MD/PhD
MD/PhD
What is an MD/PhD?
What is an MD/PhD?
- What is an MD/PhD?
- The MD/PhD is a dual doctoral degree for physician scientists that combines the vocational training of a Doctor of Medicine with the research rigor of a Doctor of Philosophy
- The MD/PhD programs are highly competitive, often taking 7-8 years to complete
- Years 1-2: First two years of Med School
- Years 3-6: Mostly Grad School/PhD Work
- Years 7-8: Last two years of Med School
Who are Biomedical Research Scientists?
Who are Biomedical Research Scientists?
- Upon earning their dual degree, MD/PhD candidates become biomedical research scientists
- Biomedical research scientists are interested in researching the mechanisms that underlie disease in order to engineer patient-driven medical solutions
- Example: A neurologist who studies brain plasticity in order to develop better treatment plans for epileptic patients
- Biomedical research scientists are patient, creative, interested in biology, and persistent enough to see rigorous research projects through to conclusion
What are career outcomes like for Physician scientists?
What are career outcomes like for Physician scientists?
- The vast majority (~75%) become faculty at medical schools
- At medical schools, physician scientists can continue to work on their research while practicing primary care
- About 16% of physician scientists work in private medical practices
- Physician scientists also work at research institutes, such as HHMI and NIH
- Owing to their extensive education and technical skills, careers in physician science are well paid
How Much would an MD/PhD cost?
How Much would an MD/PhD cost?
- Since MD/PhD physician scientists are so valuable, many training programs receive extensive financial support
- Since NIH supports MD/PhD students with grants and stipends, most students enroll tuition free
- For more information on financial support for MD-PhD training, visit the American Association of Medical College’s web page on potential funding sources for MD/PhD students:
How competitive are MD/PhD programs?
How competitive are MD/PhD programs?
- Traditionally, MD/PhD programs receive fewer applicants than do medical schools, but they are usually more competitive
- Matriculating student statistics
- Mean GPA: 3.8
- Mean MCAT: 515
- The standards for admission will vary from school to school, so it is important to check with each offering program
- Note: It is not always necessary to have at least a 3.8 GPA in order to be admitted. It is still possible to be a competitive MD/PhD applicant with a lower GPA if you have outstanding research and clinical experience.
What can I do to ensure that I’ll be a competitive MD/PhD applicant?
What can I do to ensure that I’ll be a competitive MD/PhD applicant?
- Demonstrate academic success in biology, physics, chemistry, and social science courses
- For more information about which courses you should take as an undergrad in order to meet MD/PhD admission requirements, visit the Reed Yorke Health Professions Advising Office’s web page on pre-medicine coursework.
- Score competitively on the MCAT (~515+)
- Costs about $315
- More information about the American Association of Medical College’s Fee Assistance Program.
- Demonstrate interest in medical practice
- Look for scribing positions and shadowing opportunities
- Demonstrate leadership potential and a commitment to community service
- Demonstrate a passionate commitment for research
- Multiple summer projects
- Consider a senior thesis project
- In some cases, one or more years of research experience after undergraduate studies may be appropriate
- Owing to the rigorous prerequisite expectations for applying to an MD/PhD programs, it is common for applicants to take one or more gap years after completing an undergraduate degree
How can I apply?
How can I apply?
- General Timeline
- Applications open in the summer
- Interviews begin in the fall/winter
- Acceptances released in the winter
- Matriculation in the summer
- Components
- Transcript/Coursework
- MCAT score
- Personal statement that explains your career goals/interests and how they are related to the intersection of medicine and research
- For more information on constructing an effective and convincing personal statement, read this article written by the Director of Health Professions Advising at Princeton University.
- Letters of recommendation, especially from research mentors
- For more information about selecting appropriate recommenders, visit the University of Maryland’s Health Profession Advising Office’s web page on letters of recommendation.
- Interview Tips
- Demonstrate your personality, creativity, and motivation for applying to an MD/PhD program
- Demonstrate strong verbal communication skills
- Be able to describe all items from your application, especially your research
- Ask specific questions about the MD/PhD program
Resources for prospective MD/PhD applicants
Resources for prospective MD/PhD applicants
- Academic advising for MD/PhD
- Make an appointment at the Reed-Yorke Health Professions Advising Office
- “MD-PhD: Is it right for me” from the American Association of Medical Colleges
- Service Opportunities
- Research opportunities
- The University of Maryland’s CMNS databasefor undergraduate research opportunities
- Steps to Finding a Research Faculty Mentor in the biological sciences at the University of Maryland
- Clinical Opportunities
- The University of Maryland’s Health Professions Advising Office offers shadowing opportunities at local hospitals, scribe programs, and EMT training
- MCAT Prep
- UMD’s MCAT prep program, which also includes pre-med advising and personal statement review
- MCAT preparation recommendations from the American Association of Medical Colleges
- List of MD/PhD programs by state, compiled by the American Association of Medical Colleges