md phd requirements

Applying to MD-PhD Programs

New section.

Are you considering a MD-PhD program? Here the basics about applying to MD-PhD programs to help you get started.

The MD-PhD dual degree training prepares you for a career that is busy, challenging, and rewarding, and offers opportunities to do good for many people by advancing medical science, developing new diagnostics and treatments for diseases, and pushing back the boundaries of the unknown.

How do I know if a combined program is right for me?

MD-PhD programs are specifically designed for those who want to become physician-researchers, also known as physician-scientists. Graduates of MD-PhD programs often go on to become faculty members at medical schools, universities, and research institutes such as the National Institutes of Health (NIH).

MD-PhD program students are being prepared for careers in which they will spend most of their time doing research in addition to caring for patients. It is critical that applicants have a passion for doing both — most MD-PhD graduates feel strongly that they would not be fulfilled by only pursuing medicine or science.

How do I apply?

Nearly all MD-PhD programs participate in the application process via the American Medical College Application Service® (AMCAS®) . On their AMCAS applications, students designate themselves as MD-PhD applicants and complete two additional essays: one related to why they are interested in MD-PhD training, and the other highlighting their significant research experiences.

What schools offer this type of program?

Nationwide, there are more than 90 MD-PhD programs affiliated with medical schools. The National Institute of General Medical Sciences (NIGMS) supports Medical Scientist Training Programs or MSTPs. They currently provide training grants that partially support MD-PhD programs at 49 degree-granting institutions. You can see which schools offer MD-PhD degrees in the  Medical School Admission Requirements™  profiles under “Combined Degrees and Special Programs.” You can also review  Individual MD-PhD Program Information for Prospective Applicants for easy access to individual MD-PhD program websites.

How long does it take?

Students enter an integrated curriculum that typically takes seven to eight years to complete, during which time, they satisfy the full requirements for both the MD and the PhD degrees.

What kind of work can I do? How much time is spent as an MD? As a researcher?

According to a  study of MD-PhD program outcomes , nearly 80 percent of graduates are following career paths consistent with the goals of their training, including working as full-time faculty in academic medical centers or for the NIH, research institutes, industry, and federal agencies. Those in academia spend between 50 and 80 percent of their time conducting research, though this can vary by specialty. Their research may be lab-based, translational, or clinical. The remaining time is often divided between clinical service, teaching, and administrative activities.

MD-PhD Application Timeline

AMCAS application opens:  May preceding the year of expected entry Applicants interviewed:  October-March Final decisions sent to applicants:  December-March Applicants revisit program(s) to decide where to matriculate:  March-April MD-PhD programs start:  June-August

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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.

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MD-PhD Programs: The Ultimate Guide (2025)

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

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

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

Part 1: Introduction

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

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

The two processes are distinct in several ways. Yet, while the majority of medical schools offer these dual-degree programs, the differences between MD and MD-PhD admissions are neither widely discussed nor well understood—largely because far fewer students apply to become “physician scientists.” In the 2024–2025 admissions cycle, there were 51,946 MD applicants vs. just 1,885 MD-PhD applicants —nearly 30 times fewer.

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

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

What are MD-PhD programs?

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

What are Medical Scientist Training Programs (MSTP)?

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

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

How many MD-PhD programs are there?

As of January 2025, there are 122 MD-PhD programs in the United States and 13 in Canada. You can find the full list of current programs at the end of this guide, as well as on the AAMC website .

How long are MD-PhD programs?

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

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

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

Years 3–6 will consist mostly of PhD research.

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

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

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

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

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

What kind of residencies do MD-PhDs enter?

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

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

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

What is the average MD-PhD salary and career?

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Comparing overall acceptance rates: During the 2024–2025 application cycle, 740 out of 1,885 applicants (39.2%) matriculated into an MD-PhD program . This number is slightly lower than the overall admissions percentage to MD programs during the same cycle (43.7%).

Comparing stats: In the most recent admissions cycle, the mean GPA and MCAT scores for MD-PhD matriculants were 3.83 and 515.9. For MD matriculants , the mean GPA and MCAT scores were 3.79 and 511.8.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

How many MD-PhD programs should I apply to?

