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Want to earn an MD-PhD degree from a top-ranked university? To find the right school or university for your academic interests, you’ll need to consider the education costs, academic programs, financial aid and a number of other factors in all of the schools you’re considering.
To help you, we have compiled a list of the best medical colleges and schools in the USA. Combined MD-PhD degree programs provide students the opportunity to earn both the MD and the Ph.D. in areas pertinent to medicine.
Start the search for your future education right away! Below is a list of medical schools that offering a combined MD-PhD degree program, with tuition fees, contact info, and links to their websites. Good Luck!!
Table of Contents
Harvard/M.I.T MD-PhD Program, Harvard Medical School
University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center
Dartmouth University, Geisel School of Medicine
Duke University School of Medicine
John Hopkins University School of Medicine
Mayo Clinic Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences
University of Florida College of Medicine
The University of Pennsylvania, Perelman School of Medicine
University of Southern California (USC), Keck School of Medicine
Virginia Commonwealth University School of Medicine
Yale University School of Medicine
Harvard/M.I.T MD-PhD Program, Harvard Medical School
The Harvard/MIT MD-PhD Program at Harvard Medical School (HMS) provides medical education combined with research training in laboratories at Harvard University and the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. The overall mission is to train the next generation of premier physician-scientists, with representation across a rich diversity of clinical disciplines and research areas from basic and translational sciences to bioengineering to the social sciences. Sponsored primarily by the National Institutes of Health through its Medical Scientist Training Program, the program provides fellowship support for selected and highly qualified students who have elected to pursue both the M.D. and Ph.D. degrees.
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The MD-PhD Program seeks to provide entering students with a thorough and up-to-date medical education combined with research training in laboratories of premier investigators at Harvard University and the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT). This class is specially designed to introduce the entering MD-PhD students to current disease-oriented research problems and to develop their critical thinking skills.
Ranking: 1st
Tuition Fees Approximately: $28,110/year
Contact Information: 617.432.0991, Fax: 617.432.2791, mdphd@hms.harvard.edu
Official Website: https://www.hms.harvard.edu/md_phd/
University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center
The Medical Scientist Training Program (MSTP) at UT Southwestern Medical Center trains the next generation of leaders in academic medicine by offering a combined M.D./Ph.D. degree. Each year we enroll approximately 10 outstanding students from around the world who have substantive experience in laboratory research and a strong desire to pursue a research career related to medicine. A highly integrated program, a dedicated and collegial faculty, and an unusually intense hands-on clinical experience await the prepared student.
UT South-western’s MSTP recognizes the special niche the M.D./Ph.D. scientist occupies by providing a rigorous but supportive program of clinical and research training. During clinical training, M.D./Ph.D. students master clinical skills and develop the same compassion and commitment as all UT Southwestern medical students.
Ranking: 2nd
Tuition Fees Approximately: $19,091 (in-state) and $32,191 (out-of-state).
Contact Information: 214-648-3111
Official Website: https://www.utsouthwestern.edu/education/medical-school/academics/combined-degrees/mstp/
Dartmouth University, Geisel School of Medicine
The MD-PhD program at Dartmouth combines systematic and rigorous research preparation for the Ph.D. degree with the full MD curriculum. The MD-PhD Program is unique in that it encompasses the entire campus and thus offers our students doctoral programs in a wide variety of disciplines. The training provided to the MD-PhD student is unique as it provides for developing basic science analytical skills coupled with the acquisition of highly diagnostic clinical skills.
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The MD-PhD program at the Geisel School of Medicine offers opportunities that are both challenging and rewarding for students who are committed and motivated. Dartmouth financially and academically provides the support and guidance needed by students pursuing the MD-PhD degrees. The program is organized to permit students to achieve the full potential of both degrees in an efficient and effective manner while also developing an understanding of the healthcare system as a whole.
Ranking: 3rd
Tuition Fees Approximately: $63,080
Contact Information: (603) 653-9958
Official Website: http://geiselmed.dartmouth.edu/mdphd/
Duke University School of Medicine
The Duke Medical Scientist Training Program (MSTP) at the Duke University School of Medicine trains highly qualified students as physician-scientists. Duke’s Doctor of Medicine (M.D.) program seeks to prepare a diverse student body to pursue a spectrum of medical career options in order to become physician leaders who can advance biomedical research and improve local, national, and global health. The program, which leads to both the MD and Ph.D. degrees and typically takes seven to eight years for completion, combines graduate education in a basic biomedical science with the full clinical curriculum of the School of Medicine.
