md phd acceptance rate

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Is an MD/PhD program right for me? Advice on becoming a physician–scientist

We are living in a golden age of biomedical research in which it is increasingly feasible to translate fundamental discoveries into new diagnostic and therapeutic approaches to human illnesses. Inherited diseases are being cured with gene therapy. Cancer cells are being eliminated with less toxic small molecule inhibitors and reengineered T-cells. Direct connections are being made between the central nervous system and prosthetic devices. These efforts are being led by scientists and engineers, some of whom are also physicians. This article is intended to help anyone considering a career as a physician–scientist, but unsure about how best to begin. It is also intended for faculty, staff, and parents who are on the front lines of advising talented students about the options that they have for their future. With this in mind, I have tried to answer common questions about MD/PhD programs, but I have also included information about other paths to becoming a physician who does research.

INTRODUCTION

Because this is a perspectives piece, I will begin it with a confession: I have been a physician–scientist for more than 30 years and I like what I do. I am also a graduate of one of the earliest MD/PhD programs and have been director of the University of Pennsylvania’s MD/PhD program for 20 years. Being a physician who is also a scientist already makes me atypical. According to the American Medical Association, only 14,000 U.S. physicians (out of nearly 1 million) consider research to be their major job, and a search of National Institutes of Health (NIH) databases in 2012 turned up only 8200 physicians who were principal investigators on NIH research grants ( Ginsburg et al. , 2014 ). To put that number in context, there were 28,000 total investigators with NIH grants in 2012. In other words, most NIH principal investigators are PhD scientists, not physician–scientists (MD or MD/PhD).

My primary day (and sometimes night and weekend) job as a card-carrying physician–scientist is overseeing an NIH-funded research team. My clinical responsibilities include taking care of patients with the kinds of bleeding and blood clotting disorders that we study in the lab. Some of these patients have medical problems that are common in the United States. Some of them are true “zebras,” the kinds of patients who get referred to a well-respected academic medical center because physicians are unsure how best to proceed or lack the resources to manage the patient’s problem. I also teach medical students and graduate students, and I direct a very large MD/PhD program. In my spare time, I talk to lots of undergraduates and recent college graduates who are thinking about becoming physician–scientists and wondering whether they should be applying to MD/PhD programs. I meet them at Penn, but also on visits to other colleges and universities. This article is a distillation of some answers to questions that I am commonly asked. If you are an undergraduate trying to decide whether to go to medical school, graduate school, or both, this article may help you. Whatever you decide, I wish you success.

WHAT IS THE PURPOSE OF MD/PhD TRAINING?

MD/PhD programs were established in the 1950s to combine training in medicine and research. They were specifically designed for men and women who wanted to become research physicians, also known as physician–investigators or physician–scientists. Most of the graduates of MD/PhD programs in the 60-plus years since then have become faculty members at medical schools and universities, investigators at research institutes such as the NIH, or leaders in in the pharmaceutical and biotech industries ( Brass et al. , 2010 ). Regardless of where they eventually end up, MD/PhD trainees are being prepared for careers in which they will spend most of their time doing research or translating that research into new therapeutic and diagnostic approaches. It is a busy, challenging, and hugely rewarding career. A study of what has happened to MD/PhD program graduates from 24 schools appeared in Academic Medicine in 2010 and is worth reading not only for the data set, but also for the discussion of what the data mean ( Brass et al. , 2010 ). An even larger outcomes study that includes data on over 10,000 MD/PhD program graduates is scheduled for publication as a AAMC report in April 2018 ( Akabas et al. , 2018 ).

HOW CAN ONE PERSON DO TWO JOBS?

When I was an undergraduate and trying to decide what to do with my life, my mentors told me that I could become a doctor or a scientist, but that trying to combine two busy professions was futile. Many years later, I know that many current undergraduates are being told the same thing. However well-meant, that advice misses the point. The goal of MD/PhD program training is not to prepare you for two unrelated full time jobs. Instead, you should think of physician–scientists as chimeras—blends of a physician and a scientist with the two parts fitting closely together. A more relevant question is: if you are going to become a physician–scientist, do you have to go through an MD/PhD program? I will try to answer that one a bit later in this article. First, I’ll provide some definitions.

WHAT IS THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN AN MD/PhD PROGRAM, A COMBINED DEGREE PROGRAM, AND AN MSTP PROGRAM? A BIT OF HISTORY AND A WORD ABOUT FUNDING

None. Programs designed to train physician–scientists go by all of these names. For the most part, the terms are interchangeable, although at some schools “combined degree” programs can include MD/JD and MD/masters programs as well—also VMD/PhD programs, which train veterinary physician–scientists. A list of MD/PhD programs can be found at http://www.aamc.org/students/research/mdphd/applying_MD/PhD/61570/mdphd_programs.html . The NIH uses the term MSTP (short for “medical scientist training program”) to refer to programs at schools that have been competitively awarded special training funds to help support MD/PhD candidates. There are currently 46 MD/PhD programs that receive support from the National Institute of General Medical Studies. A list can be found at http://www.nigms.nih.gov/Training/InstPredoc/PredocOverview-MSTP.htm .

When they first started, there were only a handful of MD/PhD programs. I can clearly remember reading a small booklet about applying to medical school that had a single page at the back about MD/PhD programs. Over time, the number of programs has grown. Now there are ∼90 active MD/PhD programs that admit anywhere from a few students per year to 25 or more. The average size of an MD/PhD program in 2017 was ∼90 students in all stages of training. Compared with the many thousands who apply to medical school in each year, only 1900 (∼3%) apply to MD/PhD programs. About one-third of the applicants are accepted, which is similar to the acceptance rate for medical school. 1 When I began medical school, there were very few MD/PhD trainees—I was one of two in my entering class. That has changed considerably. There are currently ∼5500 men and women in training in MD/PhD programs.

Most MD/PhD programs provide tuition waivers for both medical school and graduate school plus a stipend to help cover living expenses. Such fellowships are exceedingly valuable for trainees and very expensive for medical schools and the NIH, so admissions committees work hard to pick the right students for their programs. Despite the high training costs, when I visit other MD/PhD programs to conduct reviews, it is not uncommon to hear deans refer to their MD/PhD program as “the jewel in the crown.” One can easily argue that the existence of MD/PhD programs is evidence of the high value that our society places on physician–scientists.

ARE MD/PhD PROGRAMS LIMITED TO THOSE INTERESTED IN LABORATORY RESEARCH?

The answer varies from school to school. Not all schools offer PhD programs in all disciplines. The majority of MD/PhD students receive their PhD in biomedical laboratory disciplines such as cell biology, biochemistry, genetics, immunology, pharmacology, neuroscience, and biomedical engineering. The names of departments and graduate programs vary from school to school. At some schools, MD/PhD trainees do their graduate work outside of the laboratory disciplines, in fields such as economics, epidemiology, health care economics, sociology, medical anthropology, or the history of science. This is not an exhaustive list, and you should check before you apply to see what is actually offered at any particular school.

Although there is no fully up-to-date and reliable list of which MD/PhD programs offer training in which graduate disciplines, a place to start is at the Website of the AAMC MD/PhD section (which is a good source for other types of information as well). 2

ARE THERE OTHER WAYS TO BECOME A PHYSICIAN–SCIENTIST?

Yes. Definitely. MD/PhD programs are a great choice for people who decide early that that they want to be physician–scientists and have built the necessary track record of academic success and research experience before they apply. Not everyone does this, however, either because he or she did not learn about the option early enough, he or she did not make a decision in time, or he or she does not have an academic and research experience record that supports an application. Not finding out early enough turns out to be a common problem. In my experience, college prehealth advisors know much less about MD/PhD training than MD training—not surprisingly, since only 3% of medical school applicants in the United States every year apply for MD/PhD training. As a result, some people choose (or are obliged) to do MD/PhD training in series, rather than parallel—finishing one degree and then starting the other. The disadvantages of this approach include taking longer to finish training and the likely need to cover the cost of medical school on your own.

I am frequently asked about the strategy of starting medical school and then applying to graduate school as a medical student. Some schools will consider you for transfer into their MD/PhD programs after you have completed a year or two of medical school or graduate school at the same university. Although it is very rare that an MD/PhD program will consider accepting a medical or graduate student from a different school, it does occasionally happen when faculty move from one institution to another and want to bring their students with them. The rules and requirements vary from school to school.

Other programs worth checking out include the NIH MD/PhD program that provides support for the PhD phase at the NIH campus or in Oxford/Cambridge, with the MD training taking place at one of the participating MSTP-designated programs. Note that not all of the MSTP programs have chosen to participate, so if you have your heart set on a specific medical school, you should be sure to ask. 3

Another option is to complete medical school and residency training before doing an extended period of supervised research. A number of Nobel Prize–winning physician–scientists did just that. However, with the increase in the number of MD/PhD training programs nationwide, most people who make the decision to become physician–­scientists while still in college should think hard about doing both degrees together in an integrated MD/PhD program that combines graduate school and medical school into a joint program that currently takes 8 years on average to complete ( Akabas et al. , 2018 ).

DO I REALLY NEED A PhD TO DO RESEARCH? CAN I SAVE TIME BY SKIPPING IT?

The answer to the first of these questions is “Clearly not.” However, while medical school will put you firmly on the path to becoming an accomplished clinician, it does not provide training in how to do research. At some point you will benefit from that additional piece of your education if you intend to become a physician–scientist.