It depends on several factors, including:

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

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

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

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

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

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

What is the MD-PhD application timeline like?

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

MD-PhD essay

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

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

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

Here’s an example that discusses this successfully:

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

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

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

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

Why does this essay work?

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

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

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

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Significant research experience essay

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

The durations of your research experiences

Your research supervisors’ names and affiliations

The nature of the problems you studied

Your contributions to the research efforts

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

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

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

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

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

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

Let’s take a look at an example:

I have had X significant research experiences:

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Final thoughts

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

About the Author

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

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

University of Alabama at Birmingham School of Medicine

University of Arizona College of Medicine

Stanford University School of Medicine

University of California, Davis School of Veterinary Medicine

University of California, Irvine School of Medicine

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

University of California, San Diego School of Medicine

University of California, San Francisco School of Medicine

Colorado State University College of Veterinary Medicine and Biological Sciences

University of Colorado Denver School of Medicine

Connecticut

Yale University School of Medicine

University of Miami School of Medicine

Emory University School of Medicine

Northwestern University School of Medicine

University of Chicago School of Medicine

University of Illinois College of Medicine

Indiana University School of Medicine

University of Iowa College of Medicine

University of Kansas Medical Center

Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine

University of Maryland School of Medicine

Massachusetts

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

Tufts University School of Medicine

University of Massachusetts School of Medicine

University of Michigan Medical School

Mayo Clinic School of Medicine

University of Minnesota Medical School

Washington University School of Medicine

Albert Einstein College of Medicine

Columbia University College of Physicians and Surgeons

Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai

New York University School of Medicine

Stony Brook University School of Medicine

University of Rochester School of Medicine and Dentistry

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

North Carolina

Duke University School of Medicine

University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill School of Medicine

Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine

The Ohio State University College of Medicine

University of Cincinnati College of Medicine

Oregon Health and Science University School of Medicine

Pennsylvania

University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine

University of Pittsburgh/Carnegie Mellon University (Joint Program)

South Carolina

Medical University of South Carolina

Vanderbilt University School of Medicine

Baylor College of Medicine

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

University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio

University of Texas Southwestern Medical School

University of Virginia School of Medicine

University of Washington School of Medicine

Medical College of Wisconsin

University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health

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

University of Alabama School of Medicine

University of South Alabama College of Medicine  

Mayo Clinic Alix School of Medicine - Phoenix

University of Arizona College of Medicine - Phoenix

University of Arkansas College of Medicine

Loma Linda University School of Medicine  

University of California, Davis School of Medicine  

University of California, Irvine School of Medicine  

University of California, Los Angeles School of Medicine  

University of California, San Diego School of Medicine  

University of California, San Francisco School of Medicine  

Keck School of Medicine of the University of Southern California  

University of Colorado Health Sciences Center  

University of Connecticut School of Medicine  

Yale University School of Medicine  

District of Columbia

Georgetown University School of Medicine  

Howard University College of Medicine  

University of Florida College of Medicine  

University of Miami Miller School of Medicine  

University of South Florida College of Medicine  

Emory University School of Medicine  

Medical College of Georgia  

Morehouse School of Medicine  

Medical College of Georgia at Augusta University

Loyola University of Chicago - Stritch School of Medicine  

Northwestern University Medical School   

Rosalind Franklin University of Medicine and Science - Chicago Medical School  

University of Chicago Pritzker School of Medicine (MSTP)

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

University of Illinois at Chicago College of Medicine  

University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign College of Medicine  