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The Medical Scientist Training Program (MD/ Ph.D.) and the Primary Care Leadership Track are both programs that must be applied to during the initial School of Medicine Admissions process. The Duke Medical Scientist Training Program (MSTP), trains highly qualified students as physician-scientists, equipping them for solving problems in human disease using the approaches and techniques of the basic biomedical and social sciences.
Ranking: 4th
Tuition Fees Approximately: $57,100
Contact Information: 919.684.2985, medadm@mc.duke.edu
Official Website: https://medschool.duke.edu/education/degree-programs-and-admissions/doctor-medicine-md-program
John Hopkins University School of Medicine
Approximately 10 percent of students at the Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine pursue a combined M.D.-Ph.D. degree, which offers unrivaled preparation for careers in academic medicine, government or private research. This six- to the eight-year course of study offers extraordinary flexibility and can be individualized in numerous ways depending on the student’s goals and interests. Ph.D. programs in other divisions of the University, such as The Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health (including Health Policy & Management, Bioethics, Health Communication, Epidemiology, and International Health to name a few) are also open to MD-PhD students.
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In a word, the MD-PhD curriculum at Johns Hopkins is flexible. Most students decide to do the first two years of medical school then begin graduate school and finish the last two years of their medical training after completing their thesis work. However, students who want more first-hand experience in clinical medicine before beginning graduate work can elect to complete three years of medical school, followed by their graduate training, and then the last year the medical school. All eligible applicants who are admitted to the MD-PhD Program are considered for funding under the NIH Medical Scientist Training Program Award. Approximately 10-12 MD-PhD students matriculate each year and receive the Medical Scientist Training Program (MSTP) award.
Ranking: 5th
Tuition Fees Approximately: $51,900
Contact Information: 410-955-8008, swellin1@jhmi.edu
Official Website: http://mdphd.johnshopkins.edu
Mayo Clinic Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences
Mayo Clinic Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences (Mayo Graduate School) is one of the schools of higher education within the Mayo Clinic College of Medicine and Science. The school offers world-class graduate education leading to Ph.D. and M.D.-Ph.D. degrees, as well as master’s degree programs for Mayo Clinic residents and fellows. Their Ph.D. and M.D.-Ph.D. candidates have access to more than 200 faculty members, providing opportunities for close collaboration with internationally recognized researchers.
The Medical Scientist Training Program (MSTP) is an M.D.-Ph.D. program offered by Mayo Clinic Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences and Mayo Clinic School of Medicine. MSTP is an M.D.-Ph.D. training program that prepares students to translate scientific discoveries into applications that improve patient care. Through the MSTP, you become a highly skilled physician-scientists engaged in leading advances in science and clinical practice.
Ranking: 6th
Tuition Fees Approximately: $31,000
Contact Information: lee.kendall@mayo.edu, mayomstp@mayo.edu
Official Website: https://www.mayo.edu/mayo-clinic-graduate-school-of-biomedical-sciences
University of Florida College of Medicine
The MD-PhD Program at the University of Florida has been training clinician-scientists continuously for over 30 years through intramural funding. The MD-PhD program trains clinician-scientists for a career in academic medicine with the full expectation that our MD-PhD students will become future leaders at academic medical centers worldwide. Three to four years are usually required to undertake and complete a Ph.D. program. Thus, MD-PhD students typically require seven to eight years to obtain their combined degree. The goal of the MD-PhD Training Program is to enable scholars to obtain the best training in their intended research areas while working closely with an outstanding faculty.
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The MD-PhD Training Program offers a full stipend scholarship and tuition waiver for up to 4-8 new students each year for the entire period of their training. During the graduate portion of the training, MD-PhD students are appointed as Graduate Research Assistants and receive tuition remission and a stipend ($28,277/year) which may be funded by the mentor’s research grant, an NIH training grant, or other institutional funds. MD-PhD students are eligible for free graduate student health insurance during their Ph.D. training.