As noted above, in years past it was not uncommon to learn how to do research by doing an extended postdoctoral fellowship after (or instead of) a clinical residency. I am often asked whether it is possible to save time on the path to becoming a physician–scientist by skipping graduate school and just going to medical school. The available data suggest that the answer to this one is “No.” Physician–scientists get their first jobs in academia and their first independent NIH grants at approximately the same age regardless of whether they completed an MD/PhD program or went solely to medical school and then did a more extended postdoc ( Ginsburg et al. , 2014 ). As a result, I normally tell undergraduates that if they are ready to make the commitment before starting medical school, MD/PhD programs offer many advantages, including integrated training, mentored research training, and medical school tuition waivers. On the other hand, if you are sure you want to be a doctor, but less sure about being a scientist, then my advice is to go to medical school and figure out the rest of what you need when you know more about the opportunities that being a physician provides.

HOW DOES MD/PhD TRAINING WORK AND HOW LONG DOES IT TAKE?

The answer varies from school to school, but historically students begin with 2 years of medical school, switch to graduate school in the third year of the program, and then return to finish medical school after completing (and defending) a thesis research project. When I was an MD/PhD student in the 1970s, there was little, if any, communication between the medical and graduate phases of the program. That has changed considerably. Now most programs emphasize integration of the MD and PhD parts of the training, with graduate school courses during years 1 and 2 and clinical experiences during graduate school. Some programs allow completion of 3–12 months of clinical training before the start of full-time graduate training. Be sure to ask how things are organized at schools that you are considering. In programs leading to a PhD in laboratory science, MD/PhD trainees usually spend the summer between the first and second years of medical school working in the laboratory of the faculty member they are considering as a potential thesis advisor. Some programs also ask students to do one of these “lab rotations” in the summer before starting medical school classes as well. Depending on the number of clinical months completed before starting the thesis research, students returning to medical school will need 1–2 years to finish their training and meet the requirements for medical licensure. The stated goal is to complete an MD/PhD program in 7 or 8 years. However, numbers from across the country show that some students finish in 6 years, while others take 10 years (or more). The average currently is 8 years ( Akabas et al. , 2018 ). Note that medical education in the United States continues to evolve. One trend is away from the classic two years of preclinical education followed by 2 years of clinical education. The earlier start in clinical training made possible by shortening preclinical time enables some MD/PhD programs to offer full-time clinical experiences before the start of graduate school. However, some schools are choosing not to do this. The only way to find out what is being done is to ask, if it is not evident from the program’s Website.

HOW LONG DOES IT TAKE TO COMPLETE TRAINING AFTER GRADUATING FROM AN MD/PhD PROGRAM?

Corny as this may sound, the process is never really finished. Your education will continue throughout your career. A more pragmatic answer is that training will extend beyond medical school and graduate school as you complete your post graduate education. Here are some typical numbers: MD/PhD program, 8 years. Residency, 3–6 years. Postdoctoral fellowship, 3–6 years. For most people the term “postdoctoral fellowship” includes another year or two of clinical training, followed by a return to research for 2 or more years ( Figure 1 ). For example, I completed an MD/PhD program in 6 years, followed by a residency in internal medicine (3 years) and a fellowship in clinical hemato­logy and oncology that was combined with postdoctoral training back in a lab (3 years). After that I became an assistant professor and started my own lab. That timing was fairly typical when I did it. Now it would be considered fast. On the other hand, my job description when I finished included running a research team, looking after postdocs and graduate students, and taking care of sick people with complicated medical problems, so maybe all of that training time was necessary.

Paths to becoming a physician who is also a scientist. Integrated MD/PhD training programs that combine research and medical training are not the only path to becoming a physician–scientist. Alternatives begin with doing a research year in medical school (MD+ in the figure) or just doing the standard four-year medical school education. These save time at the start, but usually require a longer period of postgraduate clinical and research training to reach the point where a job as a physician–scientist in academia becomes feasible. As a result, physician–scientists often arrive at the “get a job” point at about the same age whether they began as medical students, MD+ students, or MD/PhD students, although usually with greater student debt if they have not been in an MD/PhD program. See the text for details.

WHAT HAPPENS TO THE GRADUATES OF MD/PhD PROGRAMS?

Short-term, nearly all do additional clinical training. Those who do not are usually headed toward careers at research institutes or outside clinical medicine entirely. Those who do apply for residencies often find that their MD/PhD training makes them particularly appealing to residency programs at top institutions. Long-term, most program graduates end up with careers in which they combine patient care and research. The research may be lab-based, translational, or clinical. Most (75–80%) end up at academic medical centers, at research institutions such as the NIH, or in the pharmaceutical/biotech industry ( Figure 2 ; Brass et al. , 2010 ; Akabas et al. , 2018 ). A much higher percentage of MD/PhD program graduates have ended up in academia than of medical school graduates in general ( Brass et al. , 2010 ). Those who build research careers and apply for NIH research grants find that having the PhD in addition to the MD improves their chances of obtaining funding ( Ginsburg et al. , 2014 ).

Where are they working? Data from 2202 MD/PhD program alumni who have completed all phases of postgraduate clinical and research training. Adapted from Brass et al. (2010) . Industry includes the biotech and pharmaceutical industries. Pvt Practice refers to full-time clinical practice outside of an academic medical center.

HOW DO I APPLY?

The process of application varies from school to school. Some schools have an MD/PhD-focused committee that will screen your application and coordinate the interview and admission process. Other schools consider MD/PhD applicants only after a decision has been made about MD admissions. Finally, some schools consider students for the MD/PhD program only after they have completed a year or more of medical school. Schools that subscribe to AMCAS will ask you to indicate your interest in an MD/PhD program and then to provide additional information as part of a secondary application.

WHEN DO I APPLY?

Most people apply after finishing their junior year in college, but a growing number of applicants finish college and work for a year or more before applying. Some people use the time after college to take courses needed for medical school admission or to gain more full-time laboratory research experience. Some people simply were not ready to make decisions about their future careers and postponed choosing beyond the finish of college. It is a mistake to assume that MD/PhD programs are interested only in applicants who have worked in a lab for a year or more after college. That is clearly not the case, and some of us who direct MD/PhD programs are concerned about the growing percentage of applicants who have waited to apply after they graduate in the mistaken impression that it will improve their resumes. My advice is that for a training path that lasts as long as this one does, it is best to get started as soon as possible.

WHAT DO ADMISSIONS COMMITTEES LOOK FOR?

The answer clearly varies from school to school, but some basic principles apply. In general, admissions committees will look for evidence of academic success, extended research experience, letters of recommendation from people who know you well, and your plans for the future.

• Evidence of academic success. This includes your GPA and MCAT scores, but is not limited to them. Admission committees use a holistic approach and will undoubtedly consider where you went to college and what types of courses you took. They will not necessarily be dismayed if you got off to a slow start, as long as you did well later. They will place the greatest emphasis on courses that are relevant to your chosen area of graduate school training. I have not encountered a program director who seriously believed that the MCAT tests your ability to be a physician–scientist. Nonetheless programs use MCAT scores in a variety of ways, including seeing how you compare with the national pool of applicants and predicting how you will do on the numerous standardized tests that all of us have to take in medical school and beyond.
• Extensive research experience. If you plan to get a PhD in one of the laboratory sciences, then prior laboratory experience counts heavily, particularly if you spent a year or more in the same laboratory. Summer laboratory experience can be helpful because they are usually opportunities to do research full time, but summers are short. Whenever possible, you should try to do research during the academic year, or at least spend multiple summers in the same lab. If you are planning a PhD outside of the laboratory sciences, seek equivalent experiences. The idea is to be sure you like the experience and to create a track record upon which your past performance can be judged and your future success predicted.
• Letters of recommendation. The most important letter(s) are from the faculty members or other senior investigators with whom you worked. The letters should ideally comment on your talents, skills, and potential for success as an independent investigator. If you are working with a senior faculty member, it is very helpful if he or she can compare you with other students with whom he or she has worked. Note that such a letter is not necessarily the most appropriate for an MD-only application. MD/PhD program admissions committees are usually most interested in your talent and ability as a physician–scientist, although they will definitely also consider whether you are likely to become a successful and caring physician. Fortunately, medical schools allow you to submit more than one letter of recommendation.
• Your plans for the future. Because training to be a physician–­investigator is so costly in terms of your time and the school’s resources, your career goals should be compatible with MD/PhD training. Becoming a full-time practitioner is a laudable goal, but does not require a PhD in addition to an MD. Your goal as a trained physician–investigator should be to spend at least 75% of your time on research. You do not need to know the specific problem you want to work on at this point (many do not, and it is likely to change), or with whom you would like to train, but your commitment to becoming an investigator should be clearly communicated in your essays and interviews, and you should have given thought to what will be required.

HOW DO I DECIDE WHERE TO APPLY?

Some applicants have decided that they want to work in a particular field or with a particular faculty member. For them, choosing where to apply is defined by where that faculty member works or where the field is best represented. Most applicants have only a general idea of what they might want to work on in the future and know that their interests are likely to evolve as they are exposed to new things. For them, choice will be defined by issues such as the reputation of the school (hopefully not based solely on U.S. News and World Report rankings!), the success of the graduates of the program (be sure to ask!), and geography. Schools vary in the difficulty of gaining admission. The directors and nonfaculty administrators of MD/PhD programs nationwide are a large pool of resources that you can tap. Most of us get e-mail from future applicants all the time. Take advantage of our willingness to talk with you. Ask questions about the things that are important to you.