Indiana University School of Medicine  

University of Iowa College of Medicine  

University of Kansas School of Medicine  

University of Kentucky College of Medicine  

University of Louisville School of Medicine

Louisiana State University, New Orleans School of Medicine  

Louisiana State University, Shreveport School of Medicine  

Tulane University School of Medicine  

Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine  

National Institutes of Health Intramural MD-PhD Partnership  

Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences  

University of Maryland at Baltimore School of Medicine  

Boston University School of Medicine 

Harvard Medical School  

Tufts University School of Medicine 

University of Massachusetts Medical School 

Michigan State University College of Medicine  

University of Michigan Medical School  

Wayne State University School of Medicine  

Mayo Medical School

University of Minnesota Medical School  

Mississippi

University of Mississippi School of Medicine  

Saint Louis University School of Medicine  

University of Missouri - Columbia School of Medicine  

University of Missouri - Kansas City School of Medicine  

Washington University School of Medicine  

Creighton University School of Medicine  

University of Nebraska College of Medicine

University of Nevada School of Medicine  

New Hampshire

Geisel School of Medicine at Dartmouth  

Rutgers - New Jersey Medical School  

Rutgers - Robert Wood Johnson Medical School  

University of New Mexico School of Medicine  

Albany Medical College  

Albert Einstein College of Medicine of Yeshiva University  

Columbia University College of Physicians and Surgeons  

Hofstra North Shore - LIJ School of Medicine

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

Mount Sinai School of Medicine  

New York Medical College  

New York University School of Medicine  

SUNY at Buffalo School of Medicine  

SUNY at Stony Brook Health Sciences Center  

SUNY Downstate Medical Center College of Medicine  

SUNY Upstate Medical University  

University of Rochester School of Medicine  

Wake Forest School of Medicine  

Brody School of Medicine at East Carolina University  

Duke University School of Medicine  

University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill School of Medicine  

North Dakota

University of North Dakota School of Medicine  

Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine  

Northeastern Ohio College of Medicine  

Ohio State University College of Medicine  

University of Cincinnati College of Medicine  

University of Toledo College of Medicine  

Wright State University School of Medicine  

University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center  

Oregon Health Sciences University School of Medicine  

Drexel University College of Medicine  

Sidney Kimmel Medical College at Thomas Jefferson University  

Penn State University College of Medicine  

University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine  

University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine  

Temple University School of Medicine  

Rhode Island

Brown University School of Medicine  

University of South Carolina School of Medicine  

South Dakota

University of South Dakota School of Medicine  

East Tennessee State University James H. Quillen College of Medicine  

Meharry Medical College School of Medicine  

University of Tennessee, Memphis College of Medicine  

Vanderbilt University School of Medicine  

Baylor College of Medicine 

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

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

Texas Tech University School of Medicine 

University of Texas Medical Branch at Galveston 

University of Texas Health San Antonio, Long School of Medicine 

University of Texas, Southwestern Med Center - Dallas 

University of Utah School of Medicine 

University of Vermont College of Medicine 

Eastern Virginia Medical School 

Virginia Commonwealth University School of Medicine 

University of Virginia School of Medicine 

University of Washington School of Medicine 

West Virginia

Marshall University School of Medicine 

West Virginia University School of Medicine 

Medical College of Wisconsin 

University of Wisconsin Medical School 

McGill University Faculty of Medicine 

McMaster University of Faculty of Health Sciences 

Memorial University of Newfoundland Faculty of Medicine 

Universite de Montreal Faculte de Medecine 

Universite de Sherbrooke Faculte de Medecine 

Universite Laval Faculte de Medecine 

University of Alberta Faculty of Medicine and Dentistry 

University of Calgary Faculty of Medicine 

University of British Columbia Faculty of Medicine 

University of Manitoba Faculty of Medicine 

University of Saskatchewan College of Medicine 

University of Toronto Faculty of Medicine 

University of Western Ontario 

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

• Frequently Asked Questions

Sidebar Application

MSPP funding applications will open July 2025. GPP applications for fall 2026 admission will open August 2025

Are you starting medical or clinical school this year?

If yes , you are a Track 2 applicant

If no , please answer the next question.

Are you planning to attend medical school BEFORE you begin PhD research?

