A WashU dual MD/PhD opens the door to endless opportunities to affect change in medicine by applying a clinical perspective to basic science. Our collegial, collaborative culture and innovative, flexible curriculum will prepare you for a fulfilling career as a physician-scientist equipped to ask tough clinical and research questions and apply the learnings.
Successful applicants will have excellent scholarly qualifications, as demonstrated by your academic record. You should have at least two years of undergraduate or post-baccalaureate research experience, outstanding letters of reference and evidence of a strong commitment to a career in science and medicine. We review applications holistically, and the 25 students in each class cohort will have a diverse range of experiences, research interests and career intentions.
You must have completed at least 90 semester units of credit or an MA degree in an appropriate field at an approved institution of higher education in the United States or Canada to be eligible for the program (view specific academic requirements here). Citizenship status is not a consideration in admissions decisions. International students receive the same funding as domestic students. The Graduate Record Exam is not required.
Although most individuals enter the MSTP as first-year students, we encourage applications from students in their first or second year at Washington University School of Medicine.
Apply early!
Applying to WashU’s Medical Scientist Training Program consists of two main steps:
- Submit your medical school application through the American Medical College Application Service (AMCAS) by Oct. 15. When you select Washington University, state “MD/PhD Program” for access to the MD/PhD essay questions.
- Submit the Washington University School of Medicine supplemental application by Oct. 31. Under the degree objective field, state either “MSTP Only” or “MD or MSTP.”
The deadline for application to the MSTP is 11:59 p.m. on October 31. We will not consider applications submitted after the deadline. We encourage early application, as we make interview offers on a rolling basis. We typically fill 85% of interview slots before the deadline.
The application review process is rigorous and may take several weeks to complete. We invite highly competitive applicants to interview at our expense. After the interview, the MSTP Committee and the School of Medicine make admissions decisions jointly on a rolling basis.
Candidates who applied “MD or MSTP” may be invited to interview for the MD-only degree program. This is not to be confused with interviewing for a position in the MSTP. Competitive applicants who interview with the MD-only program will be required to return at a later date to interview with the MSTP.
Washington University encourages and gives full consideration to all applicants for admission, financial aid, and employment. The University does not discriminate in access to, or treatment or employment in, its programs and activities on the basis of race, color, age, religion, sex, sexual orientation, national origin, veteran status, or disability. Present Department of Defense policy governing ROTC and AFROTC programs discriminates on the basis of sexual orientation; such discrimination is inconsistent with Washington University policy. Inquiries about compliance should be addressed to the University’s Executive Director for Human Resources, Washington University, Campus Box 1184, One Brookings Drive, St. Louis, MO 63130-4899. (314)935-5990.