FINAL THOUGHTS

I began this perspective with the confession that I am a physician–scientist and I like what I do. It is not unusual these days to encounter articles and opinion pieces that lament the difficulty of becoming and remaining a physician–scientist. I will not cite them here—you can find them on your own. Fortunately, our society is still willing to make a large investment in biomedical research through the NIH and through numerous foundations. If you want to become a physician who discovers the new stuff, there are jobs waiting to be filled. However, you will need good training and great mentorship as you learn the skills needed to be a physician and a research team leader. Good luck with your decision.

Acknowledgments

My thanks to my colleagues who direct MD/PhD programs, the NIH for supporting physician–scientist training (including my own), and the hundreds of MD/PhD candidates and alumni who have taught me so much over the past 20 years.

Abbreviations used:

DOI: 10.1091/mbc.E17-12-0721

1 www.aamc.org/data/facts/enrollmentgraduate/ .

2 www.aamc.org/students/research/mdphd/ .

3 http://mdphd.gpp.nih.gov .

• Akabas MH, Tartakovsky I, Brass LF. (2018). The National MD–PhD Program Outcomes Study. American Association of Medical Colleges Reports.
• Brass LF, Akabas MH, Burnley LD, Engman DM, Wiley CA, Andersen OS. (2010). Are MD–PhD programs meeting their goals? An analysis of career choices made by graduates of 24 MD–PhD programs . Acad Med , 692–701. [ PMC free article ] [ PubMed ] [ Google Scholar ]
• Ginsburg D, Shurin SB, Mills S. (2014). NIH Physician–Scientist Workforce (PSW) Working Group Report. [ Google Scholar ]

• Medical School Admissions

How to Get into an MD/PhD Program

MD-PhD Programs: How to get in (2021-2022)

Are you passionate about medicine and research? If so, you should consider pursuing an MD-PhD program. These rigorous programs prepare students who excel in these areas to become physician scientists.

Only about 600 students enter MD-PhD programs each year, according to the Association of American Medical Colleges (AAMC) — a far smaller number than tens of thousands who matriculate at medical schools. But that doesn’t mean these programs are any less selective or prestigious than medical school.

Are you considering applying to an MD-Phd program? Here’s what you should know and how to prepare.

Table of Contents

What are MD-PhD programs?

MD-PhD programs give students a grounding in both clinical training in medicine and research. After successfully completing your program, you will earn both degrees. 

Like many dual-degree programs, this is an extremely rigorous and challenging route to take. You will need to complete the requirements associated with both degrees, including writing a dissertation and treating patients.

How Long Do These Programs Take to Complete?

Most MD-PhD programs take around 7-8 years to complete, although some students do it in a longer or shorter period of time. After completing the program, you will need to train and prepare for work in your field, which takes another several years — the length of time varies based on your specialty.

What is the Typical Structure of an MD-PhD Program?

While there can be some slight variations in the exact structure of an MD-PhD program, the basic structure is listed below:

• Years 1 and 2: Take basic science classes with your entering medical school class
• Years 3, 4, 5, and 6: Complete PhD research
• Years 7 and 8: Complete years three and four of medical school which are your clinical rotations

What Are Medical Scientist Training Programs?

Funded by the National Institute of Health (NIH), Medical Scientist Training Programs (MSTP) describe MD-PhD programs that come with special benefits, including full tuition coverage and stipends for housing and living. These programs are highly competitive but extremely rewarding, and students enjoy additional career-development opportunities like conferences, mentorship, and additional resources.

Related Article: Medical School Acceptance Rates, Admission Statistics + Average MCAT and GPA for every Medical School

How competitive are md-phd versus md-only programs.

Getting into MD-PhD programs is more difficult than getting into MD-only programs. Why? With MD-PhD programs, you need to get “accepted” by both the MD portion of the program and the PhD portion of the program. So, not only do you have to meet criteria for both, but the process is often longer and more drawn out. Everyone once in a while a student approaches us thinking applying for MD-PhD will help improve chances of admission and this is the opposite of the truth!

Let’s review the data:

• MCAT and GPA: In 2020-2021, the average GPA for MD-PhD matriculants was 3.8 and the average MCAT was 516.2 .  Compare this to the average GPA and MCAT of medical school matriculants: 3.73 and 511.5 .
• Acceptance Rate: There were a total of 701 MD-PhD matriculants of 1855 applicants for an acceptance rate of 37.7% . Compare this to an MD-only acceptance rate of 41.9%

Are There Alternatives to MD-PhD Programs?

The primary alternative to an MD-PhD program is to take a gap year or two during medical school to pursue research in the specialty you hope to pursue. In fact, for more competitive residencies and specialties, this is becoming increasingly more common as having valuable research experience is important for the most competitive specialties in medicine. Keep in mind that one or two years of research will not earn you an additional degree like a formal MD-PhD will so choose the option that is best aligned with your future goals.

Tips for Applying

Understand the differences in the application process..

MD-PhD applicants follow a similar process as MD applicants do. They generally submit applications through the American Medical College Application Service (AMCAS). However, students must declare their intention to apply as MD-PhD candidates and complete two additional essays as part of the application. Make sure you complete the essays quickly but thoughtfully.

Bolster Your Academic Credentials.

In the 2020–2021 , there were 1,825 MD-PhD applicants to MD-PhD programs, and 701 students ended up matriculating. While this admissions rate is on par with that of MD programs, arguably, MD-PhD programs are more self-selective, meaning only students who are truly passionate about this career path tend to apply, and that number is significantly smaller than those who aspire to be physicians. Moreover, there are far fewer of these programs available.

That means you will need to have a high GPA and MCAT score . You may need to retake the MCAT and bolster your GPA by adding additional courses if they aren’t quite there.

Have a Strong Resume with Impressive Research Experience.

Because these programs emphasize research, you will need to demonstrate plenty of research experience when you apply. Seek out opportunities to work in labs, with professors, as an intern, and so on. Aim to be listed as an author on several publications — this will make you that much more competitive candidate.

Not having stellar research experience is one of the primary reasons we advise students not to apply ot MD-PhD programs and instead to apply only to MD programs.

Consider Applying to MD-only Programs Simultaneously.

You’ll improve your chances of being admitted to at least one program if you also apply for medical schools simultaneously. You can even be considered as an MD-only candidate at schools where you’re not admitted as an MD-PhD program. Just mark this on your application.

MD-PhD AMCAS Essay Prompts and Character Limits:

Md-phd essay.

If you are applying to an MD-PhD program(s), you are required to provide two additional essays, the MD-PhD Essay and the Significant Research Experience Essay. Use the MD-PhD Essay to state your reasons for pursuing the combined MD-PhD degree. Your response will be forwarded only to your designated MD-PhD program(s). This essay is limited to 3,000 characters.

Below this essay, you’ll be asked to enter your total hours of research experience.

Significant Research Experience Essay

In addition to the MD-PhD Essay, you are required to write an essay that describes your significant research experiences. In this essay, please specify your research supervisor’s name and affiliation, the duration of the experience, the nature of the problem studied, and your contributions to the research effort. The essay is limited to 10,000 characters.

If your research resulted in a publication on which you were an author, please enter the full citation in the Work/Activities section of your application

What to Focus on in Your Essays

Keep in mind that your two additional MD-PhD essays will be considered together with your AMCAS medical school personal statement and work and activities . These two additional essays should be straightforward and direct. 

This is not the place to get creative. Instead, express why you want to pursue an MD-PhD: What are your research interests and how and why would an MD-PhD allow you to reach your goals? Why do you want to merge a career in clinical medicine and research? What are your future goals?

We suggest asking a principal investigator or mentor to review your significant research experience essay to make sure it includes the necessary details about your research.

Where Do Graduates Work?

Physician scientists have many career paths available to them. After completing their residencies, they can go onto work at teaching hospitals, medical schools, independent research labs, government agencies, pharmaceutical companies, and more

Remember, too, that graduates can rely on one degree over another or apply them both to their work. Ultimately, there are numerous options to explore.

List of MD-PhD Programs in the US (*NIH-Funded Programs)

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Is an MD/PhD Program Right for You?

MD-PhD programs may be right for you if you are interested in a career path that melds both clinical practice and in-depth scientific research. MD-PhD graduates aren’t simply doctors; they are “physician-scientists” or “medical scientists.”

MD-PhD programs offer a dual-degree track that combines the clinical training of a standard MD degree with the added coursework of a PhD. The PhD training is particularly rigorous and includes classes usually in the realm of biomedical sciences, as well as advanced research training, lab rotations, and intensive investigative work.

The payoff for choosing an MD-PhD program is that these clinical medicine graduates are equipped to treat patients while also participating in the discovery and development of innovative healthcare solutions. 

Here are a few reasons you might want to pursue an MD/PhD career:

• You want to participate in cutting-edge medical research.
• You want career options beyond clinical medical practice.
• You want to help train future generations of medical doctors.
• You want more collaborative research opportunities with colleagues.
• You want funding opportunities only available to MD/PhD students.

The Difference Between MD & MD/PhD

The difference between MD and MD-PhD is that graduates with an MD-PhD receive PhD training and hold a PhD degree in addition to their MD degree.

The cost of an MD-PhD program varies widely depending on the institution. Still, the stipend and tuition-free training make many of these programs significantly less financially burdensome compared to standalone MD or PhD programs.

MD/PhD students will complete graduate school and medical school qualified to hold positions in academic medicine and biomedical research (in addition to being qualified to practice clinical medicine. 

What Is an MD?

A medical doctor has earned a standard medical degree or MD and is skilled to practice clinical medicine. Medical students must complete 4 years of medical school to earn their degree, followed by 3-7 years of residency and fellowship training to practice medicine.

What Is a PhD?

PhD stands for Doctor of Philosophy in reference to their critical knowledge and research experience in a particular field of study. A PhD is the highest possible academic degree.

