Q: How do I apply to the University of Arizona College of Medicine MD/PhD Program?
A: Application is made through the American Medical College Application Service (AMCAS). AMCAS is open on May 2nd for students applying for enrollment in the 2024-2025 school year.
Q: Do I complete a separate application to University of Arizona College of Medicine?
A: You must select the MD/PhD Program on your AMCAS application. After your AMCAS application is received by the University of Arizona you will be sent an e-mail with instructions for completing the on-line secondary application. This allows you to complete the required two MD/PhD essay questions that describe your interest in the combined degree program.
Q: Where should I send letters of recommendation?
A: All letters should be sent directly to AMCAS. AMCAS will forward your letters to the College of Medicine and the MD-PhD program.
Q: What is the deadline for receipt of my MD-PhD application?
A: The deadline for the primary application is October 2, 2024 and the secondary application is due 21 days from date and time secondary is emailed OR October 23, 2024, whichever day comes first. The transcripts and letters of recommendation must be uploaded through AMCAS by 11:59pm Arizona Time by October 23, 2024. We encourage you to have all application materials submitted as early as possible.
Q: Are international students eligible for the MD/PhD Program?
A: U.S. citizens and permanent residents are eligible for admission. Due to funding restrictions, all other international students are ineligible to apply.
Q: I am currently a medical student at the University of Arizona College of Medicine MD/PhD Program. Am I eligible to apply to the MD/PhD Program?
A: Students currently enrolled in the University of Arizona College of Medicine or PhD program can apply if they meet eligibility requirements. It is recommended that potential applicants contact the Director of the MD/PhD Program to discuss this process.
Q: When will I hear from the MD/PhD Program at UACOM-T?
A: Applications are reviewed by the Medical School Admissions Office and MD/PhD Advisory Committee. Following the review process we will contact you if you are selected for an interview in September.
Q: What factors are considered in selecting applicants to interview for the Program?
A: Applicants must meet admissions requirements for the College of Medicine, including MCAT scores, undergraduate and graduate academic records and letters of recommendation. Also a strong background in research is essential. Interviews are extended to applicants based on the above criteria using a holistic approach.
Q: What is the average GPA and MCATs of the students invited to interview?
A: GPA 3.75, MCAT 515.
Q: What makes a competitive applicant?
A: In recent years accepted MD-PhD students have had an average undergraduate GPA of 3.75 with a range of 2.71 to 4.0 and an average MCAT of 515 with a range of 508-524. Students with a weak undergraduate GPA often have done a MS with a strong GPA.
A: The research experience and potential to become a physician-scientist, as described in your physician scientist motivation statement, is the most important part of your MD-PhD application. Students should have a significant amount of research experience. This includes, but is not limited to, at least one year undergraduate research, post-undergraduate research, senior thesis research, and/or multiple summer projects – prior to applying to the MD-PhD Program.
A: Strong letters of recommendation from faculty who know the student's research experience and comment on their potential as scientists are important.
A: Publications are not required, include all abstracts and presentations at national and international conferences in order to demonstrate commitment to research.
Q: What are my chances of admission?
A: Each year our program receives approximately 100 applications. Interviews are extended to about 35 applicants. Approximately, 25% of interviewees are accepted. Our program matriculates approximately 5 new students per year.
Q: When are interviews held?
A: Two-day interviews are held in November. Thursday, October 31, 2024 (MD/PhD Interview) & Friday, November 1, 2024 (MD Interview) and Thursday, November 14, 2024 (MD/PhD Interview) and Friday, November 15, 2024 (MD Interview).
Q: Are interview travel expenses reimbursed?
A: Currently, travel expenses are not covered by the program. If offered an interview and you have financial difficulties, please reach out to the program to make arrangements to see how we can help support you in your application. Students will be given the opportunity to stay with current MD-PhD and MD students during their interviews to help with lodging costs during the interviews.
Q: Are accepted applicants invited back for a second visit?
A: Yes, accepted applicants are encouraged to revisit the campus for the medical school second look.
Q: Do all students in the MD/PhD Program receive support?
A: Yes, all students are provided with a yearly stipend and tuition support.
Q: Is there a maximum limit to the number of letters of recommendations that can be submitted?
A: Maximum of 10, preferably from someone who has worked with the applicant. One letter should be from your current research advisor and one letter must be from a clinician.
Q: Is there a GPA/MCAT screen/baseline that must be met in order to receive a secondary application?
A: The applicant needs to have a 3.0 BCPM and 3.0 Total GPA and a 498 MCAT to be eligible to get a secondary.
Q: I currently have a 3.62 GPA and a 503 MCAT, however, I'm planning to retake the MCAT in June. I was hoping to submit my application early, prior to my MCAT retake, but I was concerned my initial score would stop me from receiving a secondary application. Do you recommend that I apply after my MCAT retake?
A: The applicants' scores from the June MCAT we will get in July and that will update on AMCAS and we will get those results.
The latest MCAT we will accept for the 2024-2025 application cycle is September 11th, 2022. We will not accept MCATs older than January of 2021. There are no exceptions.
(Update)
*In response to the COVID-19 Pandemic, the oldest MCAT score we will accept for the 2023-2024 application cycle remains January 2022. Please note for future application cycles we plan to return to the AMCAS recommendation of a valid MCAT score no more than three years old. We anticipate the oldest MCAT score we will accept for the 2023-2024 application cycle to be January 2021.
Q: Are there ways to communicate with current MD-PhD students to find out more information about the program?
A: Yes, feel free to reach out to anyone in the student directory, the directors or coordinator of the program.
Q: I’m an incoming MD/PhD student – are there any fees I need to pay for the start of the semester? My FAFSA is completed and funds will be dispersed into my account within the next 2-3 weeks. Do I need to pay for tuition from those funds through the student portal?
A: Tuition is billed each semester by Bursar's Office so for the upcoming academic year, you'll be billed for fall and spring separately. You can confirm fall tuition costs on the Bursar's website. Tuition billing will not occur until you are registered for fall courses. However, you need to be certain you've cleared up any of your enrollment holds listed in UAccess; i.e., Campus Health Hold (see the links in UAccess for more info.) You can also view your owed charges on your Bursar's account in UAccess reported in the "Finances" section.
Q: When will applicants be contacted for interview(s)?
A: Interview Invitations sent: Week of October 20, 2024.