.

Sidney Kimmel Medical College at Thomas Jefferson University   Philadelphia, Pa.

Penn State University College of Medicine   Hershey, Pa.

University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine   Philadelphia, Pa.

University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine   Pittsburgh, Pa.

Temple University School of Medicine   Philadelphia, Pa.

Rhode Island

Brown University School of Medicine   Providence, R.I.

South Carolina

Medical University of South Carolina  Charleston, S.C.

University of South Carolina School of Medicine   Columbia, S.C.

South Dakota

University of South Dakota School of Medicine   Vermillion, S.D.

East Tennessee State University James H. Quillen College of Medicine   Johnson City, Tenn.

Meharry Medical College School of Medicine   Nashville, Tenn.

University of Tennessee, Memphis College of Medicine   Memphis, Tenn.

Vanderbilt University School of Medicine   Nashville, Tenn.

Baylor College of Medicine   Houston, Texas

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

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

Texas Tech University School of Medicine   Lubbock, Texas

University of Texas Medical Branch at Galveston   Galveston, Texas

University of Texas Health San Antonio, Long School of Medicine   San Antonio, Texas

University of Texas, Southwestern Med Center - Dallas   Dallas, Texas

University of Utah School of Medicine   Salt Lake City, Utah

University of Vermont College of Medicine   Burlington, Vt.

Eastern Virginia Medical School   Norfolk, Va.

Virginia Commonwealth University School of Medicine   Richmond, Va.

University of Virginia School of Medicine   Charlottesville, Va.

University of Washington School of Medicine   Seattle, Wash.

West Virginia

Marshall University School of Medicine   Huntington, W.Va.

West Virginia University School of Medicine   Morgantown, W.Va.

Medical College of Wisconsin   Milwaukee, Wisc.

University of Wisconsin Medical School   Madison, Wisc.

McGill University Faculty of Medicine   Montreal, Quebec

McMaster University of Faculty of Health Sciences   Hamilton, Ontario

Memorial University of Newfoundland Faculty of Medicine   St. John's, Newfoundland and Labrador

Universite de Montreal Faculte de Medecine   Montreal, Quebec

Universite de Sherbrooke Faculte de Medecine   Sherbrooke, Quebec

Universite Laval Faculte de Medecine   Quebec, Quebec

University of Alberta Faculty of Medicine and Dentistry   Edmonton, Alberta

University of Calgary Faculty of Medicine   Calgary, Alberta

University of British Columbia Faculty of Medicine   Vancouver, British Columbia

University of Manitoba Faculty of Medicine   Winnipeg, Manitoba

University of Saskatchewan College of Medicine   Saskatoon, Saskatchewan

University of Toronto Faculty of Medicine   Toronto, Ontario

University of Western Ontario   London, Ontario

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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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Point of MD/PhD with low GPA?

• Thread starter medicalmnt
• Start date May 8, 2016

Full Member

• May 8, 2016

membername24

Why not just apply MD only and look for programs that allow you to apply into the PhD program later? Also many MD-only's do research and are even PI's, you'll find that out as an IRTA. Idk how you'll part time scribe on top of it, make sure you get settled before you do. Just because you have research oriented EC's you don't need to think you'll be at a disadvantage, just be clear in communicating your intentions  

I'm going MD and I have 5000+ research hours and 100 clinical volunteer hours (I was a work-study student and got a hourly salary for my research, which is similar to why you did it and got the volunteer hours in the 3 months before I applied). You don't have to do a MD/PhD because you like research. Only do it if you want your career to be more research over clinical work (it is not clear from your post whether MD/PhD is what you want to do or if it is what you think you should apply to given your CV)  

The Knife & Gun Club

Em/ccm pgy-5.