Earning a PhD is often considered harder than earning an MD due to the scientific research required to stimulate original thought and develop quality hypotheses.

How Competitive Are MD/PhD Programs?

Physician-scientist programs are slightly more selective and competitive than the average medical program.

Between 2018 and 2023, a little more than one-third of students who applied to an MD/PhD program (37.7%) were accepted. The acceptance rate for medical school applicants in general was 41.2% for the 2022-23 application cycle.

The test scores of these programs also indicate how much more competitive these programs are. The average MCAT score of MD/PhD matriculants in the 2022-23 cycle was 516.2, and their mean GPA was 3.82. In comparison, medical school matriculants overall had an average MCAT score of 511.9 and average GPA of 3.75 during the same cycle.

How Long Are MD/PhD Programs?

The MD-PhD dual degree takes approximately 7-8 years of coursework to complete, followed by an additional 3-7 years of residency to be eligible to practice medicine. 

Generally, MD coursework is emphasized in years 1-2, followed by research training in years 3-5, and ending with medical training and clinicals in years 6-8. 

Requirements for MD/PhD Applicants

If you are considering applying to an MD/PhD program , know that having strong essays and letters is more important than incrementally higher MCAT test scores and GPAs. Numbers get your foot in the door; storytelling gets you a seat at the table. 

In general, the requirements for MD/PhD applicants include:

• MCAT score in the 90th percentile: Specific MCAT requirements for MD/PhD programs vary by school. However, in general, most students have the best chance at success with an MCAT score in the 90th percentile or higher. In the 2022-23 application cycle, MD/PhD applicants had an average MCAT score of 511.3, while matriculants averaged 516.2.
• GPA of 3.7 or higher: Like MCAT scores, the GPA requirements for MD/PhD programs differ by program. But your chances are highest with an average GPA of at least 3.7. In the 2022-23 application cycle, MD/PhD applicants averaged a science GPA of 3.61 and overall GPA of 3.68, while matriculants averaged a 3.78 science GPA and 3.82 overall.
• Compelling personal statement: Your personal statement essay should explain why you want to become a physician and is required for both MD & MD/PhD applications . All prospective doctors must write a personal statement that stands out, and this is doubly true for MD/PhD applicants.
• 2 additional essays: You’ll write one essay conveying your personal interest in pursuing an MD/PhD dual degree specifically, and one essay covering your substantive experiences in the field of research . These may include multiple summer projects, senior thesis research, or 1+ years of post-undergrad research programs and activities.
• 2-3 letters from research mentors who can praise your scientific potential.
• 1-2 letters from clinical mentors who know your aptitude for patient care.
• 1 letter from the premed committee.
• 1 letter from a mentor who can discuss your leadership skills and personal traits in an extracurricular setting.

Questions to Ask Yourself When Considering an MD/PhD Program

By answering these questions, you can choose the graduate program that is the best fit for you over the next 8 years.

• What skills do you want to develop? Choose a program that has ample opportunities to explore your field of interest and in which you can identify potential mentors for rotations and thesis projects.
• What is your preferred MD/PhD program size? Choose a smaller program of MD-PhD students if you prefer hands-on guidance with individualized attention and a larger program if you prefer a larger community with more networking opportunities. 
• Where do you want to live for 8 years of medical school ? Choose a location that fits your needs for cost of living, housing, transportation, extracurriculars, as well as opportunities for fun and making friends. 
• Does the program offer financial aid? Choose a program that meets your financial needs in the form of stipends and tuition waivers. It’s important to note that if you drop out of an MD-PhD program, some schools require you to pay back the investment that the school made in you. 
• Will you fit into the school’s culture? Choose a program after you’ve visited the campus, talked with the current students and faculty, and asked about opportunities in your field of interest as well as other’s experiences at the school and living in the city.
• Does the MD/PhD Program align with your timeline? Choose a program with coursework that allows you to graduate in your preferred timeline, which could be sooner or longer than eight years.

Possible Career Paths for MD/PhD Graduates

A career choice often depends on an individual’s specific interests, such as which medical specialties they are drawn to, whether they prefer working with patients or in a laboratory, and how they want to contribute to advancing medical science.

The salary range for MD/PhD graduates varies significantly by position and type of work. Policy analysts’ starting salary is around $57,000 per year, while attending physicians who do research can make upwards of $500,000.

Below are careers someone with an MD-PhD might pursue:

Attending Physician with Research Responsibilities

An MD/PhD holder in this position would have a traditional medical role seeing and treating patients, but they might also have dedicated time for research. This role allows one to continue practicing medicine while contributing to academic or clinical research. 

Individuals in this role often split their time among patient care, research activities, and instructional duties. Typically, they are found in educational hospitals or medical schools.

Physicians’ salaries can vary significantly based on specialty and experience, but generally, they are well-compensated. An attending physician in a specialized field can expect to earn upwards of $200,000 to $500,000 or more, especially if they have dual responsibilities that include research.

Translational Medicine Specialist

These specialists work at the intersection of basic research and patient care, focusing on turning research insights into practical medical applications. 

This role may exist within academia, industry, or clinical settings and is tailored for those who understand both the clinical and research aspects of medicine.

The salary for this role can also vary based on industry, location, and level of experience but would likely fall in the range of $150,000 to $250,000 or more.

Biomedical Researcher

Those with MD-PhD qualifications commonly secure jobs as researchers within biomedical science. Employment settings can range from academic institutions and drug companies to governmental agencies like the NIH.

Salaries for biomedical researchers typically fall somewhere between $85,000 and $104,000 per year.

Clinical Research Director

These are medical doctors responsible for overseeing clinical trials and research projects, usually within a hospital, academic institution, or pharmaceutical/biotech company. This role leverages both the clinical insights from an MD and the research methodology of a PhD.

Salaries can vary widely depending on the setting (academia, private industry, etc.) and geographic location. In general, a Clinical Research Director could expect to earn a six-figure salary, often ranging from around $150,000 to $250,000 or more per year.

Pharmaceutical/Biotech Industry Professional

A significant number of MD-PhDs join the pharmaceutical or biotech sectors. Responsibilities might include roles in the development of new medications, overseeing clinical trials, regulatory compliance, or managing medical affairs.

The average salary for this position will likely differ quite a bit depending on the exact role and company, but the average is generally between $125,000 and $133,00 per year.

Medical Director

In this capacity, a person is in charge of the medical elements of a healthcare facility or a specific department within a hospital. The role usually calls for expertise in both medical practice and research.

This position is likely to be one of the most lucrative of the MD/PhD field, with an average salary from $319,000 to $329,000 per year.

Science Policy Analyst/Advisor

Individuals in this role often find themselves in governmental or nonprofit settings, where they influence policy decisions related to scientific research and healthcare.

The typical salary for a science policy analyst starts at around $57,000 per year. Advisors have a slightly higher upper salary range and may make as much as $75,000.

Public Health Official

Some MD-PhDs opt for roles in the public sector where they focus on health concerns at a societal level. They may be employed by organizations such as the CDC or WHO.

In many cases, public health officials can expect to make a yearly salary of between $101,000 and $111,000.

Medical Science Liaison

This role typically serves as an intermediary between pharmaceutical enterprises and medical professionals. These liaisons disseminate information about new treatments and scientific advancements to doctors, researchers, and other medical stakeholders.

This role also typically commands a six-figure salary, usually ranging from approximately $100,000 to $200,000, depending on experience, location, and the hiring organization.

Medical Educator

Professors teach medical students, residents, and fellows in an academic setting while also conducting research. These doctors often have clinical responsibilities as well. An MD/PhD is especially well-suited for this role due to the dual focus on clinical care and research.

They may teach various medical subjects like pharmacology or genetics and actively participate in the educational goals of their institutions.

In academia, salaries can vary widely based on rank (Assistant Professor, Associate Professor, Full Professor), institution, and geographic location. Salaries may range from $100,000 to well over $200,000 for senior roles or those at prestigious institutions.

Best MD/PhD Programs in the US

There are 122 different American Universities that offer MD/PhD degree programs, according to the AAMC list of MD-PhD Programs by State . A further 13 Canadian programs also use the AMCAS application system.

Some MD-PhD programs in the United States are funded by the National Institutes of Health (NIH) through the Medical Scientist Training Program (MSTP). This means that students receive full tuition remission, health insurance, and a living stipend throughout their training.

Medical schools with fully funded MD-PhD programs :

• Dartmouth University, Geisel School of Medicine
• Duke University School of Medicine
• Harvard/M.I.T MD-PhD Program, Harvard Medical School
• John Hopkins University School of Medicine
• Mayo Clinic College of Medicine & Science
• University of Florida College of Medicine
• University of Pennsylvania, Perelman School of Medicine
• University of Southern California (USC), Keck School of Medicine
• Yale University School of Medicine

Medical schools with the most MD-PhD spots historically: 

• Raymond and Ruth Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania
• University of Illinois College of Medicine
• Weill Cornell Medical College
• Washington University in St. Louis School of Medicine
• Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine
• Albert Einstein College of Medicine of Yeshiva University
• University of California, Los Angeles David Geffen School of Medicine
• University of Michigan Medical School
• Columbia University College of Physicians and Surgeons 
• University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine
• Harvard Medical School
• Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine
• Northwestern University The Feinberg School of Medicine
• Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai
• University of California, San Francisco, School of Medicine
• Vanderbilt University School of Medicine
• Ohio State University College of Medicine
• University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health
• New York University School of Medicine
• Stanford University School of Medicine
• Yale School of Medicine

Medical schools with MD/PhD programs that accept international students:

• Emory University School of Medicine
• Northwestern Feinberg School of Medicine
• University of Pennsylvania Perelman School of Medicine
• University of Southern California Keck School of Medicine/California Institute of Technology
• University of Texas Southwestern Medical School
• Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis

The MD/PhD Application Process

The application process for MD-PhD programs is similar to that of typical MD programs. The two major differences are that you’ll designate yourself as an MD/PhD candidate on the AMCAS application, and you’ll submit 2 additional essays on that primary.