If yes , you are a Track 1 applicant

• Basic Eligibility Requirements
• Application Components
• Letters of Recommendation

What does it mean to have an MD/PhD? MD/PhD programs provide training in both medicine and research for students who want to become a physician-scientist. MD/PhD graduates often go on to become faculty members at medical schools, universities and research institutes such as the NIH. MD/PhD trainees are prepared for careers in which they will spend most of their time doing research, not just taking care of patients. It is a challenging career that offers opportunities to benefit many people by advancing knowledge or health and illness, developing new diagnostics and treatments for diseases, and inventing new technologies for clinical application.  What is the difference between MD/PhD and MSTP? Medical Scientist Training Program (MSTP) indicates that an MD/PhD program has been awarded a training grant (T32) from the National Institute of General Medical Sciences that financially supports trainees in the program. There are currently about 46 MSTPs.  Non-MSTP MD/PhD programs also provide environments where students receive outstanding dual-degree training.       What is MSTP funding? MSTP funding comes from the National Institute of General Medical Science T32 training grant.  This grant is used to financially support trainees in MSTPs. How do I know if my school accepts MSTP funding? A list of schools that have MSTPs can be found  here . How do I know if I qualify for MSTP funding? The only requirement to qualify for MSTP funding is that trainees must be citizens or noncitizen nationals of the United States or have been lawfully admitted for permanent residence (i.e., possess an alien registration receipt card I-151 or I-551).  Your individual medical school’s MSTP determines any other requirements.  Are there opportunities for international students? There are MD/PhD opportunities available around the country for international students, but at this time, the NIH MD/PhD Partnership Training Program funding is only available if you are a US citizen or permanent resident and admitted to a U.S. medical school or MSTP.

What’s the benefit of getting my PhD with the NIH? The National Institutes of Health is the largest biomedical research facility in the world. Scholars who are accepted to one of the graduate programs at the NIH are able to take advantage of its amazing facilities and technologies. The NIH is comprised of 27 different Institutes and Centers, each with its own specific research agenda; this promotes an engaging and diverse research environment with lots of room for interdisciplinary collaboration. To learn about the NIH and its many resources, please visit  www.nih.gov/about/  or contact the administration with any specific questions. Do I select which track I am on? No. Your track is based on your current educational status. Please visit the “How to Apply” page to determine your track. Do I have to do my PhD with the NIH Oxford-Cambridge Scholars Program? It is not a requirement of the NIH MD/PhD Partnership Training that you participate in the NIH Oxford-Cambridge Scholars Program; however, Track 1 candidates are automatically granted a place in the OxCam Program when they are awarded a slot in the MD/PhD Partnership Training Program. The OxCam Program is also the only program within the NIH GPP that has a deferral process in place to enable students to complete the first years of medical school. Visit our page on the  GPP  to learn more about other Institutional or Individual Partnerships. What’s an Individual Partnership? An Individual Partnership is a partnership with a program or university that does not already have an existing agreement with the NIH through the GPP. These partnerships are arranged through the GPP and are based on the specific needs of an individual student. For more information, contact the GPP. Will I be getting clinical experience during my PhD? There is no formal requirement that you get clinical experience during the PhD phase of your training. However, you may get involved with Clinical Grand Rounds and other didactic sessions, bedside teaching rounds and other clinical training opportunities, and clinical research protocol activities at the NIH and partnering institutions. How much time will I spend away from medical school? The time it takes to complete the PhD portion of your training depends on the graduate program in which you participate. NIH OxCam Scholars are expected to complete their PhD in about four years. How much time will I spend at the NIH? Approximately half of your PhD thesis research must be completed at the NIH. NIH OxCam Scholars will spend approximately two years at the NIH and two years at either the University of Oxford or the University of Cambridge. When do I select my PhD mentor? You select you mentor after you are officially admitted to the program. If you are a Track 1 student, you will select a mentor at the NIH before beginning medical school; Track 2 students select their mentors during the time frame determined by their graduate program.

Are there GPA/MCAT cut-offs? The NIH MD/PhD Partnership Training Program is highly competitive, but there are no hard and fast cut-offs for grades or test scores; however, acceptance into the NIH MD/PhD Partnership Training Program and receipt of extramural MSTP funding is pending acceptance to a qualifying MSTP program at a participating medical school.  This means that applicants to the NIH MD/PhD Partnership Training Program must meet the minimum acceptance requirements of the programs to which they are applying.

