MD-PhD programs are competitive. Let's get some numbers out of the way: The 122 U.S. programs that grant an MD-PhD dual degree had a collective 2,091 applicants and 750 matriculants in the 2021 cycle. That means approximately 36% of applicants got into a program. (There are also 13 Canadian schools and the NIH MD-PhD Partnership Program to consider.)
Who should be interested in an MD-PhD?
If you're passionate about research but also want to work with patients in a clinical setting, the physician-scientist path might be right for you. A strong applicant should have a research background already. "Most MD-PhD candidates earn their PhD in biomedical laboratory disciplines such as cell biology, biochemistry, genetics, immunology, pharmacology, physiology, neuroscience, and biomedical engineering," according to the AAMC. But there are some programs that allow you to pursue non-laboratory interests as well (epidemiology, healthcare policy, etc.).
How can I improve my odds of acceptance?
There are fantastic MD-PhD-focused summer research programs for undergraduates that will amp up your resume and Work and Activities entries. The AAMC provides a helpful list of such programs.
If you're an underrepresented applicant, The Gateways to the Laboratory Program of the Tri-Institutional MD-PhD Program focuses on helping underrepresented students prepare for MD-PhD programs. That program is open to freshman and sophomores only, but Tri-I offers other research opportunity programs for undergrads further along in their studies.
Wait, it's HOW long?!
On average, an MD-PhD program lasts eight years. Schools have different ways of covering both bases, but you might attend medical school classes for two years and then switch gears to a PhD program, and then post-thesis switch back to an MD-focus and do clinical rounds.
The National Institutes of Health (NIH) MD-PhD Partnership Training Program provides an accelerated track for recent college graduates, current medical students, and NIH Graduate Partnerships Program (GPP) students that can be completed in approximately four years.
Can I apply to both MD and MD-PhD programs simultaneously?
Yes. And it's a good idea since MD-PhD programs are so competitive. You can always apply to an MD-PhD program again after you have a year of medical school under your belt. The first year of an MD-PhD program is basically the same thing. If you're rejected by one school's MD-PhD program, they'll still consider you for their med school.
When should I apply?
At the same time as you would (or will) apply to MD programs. Ideally, you would have your application in decent shape by April. AMCAS opens in May for a sneak peek at the application requirements (you should already be familiar with those). You can submit your application in June. Your program will start the following year sometime between June and August.
Who quits MD-PhD programs?
A 2020 study on MD-PhD dropouts found that students who left programs either lost a passion for research, felt isolated or had a "lack of social integration" during training, had poor experiences with PhD-advisement, or had "unforeseen obstacles to completing PhD research requirements, such as loss of funding." A separate study found that a lot of post-docs suffer from imposter syndrome, which is the inability to believe one’s success is deserved. We know this information is disheartening, but it's good to know before you walk in, the reasons why you might consider walking out. Preparing yourself for these possibilities could prevent your early exit from a program.