The Application Timeline

• AMCAS (submit by end of May): You’ll fill out a primary application through AMCAS in the spring of the first year of your application cycle (e.g., to matriculate in fall 2026, you’ll submit AMCAS in spring 2025). AMCAS opens at the end of May each year. Aim to submit the primary application no later than the end of June, as early applications are more likely to be reviewed and accepted.
• Secondaries (submit by end of August): You’ll respond to secondary applications in the summer after your primary application is reviewed by each school you submitted it to. Each program sends secondary applications to students who generally meet their minimum requirements.
• Interviews (October-March): You’ll then attend interviews as invited between October and March. Some schools won’t contact you at all to reject your application; others will offer conflicting invites. You must prioritize your options and prepare for the opportunities that do come. 
• Final decisions (December-March): Final decisions are made by schools between December and March. Schools with a rolling admissions cycle (most of them) accept students after completing interviews and determining a student is a fit. A smaller number of programs wait to send acceptances until after all interviews are complete.
• Choose your program (March-April): Students choose where to matriculate between March and April.
• Programs start (June-August): Programs begin between June and August, depending on the school.

How to Prepare for an MD/PhD interview

You should prepare for your MD/PhD interview by practicing mock interviews to rid yourself of the jitters and fine-tune your responses in various scenarios. In addition to developing your personal narrative, you must be able to explain your research training at multiple levels.  

If you’re interested in participating in a mock interview with a physician who has served on an admissions committee, consider a mock interview with MedSchoolCoach .

What to Do if You Get Waitlisted

Finding out that you’ve been waitlisted for the MD/PhD program of your dreams is never a good feeling. However, you are not helpless in the wait. It’s a good idea to remain in contact with program leaders and administrators by sending a Letter of Intent or a Letter of Interest.

Listen: An MD/PHD’s Journey to Medicine [PODCAST]  

What is a Letter of Intent vs. a Letter of Interest? 

A Letter of Intent is a formal statement that you would commit to matriculating into a program if you are accepted. A Letter of Interest conveys that you are strongly interested in the program, but it does not indicate any commitment or explicitly state that a program is your first choice.

Both letters should summarize why you believe the program and school are a great fit for your interests and how you will be able to uniquely contribute to the school, in under one page.

Finding Out You’ve Been Accepted!

The day you receive that phone call or email — the one from the MD-PhD program director contacting you to say you have officially been offered acceptance into their program — provides a feeling of joy worth being patient for!

Our Physician Advisors can support you through the application process for your best shot at getting into the school of your choice.

What specialties can MD/PhD graduates earn their PhD in?  

PhD students commonly choose to specialize in topics such as:

• Cell Biology
• Biochemistry
• Pharmacology
• Neuroscience
• Biomedical Engineering

What is the salary range for an MD/PhD graduate? 

MD/PhD graduates can expect an average annual salary of about $100K, depending on the type of work and place of employment.

What is the difference between a PhD and a Postdoctorate? 

A Postdoctoral Fellowship is a temporary period of mentorship and research training for graduates with doctoral degrees, offered by the National Institutes of Health, to acquire skills needed for a chosen career. A PhD thesis must be successfully defended, whereas a postdoc is a non-defendable temporary employment assignment from an organization such as a university.

Can an MD/PhD be a doctor? 

Graduates who earn an MD/PhD are fully qualified doctors and may practice medicine in a clinical setting upon completing their residency training.

Can an MD/PhD graduate be a surgeon? 

While an MD/PhD graduate CAN be a surgeon if they choose surgery specialties in their residency programs, a surgical resident is not required to obtain a PhD in addition to their MD.

Schedule a free 15-minute consultation with MedSchoolCoach to learn how we can help boost your chances of success getting into medical school .

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INFORMATION FOR

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Admissions: Applying to the MD-PhD Program

We seek applicants who are committed to pursuing a career as a physician-scientists. We value students who are curious, creative, compassionate, and resilient, and bring a diverse range of personal experiences, viewpoints, and academic interests to our collaborative and innovative community.

Candidates must submit their application to the Yale School of Medicine which includes the AMCAS and the Yale Secondary Applications and indicate their interest in being considered for the MD-PhD Program. All applications are holistically reviewed to find candidates whose academic and personal experiences indicate exceptional potential and a commitment to pursue MD and PhD training at Yale. Among the things we look for in a candidate's application are:

• Significant research experience(s) with evidence of increasing independence, responsibility, and depth of contributions
• Outstanding letters of recommendation, including those from research mentors who can reflect upon your potential for success as a physician-scientist
• Personal statements that allow us to understand your reasons for training as a physician-scientist
• Activities that reflect your curiosity, compassion, maturity, leadership, grit
• Broad academic excellence, not reflected solely in MCAT scores or GPA

Admissions Timeline

Invitations for interview will be sent via email from September to January. All interviews are virtual and will be scheduled over a two-day period. Candidates have interviews with members of both the MD and MD-PhD Interviewing subcommittees, non-evaluative meetings with MD-PhD program faculty and students, and informational sessions with the program director and current students. Social events and student buddies will help you learn more about the MD-PhD community at Yale and about living in New Haven. As part of the invitation to interview, we will provide a survey link that allows you to request informal meetings with up to five Yale faculty whose research is of interest to you. These informal discussions are not part of the admissions evaluation but are made available to you so that you can get a more complete picture of what Yale has to offer. Applicants who are not invited to interview for the MD-PhD Program will be offered the option to have their application considered for MD-only admission.

Special Instructions for Applicants Interested in “non-traditional” PhD programs

MD-PhD applicants who plan to pursue their PhD in Anthropology, Economics, History of Science & Medicine, Philosophy, Religious Studies or Sociology must submit applications to both the MD-PhD program and to the PhD program. (A link to the PhD program application will be sent to such students when their complete MD-PhD program application is received.) Interview invitations will be made after both applications have been reviewed. Materials required to support the PhD program application are detailed below. Students interested in these programs are encouraged to contact the MD-PhD program to indicate their interest and to obtain the most up-to-date information about specific PhD program requirements. Please note: the completed MD-PhD application must be received by October 15th and the PhD application completed by November 1st to allow full review and consideration for interview.

Requested additional materials:

• Anthropology
• History of Science and Medicine
• Religious Studies
• Please upload a current resume/CV.
• Applicants to Economics (Only) – GRE Test Scores required

Important information to keep in mind:

• The " personal statement of academic purpose " is carefully evaluated by PhD program faculty; when requested, it should be prepared with this audience in mind. This document should be a succinct statement of 500-1,000 words explaining why you are applying to Yale for graduate study, describing your past research, your preparation for the intended field of study, your academic plans for graduate study at Yale (e.g. your proposed research project), and your subsequent career objectives. Explain how the faculty, research, and resources at Yale would contribute to your future goals.
• You may submit a letter of recommendation from the same individual as part of both the AMCAS and GSAS applications; we encourage you to ask the recommenders most capable of speaking to your preparation for the PhD program of study to submit their letters to both AMCAS and GSAS. Once you identify a recommender in the GSAS Admissions Portal, they will receive an email providing instructions and access information.
• No application fee to GSAS will be required to submit these additional materials.
• The MCAT will be accepted in lieu of the GRE except for candidates to Economics.

Gap years are not necessary for applicants . Nationally, >75% of MD-PhD students have taken at least one gap year after college 1 . Gap years can help applicants gain research or clinical experience necessary for deciding whether dual-degree training is right for them. Or they can provide time to travel, work, or take the MCAT and apply. But gap years per se are not necessary to be admitted to MD-PhD programs! The distribution of gap years taken by Yale MD-PhD applicants, interviewed or accepted candidates, and matriculated students for 2019-2023 shows a median “gap” of 2 years for interviewed, accepted, and matriculated applicants But 18% of our current students joined the program immediately after graduating from college.

Diversity and inclusion are central to our mission; our goal is to train students with a wide range of backgrounds, personal identities, and research interests to become physician-scientists. MD-PhD students who matriculated in the past five years completed their undergraduate degrees at accredited four-year institutions all over the United States and territories, and include students who have attended community colleges, historically black colleges and universities (HBCUs) and small, non-research-intensive colleges. Demographics of current students, as self-identified in their AMCAS medical school applications, are shown below. We encourage individuals with disabilities or who may be from economically, socially, culturally and/or educationally disadvantaged backgrounds to apply to our Program. Yale is committed to providing an accessible and inclusive environment to individuals with disabilities by ensuring that appropriate academic and technical accommodations are available to students. Please contact the MD-PhD Office and Student Accessibility Services for further information. U.S. citizens, permanent residents, refugees, asylees, DACA recipients and international students are all eligible to apply for admission to the MD-PhD Program.

1 Brass LF, Fitzsimonds RM, Akabas MH. Gaps between college and starting an MD-PhD program are adding years to physician-scientist training time. JCI Insight. 2021;e156168 [ PMC free article ] [ PubMed ] [ Google Scholar ]

Yale's MD-PhD Program grants full consideration to students who plan to pursue a PhD program in departments that are part of the Biological and Biomedical Sciences (BBS) , the School of Public Health (YSPH) , School of Engineering and Applied Sciences (SEAS) , and some departments of the Graduate School of Arts and Sciences (GSAS ). Please click on the links for more information on specific PhD programs. Current students are pursuing their PhD training in the following programs and departments.