You sound like a perfect candidate for a md at a research geared med school. You should Check out Virginia tech, it's super research oriented and friendly to low GPA Applicants  

Mansamusa said: I'm going MD and I have 5000+ research hours and 100 clinical volunteer hours (I was a work-study student and got a hourly salary for my research, which is similar to why you did it and got the volunteer hours in the 3 months before I applied). You don't have to do a MD/PhD because you like research. Only do it if you want your career to be more research over clinical work (it is not clear from your post whether MD/PhD is what you want to do or if it is what you think you should apply to given your CV) Click to expand...

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Frequently Asked Questions During the Grad Application Process - Lyles School of Civil and Construction Engineering - Purdue University

Frequently Asked Questions During the Grad Application Process

1. What is the cost of attending Purdue?

For information about the cost of enrollment please go to https://www.purdue.edu/dfa/cost/ . You can also find a tuition calculator at:  https://www.purdue.edu/bursar/ .

2. How is funding decided and am I eligible?

There is no separate application process for funding. Once you submit a formal application for graduate studies, it will be reviewed by our graduate committee. If you satisfy the formal requirements for admission, the committee can recommend your admission. Within Civil Engineering the admission decision and the funding decision are separate.

Only highly competitive students in the PhD and Master’s thesis options recommended for admission are typically offered funding (typically 25%). The faculty reviewers decide whether or not an applicant would be acceptable for funding and are responsible for making any offers. You may contact those faculty members that you are interested in working with to discuss funding options.

The Burke Graduate Program Office does not decide or coordinate funding and there are no department/school level assistantships.  All TA and RA funding decisions are made by the faculty who may have a position available. 

Please note that those students applying to the non-thesis/Professional Masters concentration and/or admitted to the non-thesis/Professional Masters concentration (based on faculty review and recommendation) are not eligible for University Graduate Assistantship funding. However, they may work in hourly paid positions on campus.  Should a non-thesis/Professional Masters student secure an assistantship or fellowship, we can move the student to a funding eligible concentration.

3. How can I check the status of my application?

There are two offices involved in the collection of application materials, the Graduate School and the Civil Engineering Graduate Office. You apply using the electronic application system through the Graduate School. The Civil Engineering Graduate Office then downloads this information to our own tracking system. The Graduate School system updates as official materials are received. Civil Engineering also sends status updates when your application has moved forward in the process or if we find you are missing information. You can also send an inquiry to [email protected] to check the status of your application.

4. Will my application be accepted if some materials arrive after the submission deadline?

We continue to accept application materials until May 15th (for fall admission consideration) and until October 15th (for spring admission consideration), however we cannot begin a review of your file until all required materials have been received. Therefore we will still consider your application if the materials come in late, the review will just be delayed and if it is close to the final deadline, the review may not be completed in time for enrollment in your desired entry semester.

5. I submitted my English Proficiency Test Scores, however my Applicant Check-list has not been updated.

Test scores are loaded into the system once a week. The test score information (name, birthdate, and email address) must match the application information in order for the scores to be matched appropriately. Scores do not import into the system until an application has been submitted and the application fee has been paid.  It then can take approximately 5 business days (sometimes longer during peak application time) for scores to be matched to application.  You may consider uploading a copy of your official test report to your application as “Miscellaneous Supplemental Documents” (this link will become available to you after you submit your application) in order to make the scores available to the review committee while we are waiting on the official scores to reflect in the system.  Please note that uploading the test report will not satisfy the item on the checklist item automatically – this will still have to be manually updated by a reviewer or by an official electronic match.

6. Will you accept a Academic Statement of Purpose longer than 500 words?

Although the Graduate School suggests a limit of 500 words for the Academic Statement of Purpose, we will accept a document up to two pages in length.