Process and Criteria

Now is an exciting time to pursue your passion for medicine and science. An MD-PhD degree will provide you with the training you need to become a leader in the areas of research and medicine and the insight required to build a bridge between the disciplines.

The UNC MD-PhD Program welcomes applications from any students interested in a career in medicine and biomedical research. Our program supports students who are pursuing graduate degrees in traditional biomedical fields as well as graduate departments that are usually considered “non-traditional” for MD-PhD programs.  (Please note: for some “non-traditional” PhD programs, an applicant to the MD-PhD program must apply separately to the UNC department from which he or she aims to earn a PhD.  For more information please contact the MD-PhD Program Office).

You can find a list of graduate programs with which we currently work with here .

Please note: We have made changes to our admissions process in order to comply with a mandate from the North Carolina General Administration. From this point forward, all applicants applying to the UNC School of Medicine must complete a supplemental application in addition to a military survey. The Committee on Admissions will continue to pre-screen the AMCAS applications to select candidates for interviews. It is important that you take into consideration the admissions policies, guidelines, and criteria we have indicated on our website to ensure that your academic credentials meet our criteria. Keep in mind that the process for receiving a supplemental is automated, and you need to make sure that your academic metrics are within the parameters we require.

* The MD-PhD Program has the same prerequisite academic and technical standards requirements as the MD Program. Please find more information about these requirements by visiting the Educational Prerequisites and MCATs page or the Technical Standards page on the Medical School’s Admissions website .

How to Apply to the UNC MD-PhD Program

To apply to the UNC MD-PhD Program, you must submit an application through the American College Medical School Application Service (AMCAS) .

MD-PhD Combined Degree Designation: In the application, you have to choose MD only or combined MD-PhD only, when asked to indicate the program to which you are applying. If you choose MD-PhD, your application will not be considered by the MD Program, however, you will still be required to interview with the MD program as part of the Multiple Mini Interview if invited.

The UNC MD-PhD deadline for submission of the AMCAS application is October 1st, 2024.

Once we receive your AMCAS application, the staff of the UNC MD-PhD Program reviews it. All applicants who submit an AMCAS application to the UNC MD-PhD Program will receive an email invitation to submit a Supplemental Application. We encourage your submission within 2 weeks of that invitation. If you would like to be considered for an interview we strongly suggest you to complete the process as soon as possible.

*Note: Please make sure you are checking your Spam/Junk folders for correspondences from UNC that may have been pushed there.

The final deadline for submitting your Supplemental Application is Friday, October 4th.

Please note: for some “non-traditional” PhD programs, an applicant to the MD-PhD program must apply separately to the UNC department from which he or she aims to earn a PhD.  For more information please contact the MD-PhD Program Office.

Our MD-PhD Program does not interview on a rolling basis. However, we review all applications as they are completed September – November. Your application is not considered complete until you have paid the Supplemental Application fee and we receive your verified AMCAS, including your latest MCAT score and all letters of recommendation.

Invitations for interviews for local applicants may be issued as early as September.  All interview invitations will be issued by early December. Applicants who are selected for interviews will choose one of three interview weekends in December or January.

For 2024-25, our interview weekend dates are:

• December 8-10*
• January 12-14
• January 26-28

On interview dates, applicants will spend their interacting with current students and faculty members in a relaxed social environment. Then, on Monday and Tuesday, the formal interviews are held in conjunction with both the Medical School and the Graduate School. MD-PhD applicants participate in Multiple Mini Interviews, Experience UNC , for one day and the other day is spent interviewing with research faculty on campus.

You can find a full admissions timeline on our Deadlines and Key Dates page .

*Local Interview Day

Admissions Criteria

Applicants to the UNC MD-PhD Program should possess:

• An excellent academic record
• A strong motivation to pursue a career as a physician-scientist
• Research experience outside of the required laboratory courses
• Leadership skills and the drive to be a leader in your field

We evaluate each application in its entirety, taking into consideration engagement in research, academic achievement, MCAT scores, personal essays, letters of recommendation, and interviews. There is no age limit for applicants to our program.