Applying to MD-PhD Programs

New section.

Are you considering a MD-PhD program? Here the basics about applying to MD-PhD programs to help you get started.

The MD-PhD dual degree training prepares you for a career that is busy, challenging, and rewarding, and offers opportunities to do good for many people by advancing medical science, developing new diagnostics and treatments for diseases, and pushing back the boundaries of the unknown.

How do I know if a combined program is right for me?

MD-PhD programs are specifically designed for those who want to become physician-researchers, also known as physician-scientists. Graduates of MD-PhD programs often go on to become faculty members at medical schools, universities, and research institutes such as the National Institutes of Health (NIH).

MD-PhD program students are being prepared for careers in which they will spend most of their time doing research in addition to caring for patients. It is critical that applicants have a passion for doing both—most MD-PhD graduates feel strongly that they would not be fulfilled by only pursuing medicine or science.

How do I apply?

Nearly all MD-PhD programs participate in the application process via the American Medical College Application Service® (AMCAS®) . On the AMCAS application, students designate themselves as MD-PhD applicants and complete two additional essays: one related to why they are interested in MD-PhD training, and the other highlighting their significant research experiences.

What schools offer this type of program?

Nationwide, there are more than 90 MD-PhD programs affiliated with medical schools. The National Institute of General Medical Sciences (NIGMS) supports Medical Scientist Training Programs or MSTPs. They currently provide training grants that partially support MD-PhD programs at 49 degree-granting institutions. You can see which schools offer MD-PhD degrees in the  Medical School Admission Requirements  profiles under “Combined Degrees and Special Programs.” You can also review  Individual MD-PhD Program Information for Prospective Applicants  for easy access to individual MD-PhD program websites.

How long does it take?

Students enter an integrated curriculum that typically takes seven to eight years to complete. During which time, they satisfy the full requirements for both the MD and the PhD degrees.

What kind of work can I do? How much time is spent as an MD? As a researcher?

According to a  study of MD-PhD program outcomes , nearly 80 percent of graduates are following career paths consistent with the goals of their training, including working as full-time faculty in academic medical centers or for the NIH, research institutes, industry, and federal agencies. Those in academia, spend between 50 and 80 percent of their time conducting research, though this can vary by specialty. Their research may be lab-based, translational, or clinical. The remaining time is often divided between clinical service, teaching, and administrative activities.

MD-PhD Application Timeline

AMCAS application opens:  May preceding the year of expected entry Applicants interviewed:  October–March Final decisions sent to applicants:  December–March Applicants revisit program(s) to decide where to matriculate:  March–April MD-PhD programs start:  June–August

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MSTP MD-PhD Program

Mstp admissions and eligibility.

The Medical Scientist Training Program MD-PhD Admissions process

Stanford's MSTP is interested in identifying students with significant undergraduate research experience that would predict successful completion of a PhD program. In addition, our successful candidates must meet the standards expected of the very best MD candidates. The Stanford Medical Scientist Training Program admissions process utilizes the same application, process and all policies as the MD-only application. For information regarding the Stanford School of Medicine’s MD Admissions process, policies and eligibility, please visit the How to Apply page. For specific questions regarding the application process, please contact Stanford's MD Admissions directly at [email protected].

Updates to an application   will be accepted only after an applicant has been invited to interview . Interview decisions are made based on information submitted in the AMCAS application, Stanford Supplemental Application, and letters of recommendation.

It is important that we maintain a consistent and equitable standard for all applications to be considered with the same basis of information. If applicable, additional information can be submitted after the day of your interview.

When submitting additional information, please indicate that you have been interviewed or we may not include updates with your file. Acceptable updates include any significant developments in scholarly endeavors or projects, or additional letters of recommendation. Please do not send additional coursework or transcripts unless we have specifically requested such information from you.The MSTP admissions process begins with submission of the AMCAS application. When an AMCAS application is received by the Office of MD Admissions, the information and instructions for completion of Stanford's supplementary application are made available. Once the application file is complete, it is first reviewed by members of the MSTP Admissions Committee. If an applicant is not chosen for an MSTP interview, his/her file is automatically routed to the MD Admissions Committee for consideration.

Eligibility

Academic recommendations for the MSTP follow the same criteria as admission to the MD Program.  Please see the  MD Admissions website  for information on Stanford University's Medical School Admissions academic recommendations . 

If you have matriculated in an MD or PhD program at another institution, you are not eligible to apply to the MSTP. The Stanford MD and MST Programs do not accept applications from students applying for transfer.  Stanford PhD students are eligible to apply through the AMCAS MD application process. 

Stanford’s MSTP  recognizes that the Supreme Court issued a ruling in June 2023 about the consideration of certain types of demographic information as part of an admission review. All applications submitted during upcoming application cycles will be reviewed in conformance with that decision.

Stanford’s MSTP welcomes applications from individuals with a broad range of life experiences, perspectives, and backgrounds who would contribute to our community of scholars. The review process is holistic and individualized, considering each applicant’s academic record and accomplishments, letters of recommendation, prior research experience, and admissions essays to understand how an applicant’s life experiences have shaped their past and potential contributions to their field and how they might enrich the learning community at Stanford.

Students with disabilities are also encouraged to apply.  Students with disabilities actively participating in the various aspects of life at Stanford, are an essential part of our greater community. Stanford University has a strong commitment to maintaining a diverse and stimulating academic community, representing a broad spectrum of talents and experiences.  Stanford Medicine has a number of programs to support these goals. Both the Stanford School of Medicine and the Medical Scientist Training Program encourage those with diverse backgrounds and/or disabilites to apply. We do not discriminate and believe in the inclusion of all individuals. Our selection process is accessible for students with disabilities and reasonable and appropriate accommodations will be provided to ensure that people with disabilities have fair and equal opportunities to demonstrate their qualifications.

Admission to the Medical Scientist Training Program is contingent on acceptance to the Stanford University MD program, and the application process for both programs is collaborative.

Recommendation Letters

The MSTP Admissions Committee wants to see letters of recommendation from your research mentor, or mentors, addressing your experiences in the laboratory. A minimum of three and a maximum of six individual letters of recommendation is required. All letters must be written on official letterhead and signed by the recommender(s) or committee members. All letters of recommendation must be submitted through the AMCAS Letters Service. Please visit the AMCAS Letters Service site for instructions and more information.

International Students

The MSTP is not able to fund International Students . Stipend and tuition support from the MSTP can only be provided for U.S. citizens and permanent residents. Our federal funding restrictions do not permit us to support International Students. Unfortunately, self-support for PhD study is not an option.

Only International Students applying to the Knight-Hennessy Scholars program may also apply to the Stanford MSTP. If applying to Knight-Hennessy, International Students may apply to the MSTP MD-PhD track at Stanford.

An International Student can still pursue a dual degree MD-PhD program here at Stanford outside of the Knight-Hennessy Scholars Program. The applicant must apply and be admitted separately to both degree programs. It is possible to receive support for PhD study from the specific PhD department or program. Please contact the particular PhD Program directly for PhD application procedures. International Students may be eligible for Institutional Financial Aid. Information on applying for financial aid for the MD program is available here .

Knight-Hennessy Scholars

Join dozens of  Stanford MD and PhD students  who gain valuable leadership skills in a multidisciplinary, multicultural community as  Knight-Hennessy Scholars   (KHS). KHS admits up to 100 select applicants each year from across Stanford’s seven graduate schools, and delivers engaging experiences that prepare them to be visionary, courageous, and collaborative leaders ready to address complex global challenges. As a scholar, you join a distinguished cohort, participate in up to three years of leadership programming, and receive full funding for up to three years of your graduate studies at Stanford. Candidates of any country may apply. KHS applicants must have earned their first undergraduate degree within the last seven years, and must apply to both a Stanford graduate program and to KHS. Stanford PhD students may also apply to KHS during their first year of PhD enrollment. If you aspire to be a leader in your field, we invite you to apply. The KHS application deadline is October 11, 2023. Learn more about  KHS admission .

DACA or Undocumented Applicants

Stanford has actively supported the DREAM Act legislation since its introduction in 2001, which would enable undocumented students to continue their education and apply for citizenship.  Stanford also supports Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA), an executive action signed by former President Barack Obama, which allowed some undocumented individuals who entered the United States as children to remain in the country.  We are among the more than 600 colleges and universities that have signed a letter in support of DACA.

Individuals who have been granted DACA at the time of application are eligible to apply and matriculate to Stanford Medicine.  Additionally, individuals who have met all other requirements and are otherwise undocumented are permitted to apply and matriculate to Stanford Medicine.  http://immigration.stanford.edu/

Equal Access to the School of Medicine’s Educational Program

Stanford Medicine intends for its students and graduates to become competent and compassionate physicians who are capable of entering residency training (graduate medical education) and meeting all requirements for medical licensure.

Stanford Medicine has an institutional commitment to provide equal educational opportunities for qualified students with disabilities who apply for admission to the MD degree program or who are enrolled as medical students. Stanford Medicine is a leader in student diversity and individual rights, with a strong commitment to full compliance with state and federal laws and regulations (including the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990, and California law (Civil code 51 and 54). A “qualified person with a disability” is an individual with a disability who meets the academic and technical standards requisite to admission or participation in Stanford Medicine’s educational programs, with or without accommodations. Admitted candidates with disabilities are reviewed individually, on a case-by-case basis, with a complete and careful consideration of all the skills, attitudes, and attributes of each candidate to determine whether there are any reasonable accommodations or available options that would permit the candidate to satisfy the standards.