7. My University does not use a 4.0 GPA scale. How should I report my GPA on the application?

Nearly 75% of our applicants come from institutions that do not use a 4.0 grading scale, therefore our faculty are familiar with evaluating credentials in various formats.  You do not need to convert your actual GPA to a 4.0 scale.  Simply report your GPA, as you earned it, on the application

8. What is Civil Engineering's minimum score requirement for the TOEFL exam?

• Total >= 90
• Writing >= 18
• Speaking >= 18
• Listening >= 14
• Reading >= 19

A TOEFL score of 90 (with at least the minimums met in each of the sub scores) is required for non-conditional admission. If you have a score less than 90, but more than 85, the Civil Engineering Faculty will still review your file and it is possible to be recommended for admission. The faculty will decide, based on the review of your entire application package, if any admission conditions may be appropriate. These conditions may include (but are not limited to): requiring completion of an English course or maintaining a 3.0 GPA for the first semester of study.

The Graduate School will routinely admit students conditionally by waiving the English Proficiency test requirement for international applicants who have received a baccalaureate degree or graduate or professional degree, within the last 36 months, from a school where English is the primary language of instruction in a country where English is the native language. The list of English speaking countries recognized by the Purdue Graduate School can be found at: www.purdue.edu/gradschool/admissions/how-to-apply/apply-toefl.html . Then, a conferred degree or a letter stating that all degree requirements have been met,  must be received by the first day of classes in order to lift holds placed on these conditional admissions. Letters must come from the Office of the Registrar or Graduate School (or equivalent offices). If a letter from a Registrar or Graduate School is provided, the official transcript would be expected to follow later that session. Conditionally admitted students who are unable to provide one of these three documents (official transcript showing conferred degree, letter certifying completion of degree requirements from Registrar or letter certifying completion of degree requirements from the Graduate School) must take an English proficiency examination to enroll in the Graduate School.

9. Does Civil Engineering require a GRE score?

We do not require a GRE score for admission consideration. However, you can choose to provide a score with your application materials if you would like to.

10. Do I need to send official hardcopy transcripts?

For the application review process, we do not need official hardcopy documents. We will review your application using copies of your transcripts uploaded to the electronic application system (along with your resume and statement of purpose). You will only need to provide official hardcopy transcripts and/or academic records at our request. If you have updates to your transcripts after submitting your application, you can upload them to your file as “Miscellaneous Supplemental Documents.”

11. Should I mail in copies of my Academic Statement of Purpose, Personal History Statement, Resume and/or Letters of Recommendation?

These materials should be submitted through the electronic application system. The Civil Graduate Office has never experienced trouble with downloading these materials, therefore there is no real benefit to mailing in an additional copies. If you have updates to your SOP or resume, you can upload them to your application as “Miscellaneous Supplemental Documents.”

12. Is it okay if my references would like to mail in a paper copy of their letters instead of submitting them online?

The review process in Civil Engineering is completely electronic so we prefer to receive the letters through the electronic application system. Alternatively, your recommenders can email their letters directly to the Lyles School of Civil Engineering at [email protected].  However, if your references would like to mail in a paper copy, we will accept them. In this case, all of the letters must be in their own sealed envelope with a signature of the reference across the sealed fold.

13. Can I be admitted to a Ph.D. program with only a B.S.?

This is in fact possible. If you wish to be considered for this option you should be very clear in your Statement of Purpose on your research and career goals relative to your PhD studies. If the faculty feel that your background would not support a PhD admission, they will automatically consider you for MS admission.  

14. Can I gain admission to the School of Civil Engineering without an Engineering background?

We have had students admitted into our graduate program whose academic background was not in engineering (e.g., chemistry, physics, agronomy). There are no formal pre-requisites for admission; however, it is not uncommon for such students to be given a conditional admission, where the condition involves the passing of a certain number of background courses that typically do not count towards meeting degree objectives. Our review process is essentially faculty-driven, so it is a good idea to communicate with faculty in your prospective area of interest to see if your circumstances are favorable for admission.

15. I am interested in a Construction Engineering and Management Graduate Degree, however I don't see that option on the electronic application.

