Application Requirements, Deadlines and Procedures

Successful applicants to the MD/PhD Program have outstanding undergraduate grades, high scores on the Medical College Admissions Test (MCAT), and strong letters of recommendation. Applicants must also have participated in research experiences totaling a minimum of one year in length. The most successful applicants will have participated in research experiences that have provided opportunities for independent and critical scientific thinking.

DEADLINE AND CANDIDATE SELECTION PROCESS

The application process is initiated through submission of an application on the American College Application Service (AMCAS) website. The deadline for submitting the AMCAS application is November 15th of each year. Completed applications will be forwarded to our office upon final verification by AMCAS. Materials are reviewed on a rolling basis, therefore applicants are encouraged to make submissions early.

After the initial screening of completed applications, qualified candidates are invited to participate in an on-campus interview day. Individual interviews will be set with several members of the Steering Committee and faculty preceptors working in research areas of interest to the applicant. Applicants will also have the opportunity to meet with students currently enrolled in the Program. The MD/PhD Program Steering Committee will convene in the weeks following the interview day, and a decision (i.e. accept or decline) will be communicated to the applicant as soon as possible.

Applicants who apply to the MD/PhD Program are not eligible to be considered for admission to MD only in the same application year. Individuals interested in applying for MD only may reapply in the next application year. Applicants can apply a total of three times to the MD/PhD or MD program, and there is a waiting period of one year (one admission cylce) between the second and third applications. The second and third applications must be significantly different from the previous one(s). Applicants also need to follow the Medical School guidelines on reapplication found on the admissions website.

PROCEDURE FOR APPLYING

Applicants may use the following information as a guide to ensure that all of the necessary materials for application to the Combined MD/PhD Training Program at the University of Minnesota have been completed and submitted.

Medical College Admissions Test scores. To be considered for fall admission, the MCAT must have been taken no later than the September prior to the year for which an applicant wishes to gain admission. MCAT scores more than three years old are not acceptable. MCAT registration information is available on-line. See Related Links.
AMCAS application. Applications are submitted on-line through the AMCAS web site. The AMCAS application for MD/PhD applicants contains additional essays that request information on the motivation for the MD/PhD career track and a summary of research experiences to date. Applicants must indicate that they are an MD/PhD applicant on the AMCAS application in order for their application to be considered by the MD/PhD Program office. See Related Links.

Letters of Recommendation. The MD/PhD Program requires four letters of recommendation from professors or others who can assess the applicant’s potential for medial school and graduate training. It is a requirement of the MD/PhD Program that at least one of the submitted letters is from a research advisor qualified to evaluate the applicant’s potential for a career in research. Letters can be sent by mail, fax or email (pdfs only).

Mailing address:
Combined MD/PhD Training Program
University of Minnesota
420 Delaware St. SE, MMC 293
Minneapolis, MN 55455
Email:
mdphd@umn.edu
Fax:
612-625-7655 (Please call the office at 612-625-3680 if you are faxing material to us.)

Personal interview. The MD/PhD office will contact select applicants regarding interviews following review of completed applications. Interviews are generally held on Fridays or Mondays to minimize loss of class time for those applicants enrolled in a degree program at the time of application.

NOTE: Do not assume that your file is complete until you have received notification from the MD/PhD Program. If you do not receive notification, please contact the Program office at the address listed above or telephone us at 612-625-3680.