Ranking: 7th
Tuition Fees Approximately: $32,744
Contact Information: 352.273.8926, Fax: 352.846.3446, mdphd@medicine.ufl.edu
Official Website: https://mdphd.med.ufl.edu
The University of Pennsylvania, Perelman School of Medicine
The Penn State College of Medicine Medical Scientist Training Program is supported by a grant from the National Institutes of Health, awarded to the top MD/ Ph.D. programs in the country. Through the MD/ Ph.D. Medical Scientist Training Program at Penn State College of Medicine, you’ll gain the tools and training you need to become a successful physician-scientist. You’ll experience the breadth of clinical science while designing experiments and conducting biomedical research with modern technology. The program, typically completed in eight years, will prepare you for a successful career in medical research, academic medicine, or a related field.
The Perelman School of Medicine and the Penn Medical Scientist Training Program seek students from diverse backgrounds. MD-PhD dual-degree programs are intended for students with a passion for research who wishes to work as physician-scientists within the field of medicine. Following approximately eight years of training, the student may go on to medical school faculty positions, while others choose to work in industry or as full-time researchers at institutions such as the NIH or the Wistar Institute.
Ranking: 8th
Tuition Fees Approximately: $55,928
Contact Information: 717-531-8521
Official Website: http://www.med.upenn.edu/mstp/
University of Southern California (USC), Keck School of Medicine
The Keck School of Medicine of the University of Southern California offers students pursuing medical and biomedical graduate degrees a dynamic and diverse learning environment on the USC Health Sciences Campus in Los Angeles. The Keck School of Medicine’s MD-PhD Program is a fully funded joint program of the University of Southern California (USC) and the California Institute of Technology (Caltech). The program is designed for individuals who aspire to a career in academic medicine or a leadership role in the biomedical industry. The MD-PhD Program provides for the development of research expertise and academic excellence while fulfilling the requirements for a Ph.D. degree in a variety of subject areas.
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The mission of the program is to train a qualified and diverse group of students to become the next generation of physician-scientists that are enabled to make important breakthroughs in medical science. This program integrates the medical school curriculum with graduate curricula in the basic sciences, to provide a unified course of study leading to both the MD and Ph.D. degrees. MD/ Ph.D. candidates have the option of pursuing a laboratory experience before beginning the Year I medical curriculum through a laboratory rotation at either USC or the California Institute of Technology.
Ranking: 9th
Tuition Fees Approximately: $61,428
Contact Information: (323) 442-1100
Official Website: https://keck.usc.edu/md-phd-program/
Virginia Commonwealth University School of Medicine
The Virginia Commonwealth University (VCU) School of Medicine has been awarding combined MD and Ph.D. degrees since 1975. The VCU MD-PhD program is a medium-sized program, admitting six to eight people on average each year. Full medical school and graduate school tuition is provided by the VCU MD-PhD program and Ph.D. dissertation adviser. The MD-PhD program at VCU prepares students for careers that encompass aspects of both patient care and scientific discovery. Graduates become physician-scientists who advance the medical field through direct patient care and innovative research.
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The VCU MD-PhD Program encourages students with disabilities, underrepresented minorities, and students who are disadvantaged to apply. Students will receive a minimum annual stipend of $31,265 each year for all years enrolled in the program. Each student receives an additional $1,000 added to their stipend after passing their Ph.D. candidacy exams. To be considered for the VCU MD-PhD Program, prospective students must apply to the medical school through the American Medical College Application Service.
Ranking: 10th
Tuition Fees Approximately: $23,016 per year
Contact Information: (804) 828-0673, Fax: (804) 827-1469
Official Website: https://mdphd.vcu.edu
Yale University School of Medicine
The Yale School of Medicine (YSM) is one of the oldest and most prestigious medical schools in the US. The MD-PhD Program at Yale University was established in 1969 and graduated its first students in 1973. They welcome students who are ready to accept the challenges, responsibilities, and rewards of preparing for careers that make a positive impact on human health and well-being. A special feature of their Program is the requirement that at the end of the second year in the Program, all students participate in 6 months of clinical rotations prior to entering the Ph.D. phase of their training, usually in January of their 3rd year.