There is not a Construction Engineering and Management Graduate Program in the School of Civil Engineering at Purdue. Students interested in CEM usually apply to the Construction Area and can tailor their coursework to have a CEM emphasis. However, there is no CEM designation on the transcripts or diploma upon graduation.

16. When do I send in a financial statement of support?

If you are accepted to Purdue University and you are an international applicant, there is information provided in your admission letter about the International Students and Scholars office. They handle all I-20 and visa issues. You will be provided links to the relevant forms to be filled out upon acceptance. No financial statements should be mailed to the CE Grad Office.

17. Is it possible for me to send the Civil Engineering Graduate Programs office information about myself in hopes of knowing my chances of getting accepted?

To properly evaluate your academic and professional preparation for our graduate program, we require all students to complete an official application. Details on submitting an electronic application are posted at  https://engineering.purdue.edu/CE/Academics/Graduate/Application-Requirements .

18. What are some core courses that I will take?

General course guides for the various areas of Civil Engineering are available below.

• Architectural Engineering
• Construction Engineering
• Environmental Engineering
• Hydraulics and Hydrology
• Materials Engineering
• Structural Engineering
• Transportation Engineering

19. What is the expected duration of the MS program?

To earn a master's degree, 30 credit hours are required. Most graduate students enroll in 9 to 12 credit hours a semester, therefore the average time to complete a master's degree is 3 to 4 semesters.

20. When do I need to confirm my enrollment?

We ask all admitted students to confirm they will enroll for the Fall term by July 1 . It is possible to confirm enrollment later then that, but early notification helps us project class enrollment and more efficiently allocate instructional resources. Students admitted for the Spring term should confirm enrollment by December 1 .

21. What is the mailing address for the Grad Office?

CE Graduate Programs Office 550 Stadium Mall Drive, HAMP 1141 Purdue University West Lafayette, IN 47907-2051

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Credit: Will Kirk / Johns Hopkins University

Johns Hopkins receives transformative Bloomberg Philanthropies investment in financial aid for future generations of doctors, nurses, and research pioneers

Thanks to new $1 billion financial aid gift, most medical students will now attend johns hopkins tuition-free, and many will receive additional support to cover living expenses. financial aid for nursing, public health, and other graduate programs will ensure access for top talent from middle-class and low-income backgrounds..

By Hub staff report

Johns Hopkins University celebrated today's announcement by Bloomberg Philanthropies of a new gift of $1 billion to make Hopkins free for most medical students and expand financial aid for future nurses and public health pioneers, infusing these critical professions with top talent from all socioeconomic and geographic backgrounds and communities. For most students seeking an MD at Hopkins, the gift will cover the full cost of attendance, including tuition and living expenses such as rent.

The new gift to Hopkins furthers Bloomberg's commitment to addressing complex American health challenges by removing the economic barriers that stand between America's most promising students from low-income and middle-class families and their dreams of saving lives and making an impact on their communities. This dramatic expansion of financial aid support for graduate and medical students also builds on the transformative impact of Bloomberg's 2018 gift for undergraduate aid at Johns Hopkins University .

Beginning in fall 2024, Hopkins will offer free tuition for students pursuing an MD who come from families earning under $300,000, a figure that represents 95% of all Americans. Additionally, Hopkins will cover living expenses on top of tuition and fees for medical students from families that earn up to $175,000, a threshold inclusive of the vast majority of families in the U.S. Nearly two-thirds of current and entering medical students at Johns Hopkins will immediately qualify for either free tuition or free tuition plus living expenses. Eligible new and returning medical students will receive updated financial aid packages this summer that reflect the gift's impact.

This new scholarship formula will ensure the most talented aspiring doctors representing the broadest and deepest range of socioeconomic and geographic backgrounds have the opportunity to graduate debt-free from the Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine , and students from the vast majority of American families will pay nothing at all.