A complete and competitive application should showcase these qualities, while also meeting the following requirements:

Accepted Students

MCAT Requirements

Information About the New M CAT: The Admissions Committee will use the MCAT scores from the current exam in the same way they have used previous scores – in conjunction with other academic information presented on the AMCAS application and the letters of recommendation. Because these scores are new to Admissions Committee members, they will use the percentile ranks for the new scores to determine how individual applicants compare to others who took the new exam.

 The latest exam scores we will accept for the 2025 application cycle will be from the September 14th, 2024 test administration. 

If you submitted your AMCAS application prior to taking the MCAT, please note that your application will not be reviewed until the scores have been reported by AMCAS. For all applicants, MCAT scores below 513 are typically not considered competitive. If your initial MCAT score does not meet our criteria and you plan to retake the exam, make sure you indicate your next MCAT exam date on your AMCAS application and we will review your application after we receive the new scores. There is no need to call us to give us your new scores, because AMCAS will automatically upload them to your application as soon as they are available.

Undergraduate GPA Requirements

Your GPA should reflect strong academic ability, especially in the natural sciences. Applicants whose cumulative GPA is 3.3 or higher will meet our minimum requirements for consideration.

Our ideal candidate has not just taken the hardest classes and made good grades, they have also sought out experiences that enrich their education and give them opportunities for real-life application of the concepts learned in the classroom. They are self-starters who are internally motivated to challenge themselves.

Research Experience Requirements

Successful applicants to the UNC MD-PhD Program have pursued research experiences outside of their required laboratory coursework. Please make sure that your AMCAS application clearly defines the type of research experiences you have had and the amount of time you spent doing each activity. Please put these experiences in both the “Experiences” section of the AMCAS application and the “Research Description” essay that is a required component of our Supplemental Application.

Competitive applicants have a minimum of 12 cumulative months of full-time research experience at the time of their application.

Letters of Recommendation

As you consider who to ask for a letter of recommendation, keep in mind that the purpose of these letters is to shed light on the character and ability of the applicant. Choose someone who knows your character and ability well and can help reviewers gain a deeper understanding of you.

The MD-PhD Program requires a minimum of three letters of recommendation and will accept up to six letters. We request that at least one letter be written by a research mentor from the experience you designate as most meaningful in your AMCAS application. If your undergraduate institution has a Pre-Health Committee, it would be preferable to have letters from this committee and the compilation would meet our requirement.

You should begin requesting your letters of recommendation well in advance of the deadline to give your professors, advisors, and mentors enough time to compose and submit their letters. Our deadline for the submission of all letters of recommendation to AMCAS is October 1st.

All letters are to be submitted through the AMCAS Letter Service . Please remember that it is your responsibility to make sure that you designate the UNC School of Medicine as one of the schools to receive your letters (within AMCAS). If you have questions about how to do this, please contact AMCAS directly or refer to the online instruction manual.

Updates to AMCAS and or Supplemental Applications

We do not accept updates to your AMCAS or Supplemental application post-submission (e.g. publications, new experience, etc.). The only exception is if an official from the Office of Admissions has requested that you do so. If you are offered an interview and you have a significant change or an added activity, you may share that information with your interviewer at the time of your interview and post interview. Updates can be sent to [email protected].

Notification of Withdrawal from Consideration or Declination of Acceptance

Pre-interview: If you decide to withdraw your application from consideration before you interview with UNC, please notify us using the Withdrawal/Declination Form.

Post-interview: If you decide to withdraw your application from consideration after you have interviewed with UNC, please contact the MD-PhD Program directly .

For a breakdown of key dates in the application process, head over to the Deadlines and Key Dates page .

Resources for Applicants with Disabilities

The UNC MD-PhD Program recognizes that our training environment is positively enriched by trainees with diverse backgrounds and needs, and welcomes students with disabilities. We strive to create, foster and sustain an inclusive environment that incorporates Universal Design and that provides equal opportunities for all members of our community. Students from all backgrounds who are US citizens or permanent residents are encouraged to apply. Our program gives full consideration to all applicants and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, sex, veteran status, disability, national origin, creed, marital status, age, disability, gender identity or sexual orientation. We make every effort to ensure that qualified applicants can take full advantage of the programs available at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.

