Pre-Medicine: Becoming an M.D./Ph.D. Medical Scientist

M.D./Ph.D. medical scientists complete both medical (M.D.) and research scientist (Ph.D.) education and training to apply knowledge from a physical, biological or social science to medical research problems. Although a few students complete an M.D./Ph.D. program in six years, most take seven or eight years to finish. After completing their formal schooling, most enter a residency with an emphasis in clinical research. They may gain additional experience through post-residency research fellowships. This path usually leads to a more research, rather than practice, oriented career.

For more information about medical careers in science, see www.aamc.org/students/considering/research.htm.

For a list of M.D./Ph.D. programs, see www.aamc.org/research/dbr/mdphd/programs.htm.

The National Institute of General Medical Sciences currently supports M.D./Ph.D. programs at 41 medical schools. These are collectively known as the Medical Scientist Training Program (MSTP). Students admitted to the MSTP receive a stipend plus tuition for six years of their education. There are ~150 total openings each year, and admission is extremely competitive. Many use the American Medical College Application Service (AMCAS) registration as the first step of their application process.

For more information and a list of schools participating in the MSTP, see
www.nigms.nih.gov/Training/InstPredoc/PredocOverview-MSTP.htm.

A representative from the University of Alabama at Birmingham MSTP has invited Kansas residents to apply. For more information, see www.uab.edu/mdphd.

Dr. Dennis McKearin, the director of the MSTP program at UT Southwestern, www.utsouthwestern.edu/mstp, has also presented at KU, and encouraged our students to apply to their program.

Most medical schools who don't participate in the MSTP still offer M.D./Ph.D. track programs. Additional information, including contact people and web sites for these programs, can be found in the AAMC's Medical School Admissions Requirements book (available at the reserve desk in the Anschutz Science Library). Most programs provide some form of stipend and tuition support for their students.

For information about KU Medical School's MD/PhD program, see www3.kumc.edu/mdphd.

The Physician Scientist Training Program at the University of Cincinnati is also receptive to our candidates. For more information, see www.med.uc.edu/pstp.

In order to be admitted to an M.D/Ph.D. program, you must convincingly demonstrate your desire and ability to conduct and present scientific research. It's helpful to generally define the area in which you would like to do research. Attending conventions, talking with people in the field, and performing literature searches can help you find related programs and faculty. It's also very helpful to arrange a summer research internship with the program you'd most like to attend. At the very least, contact faculty and programs, and, if possible, arrange to visit well in advance of the application process.

For more information specifically for applicants to M.D./Ph.D. programs, see the AAMC's FAQ at www.aamc.org/research/dbr/mdphd/applicantfaq.pdf and their MD-PhD Training and Careers: A Guide for Potential Applicants, Current Trainees, and Advisors at www.aamc.org/members/great/resources/mdphdtrainingandcareers.pdf.