"As the U.S. struggles to recover from a disturbing decline in life expectancy, our country faces a serious shortage of doctors, nurses, and public health professionals—and yet, the high cost of medical, nursing, and graduate school too often bars students from enrolling," said Michael R. Bloomberg , founder of Bloomberg Philanthropies and Bloomberg L.P. "By reducing the financial barriers to these essential fields, we can free more students to pursue careers they're passionate about—and enable them to serve more of the families and communities who need them the most."

$1 billion gift to make Johns Hopkins medical school free for most

The donation from Bloomberg Philanthropies will also expand financial aid for the school’s other graduate programs, including nursing and public health

For nearly 150 years, graduates of the Johns Hopkins School of Medicine have pioneered lifesaving treatments and revolutionary clinical care, improving and extending countless lives around the world. Addressing the complex challenges driving recent declines in American life expectancy—including chronic diseases and entrenched health inequities—requires institutions like Hopkins to bring new perspectives to the field and to seek out untapped talent and brilliant ideas in every corner of the country. But the high cost of a medical education today discourages some of the brightest students from low-income and middle-class families from even applying to medical school.

"Extraordinary talent exists in every community across America, a fact borne out by the transformative impact of Mike Bloomberg's historic gift for financial aid to Hopkins undergraduates six years ago that dramatically expanded the breadth of experience and accomplishment of our student body," said Ron Daniels , president of Johns Hopkins University. "Removing financial barriers to individual opportunity fuels excellence, innovation, and discoveries that redound to the benefit of society."

This new gift from Bloomberg Philanthropies builds on the School of Medicine's student debt–reduction initiative launched in 2020 with generous gifts from Joanne and Bill Conway and from Kim and Jim Davis, as well as numerous alumni and other donors. Through those prior scholarships, Hopkins was able to begin expanding access and reducing medical student debt. (In the 2023–24 academic year, the average total student loan debt for School of Medicine graduates had declined to approximately $105,000.)

In addition to investing in future generations of doctors, this $1 billion endowment from Bloomberg Philanthropies will support leaders in other critical health-related fields through increased graduate financial aid in the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health and School of Nursing , and it will expand aid for graduate degrees offered by the Johns Hopkins schools of Education , Engineering , Business , Arts and Sciences , and Advanced International Studies ; the Peabody Institute ; and the newly announced School of Government and Policy . The gift also will support the development of a new program to draw impact-focused interdisciplinary leaders into the worlds of research, industry, and government through innovations in PhD education and training.

This new philanthropic contribution is Bloomberg's latest effort to remove economic barriers to opportunity for top American students. Bloomberg's record 2018 contribution of $1.8 billion to undergraduate financial aid had a transformative impact on the Hopkins student body. By dramatically expanding scholarship support, Hopkins was able to simultaneously attract the world's most academically qualified undergraduates and transform the makeup of their undergraduate programs. The number of undergraduate students entering Hopkins from low-income backgrounds and/or who are the first in their families to attend college (FLI) has grown by 43% since the Bloomberg gift went into effect. Today, FLI students make up nearly a third of the Hopkins undergraduate population, surpassing most other Ivy League and Ivy League–adjacent institutions.

In 2021, Johns Hopkins University and Bloomberg Philanthropies also announced the launch of the Vivien Thomas Scholars Initiative , devoted to addressing historical underrepresentation in science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) fields, particularly in leadership roles across universities, government, and industry. The $150 million endowment creates additional pathways for students from historically Black colleges and universities and minority-serving institutions to pursue and receive PhDs in STEM fields at Johns Hopkins.

Bloomberg is a 1964 graduate of Johns Hopkins, the founder of Bloomberg L.P. and Bloomberg Philanthropies, and the 108th mayor of New York City. He also served as the chairman of the Johns Hopkins University board of trustees from 1996 to 2002.

Posted in University News

Tagged philanthropy , michael bloomberg , financial aid , bloomberg philanthropies , graduate education

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Creating an MD/Ph.D. school list with a low GPA.