Applicants under consideration for admission to the MD-PhD Program may disclose a disability and request accommodation during the admission process. Disclosure is not required. Applicants who choose to disclose a disability during the admission process should write, call, or visit the MD-PhD Program Office ([email protected]) to make arrangements.

Our policies and guidelines apply to students who self-identify a documented disability before or after formal acceptance as well as those who become disabled after enrollment. The School of Medicine and the MD-PhD Program encourages students with disabilities to identify themselves as easily as possible so that reasonable accommodations for which they may be eligible can be determined and provided through the Accessibility Resources and Service (ARS) office. Please keep in mind that the disclosure of a disability is completely voluntary and will be kept confidential. All enrolled students must possess the intellectual, physical and emotional capabilities described in the University of North Carolina’s School of Medicine Technical Standards for the Doctor of Medicine Degree ( http://www.med.unc.edu/admit/requirements/requirements ). Accommodations and assistive technologies will facilitate, but not eliminate, the need to meet these standards.

The UNC MD-PhD Program is committed to providing reasonable accommodations for qualified individuals who are disabled in compliance with Section 504 of the Federal Rehabilitation Act of 1973, the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) of 1990, and the ADA Amendments Act of 2008, as well as applicable state regulations and federal and state privacy laws.

If you believe you may need and qualify for reasonable accommodations, please visit https://accessibility.unc.edu/ for detailed information and procedures. The knowledgeable staff in the Accessiblity Resources and Service (ARS) office serve UNC’s undergraduate, graduate and professional students, trainees, employees, and faculty as well as the public, in support of The University of North Carolina efforts to ensure an accessible, hospitable working and learning environment for people with disabilities. Through ARS, UNC ensures consistent processes for requesting accommodations, evaluating needs, and determining appropriate response, and the ARS serves as a clearinghouse for disability-related information, procedures and services available at UNC, in Chapel Hill and in North Carolina.

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Uacom-t admissions.

Students should apply through the AMCAS website and complete all application materials for the University of Arizona College of Medicine (Please see the UACOM-T Admissions page for more information). 

Additional application materials specific to the MSTP program will be available when students indicate interest in applying for the MD/PhD program.  You must select that you are interested in the MD/PhD Program on your AMCAS in order to receive the additional application materials. 

Requirements specific to the MSTP program:

Entry to the MSTP Program is decided by the MD/PhD Admissions Committee .  Both in-state and out-of-state applicants will be considered as well as applicants with a permanent resident visa status. International students are not eligible for admission to the Program at this time.

Students must complete requirements for a Bachelor’s degree  at an accredited academic institution prior to matriculation as well as meet all admission requirements for the University of Arizona, College of Medicine

All applicants to the MD/PhD Program are expected to have outstanding undergraduate grades and high scores on the Medical College Admissions Test (MCAT) . 

Letters of Recommendation - Applicants to the College of Medicine – Tucson are required to obtain letters supporting their candidacy for admission. Three letters of recommendation are required. One letter must be from a clinical setting (clinical letter from a person who has seen you interact with patients, family members, and other staff members (i.e. MD, volunteer coordinator, RN, Nurse practitioner or other healthcare provider). Overall, letters should be from individuals with whom applicants are well-acquainted. The Admissions Committee is looking for accurate, in-depth evaluations of qualities suitable for medical school. These qualities include motivation to attend medical school, maturity, character, and commitment to the practice of medicine. Letters from family and friends are not recommended.

Additionally, a minimum of one year in research experience is required.  The goal of the program is to train the next generation of academic physician scientists.  Therefore, an important factor in selecting MD/PhD applicants is evidence of a passion for research supported by substantial research experiences that have provided opportunities for independent and critical scientific thinking.  Publications and/or presentations at national meetings are encouraged but not required. Successful applicants will be those who recognize and are capable of meeting the demands and responsibilities of a MD/PhD program, which is at a minimum seven years in duration.

For the 2023-24 application cycle the earliest MCAT we will accept is January 2021.