Stanford’s Policy on Non-Discrimination

Stanford University admits qualified students of any race, color, national or ethnic origin, sex, age, disability, religion, sexual orientation, gender identity, veteran status, or marital status to all the rights, privileges, programs, and activities generally accorded or made available to students at the University. Consistent with its obligations under the law, Stanford prohibits unlawful discrimination on the basis of race, color, national or ethnic origin, sex, age, disability, religion, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, veteran status, marital status or any other characteristic protected by applicable law in the administration of the University's programs and activities; Stanford also prohibits unlawful harassment including sexual harassment and sexual violence. The following person has been designated to handle inquiries regarding this nondiscrimination policy: Director of the Diversity and Access Office, Mariposa House, 585 Capistrano Way, Stanford University, Stanford, CA 94305-8230; (650) 723-0755 (voice), (650) 723-1791 (fax),  [email protected]  (email). Stanford’s Title IX Coordinator, Cathy Glaze, has been designated to handle inquiries regarding sexual harassment and sexual violence: Mariposa House (2nd floor), 585 Capistrano Way, Stanford, CA 94305, (650) 497-4955 (voice), (650) 497-9257 (fax),  [email protected] (email).

Stanford’s Institute of Equity and Access Office

The Office of Diversity and Access  within the Institute of Equity and Access is the campus office designated to work with Stanford students with disabilities, at both the undergraduate and graduate levels (including the professional schools). The Office provides a wide array of support services, accommodations, and programs to remove barriers to full participation in the life of the University. Institute of Equity and Access Office, Kingscote Gardens, 419 Lagunita Drive, 1st floor Suite 130, Stanford Univeristy, Stanford, CA 94305, Phone: 650-723-1066.

Diversity & Inclusion

Stanford’s MSTP recognizes that the Supreme Court issued a ruling in June 2023 about the consideration of certain types of demographic information as part of an admission review. All applications submitted during upcoming application cycles will be reviewed in conformance with that decision.

Click here for Student Support Resources

MD/PhD Program

Updated July 2023

Welcome to the Georgetown MD/PhD Program. The mission of our program is to train a diverse pool of medical scientist for dedicated careers in biomedical, bioethical and clinical research. Particular strengths of our program include cancer research (in conjunction with the Lombardi Comprehensive Cancer Center), neuroscience, pharmacology, and bioethics. Students accepted in the 2023-2024 application cycle will receive a full tuition scholarship and stipend for the entirety of their training. Please consider applying to our program!

Todd Waldman, MD, PhD Director

• final two years

md-phd program requirements

MD-PhD students are expected to function as full time students in the program throughout the MS4 year (eg minimum of 35-40 hours a week).  The program considers a wide range of activities to be acceptable for maintaining full-time student status (and receiving that paycheck!), as long as the student provides monthly updates to the staff . These include all the typical MS4 activities: clinical coursework, preparing residency applications, interviewing, taking step 2, and completing other MD graduation requirements. In addition, we anticipate that nearly all students will Return to Research (R2R) during the MS4 year.  You can do this by extending your thesis work, or by choosing to explore a new topic or type of research, and working with a new mentor. Global health activities are also fine.  The program is pretty much open to anything that is academic in nature, adds up to a full time work load, and fits well with the student’s long term career goals. If a student is interested in an alternate activity of some type (eg an internship or research at another institution), this may also be acceptable but the student must seek approval from the Program Director several months in advance. 

Note that students may hear MD classmates saying that they only need to be registered for activities for two out of every four months.  This is true in terms of formal enrollment as an MD student.  But the requirements for receiving your MD-PhD fellowship and paycheck are continuous full time enrollment .  You are expected to truly be full time throughout all of MS4.  Please complete paperwork for the Registrar’s office to document research or other non-clinical activities.  Of course students are also expected to take some vacation time this year!  A week or two here or there is fine, and it is understood that students who Match outside of Philly will need to time for a housing search in another city in the spring.  But for the most part, MD-PhD students should be in school full time throughout the year. 

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School of Medicine

Medical Education

M.d./ph.d. program.

• Applying to the M.D./Ph.D. Program
• M.D./Ph.D. Program Blog
• M.D./Ph.D. Student Profiles
• M Delta Curriculum for M.D./Ph.D. Students
• M.D./Ph.D. Student Publications
• M.D./Ph.D. Student Government

UConn’s M.D./Ph.D. program provides students with an intellectually stimulating and highly integrated educational experience leading to completion of both the M.D. and Ph.D. degrees. With many alumni matched to highly competitive residencies, the UConn M.D./Ph.D. program prepares its graduates for successful careers in both medicine and science.

The mission of our M.D./Ph.D. program is to prepare individuals of outstanding potential for productive careers as physician-scientists. The program emphasizes the development of skills necessary to become a highly competent and caring physician and to perform, evaluate, and communicate the results of independent research in the biomedical sciences.

Furthermore, we strongly believe in the importance of diversity, equity, and inclusion in science and medicine. Essential to this is our giving opportunities for students of all backgrounds including underrepresented minority groups, disadvantaged backgrounds, and those with disabilities. We are committed to provide individualized support for students from underrepresented or underprivileged backgrounds.

Our program is dedicated to high quality medical and graduate education tailored to the needs of the individual student. We are a close-knit community of students, faculty, and staff. Collegiality and mentorship are key aspects of the program.

Dedication to Diversity

The M.D./Ph.D. program at UConn Health is fully dedicated to making an environment that is inclusive and accepting of all of our students. To this end, we value diversity in all its forms, and encourage people of all backgrounds to apply to join our community of learning.

We believe that having a wide range of lived experiences adds value to the discussions we have with one another. As future healthcare providers and researchers, understanding differences in lifestyles and cultures help us provide the best care for our patients. The program works towards having a diverse environment to encourage dialogue and strengthen our understanding. Through this, we aim to add diverse and culturally competent physician-scientists to the work force.

We also emphasize outreach to underrepresented communities in our surrounding area through a variety of programs. These programs provide mentorship and education about the career paths in science and medicine, including physician-scientists. Through these, we aim to spread awareness and encourage diversity in the science and medical field in the future.

We welcome you to explore the many ways in which the UConn M.D./Ph.D. program, the School of Medicine, and the Graduate School work to ensure that UConn is a safe and welcoming environment for all. We also ask you to reach out to us with any questions about the M.D./Ph.D. program’s commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion.

Program Structure

M.D./Ph.D. students matriculate for the first 18 months with the regular M.D. students before they pursue their graduate studies, taking four years to complete their Ph.D., and then return for clinical clerkships. During the first two years, in addition to completing the preclinical requirements of the medical school curriculum, students pursue select graduate school coursework and two to three laboratory rotations. Incoming M.D./Ph.D. students have the option to complete their first laboratory rotation the summer before matriculation.

There is an emphasis in continuity of clinical education, providing opportunity to practice clinical skills on patients from the start of medical school and throughout the graduate phase, better preparing students to excel in clinical rotations. Students remain actively involved in the program during all phases of their training via weekly research club, symposiums, leadership opportunities, and other events.

As part of the longitudinal clinical experience, students are required to continue clinical activities in community service clinics or in specialty clinics for a half day per month during the graduate phase in order to maintain their clinical skills. Following successful completion of requirements for the Ph.D. degree, students return to medical school to complete two years of clinical training.

For a full breakdown of program structure, see our page on the M Delta Curriculum for M.D./Ph.D. Students.

UConn School of Medicine is one of the nation's leading public medical schools, featuring a modern, case-based learning curriculum, early clinical experience, and state-of-the-art facilities for clinical simulation, virtual and cadaverial anatomy education

M.D./Ph.D. students engage in UConn School of Medicine’s industry-leading M Delta curriculum.

Learn more about UConn School of Medicine’s curriculum.

Graduate Education

During the graduate phase, students pursue intensive thesis research in one of seven areas of concentration (AOC) in biomedical science and complete additional coursework required by their AOC. The Biomedical Science AOCs are:

• Cell Biology
• Genetics & Developmental Biology
• Molecular Biology and Biochemistry
• Neuroscience
• Skeletal Biology and Regeneration
• Systems Biology

The Jackson Laboratory for Genomic Medicine

The Jackson Laboratory (JAX) offers collaborative research training opportunities for our students in mammalian genetics and genomic medicine on our UConn Health campus. Our students have the option to complete lab rotations and perform their Ph.D. thesis research with a JAX faculty member at the Jackson Laboratory on our Farmington, CT campus at UConn Health, if the JAX faculty member has an appointment as a faculty member of the UConn Graduate School. Learn more about the cooperative Ph.D. program and JAX-GM.

External Fellowship Awards

Although a tuition waiver and full stipend funding are guaranteed through the entire length of our program, most of our students succeed in obtaining fellowship grants such as NIH F30 and American Heart Association awards. We provide extensive support for trainee grant applications including a mock study section with senior faculty members to prepare our students for success. To read about some of our current student fellowships success stories, read our M.D./Ph.D. student blog.

Residency Placement

Our students routinely match to physician-scientist training programs (PSTPs) and other competitive residencies in a broad range of specialties all over the country. For more details, check out our M.D./Ph.D. Program fact sheet and M.D./Ph.D. student blog .

To learn more about the success of our our past and current students, see our M.D./Ph.D. student blog , Student Profile page, and M.D./Ph.D. Program fact sheet.

