Student guide detailing the application process to MSTP or MD/PhD programs.

1. Guide to MD/PhD Application
By Colleen M. Farrelly
Marquette University, Honors B.S. 2009
Admitted to Multiple MD/PhD Programs, 2008-2009 Cycle

2. Program Information
• TYPES OF PHDS:
– Biological
Sciences
– Engineering
– Epidemiology
– Math
– Social Sciences/
Humanities (Only
select programs)
• PROGRAM FEATURES:
– 6-8 years for both
degrees
– Most give full
tuition, stipend
(all MSTP, some
MD/PhD)
– 1-20 students
accepted per program
in a year
– Many have events
sponsored by program
(dinners,
conferences,
retreats…)

3. Prerequisites
• GENERAL
INFORMATION:
– Vary by program
– May differ from a
school’s MD
requirements
(Calculus,
Physical
Chemistry…)
• RESEARCH:
– More is better
(2+ years)
– Intellectual
contribution to
project
(published,
presented a plus)
– More than 1 lab

4. Making the Cut
• GPA:
– Prefer 3.7 or
better (waived if
publications
sometimes)
– High science GPA
– Want to see
science or math
majors
• MCAT (old):
– More emphasis on
Biological Science
and Physical
Science
– Most of us at
interviews had a
32-36ish, higher
in science than
verbal
– Minimum cut-offs
usually 30-32 (8
or 9 minimums)

5. More Preliminary Information
• LETTERS:
– Need MD letters,
plus research
letters
– Usually want 2-4
from researchers
– Most want
clinical
supervisor
letters
• GRE
– Some programs
require it
(Columbia, U of
Chicago)
• Find out BEFORE
deadline!
– Subject tests if
non-biology
department
– Don’t take while
studying for the
MCAT
– ASK THE PROGRAM!!!

6. AMCAS
• Essays:
– MD
• Focus on clinical
aspects
– MD/PhD
• Why both?
• Most of us really
could not decide
between the two
degrees
– Research
• Chronicle
experiences
• More is better;
details of project
are helpful
• Extracurricular
Activities:
– NEED CLINICAL
EXPERIENCE
• Some friends with
38 on MCAT and 3.9
not accepted
because of it
• Go to a clinic or
a hospital, shadow
– Leadership
• Clinical or
research

7. Secondaries
• MD
– Usual questions
• MD/PhD
– Most schools
– 1-4 extra essays
• PhD
– Some schools
– Extra 1-12 essays
• Be prompt.
• Lots of work.
• Time-consuming.
• Use the Writing
Center if your
school has one.

8. The Interview Experience
• 1-3 days long, plus travel
• Usually paid for by the school (some
including air fare)
• 6-12 interviews per school
– Some only do MD/PhD interviews, some
MD/PhD and MD, some MD/PhD and MD and
PhD
• Dinners with directors and students
• About 10-30% interviewed from
applicants, 40-70% of these accepted
• 5-6 interviews usually for at least
one acceptance

9. Interview Questions
• Why MD/PhD?
• Talk about your
research/X
project/your role in
X project.
• What clinical
experiences have you
had?
• Are you doing it for
the money?
• What area of
research most
interests you?
• Applying to any MD-
only schools? Why?
• What is an ideal mix
of clinical and
academic medicine
for you?
• Where do you see
yourself in 15
years?
• What does your
boyfriend think
about your decision?
• Why this department?
• What project do you
want to research
here?

10. Cautions
• Beware of new
programs
– May be cut
• Beware of small
programs
– If people do not go,
there may be a
reason.
– School doesn’t know
policies on MD/PhD
well.
• Try to meet
prospective advisors
on interviews or
revisits.
• Know if automatic
acceptance/funding/
tuition remission
– NYMC…
• Interview the school
while you are there.
– Has the department
had an MD/PhD student
before?
– What will they do if
the USLME is changed
to include steps 1
and 2 into 1 test
after clinical year 3
(pending)?

11. Other Information
• Many people do a year
out of research.
– Interviews are very
long and hard to do
while in school.
• Don’t apply only
MD/PhD, especially with
lower credentials.
• Do a tier approach.
• Choose an area in which
you would not mind
living for the next
decade of your life
(consider family,
weather, school
atmosphere).
• Ask attrition rates and
reasons.
– Some are legitimate
reasons; others raise
red flags.
• Apply to a lot of
programs.
• If you plan to apply
senior year, don’t
schedule a heavy load
of classes.
• Out of state
restrictions do not
apply to MD/PhD
students.
– Want a reason, though

12. Resources
• http://www.mdphds.org/
• http://www.aamc.org/students/co
nsidering/research/mdphd/
• School Websites