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The MD/ Ph.D. Program at Yale encourages individuals with disabilities or who may be from an economically, socially, culturally or educationally disadvantaged background to apply to our Program. All students in Yale’s MD-PhD Program are supported fully with a stipend, tuition and basic health coverage for the duration of training.
Your answer to the question “why do you want to be a doctor?” can help you determine whether MD-PhD programs are right for you. MD-PhD programs accept exceptionally bright and motivated applicants interested in becoming physician-scientists – this means that instead of focusing your time and efforts on clinical work, you will commit your life to scientific innovation and research. In addition to the demanding curriculum and extended period of study (7-8 years!), MD-PhD application procedures typically involve additional components and supplementary interviews.
Whether you are applying through AMCAS, TMDSAS, or OMSAS, you will be required to submit additional essay components explaining why you are the right fit for the MD-PhD program of your choice along with your AMCAS personal statement, AMCAS Work and Activities, or TMDSAS application. In this blog, you will learn everything you need to know about MD-PhD programs, including a list of schools that offer MD-PhD programs, how to apply, and 5 tips to get accepted!
Note: If you would like to navigate to specific sections of the article, click “Article Contents” above (on mobile) or on the right (desktop) to see an overview of the content.
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What is an MD-PhD program?
If you are contemplating between MD PhD vs MD, it’s important to know what the MD-PhD programs entail. The MD-PhD program allows you to obtain a dual degree in both medicine and research to become what is known as a physician-scientist or medical scientist. After graduation, students will receive a combined MD/PhD degree with advanced, hands-on research training and expertise in a particular field of their choice.
Struggling to decide between MD-PhD and MD programs? Check out our video below!
top 5 tips to help you get into MD-PhD programs
How do I know if the MD-PhD program is for me?
The MD-PhD program is definitely not an easy one, it is designed for exceptional students who have a true interest and commitment to a career in medical research. If you’re only interested in becoming a practicing physician, that doesn’t require a PhD, so the MD-PhD program is not the right choice for you.
When considering if this program is well suited to your strengths and interests, ask yourself a variety of questions. Are you fascinated by the unknown? Do you find yourself asking why and how? Are you interested in a disease or condition that is commonly treated by physicians? Do you want to make new discoveries and implement what you’ve learned? Do you want to combine scientific research with medicine? What is your greatest weakness? If research is not your forte, perhaps MD-PhD programs are not for you. However, if you feel a definite drive and determination to pursue medicine and research at the same time, the MD-PhD program is a perfect option.
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Does my PhD have to be in laboratory research?
PhD programs on offer vary from school to school, therefore, depending on the school you apply to, you may not necessarily have to train in laboratory research. The vast majority of MD-PhD students obtain their PhD in biomedical laboratory fields of study. This includes genetics, neuroscience, and immunology. However, some schools offer research in fields outside of the laboratory in fields such as economics, public health and sociology.
How long is the program and how does it work?
Although each program has its own curriculum, all MD-PhD programs train students to become competent physicians as well as skilled scientists. Most students complete the degree within 7 to 8 years. The length of your degree will depend on several factors, like your clinical requirements, PhD requirements, progress of your research, and the time needed to develop into an independent investigator, which is the primary goal of the PhD training. Typically, students can choose to divide their training into 2-3-2 track or 2-4-2 track. You start the program by mastering basic science courses as an MD student for 1 or 2 years, followed by an intense period of PhD research for 3 or 4 years. The PhD period is very demanding because you must complete your research, thesis writing, and defend your work within this short timeframe. The last 2 years are dedicated to clinical training.
This is a general outline, but each program may have its own approach. For example, there may be more research integrated into your first two years of study. Some programs may require you to participate in research labs during the summer between first and second years to get acquainted with programs and departments related to your research interests. Depending on your research, you may be required to start clinical training during your PhD component.
The general timeline of completion is as follows:
YEARS 1 & 2
1 to 2 years of MD training in basic science concepts, after which you write the United States Medical Licensing Examination (USMLE) Step 1.
YEARS 3, 4, & 5
3 to 4 years of PhD training includes coursework completion, comprehensive exams, conducting dissertation research, and thesis defense. You must complete any other requirement for the PhD degree component within this timeframe. Most programs will not allow you to continue with MD training unless you finish the PhD.
YEARS 6 & 7
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.
