Based on discussions I've had with my cohorts around the country, the average
MCATs for successful MD/PhD applicants is 34Q, the average GPA is 3.7. I would
say that for practical purposes, MCATs should be 30 or higher; GPAs 3.3 or
higher. There are instances of individuals with sub-30 MCATs or GPAs below 3.3
getting into MD/PhD programs, but it is not very common. The most important
component of any successful MD/PhD applicant is solid research experience.
Individuals with suboptimal MCAT & GPA must have strong research experience, as
does anyone who hopes to get into a MD/PhD program. Most programs require a
minimum of 2 semesters (or summers) of research, but the most competitive
applicants have two or more years.
Here are some answers to frequently asked questions, compiled by Skip Brass,
Director of Penn's MSTP (which is one of the best programs in the country, IMO):
What are the admissions committees looking for?
The answer to this question clearly varies from school to school, but some basic
principles apply. When they consider your application they will look for:
1) Evidence of academic success using criteria that will include your GPA and
MCAT scores, but not be limited to them. They 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 look hardest at how you did in courses that are relevant to
your chosen area of graduate school training.
2) Relevant 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, but summers are short and whenever
possible you should try to do research during the academic year or spend
multiple summers in the same lab. For those of you planning a PhD outside of the
laboratory sciences, seek equivalent experiences. The idea is to be sure you
like it and to create a track record upon which your past performance can be
judged and your future success predicted.
3) Letters of recommendation. The most important letter(s) are from the faculty
member or other senior investigator with whom you worked. The letter should
comment on our talents, skills, and potential for success as an independent
investigator. If you are working with a senior faculty member, it is very
helpful if they can compare you to other students with whom they have worked.
4) Your plans for the future. Since 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 doesn’t require a PhD in addition to a MD. Your goal as a
trained physician-investigator should be to spend at least 75% of your time on
research. You need not know the specific problem you want to work on, or with
whom you would like to train, but your commitment to becoming an investigator
should be clearly communicated and you should have given thought to what will be
required.
Is it important to have spent time working in a hospital or clinic before I
apply?
Perhaps. Some medical school admissions committees take that as evidence of
commitment and as a predictor that you will do well in the clinical portions of
your training and career.
What GPA and MCAT scores will I need for admission?
The answer to this question varies among the MD-PhD programs. All of the medical
schools will want to be as sure as possible that you can handle the load of work
involved in doing medical school plus graduate school. MCAT scores and your
college GPA provide one way of predicting how you will do, but only one way.
Average MCAT and GPA scores for combined degree program applicants last year
were about 31 and 3.5 respectively. Average numbers for those accepted varied
from school to school. If you have concerns or questions, ask the schools you
are considering. If you take the MCATS more than once, some schools will look
only at your highest scores.
Do I need to take the GRE?
Medical schools require the MCAT, not the GRE. Some schools will want both for
combined degree applicants. Be sure to ask.
Brian P. Sullivan
Administrative Director
Medical Scientist Training Progam (MD/PhD)
Washington University School of Medicine
Campus Box 8226
660 South Euclid Avenue
St. Louis, MO 63110
314 362-7458 800 852-4625 314 362-3369
Vox Toll Free Fax
[email protected]
http://dbbs.wustl.edu/mstp/
Education - the entire pipeline