Applicant Information

All completed AMCAS applications received by November 30 are evaluated by the Medical School Admissions Committee and the M.D./Ph.D. Program Admissions Committee for the quality and breadth of students’ undergraduate training, including their science/math GPA and MCAT scores. Although the Graduate Record Examination (GRE) and advanced coursework are not required, GREs are recommended for the Ph.D. in health care ethics, and many applications are strengthened by such information when available. All applicants must have completed at least one year of research, during which they should have demonstrated their intellectual involvement by writing honors theses, abstracts for scientific meetings, and/or peer-reviewed publications. Three letters of recommendation are solicited from individuals identified by the applicants. These individuals are asked to candidly assess an applicant’s research aptitude, integrity, interpersonal skills, and commitment to completing dual-degree training.

The M.D./Ph.D. Admissions Committee invites selected applicants for interviews in January. Applicants must make a brief presentation of their previous research experience(s) to the members of the program admissions committee. These informal presentations may last up to 25 minutes, including time for questions by the faculty. Applicants also meet privately with current trainees and with at least three potential Ph.D. mentors of their choice.

The admissions committee evaluates interviewees for their perceived competence and likelihood of individual success in the University’s training environment. Successful applicants are admitted with offers of full tuition remission plus annual stipends for the duration of their M.D./Ph.D. training, the continuation of which is contingent upon academic performance and progress toward Ph.D. research objectives.

The admissions committee may also invite applicants to join the M.D./Ph.D. program as non-funded trainees. Such non-funded trainees receive the same support provided to funded trainees in the M.D./Ph.D. program. The University holds M.D. tuition costs for non-funded M.D./Ph.D. students to the level paid by their entering medical school class to reduce the impact of inflation on completing M.D. training after finishing their Ph.D.

Members of the Year 1 and Year 2 M.D. classes who are in good academic standing and who meet the other requirements identified above may apply to the M.D./Ph.D. program. Such applicants are rapidly screened and may be considered for acceptance at any time during the year.