MD-PhD programs are not just a combination of two separate degrees. During your studies, you will be exposed to unique activities and training designed specifically for MD-PhD students. These will include courses and workshops, seminars dedicated to research and professional development, and sessions where you will be able to present your research. You will also be able to join your colleagues in student retreats and conferences designed specifically for this combined degree.
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What does my career look like with an MD-PhD degree?
Having an MD PhD vs MD degree allows you to enjoy a career that combines both research and medicine. You have the opportunity for exploration, scientific discovery and medical intervention. Most MD-PhD graduates work in medical schools, research institutes or teaching hospitals, but there is also the option of working in public health, for pharmaceutical companies and even running your own lab.
How can I afford this program?
If a school is offering an MD-PhD program, they are very aware of the difficulty in training to become a doctor and researcher at the same time. They value physician-scientists highly and fortunately, most programs offer some sort of funding opportunities to students. This can include tuition waivers and a stipend to help cover the costs of living expenses. The National Institute of General Medical Sciences (NIGMS) provides funding to 49 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.
MD Phd Acceptance Rate
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Which schools offer the MD-PhD/MTSP program?
MD-PhD programs are not a prerogative of those seeking the easiest medical schools to get into. While their number is growing all over Canada and the US, here I’ve included an up to date list, which is also available on the AAMC website. In addition to this guide, the AAMC website is a great resource where you can find a variety of other helpful tools for MD-PhD prospective students.
The following tabs show the list of schools that offer the MD-PhD/MSTSP program in the US, organized state-wise and alphabetically. Please use the right and left arrow to navigate to more tabs.
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Alabama
University of Alabama School of Medicine Birmingham, Ala.
Arizona
University of Arizona College of Medicine Tucson, Ariz.
University of Arizona College of Medicine – Phoenix Phoenix, Ariz.
Arkansas
University of Arkansas College of Medicine Little Rock, Ark.
List of MD-PhD Programs in Canada
McGill University Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences Montreal, Quebec
McMaster University of Faculty of Health Sciences Hamilton, Ontario
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 Toronto Faculty of Medicine Toronto, Ontario
University of Ottawa Faculty of Medicine Ottawa
University of Western Ontario London, Ontario
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Which schools are funded through the MTSP?
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Alabama
University of Alabama Birmingham, AL
MD-PhD Applications & Requirements
Applying to an MD-PhD program is essentially the same as applying to an MD program. If you haven’t already done so, you will have to write the MCAT. Check out our blog for the current MCAT test and release dates. Almost all programs use the American Medical College Application Service (AMCAS) where you have a chance to apply as an MD-PhD applicant. As with MD programs, some will require a CV for graduate school, along with a statement of purpose. The only difference is that for MD-PhD applicants, you will be required to provide two additional essays: the first should answer why you want to pursue MD-PhD training, the second should showcase your research experience. There are a few programs that are using an alternative service for accepting applications, so be sure to check which service your program is using.
MD-PhD Program Requirements
Prerequisites
MD-PhD programs require the completion of a four-year undergraduate degree and background in the following disciplines:
1
ONE YEAR OF BIOLOGY
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ONE YEAR OF ENGLISH
3
TWO YEARS OF CHEMISTRY
This can include general chemistry, organic chemistry, as well as biochemistry.
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ONE YEAR OF PHYSICS
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ONE YEAR OF MATH
These medical school prerequisites are the baseline. Your academic record should demonstrate that you have taken a variety of science and non-science courses. Admissions committees will note the difficulty levels of your coursework and your academic improvement over time. Make sure to check with your program of choice for any specific course requirements, i.e. advanced placement classes, online courses, etc. The most important prerequisite for MD-PhD programs is your research background and your experience in the lab.
GPA and MCAT
According to the latest AAMC statistics, the average GPA of MD-PhD matriculants is 3.8, while the average MCAT score is 516. These are very impressive numbers and you must strive to at least meet these averages if you’re planning to apply. If your academic record does not reflect these numbers, you need to get your grades up. To improve your GPA, re-enroll in classes you performed poorly in and get a higher grade. Not only will this increase your GPA, but it also demonstrate your dedication, patience, and desire for improvement. Ask your instructors and teaching assistants if you can do anything for extra credit. Find a tutor or a study buddy to help with disciplines you struggle with the most. You can also plan your school schedule to include courses in disciplines you ace. If working on your GPA is not a priority for you, find out how to get into medical school with a low GPA.
