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Dual Degrees

Admission to the MD-PhD Dual Degree Program

Students committed to a career that incorporates research with clinical care are encouraged to apply to the Medical Scientist Training Program. The application process for this MD-PhD dual degree program at IU School of Medicine begins when an applicant chooses the appropriate box on the AMCAS application, indicating interest in the MD-PhD program. Six to ten students are admitted to the program each year.

Begin MD-PhD Dual Degree Study

Interested participants in the MD-PhD dual degree program at IU School of Medicine can begin the application process.

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Requirements

The Medical Scientist Training Program requires admission to both IU School of Medicine and an Indiana University or Purdue University graduate school program. GRE scores are not required.

Basic requirements for admission to IU School of Medicine’s MD program are available. Applicants should not submit a graduate school application unless requested.

Upon receipt of a completed AMCAS application, the Medical Scientist Training Program will send a secondary application via email. The secondary application includes several questions about your interest in the Indiana MSTP, your possible future research areas, and what you would bring to the program. Program candidates are asked to submit at least two letters of recommendation from faculty advisors. At least one should be from a faculty research mentor. Please return these documents as soon as possible.

Process

Upon review of the applicant’s commitment to a physician-scientist career, undergraduate research experience and record, and MCAT scores, the Medical Scientist Training Program admissions committee extends invitations for interviews to qualified candidates. 

The online interview consists of a combined interview with a Medical Scientist Training Program co-director or associate director and a member of the IU School of Medicine MD admissions committee. If an applicant is being considered for a biomedical engineering PhD, Purdue University faculty will also be involved in the interview process. Two to four interviews are scheduled with members from either IU School of Medicine or Purdue University research faculty. Every effort is made to schedule at least one interview with a faculty member requested by the applicant.

If invited for an in-person second interview, an applicant receives a more in-depth perspective of potential research opportunities, nature of the curriculum and a better understanding of student life on the IU School of Medicine—Indianapolis campus and local community.