Applications

Applicants should have substantive research experience, a strong academic record, and prior clinical exposures. Applicants must complete the online AMCAS application, indicate on their application that they are applying to the UConn M.D./Ph.D. program, and complete the M.D./Ph.D. essay. Learn more about applying to the UConn PhD Program.

Contact Information

M.d./ph.d. program news & blog.

• Congratulations to MD-PhD M4 students on their Match!
• Congraduations Justin and Cullen on T90/T32 appointments!
• MD/PhD Program Director’s Innovative Approach to Heart Disease
• MD/PhD Candidate Rachel Cohn Awarded F30 Fellowship from NIA
• Congratulations to our new MD-PhD Graduates!
• Congratulations to Keaton Karlinsey on NIH F30 Award

MD/PhD Program

Welcome to UK College of Medicine's MD/PhD Program

The University of Kentucky MD/PhD Training Program leverages the strong institutional environment to prepare exceptional students to assume leadership positions at the forefront of scientific and medical discovery. The MD/PhD Program has benefited from broad institutional investment to promote basic, translational, and clinical science by attracting top-caliber students and producing well-prepared physician scientists. As one of only a handful of universities to have six health care colleges on the same campus, we offer a wide range of graduate training opportunities. The range of multidisciplinary research is what makes UK unique.

MD/PhD Program

Physician Scientist Program Overview

If you are interested in a career in academic medicine as a physician scientist, this program may be ideal for you. It will provide to tools necessary for obtaining fulfilling physician scientist jobs, enabling you to become a medical practitioner and faculty member at a university medical center where you will be able to teach medical and graduate students. As a physician scientist, you will be involved with innovative biomedical research. After completion of the program, you will receive both the M.D. and Ph.D. degrees.

Physician Scientist Program Curriculum

Students who have been admitted to the M.D./Ph.D. program begin graduate studies during the summer session preceding their first year of admission into the medical school curriculum. During the summer session, major emphasis is placed on introduction to research with the goal of selecting an advisor and a research problem to be developed as the student's Ph.D. dissertation research.

Enrollment pattern after acceptance into the program:

At the end of the second year curriculum in the School of Medicine, students in this program defer continuation in the medical school curriculum and devote full-time enrollment toward completion of requirements for the physician scientist degree. A "typical student" will require four years to complete these requirements depending on the nature of the research problem.

Program Cost

Current tuition costs can be seen at the links below or by contacting Student Business Services from 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. CST at (806) 743-7867 for detailed fee information, including out-of-state tuition.

TTUHSC Student Business Services Main Page

TTUHSC Student Business Services Tuition Estimator

MD/PhD specific financial support can be found here .

Program Guidelines

For more information on Program Guidelines please view our GSBS Catalog .  

Admission Statistics

• Application Information

Physician Scientist Program Deadlines

How to apply.

Currently students apply through the Texas Medical & Dental Schools Application Service; (TMDSAS - Follow for link) indicating their request to apply to the MD/PhD program. Applicants to the MD/PhD program must upload any reference letters through the TMDSAS application. Applications submitted after November 1 will not be considered.

Once you have completed the primary application please complete the required  Secondary Application . Please note that you are only required to complete one Secondary Application. For example, applicants who apply to both the MD/PhD program and the MD program will only need to submit one Secondary Application.

After a student has applied to TMDSAS, and submitted the School of Medicine secondary application, the selection committees from both schools invite selected applicants for interviews. The MD/PhD interviews are coordinated through the School of Medicine's Admissions Office. The interview is tailored to match the interests of the applicant and will include one or more faculty members from the MD/PhD operating committee and the GSBS Senior Associate Dean. Additional details of the review process are described in the program guidelines below. Previous research experience, publications and motivation will be key features in the evaluation.

Applicants to the M.D./Ph.D. program must meet both School of Medicine and Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences admissions requirements, including the School of Medicine requirement to be a U.S. citizen or permanent resident. More information regarding School of Medicine admission requirements is available on their website .

We're here to help. Contact us if you have questions.

General Contact

3601 4th Street MS 6206 Lubbock, TX 79430-6206 (806)-743-2556 [email protected]

Program Director

Michael Blanton, Ph.D. [email protected]

Admissions Director

Terri Lloyd (806)-743-2556 [email protected]  

Acceptance Rates & Yield At The Top 100 U.S. MBA Programs

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2022 was a great year for applicants to the leading full-time MBA programs in the United States.

2023 brought applicants plenty of good news, too.

Acceptance rates at the top B-schools climbed for a second straight year in 2023, rising at more than half of the top 50 MBA programs, including seven of the top 10 in Poets&Quants ’ annual ranking and 18 of the top 25. Five of the elite M7 B-schools saw their acceptance rates climb year over year.

The loosening of schools’ selectivity stems directly from a long-term fragility in interest: MBA applications fell for a second straight year at many schools — including all but two of the 17 top-ranked programs — and are down significantly over the last three years at many top B-schools. Yield, the percentage of admits who actually enroll, fell at a wide majority of schools in P&Q ‘s ranking, including seven of the top 10 schools and 20 of the top 25 — giving B-schools even more incentive to be generous in their admissions.

And B-schools have been generous, with many growing their enrollment: Thirty-five of 53 top schools increased their number of admits from 2022 to 2023, some by more than 100 seats, and about half the top 50 B-schools increased their MBA class sizes. The result: For many MBA candidates, it became easier in 2023 to get into the program of their choice.

ACCEPTANCE RATES & MORE AT THE P&Q TOP 10: 2016 TO 2023

Schools included in 2023 calculations: stanford, harvard, dartmouth tuck, columbia, yale, duke fuqua, cornell johnson, virginia darden, michigan ross, nyu stern, just 9 b-schools in the top 100 had acceptance rates below 20%.

Acceptance rates climb at some business schools and fall at others every year. Some shifts can be credited to normal market fluctuations — but in 2023, the trend was clearly to open the gates a little wider for those looking to get an MBA. Acceptance rates grew at 31 schools from 2022 to 2023, up from 29 schools from 2021 to 2022; correspondingly, the ranks of schools with highly selective rates shrank: Only nine B-schools in the P&Q top 100 reported rates below 20% in 2023, eight of them in the top 50. In 2022, there were nine schools in the top 50 alone.

Likewise, in 2023 there were 24 B-schools with rates below 30%, 18 of them in the top 50; in 2022, there were 24 in the top 50; in 2021, there were 27.

The elite B-schools are the canaries in the coal mine: In the top 10, seven increased their acceptance rates; while admits and enrollment were down overall across the 10 schools once again in 2023, the cumulative acceptance rate grew significantly for a second straight year, to 27.8% from 22.2% (see table above). One caveat: Because the Wharton School at the University of Pennsylvania dropped out of P&Q ‘s top 10, the numbers for 2023 are not perfectly comparable to previous years. But even if you dropped Cornell or Stern or Duke or Darden from the table and added Wharton, there would still be a rise in acceptance rate — and, troublingly from a school perspective, a big drop in applications.

Regardless, acceptance rate growth is not restricted to the elite of the elite. In the top 25, only seven schools decreased their rates. In 2022, the same number of top-25 B-schools decreased their acceptance rates — but back in 2021, 21 did. (See the table below for acceptance rates at the top 53 B-schools, and the table on page 5 for rates, applications, admits, class sizes, and yield at the top 100 schools.)

AFTER STANFORD, A PUBLIC B-SCHOOL REPORTED THE LOWEST ACCEPTANCE RATE IN 2023

In the P&Q top 25, the biggest jump in acceptance rate occurred at No. 17 Washington Foster School of Business , where it jumped 13.5 percentage points to 41.6% from 28.1%. Widening to the top 50, the biggest jump was at No. 49 Rutgers Business School , which inflated its rate by 15.8 points to 41.9% from 26.1%.

Not every school made it easier to get in. Big declines in acceptance rates occurred last year, as they do every year. The biggest in the top 25 was at No. 25 Florida Warrington College of Business , whose Hough MBA program dropped its selectivity 5.9 percentage points to 30.2% from 36.1%. In the top 50, the biggest decline was at No. 27 Georgia Tech Scheller College of Business , which fell 12.9 points to 19.4% from 32.3%.

The highest acceptance rate in the top 10 was once again at Dartmouth Tuck School of Business , at 40.1%. Tuck, ranked No. 3 in 2023, has grown its acceptance rate a couple of years in a row, up from 33.4% in 2022 and 29.5% in 2021. In the top 25, the highest rate was at No. 24 Georgetown McDonough School of Business : 61.8%, Georgetown, too, has seen two years of increases, up from 50.9% in 2022 and 48.1% in 2021.

In the top 50, the highest rate was No. 48 Babson Olin Graduate School of Business : 64.3%. And the highest in the top 100: No. 97 Willamette Atkinson Graduate School of Management in Salem, Oregon: 99%.

Stanford Graduate School of Business once again boasted the only sub-10% acceptance rate of any school, clocking in at 8.4%, down slightly from 8.6% last year but still better — from an applicant’s perspective — than the 6.2% of 2021. Apart from Stanford, the lowest rate in the top 50 was not an Ivy League school or an M7: It was No. 50 Ohio State Fisher College of Business, at 12.2%. Harvard Business School was close behind at 13.2%.

MBA ACCEPTANCE RATES AT THE TOP U.S. B-SCHOOLS: 2020 TO 2023

Source: u.s. news & world report data and p&q analysis.

See pages 2, 3, and 4 for detailed year-to-year data breakdowns on apps, admits, class sizes, and yield at 53 of the top U.S. MBA programs; and see page 5 for this year’s stats for the top 100 U.S. MBA programs.

Questions about this article? Email us or leave a comment below.

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