Your MCAT score is an important 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. Give yourself ample time to prepare. Start by taking an MCAT practice test to figure out what areas of knowledge and concepts you need to improve. Create an MCAT study schedule that incorporates a variety of active and passive study strategies. Keep taking practice tests to see if you’re improving. If you consistently score at the 90% percentile in your practice tests, you can start planning to take the real MCAT. Remember, take the test only when you feel ready. If you’re still wondering “When should I take the MCAT?”, read our blog to get some tips.
Are you thinking of retaking the MCAT? Check out our tips below:
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Altus Suite
Firstly, research whether your schools require the completion of the entire Altus Suite, or whether it’s one of the medical schools that require CASPer only. If your schools require the completion of the entire Altus Suite, you will also need to complete the Snapshot interview and the Duet profile. It’s challenging to prepare for all three Altus Suite components, but CASPer remains the most intimidating.
The CASPer test is an online situational judgment test that claims to assess the professional suitability of students applying to professional schools, including medical schools. The entire test is written on a computer and the students typically never find out know how well they scored. The test is comprised of 12 scenarios dealing with real-life situations. You are asked 3 follow up questions based on the scenario observed. Essentially, the questions will prod you to answer how you would deal with the situations you witnessed. You are given 5 minutes to type your answers for those three questions. Make sure you know how the CASPer test is scored.
You have probably heard that it is impossible to prepare for CASPer. It is indeed difficult, but there are important approaches that you can implement to ace your CASPer test! The key is to know what categories of questions are typically included in a CASPer test and to have a concrete answer strategy for each question category. This means that even though nobody knows what exact questions you are going to get on your test, you will have an approach for answering any questions that may come your way. Make sure you know how to prepare for CASPer and go over our CASPer practice questions to ace your test!
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Essays
You will need to submit a total of three essays for the MD-PhD program if you’re applying through AMCAS. On top of your AMCAS personal statement, you will need to submit two additional essays: the significant research experience essay and the MD PhD essay. If you’re applying through TMDSAS, you will need to submit the Dual Degree essay along with the other essay application components.
While your medical school personal statement answers the question “Why do you want to be a doctor?”, the MD-PhD specific essays must demonstrate your research expertise and answer why you would not be satisfied with a career pursuing only one of the two programs. The significant research experience essay must outline the most valuable research experiences you’ve had. You will have 10,000 characters, including spaces, to give detailed accounts of your research projects: the nature of the problem studied, your role and contribution, duration of the project, and the name of your principal investigators and their affiliation.
Your AMCAS MD-PhD essay must be no longer than 3,000 characters long. The TMDSAS dual degree essay is limited to 5,000 characters including spaces. These essays must convince the admissions committees that you would be the right fit for the combined degree and how your experiences have led you to apply to it. Your MD-PhD essay should tell the story of how you became involved in scientific research and how you want to apply your research to medical practice.
Remember, in this essay, you must link your passion for research to clinical practice. Adcoms need to see that you can be both: an expert researcher and a competent MD. You must demonstrate why you are an ideal candidate for the combined program, so do not simply focus on your research background. Showing interest in research alone may eliminate you from the applicant pool – adcoms will think that you can simply pursue a PhD. While focusing only on research is great for the significant research experience essay, your dual degree and MD-PhD essays must be crossovers between your scientific research and the experiences you had working with patients and physicians. Ideally, you will be able to show how your research interests are inspired by clinical experiences or patients you’ve had a chance to work with.
Want to know how to write the MD-PhD essay? Check out our video below!
Research Experience
As an MD-PhD applicant, you must have substantive research experience. Having a quality research background will indicate to admissions committees that you understand what you are getting into and that you have been exposed to research methods and techniques. Ideally, your application will demonstrate that you have been involved in multiple research projects, including thesis research. Your application must show that you have dedicated a substantial amount of your undergraduate degree to scientific research, otherwise the adcoms might wonder why you are pursuing a research-oriented program.
What is most important in your research background is the quality of the experiences. You do not need to get involved in hundreds of research projects to make a great impression on the adcoms. Even one valuable research project can demonstrate your curiosity and commitment to scientific research. Having spent an extended period of time on a research project showcases your dedication, genuine interest, and high level of expertise in a research field.
Make sure you can identify what you have 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. Ideally, you can discuss the relationship between your research experience and the medical field. Remember, you do not need to have an extensive background in medical or clinical research. Laboratory skills are transferable from discipline to discipline. However, even if you have little to no clinical research background, you must show that you have reflected on the relationship between your own research experiences and their application to the medical field. An MD-PhD application is a tough balancing act: you must always remember to honor the integral relationship between research and clinical practice.
If you’re looking to bolster your research background, try looking for research assistant positions on campus. Talk to your instructors and teaching assistants to find out if they are involved in research projects and whether they need help. Keep your eyes out for any research position postings on your school’s website or around science departments. If you’re no longer a student on campus, reach out to your former instructors and ask about research opportunities. You can also contact physicians you volunteered with or shadowed, to find out if they or their clinic are involved in research projects. Even if they are not, physicians can often recommend some names of organizations and other medical professionals who are research-oriented.
Keep in mind that if you apply to research positions, you will need to assemble a strong application, including a research assistant cover letter and CV. If academia is your passion, then you might want to look into special master’s programs. These graduate degrees are specifically designed to build-up students’ medical school applications and may help you improve the quality of your research background.
Are you looking for research positions? Check out our tips below:
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Clinical Experience and Shadowing
While it’s true that MD-PhD applicants highly value research and progress, you do need to demonstrate to MD-PhD admissions committees that you have clinical background. It is one of the key extracurriculars for medical school, so having no clinical background will significantly decrease your chances of acceptance to an MD-PhD program. You must provide evidence to justify your suitability for both research and medicine and that you have taken the necessary steps to test drive your future career.
Remember to emphasize quality over quantity – you do not need to have an extensive clinical background to impress the adcoms. Choose to volunteer or work with organizations and institutions that would further inform your decision to apply to MD-PhD programs. Patient care is at the heart of the medical profession, so it is vital for MD-PhD applicants to get exposed to patients, who are after all the greatest inspiration for medical research and progress. Apply to work and volunteer in clinics, hospitals, and hospices. Apply to volunteer in long-term care and retirement homes. Gain clinical experience by working as a health professional’s assistant, become a certified nursing assistant (CNA), or a volunteer emergency medical technician (EMT), a medical scribe, or a personal caretaker.
Shadowing a physician can also greatly inform your knowledge of clinical practice. As a passive observer, you will get to see the everyday responsibilities of a practicing physician. Take note of memorable lessons you learn – they may prove to 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 doctor. Remember, committing to a clinical setting or shadowing a physician will provide you with an opportunity to reflect on how research can improve medical practice. Without clinical background, your perception of the medical field and medical research will not be complete.
MD PhD Program Statistics
Average mean statistics for MD-PhD matriculants in the US:
Average MCAT Scores
Average GPA
Overall Acceptance Rate
MCAT CPBS: 129
MCAT CARS: 128
MCAT BBLS: 129
MCAT PSBB: 129
MCAT Total: 516
Residency Options
You might be wondering what kind of residency options MD-PhD graduates have after so many years of rigorous training. Just like the rest of applicants, you will need to use the ERAS application to apply to American residency programs and CaRMS to apply to programs in Canada.
First of all, you must know that as an MD-PhD graduate you will need to do a bit more research into residency programs than regular MDs. This is because not all residency programs focus on the research side of medical training. If you want to further your scientific as well as your clinical education, you will have to do a little more work to figure out which residencies will allow you to do so.
Start by speaking with your program mentors who can suggest residencies they know to be particularly research-friendly. You can check programs’ research track records to see if they value research and what kind of opportunities there are to shorten the residency for research-track trainees, such as the Accelerated Research Pathway (ARP), Integrated Research Pathway (IRP), and other physician-scientist track programs.
Look for residencies that have been specifically developed to foster the training of physician-scientists by fully integrating research into the clinical training. These programs usually offer shortened residency (specialty) training by allowing students to shorten their training by 1 year, depending on the specialty. Make sure that the residency offers their trainees to start research right at the beginning of the program, rather than choosing a full-time lab later in the process. Find out if there is any special financial support for graduates of the combined programs.
To learn more about opportunities for physician-scientists, check out the American Physician Scientist Association list of residencies. Be aware, that if you decide to pursue clinical practice rather than research after your graduate from MD-PhD, you can still pursue residency in any specialty you choose.
How Long Are MD Phd Programs
- Gain extensive research experience.
Admissions into MD-PhD programs are highly competitive, and your research experience is essential to your success in gaining entry into the program. You must be able to demonstrate a longstanding commitment to research. Be sure to start gaining experience as soon as possible and try to diversify that experience. For example, you could work in a medical laboratory, research hospital and for a pharmaceutical company. While it is a start to work as a lab tech, the majority of your experience should be focused on hypothesis-based research. The admissions committee will be interested in your ability and experience in developing a hypothesis into a research problem, testing that hypothesis by conducting research and generating a report to document your findings. Try to tailor your research experiences to the field in which you want to pursue, experiences in the biomedical sciences are very useful but not necessarily required if you’ll be studying in fields outside of the laboratory. - Contribute to publications.
Try to publish your research findings or contribute to publications to help demonstrate the active role you played in conducting research. This can be a great way to give you a competitive edge as not all candidates have been published or have contributed to publications. If you have been published or contributed to a publication, even if you only played a small role, be sure you are very familiar with the paper and major details surrounding the research. During your interview, the admissions committee will ask you questions about the research you participated in and will want to see your thorough understanding of that research. In a previous blog, we discuss some of the hardest grad school interview questions and answers, as well as common medical school interview questions be sure you review these to help you prepare for your interview. - Develop good relationships with your research mentor.
It is very important to develop good relationships with your research mentors straight away. When you apply to MD-PhD programs, you’ll have to provide letters of recommendation and the best recommendations will come from a mentor who has spent a long time with you, has been able to directly assess your research skills and has a strong relationship with you. - Gain shadowing experience.
Gaining shadowing experience is important for students applying to an MD program so it’s no different for those interested in MD-PhD programs. Remember, you are not only demonstrating your passion for research, you should also be interested in becoming a clinical doctor. Shadowing is a great way to learn quickly in a medical environment and gives you excellent experiences that can be discussed in your application or during your interviews. - Volunteer and participate in extra-curricular activities.
Community projects and extracurriculars for medical school are a great way to demonstrate a variety of skills desired by the admissions committee such as leadership, teamwork, commitment and problem-solving. Whether you are a tutor, a teaching assistant, or are even part of a debate club, your experiences and what you gained or learned from them are essential. Check out our blog on volunteering to find out how many volunteer hours for medical school you need, as well as the best type of volunteer activity to make your application stand out.
Yale School of Medicine
– Students who are enrolled in medical school at Yale are eligible to apply to the MD/PhD Program provided they meet the eligibility requirements and have not completed 2 years of medical school.
– Application to the MD/PhD Program is made through the American Medical College Application Service (AMCAS).
– Yale is ranked 9th in the world for Life Sciences & Medicine (QS World University Rankings 2010).
University of Maryland School of Medicine
– The MD degree is combined with a PhD program offered by the Graduate Program in Life Sciences (GPILS) in the following areas: Biochemistry, Molecular Microbiology and Immunology, Molecular Medicine, Neuroscience, Epidemiology and Public Health.
– The School of Medicine is ranked 18th among all 131 private and public American medical schools in research grants and contract expenditures and 6th among public medical schools (AAMC, 2008).
Temple University School of Medicine
– The MD/PhD Program provides the opportunity to obtain expertise in clinical medicine and become broadly trained in basic science research at an institution noted for excellence in teaching and research.
– The School of Medicine is ranked 52nd out of 126 allopathic and 20 osteopathic medical schools in the U.S. (US News medical school research ranking 2010).
The University of Chicago (Pritzker School of Medicine)
– The University has a long standing tradition of encouraging students to combine independent research and the study of medicine by obtaining both the MD and PhD degrees concurrently.
– Graduates of the combined programs are found in a variety of settings including teaching and research hospitals, research institutions, pharmaceutical companies and more.
– Pritzker School of Medicine is tied for 13th in the 2011 U.S. News & World Report ranking of the nation’s best graduate schools (Research Rankings).
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